Ferroelectric phase transitions in Pb2xSn2(1-x)P2Se6 system

Heat capacities of the Pb_2xSn_2(1-x)P₂Se₆ crystals (x=0, 0.098, 0.251, 0.402 and 1.0) were measured using an adiabatic calorimeter at temperatures between 10 and 350 K. In the crystal of x=0, two heat capacity anomalies corresponding to the ferroelectric commensurate - intermediate incommensurate(C-IC) phase transition temperature T _i, and the incommensurate - paraelectric (IC-N) phase transition temperature T _c, were observed at 193.24±0.10 and 220.07±0.15 K, respectively. The phase transition temperatures decreased with an increase in Pb²⁺ concentration. The anomaly at Ti disappeared at x=0.251 in the mixed systems of the Pb_2xSn_2(1-x)P₂Se₆. In the crystal of Pb₂P₂Se₆ (x=1.0), no phase transition was observed. The normal heat capacities for the mixed crystals were determined by least squares fitting of the Debye and Einstein functions to the experimental data. The anomalous heat capacities gave the phase transition entropies of 8.5 and 1.5 J mol^-1 K^-1 for x=0. The large transition entropies are consistent with an order-disorder mechanism in the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transitions in x=0. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cs4P2Se10: A new compound discovered with the application of solid-state and high temperature NMR

The new compound Cs₄P₂Se₁₀ was serendipitously produced in high purity during a high-temperature synthesis done in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. ³¹P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR of the products of the synthesis revealed that the dominant phosphorus-containing product had a chemical shift of −52.8 ppm that could not be assigned to any known compound. Deep reddish brown well-formed plate-like crystals were isolated from the NMR reaction ampoule and the structure was solved with X-ray diffraction. Cs₄P₂Se₁₀ has the triclinic space group P-1 with a=7.3587(11) Å, b=7.4546(11) Å, c=10.1420(15) Å, α=85.938(2)°, β=88.055(2)°, and γ=85.609(2)° and contains the [P₂Se₁₀]⁴⁻ anion. To our knowledge, this is the first compound containing this anion that is composed of two tetrahedral (PSe₄) units connected by a diselenide linkage. It was also possible to form a glass by quenching the melt in ice water, and Cs₄P₂Se₁₀ was recovered upon annealing. The static ³¹P NMR spectrum at 350 °C contained a single peak with a −35 ppm chemical shift and a ∼7 ppm peak width. This study highlights the potential of solid-state and high-temperature NMR for aiding discovery of new compounds and for probing the species that exist at high temperature.     

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary chalcogenides InSn2Bi3Se8 and In0.2Sn6Bi1.8Se9

Quaternary chalcogenides InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ were synthesized on direct combination of their elements in stoichiometric ratios at T>800 °C under vacuum. Their structures were determined with X-ray diffraction of single crystals. InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12) with a=13.557(3) Å, b=4.1299(8) Å, c=15.252(3) Å, β=115.73(3)°, V=769.3(3) Å³, Z=2, and R₁/wR₂/GOF=0.0206/0.0497/1.092; In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Cmc2₁ (No. 36) with a=4.1810(8) Å, b=13.799(3) Å, c=31.953(6) Å, V=1843.4(6) Å³, Z=4, and R₁/wR₂/GOF=0.0966/0.2327/1.12. InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ are isostructural with CuBi₅S₈ and Bi₂Pb₆S₉ phases, respectively. The structures of InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉ feature a three-dimensional framework containing slabs of NaCl-(311) type with varied thicknesses. Calculations of the electronic structure and measurements of electrical conductivity indicate that these materials are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Both compounds show n-type semiconducting properties with Seebeck coefficients −270 and −230 μV/K at 300 K for InSn₂Bi₃Se₈ and In_0.2Sn₆Bi_1.8Se₉, respectively.     

Crystal and electronic structure of the red semiconductor Ba4LaSbGe3Se13 comprising the complex anion [Ge2Se7-Sb2Se4-Ge2Se7]

Ba₄LaGe₃SbSe₁₃ was prepared by reacting the elements under exclusion of air at 700°C, followed by slow cooling to room temperature. It crystallizes in a new type of the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with lattice dimensions of a=1633.30(9) pm, b=1251.15(7) pm, c=1303.21(7) pm, β=103.457(2)°, V=2590.0(2) 10⁶ pm³ (Z=4). The structure contains isolated GeSe₄ as well as Ge₂Se₇ digermanate units. Two of the latter are interconnected via an Sb₂Se₄ bridge yielding an almost linear complex anion [Ge₂Se₇-Sb₂Se₄-Ge₂Se₇]¹⁴⁻. The oxidation states are assigned to be Ba^II, La^III, Ge^IV, Sb^III, and Se^−II, in accord with an electronically saturated nonmetal. The lone pair of Sb^III reflects itself in highly irregular Se coordination. The red color of the material is indicative of semiconducting behavior with an activation energy of 2.0 eV. Electronic structure calculations based on the LMTO approximation point to a smaller gap, typical for this calculation method. We utilized the COHP tool to explore the bonding character of the different Sb-Se interactions.     

Rb2BaNb2Se11: A new quaternary niobium polyselenide with infinite anionic chains composed of Nb2Se11 building block

The quaternary compound Rb₂BaNb₂Se₁₁ has been synthesized by reacting Nb metal with an in situ formed flux of Rb₂Se₃, BaSe and Se at 773 K. Rb₂BaNb₂Se₁₁ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with four formula units and lattice parameters a=7.8438(5) Å, b=13.6959(6) Å, c=17.0677(13) Å, β=97.917(9)°. The structure consists of one-dimensional anionic chains formed by interconnection of dimeric [Nb₂Se₁₁] units. The chains are directed along the crystallographic c-axis with Rb⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions being located between the chains. The [Nb₂Se₁₁] units are formed by face sharing of two NbSe₇ bipyramids and are joined by Se₂²⁻ dianions to form infinite ¹_∞[Nb₂Se₁₁⁴⁻] chains. The compound was characterized with infrared spectroscopy in the FIR region, Raman and UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

A new lead Mo(IV) phosphate with a tunnel structure: Pb2Mo2O(PO4)2P2O7

A molybdenum (IV) phosphate containing lead, Pb₂Mo₂(PO₄)2P₂O₇, has been synthesized for the first time. It crystallizes in the space group C2/c with a=14.098(1) Å, b=14.187(2) Å, c=6.5592(4) Å and β=102.08(1)°. Its original tunnel structure, built up of Mo₂O₁₁ bioctahedra, P₂O₇ and PO₄ phosphate groups can be described from the assemblage of [Mo₄P₄O₂₄]_∞ ribbons interconnected through monophosphate groups. The stereoactivity of the 6s² lone pair of Pb²⁺, which is surrounded by nine oxygen atoms, is discussed.     

Syntheses, crystal and electronic structures of two new lead indium phosphates: Pb2In4P6O23 and Pb2InP3O11

Two compounds Pb₂In₄P₆O₂₃ and Pb₂InP₃O₁₁ in the new family of lead indium phosphates were synthesized by high temperature solution growth (HTSG) method and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, powder diffraction and electron microscopy. Two title compounds display different types of 3D architectures with interesting tunnel structure are built up of the InO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra, sharing the corners or edges, and the Pb²⁺ cations are sitting in the tunnel. The structure of Pb₂In₄P₆O₂₃ features a novel 3D open framework which can be considered as built from the layer of {In₄(P₂O₇)(PO₄)₂}²⁻ parallel to the ac plane interconnected by bridging the single PO₄. The structure of Pb₂InP₃O₁₁ can be described by the assemblage of [InP₂O₁₁] units with monophosphate groups. The stereochemical activity of the Pb^II lone pair has also been discussed. The electronic band structure calculations for the two compounds have also been performed with the density functional theory method. The study of calculations and optical diffuse reflectance absorption spectrum measurement show both compounds are indirect band-gap insulators.     

Formation of metastable crystals of [C4mim][NTf2] and [C6mim][NTf2]

Heat capacities of crystalline 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C₄mim][NTf₂] and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [C₆mim][NTf₂] in the range 80 K-T_fus were measured in an adiabatic calorimeter. Anomalies in the heat-capacity curves for the both compounds occurred near 240 K. Positions of the anomalies depended on thermal history of the samples. More stable crystals had higher heat capacities in the range 220-260 K. Below 200 K heat capacities of all the crystals of the same compound were indistinguishable.     

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary selenides Sn2Pb5Bi4Se13 and Sn8.65Pb0.35Bi4Se15

Quaternary selenides Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ were synthesized from the elements in sealed silica tubes; their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/m (No.12), with lattice parameters of Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃: a = 14.001(6) Å, b = 4.234(2) Å, c = 23.471(8) Å, V = 1376.2(1) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0584/0.1477, and GOF = 1.023; Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅: a = 13.872(3) Å, b = 4.2021(8) (4) Å, c = 26.855(5) Å, V = 1557.1(5) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0506/0.1227, and GOF = 1.425. These compounds exhibit tropochemical cell-twinning of NaCl-type structures with lillianite homologous series L(4, 5) and L(4, 7) for Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅, respectively. Measurements of electrical conductivity indicate that these materials are semiconductors with narrow band gaps; Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ is n-type, whereas Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ is a p-type semiconductor with Seebeck coefficients −80(5) and 178(7) μV/K at 300 K, respectively.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of [C6H16N2][In2Se3(Se2)]: A new one-dimensional indium selenide

A new organically templated indium selenide, [C₆H₁₆N₂][In₂Se₃(Se₂)], has been prepared hydrothermally from the reaction of indium, selenium and trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane in water at 170 °C. This material was characterised by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group C2/c (a=12.0221(16) Å, b=11.2498(15) Å, c=12.8470(17) Å, β=110.514(6)°). The crystal structure of [C₆H₁₆N₂][In₂Se₃(Se₂)] contains anionic chains of stoichiometry [In₂Se₃(Se₂)]²⁻, which are aligned parallel to the [1 0 1] direction, and separated by diprotonated trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane cations. The [In₂Se₃(Se₂)]²⁻ chains, which consist of alternating four-membered [In₂Se₂] and five-membered [In₂Se₃] rings, contain perselenide (Se₂)²⁻ units. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy indicates that [C₆H₁₆N₂][In₂Se₃(Se₂)] has a band gap of 2.23(1) eV.     

Synthesis and phase width of new quaternary selenides PbxSn6−xBi2Se9 (x=0-4.36)

Quaternary chalcogenides Pb_xSn_6−xBi₂Se₉ (x=0-4.36) were synthesized with solid-state methods; their structures were determined from the X-ray diffraction of single crystals. Pb_xSn_6−xBi₂Se₉ crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group Cmcm (No. 63); the structure features a three-dimensional framework containing slabs of NaCl-(3 1 1) type that exhibits identical layers containing seven octahedra units, which expand along the direction [0 1 0]. Each slab contains fused rectangular units that are connected to each other with M-Se contacts in a distorted octahedral environment. Calculations of the band structure, measurements of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity confirm that these compounds are n-type semiconductors with small band gaps and large electrical conductivities.     

Synthesis of Bi2Se3 thermoelectric nanosheets and nanotubes through hydrothermal co-reduction method

Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets and nanotubes were prepared by a hydrothermal co-reduction method at 150, 180, 200, and 210 °C. Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets, nanobelts and nanotubes were obtained. The Bi₂Se₃ nanoflakes are 50-500 nm in width and 2-5 nm in thickness. The Bi₂Se₃ nanotubes are 5-10 nm in diameter, 80-120 nm in length, and 1.3 nm in wall thickness. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction were employed to characterize the products. Experimental results showed that the nanosheets and the nanotubes are hexagonal in structure with a=4.1354 Å and c=27.4615 Å. A possible formation and crystal growth mechanism of Bi₂Se₃ nanostructures is proposed.     

Thermodynamic studies on SrFe12O19(s), SrFe2O4(s), Sr2Fe2O5(s) and Sr3Fe2O6(s)

The citrate-nitrate gel combustion route was used to prepare SrFe₂O₄(s), Sr₂Fe₂O₅(s) and Sr₃Fe₂O₆(s) powders and the compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Different solid-state electrochemical cells were used for the measurement of emf as a function of temperature from 970 to 1151 K. The standard molar Gibbs energies of formation of these ternary oxides were calculated as a function of temperature from the emf data and are represented as (SrFe₂O₄, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±1.7)=−1494.8+0.3754 (T/K) (970?T/K?1151). (Sr₂Fe₂O₅, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±3.0)=−2119.3+0.4461 (T/K) (970?T/K?1149). (Sr₃Fe₂O₆, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±7.3)=−2719.8+0.4974 (T/K) (969?T/K?1150).Standard molar heat capacities of these ternary oxides were determined from 310 to 820 K using a heat flux type differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Based on second law analysis and using the thermodynamic database FactSage software, thermodynamic functions such as Δ_fH°(298.15 K), S°(298.15 K) S°(T), C_p°(T), H°(T), {H°(T)-H°(298.15 K)}, G°(T), free energy function (fef), Δ_fH°(T) and Δ_fG°(T) for these ternary oxides were also calculated from 298 to 1000 K.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel Pb5Sb2MnO11 compound

The new Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ compound was synthesized using a solid-state reaction in an evacuated sealed silica tube at 650°C. The crystal structure was determined ab initio using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (a=9.0660(8)Å, b=11.489(1)Å, c=10.9426(9)Å, S.G. Cmcm, R_I=0.045, R_P=0.059). The Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ crystal structure represents a new structure type and it can be considered as quasi-one-dimensional, built up of chains running along the c-axis and consisting of alternating Mn⁺²O₇ capped trigonal prisms and Sb₂O₁₀ pairs of edge sharing Sb⁺⁵O₆ octahedra. The chains are joined together by Pb atoms located between the chains. The Pb⁺² cations have virtually identical coordination environments with a clear influence of the lone electron pair occupying one vertex of the PbO₅E octahedra. Electronic structure calculations and electron localization function distribution analysis were performed to define the nature of the structural peculiarities. Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ exhibits paramagnetic behavior down to T=5 K with Weiss constant being nearly equal to zero that implies lack of cooperative magnetic interactions.     

Heat capacity measurements of SnSe and SnSe2

The heat capacities of SnSe and SnSe₂ were measured in the temperature range 230–580 K using a computer interfaced differential scanning calorimeter. From these measurements, the Debye temperatures of SnSe and SnSe₂ were calculated as a function of temperature. An estimated Debye temperature of 220 K for SnSe was used to calculate the absolute entropy of SnSe at 298 K to be 85.2 ± 6.0 J K^?1 mole^?1. In the light of other work, the suitability of Debye temperatures for estimating low temperature heat capacities of SnSe₂ is questioned.     

Thermal properties of the pyrochlore, Y2Ti2O7

The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of high-purity single crystals of yttrium titanate, Y₂Ti₂O_7, have been determined over the temperature range 2 K?T?300 K. The experimental heat capacity is in very good agreement with an analysis based on three acoustic modes per unit cell (with the Debye characteristic temperature, θ_D, of ca. 970 K) and an assignment of the remaining 63 optic modes, as well as a correction for C_p−C_v. From the integrated heat capacity data, the enthalpy and entropy relative to absolute zero, are, respectively, H(T=298.15 K)−H₀=34.69 kJ mol⁻¹ and S(T=298.15 K)−S₀=211.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The thermal conductivity shows a peak at ca. θ_D/50, characteristic of a highly purified crystal in which the phonon mean free path is about 10 μm in the defect/boundary low-temperature limit. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of Y₂Ti₂O₇ is 2.8 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, close to the calculated theoretical thermal conductivity, κ_min, for fully coupled phonons at high temperatures.     

Crystal structure and physical properties of the quaternary manganese-bearing pavonite homologue Mn1.34Sn6.66Bi8Se20

The quaternary manganese tin bismuth selenide, Mn_1.34Sn_6.66Bi₈Se₂₀ was synthesized by combining constituent elements at 723 K. Single crystal structure determination revealed that Mn_1.34Sn_6.66Bi₈Se₂₀ is isostructural to the mineral pavonite, AgBi₃S₅, crystallizing in the monoclinic space group C2/m (#12) with a=13.648(3) Å; b=4.175(1) Å; c=17.463(4) Å; β=93.42(3)°. In the structure, two kinds of layered modules, denoted A and B, alternate along [0 0 1]. Module A consists of paired chains of face-sharing monocapped trigonal prisms (around Bi/Sn) separated by a single chain of edge-sharing octahedra (around Mn/Sn). Module B represents a NaCl-type fragment of edge-sharing [(Bi/Sn)Se₆] octahedra. Mn_1.34Sn_6.66Bi₈Se₂₀ is an n-type narrow gap semiconductor with E_g∼0.29 eV. At 300 K, thermopower, electrical conductivity and lattice thermal conductivity values are −123 μV/K, 47 S/cm and 0.6 W/m K, respectively. Mn_1.34Sn_6.66Bi₈Se₂₀ is paramagnetic at high temperatures and undergoes antiferromagnetic transition at T_N=10 K.     

Synthesis and properties of the Co7Se8−xSx and Ni7Se8−xSx solid solutions

We report the synthesis and elementary properties of the Co₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-8) and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x (x=0-7) solid solutions. Both systems form a NiAs-type structure with metal vacancies. In general, the lattice parameters decrease with increasing x, but in the Ni₇Se_8−xS_x system c increases on going from x=5 to 7. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that all samples exhibit temperature-independent paramagnetism from 25-250 K. Samples within the Co₇Se_8−xS_x system, as well as Ni₇Se₈ and Ni₇SeS₇, were found to be poor metals with resistivities of ∼0.20 and ∼0.06 mΩ cm at 300 K, respectively. The Sommerfeld constant (γ) was determined from specific heat measurements to be ∼13 mJ/mol_CoK² and ∼7 mJ/mol_NiK² for Co₇Se_8−xS_x and Ni₇Se_8−xS_x, respectively.     

Determination of heat capacities of PbCrO4(s), Pb2CrO5(s), and Pb5CrO8(s)

Abstract  

Heat capacities of PbCrO₄(s), Pb₂CrO₅(s), and Pb₅CrO₈(s) were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The measured heat capacities as a function of temperature are expressed as C _p <PbCrO₄> J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ = 150.37 + 27.74 × 10⁻³ T − 2.80 × 10⁶ T ⁻² (T = 300–750 K), C _p <Pb₂CrO₅> J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ = 194.55 + 76.09 × 10⁻³ T − 4.64 × 10⁶ T ⁻² (T = 300–700 K), and C _p  <Pb₅CrO₈> J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ = 323.35 + 184.80 × 10⁻³ T − 5.48 × 10⁶ T ⁻² (T = 300–600 K). From the measured heat capacity data, thermodynamic functions such as enthalpy increments, entropies, and Gibbs energy functions were derived.