Crystal growth, characterization and physical properties of PrNiSb3, NdNiSb3 and SmNiSb3

The crystal structures of three new intermetallic ternary compounds in the LnNiSb₃ (Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm) family have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃ all crystallize in an orthorhombic space group, Pbcm (No. 57), Z=12, with , , , and ; , , , and ; and , , , and , for Ln=Pr, Nd and Sm, respectively. These compounds consist of rare-earth atoms located above and below layers of nearly square, buckled Sb nets, along with layers of highly distorted edge- and face-sharing NiSb₆ octahedra. Resistivity data indicate metallic behavior for all three compounds. Magnetization measurements show antiferromagnetic behavior with (PrNiSb₃), 4.6 K (NdNiSb₃), and 2.9 K (SmNiSb₃). Effective moments of 3.62 μ_B, 3.90 μ_B and 0.80 μ_B are found for PrNiSb₃, NdNiSb₃ and SmNiSb₃, respectively, and are consistent with Pr³⁺ (f ²), Nd³⁺ (f ³), and Sm³⁺ (f ⁴).     

Structures of the reduced niobium oxides Nb12O29 and Nb22O54

The crystal structure of Nb₂₂O₅₄ is reported for the first time, and the structure of orthorhombic Nb₁₂O₂₉ is reexamined, resolving previous ambiguities. Single crystal X-ray and electron diffraction were employed. These compounds were found to crystallize in the space groups P2/m (, , , β=102.029(3)^°) and Cmcm (, , ), respectively and share a common structural unit, a 4×3 block of corner sharing NbO₆ octahedra. Despite different constraints imposed by symmetry these blocks are very similar in both compounds. Within a block, it is found that the niobium atoms are not located in the centers of the oxygen octahedra, but rather are displaced inward toward the center of the block forming an apparent antiferroelectric state. Bond valence sums and bond lengths do not show the presence of charge ordering, suggesting that all 4d electrons are delocalized in these compounds at the temperature studied, T=200 K.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel ternary oxoborate, PbBiBO4

A novel ternary borate oxide, lead bismuth boron tetraoxide, PbBiBO₄, has been prepared by solid-state reaction at temperature below 800 °C. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis showed that PbBiBO₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with , , , β=91.48(1), Z=4. It represents a new structure type in which distorted BiO₆⁹⁻ octahedra are connected to each other in corner- and edge-sharing manner to form two-dimensional layers that are bridged by B atoms of BO₃ triangles giving rise to a three-dimensional framework, with channels parallel to the [0 1 0] direction accommodating the pyramidally coordinated Pb²⁺ cations.     

Line broadening studies for U and U ions in RbY2Cl7 single crystals

Temperature-dependent line broadening measurements of emission and excitation transitions for two intrinsic sites U(1) and U(2) of U³⁺ ions doped in a RbY₂Cl₇ single crystals as well as of U⁴⁺ ions have been performed. Values of the electron phonon (EP) coupling parameter were determined by a fit of experimentally observed line widths to an equation containing the temperature dependent broadening term due to the Raman two-phonon process. The parameters for U³⁺ ions in RbY₂Cl₇ are larger than those determined for this ion in LaCl₃ host crystals. This is due to shorter M-Cl distances in RbY₂Cl₇ which leads to a stronger interaction of uranium with the chlorine ions and to an increase of covalency. The relatively large value determined for the multiplet of U³⁺ in RbY₂Cl₇ may result from the proximity of opposite parity 5f²6d¹ states. The parameters obtained for the U³⁺ ions are larger than those for U⁴⁺. The latter ones are affected by a stronger crystal-field (CF), however the position of the first 5f²6d¹ or 5f¹6d¹ states, which for U³⁺ is observed at an energy of ∼15,000 cm⁻¹ lower than for U⁴⁺, is the dominating one among the factors influencing the EP coupling strength. The EP coupling parameters for all investigated transitions of the U³⁺ ions are larger for U(2) than for U(1), which results mainly from the larger crystal field strength observed for the U(2) site. The differences in the EP coupling strength of the U³⁺ ions in the U(1) and U(2) sites are in accordance with decay times observed for emission for both sites from the multiplet.     

High-pressure synthesis and crystal structure analysis of NaMn2O4 with the calcium ferrite-type structure

Single crystals of a new sodium manganese oxide, NaMn₂O₄, were synthesized for the first time using a high-temperature and high-pressure technique. The NaMn₂O₄ single crystal is black, has a needle shape, and crystallizes in the orthorhombic calcium ferrite-type structure, space group Pnam with , , , , and Z=4. The structure was determined from a single-crystal X-ray study and refined to the conventional values R=0.041 and wR=0.034 for 1190 observed reflections. The framework structure is built up from edge-sharing chains of MnO₆ octahedra that condense to form one-dimensional tunnels in which the sodium atoms are located. The Mn-O bond distance and bond valence analyses revealed the manganese valence Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ordering in the two “double rutile” chains of NaMn₂O₄.     

Crystal growth, transport, and magnetic properties of Ln3Co4Sn13 (Ln=La, Ce) with a perovskite-like structure

Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds adopt the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃-type structure and crystallize in the cubic space group (No. 223) with Z=2. Lattice parameters at 298 K are , , and , for the La and Ce analogues, respectively. The crystal structure consists of an Sn-centered icosahedron at the origin of the unit cell, which shares faces with eight Co trigonal prisms and 12 Ln-centered cuboctahedra. Magnetization data at 0.1 T show paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃, with per Ce³⁺, while conventional type II superconductivity appears below 2.85 K in the La compound. Electrical resistivity and specific heat data for the La compound show a corresponding sharp superconducting transition at T_c∼2.85 K. The entropy and resistivity data for Ce₃Co₄Sn₁₃ show the existence of the Kondo effect with a complicated semiconducting-like behavior in the resistivity data. In addition, a large enhanced specific heat coefficient at low T with a low magnetic transition temperature suggests a heavy-fermionic character for the Ce compound. Herein, the structure and physical properties of Ln₃Co₄Sn₁₃ (Ln=La, Ce) are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of the rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)2]3 with Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu

The rare-earth dicyanamides Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) were obtained via ion exchange in aqueous medium and subsequent drying: The crystal structures were solved and refined based on X-ray powder diffraction data and they were found to be isotypic: Ln[N(CN)₂]₃; Cmcm (no. 63), Z=4, Ln=La: , , ; Ce: , , ; Pr: , , ; Nd: , , ; Sm: , , ; Eu: , , ). The compounds represent the first dicyanamides with trivalent cations. The Ln³⁺ ions are coordinated by three bridging N atoms and six terminal N atoms of the dicyanamide ions forming a three capped trigonal prism. The structure type is related to that of PuBr₃. The novel compounds Ln[N(CN)₂]₃ have been characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy (Ln=La) and the thermal behavior has been monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (Ln=Ce, Nd, Eu).     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of a new heavy-fermion antiferromagnet, CePdGa6

A new compound, CePdGa₆, and its isostructural analog, LaPdGa₆ have been synthesized by flux growth and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds adopt a tetragonal structure with P4/mmm space group, Z=1. The lattice parameters for CePdGa₆ are and and and for LaPdGa₆. Magnetic and thermal measurement have revealed that CePdGa₆ is a heavy-fermion with the specific heat coefficient and Ce f moments order antiferromagnetically along c-axis at . Reconfiguration of spin occurs at to induce a ferromagnetic component only in the a-b plane. This strong anisotropy in the magnetism might be related to its unique layered structure.     

Structural characterization and ferroelectric ordering in (C3N2H5)5Sb2Br11

A ferroelectric crystal (C₃N₂H₅)₅Sb₂Br₁₁ has been synthesized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies (at 300, 155, 138 and 121 K) show that it is built up of discrete corner-sharing bioctahedra and highly disordered imidazolium cations. The room temperature crystal structure has been determined as monoclinic, space group, P2₁/n with: , and and β=96.19^°. The crystal undergoes three solid-solid phase transitions: ) discontinuous, continuous and discontinuous. The dielectric and pyroelectric measurements allow us to characterize the low temperature phases III and IV as ferroelectric with the Curie point at 145 K and the saturated spontaneous polarization value of the order of along the a-axis (135 K). The ferroelectric phase transition mechanism at 145 K is due to the dynamics of imidazolium cations.     

The crystal chemistry of L-Ta2O5 and related structures

Single crystals of a new form of L-Ta₂O₅ with a 19×b superstructure have been synthesised by flux growth. The phase is most likely stabilised by the incorporation of a small amount of lithium (0.14 wt% Li) from the flux. The phase has C-centred monoclinic symmetry with , (), , γ=90.00(1)°. The structure was refined in space group C112/m to R₁=0.044 for 814 unique reflections with F>4σ(F). The structure can be described as comprising chains of edge-shared TaO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that are regularly folded at (010) planes to give sinusoidal chains along [010]. These chains are interconnected along [100] and [001] by corner sharing, creating inter-chain regions that are occupied by isolated TaO₆ octahedra and pairs of corner-shared octahedra. A comparison with published data for high-quality refinements of related structures has led to the development of a general model that can explain the structural chemistry variations in the known L-Ta₂O₅-related structures. A shorthand notation is presented for representing the structures, based on the sequence along [010] of the interchain octahedra.     

Crystal structures and cation ordering of Sr2AlSbO6 and Sr2CoSbO6

The two double perovskite oxides Sr₂AlSbO₆ and Sr₂CoSbO₆ were prepared and their structures studied with the X-ray powder diffraction method. At room temperature the crystal structure of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is cubic , with . It was found that depending on the preparation conditions, the Al³⁺ and Sb⁵⁺ cations can be either entirely or partially ordered. In the case of the partially ordered Sr₂AlSbO₆ sample, the extension of cation ordering was estimated from the -dependent broadening of the diffraction peaks and the results were interpreted as evidence of the formation of anti-phase domains in the material. Low-temperature Raman spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that the cubic phase of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is stable down to 79 K.The room-temperature crystal structure of Sr₂CoSbO₆ is trigonal (space group with and . At 470 K, however, the material undergoes a continuous phase transition and its structure is converted to cubic (space group . The studied Sr₂CoSbO₆ sample was partially ordered, but unlike Sr₂AlSbO₆, no indication of the formation of anti-phase domains was observed.     

Enthalpies of dilution of aqueous Li2B4O7 solutions at 298.15 K and application of ion-interaction model

The enthalpies of dilution have been measured for aqueous Li₂B₄O₇ solutions from 0.0212 to 2.1530 mol kg⁻¹ at 298.15 K. The relative apparent molar enthalpies, L_?, and relative partial molar enthalpies of the solvent and solute, and were calculated. The thermodynamic properties of the complex aqueous solutions were represented with a modified Pitzer ion-interaction model.     

Crystal structure and characterization of Rb2Ca[B4O5(OH)4]2·8H2O

Dirubidium calcium tetraborate octahydrate, Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O, was prepared by reaction of Rb-borate aqueous solution with CaCl₂ and it's structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell parameters, Z=4, The structure contains alternate layers of [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ polyanions separated by water molecules and Rb, Ca cations. The isolated [B₄O₅(OH)₄]²⁻ is constructed from two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups and two BO₂(OH) triangular groups joined at common oxygen atoms. The two BO₃(OH) tetrahedron groups are further linked by means of an oxygen bridge across the ring. The Ca²⁺ ion displays seven coordination, while the two non-equivalent Rb⁺ ions display nine and seven coordination, respectively. Infrared and Raman (4000-400 cm⁻¹) spectra of Rb₂Ca[B₄O₅(OH)₄]₂·8H₂O were recorded at room temperature and analyzed. Fundamental vibrational modes were identified and band assignments were made. The dehydration of this hydrated mixed borate occurs in one step and leads to an amorphous phase which undergoes a crystallization.     

Synthesis, structure, band gap, and electronic structure of CsAgSb4S7

The compound CsAgSb₄S₇ has been synthesized by the reaction of the elements in a Cs₂S₃ flux at 773 K. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type with eight formula units in space group C2/c of the monoclinic system in a cell at 153 K of dimensions , , , β=97.650(1)°, and . The structure contains two-dimensional layers separated by Cs atoms. Each layer is built from edge-sharing one-dimensional and chains. Each Ag atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four S atoms. Each Sb³⁺ center is pyramidally coordinated to three S atoms to form an SbS₃ group. CsAgSb₄S₇ is insulating with an optical band gap of 2.04 eV. Extended Hückel calculations indicate that the band gap in CsAgSb₄S₇ is dominated by the Sb 5s and S 3p states above and below the Fermi level.     

Ferromagnetic-phase transition in the spinel-type CuCr2Te4

Ferromagnetic-phase transition in spinel-type CuCr₂Te₄ has been clearly observed. CuCr₂Te₄ is a telluride-spinel with the lattice constant , which has been synthesized successfully. The heat capacity exhibits a sharp peak due to the ferromagnetic-phase transition with the Curie temperature . This value of T_C corresponds exactly to that of the negative peak of dM/dT in low field of 1.0 Oe. The magnetic susceptibility shows the Curie-Weiss behavior between 380 and 650 K with the effective magnetic moment /Cr-ion and the Weiss constant . The low temperature magnetization indicates the spin-wave excitations, where the existence of first term of Bloch T^3/2 law and the next T^5/2 term are verified experimentally. This spin-wave excitation is detected up to approximately 250 K which is a fairly high temperature.     

Structure and magnetism of NaRu2O4 and Na2.7Ru4O9

The structures of NaRu₂O₄ and Na_2.7Ru₄O₉ are refined using neutron diffraction. NaRu₂O₄ is a stoichiometric compound consisting of double chains of edge sharing RuO₆ octahedra. Na_2.7Ru₄O₉ is a non-stoichiometric compound with partial occupancy of the Na sublattice. The structure is a mixture of single, double and triple chains of edge-shared RuO₆ octahedra. NaRu₂O₄ displays temperature independent paramagnetism with . Na_2.7Ru₄O₉ is paramagnetic, χ₀= with and a Curie constant of 0.0119 emu/mol Oe K. Specific heat measurements reveal a small upturn at low temperatures, similar to the upturn observed in La₄Ru₆O₁₉. The electronic contribution to the specific heat (γ) for Na_2.7Ru₄O₉ was determined to be15 mJ/mole_Ru K².     

Sr4PbPt4O11, the first platinum oxide containing Pt2 ions

We report the synthesis and crystal structure of the new compound Sr₄PbPt₄O₁₁, containing platinum in highly unusual square pyramidal coordination. The crystals were obtained in molten lead oxide. The structure was solved by X-ray single crystal diffraction techniques on a twinned sample, the final R factors are R=0.0260 and wR=0.0262. The symmetry is triclinic, space group P1¯, with , , , α=90.421(3)°, β=89.773(8)°, γ=90.140(9)° and Z=2. The structure is built from dumbell-shaped Pt₂O₉ entities formed by a dinuclear metal-metal bonded Pt₂⁶⁺ ion with asymmetric environments of the two Pt atoms, classical PtO₄ square plane and unusual PtO₅ square pyramid. Successive Pt₂O₉ entities deduced from 90° rotations are connected through the oxygens of the PtO₄ basal squares to form [Pt₄O₁₀⁸⁻]_∞ columns further connected through Pb²⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the peculiar platinum coordination environment.