Insights into the Crystal Chemistry of the Serandite–Schizolite–Pectolite Series

ABSTRACT The compositional series {Na} [[M1+M2](Ca2XMn2–2X)Si3O8(OH)] includes the minerals serandite (X = 0), schizolite (X = 0.5), and pectolite (X = 1). Six crystals are structurally and chemically characterized in detail (four from Ilímaussaq, Greenland; two from Mont Saint-Hilaire, Québec, Canada): one serandite, one pectolite, and four schizolite crystals. Those originating from Greenland show up to 0.05 apfu LREE3+ (La + Ce + Pr + Nd + Eu + Gd). For each, all H atoms were located, and final R1 factors were below 4.4% (<R1> = 2.35%). The results are compared with previously published crystal structure data from an additional 16 samples, originating from worldwide (mostly) igneous environments. Across the series, for all investigated samples, Ca and Mn order preferentially at the octahedral M1 and M2 sites, respectively, following the exchange M2Ca + M1Mn ↔ M1Ca + M2Mn. Site-occupancies closely adhere to a two-site distribution coefficient, calculated here to be K = 20.0(5), for ideal mixing where activity coefficients approach unity. For the above order-disorder exchange, ΔHex is calculated to be –1.77 kcal. With knowledge of K, site assignment and species determination may be accurately made solely with compositional data, where 0 ≤ ΣCa < 0.55 apfu, serandite; 0.55 ≤ ΣCa < 1.45 apfu, schizolite; and 1.45 ≤ ΣCa ≤ 2 apfu, pectolite, with the dominant-constituent rule mandating M1Ca < M1Mn (M2Ca < M2Mn), serandite; M1Ca > M1Mn (M2Ca < M2Mn), schizolite; and M1Ca > M1Mn (M2Ca > M2Mn), pectolite. Polyhedral distortion and structural strain at the M1 and M2 sites, calculated using the equations of Robinson et al. (1971) and solutions to Kirchhoff network equations, respectively, show a predictable, cooperative variation across the entire compositional series; however, prominent discontinuities in distortion and strain behavior are observed for the schizolite composition.

Status-striving orientation, creative deviance engagement and employee creativity: perspective of structural strain

Purpose This study aims to examine why and when employees engage in creative deviance to develop creativity in China. Drawing on strain theory, the authors examined creative deviance engagement as a mediator and transformational leadership as a moderator of the distinct relationships between emotional and rational status-striving orientations and radical and incremental creativity. Design/methodology/approach Multisource survey data were collected from 126 team leaders and 446 employees in Chinese firms. Multilevel path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results show that emotional status-striving orientation relates to creative deviance engagement, which, in turn, has a stronger relationship with radical creativity than with incremental creativity. Furthermore, creative deviance engagement mediates the indirect relationships between emotional status-striving orientation and radical and incremental creativity. Moreover, transformational leadership moderates the above indirect relationships. Originality/value This study is among the first attempts to empirically test the distinct relationships between creative deviance engagement and radical and incremental creativity and further examine how creative deviance engagement mediates the indirect relationships between status-striving orientations and radical and incremental creativity. In addition, the boundary condition of the indirect relationships is investigated. The findings provide valuable insights for the extant literature on status and employee creativity.

Evaluation of the Nanodomain Structure in In-Zn-O Transparent Conductors

The optimization of novel transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) implies a better understanding of the role that the dopant plays on the optoelectronic properties of these materials. In this work, we perform a systematic study of the homologous series ZnkIn2Ok+3 (IZO) by characterizing the specific location of indium in the structure that leads to a nanodomain framework to release structural strain. Through a systematic study of different terms of the series, we have been able to observe the influence of the k value in the nano-structural features of this homologous series. The stabilization and visualization of the structural modulation as a function of k is discussed, even in the lowest term of the series (k = 3). The strain fields and atomic displacements in the wurtzite structure as a consequence of the introduction of In3+ are evaluated.

Monocrystalline Orthorhombic Na0.44Mn0.9Li0.1O2 Cathode with Outstanding Stability and Negligible Structural Strain for Sodium-Ion Batteries

The application of sodium ion batteries (SIBs) in future large-scale energy storage equipment is facing great challenges due to its unstable cathode materials. Herein, monocrystalline orthorhombic Na0.44Mn0.9Li0.1O2 with high crystallinity...

Ultra-sensitive flexible sandwich structural strain sensors based on a silver nanowire supported PDMS/PVDF electrospun membrane substrate

Flexible sandwich structural strain sensors based on silver nanowire supported PDMS/PVDF electrospun membrane substrates exhibit a gauge factor of 654.5.