In this work, we investigate the crystal chemistry of Fe/V-mixed NASICON [sodium (Na) Super Ionic CONductor] compositions Na 3 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 and Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 that are structurally related to Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , a positive electrode for Na-ion batteries. To synthesize Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 , various synthesis routes (solidstate, sol−gel-assisted, and electrochemical syntheses) were investigated. Direct syntheses resulted in the formation of a NASICON-type phase in the presence of NaFePO 4 and Na 3 PO 4 impurities. The successful preparation of pure Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 has been achieved by the electrochemical sodiation of Na 3 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 . Both synchrotron X-ray absorption and Mossbauer spectroscopy allowed probing the local V and Fe environments and their oxidation states in Na 3 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 and Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 . Na 3 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 crystallizes in the space group C2/c (a = 15.1394(2) Å; b = 8.72550(12) Å; c = 21.6142(3) Å; β = 90.1744(9)°; and Z = 12), and it is isostructural to an ordered αform of Na 3 M 2 (PO 4 ) 3 (M = Fe, V). It presents a superstructure due to Na + ordering, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and in situ temperature X-ray diffraction. The electrochemically sodiated Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 powder crystallizes in the space group R3̅ c (a = 8.94656(8) Å, c = 21.3054(3) Å, and Z = 6) within which the two sodium sites, Na(1) and Na(2), are almost fully occupied. Na 4 FeV(PO 4 ) 3 allows the electrochemical extraction of 2.76 Na + per formula unit within the voltage range of 1.3−4.3 V versus Na + /Na through the Fe III/II , V IV/III , and V V/IV redox couples. This identifies an interesting material for Na-ion batteries.

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Gold nanoparticles of various sizes, supported onto ceria, were synthesized using both deposition-precipitation and coprecipitation methods. Whatever the size, the study of the Au/CeO 2 interface confirms the existence of two preferential orientation relationships with a dislocation network which compensates the 25% interfacial lattice mismatch. Behaviors of supported gold nanostructures under the electron beam were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The thermal stability of the gold nanostructures was found to be strongly affected by the particle size. For small nanostructures (<5 nm), reversible shrinkage of gold layer by layer onto ceria surface was observed. For larger ones, a progressive and irreversible encapsulation by a CeO 2-x layer was found and a four-step process was experimentally underlined.