Polymorphism in the Sc2Si2O7-Y2Si2O7 system

This paper examines the structural changes with temperature and composition in the Sc₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ system; members of this system are expected to form in the intergranular region of Si₃N₄ and SiC structural ceramics when sintered with the aid of Y₂O₃ and Sc₂O₃ mixtures. A set of different compositions have been synthesized using the sol-gel method to obtain a xerogel, which has been calcined at temperatures between 1300 and 1750 °C during different times. The temperature-composition diagram of the system, obtained from powder XRD data, is dominated by the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ polymorph, with γ-RE₂Si₂O₇ and δ-RE₂Si₂O₇ showing very reduced stability fields. Isotherms at 1300 and 1600 °C have been analysed in detail to evaluate the solid solubility of the components. Although, the XRD data show a complete solid solubility of β-Sc₂Si₂O₇ in β-Y₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C, the ²⁹Si MAS-NMR spectra indicate a local structural change at x ca. 1.15 (Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) related to the configuration of the Si tetrahedron, which does not affect the long-range order of the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ structure. Finally, it is interesting to note that, although Sc₂Si₂O₇ shows a unique stable polymorph (β), Sc³⁺ is able to replace Y³⁺ in γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ in the compositional range 1.86?x?2 (where x is Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) as well as in δ-Y₂Si₂O₇ for compositions much closer to the pure Y₂Si₂O₇.     

Structural chemistry of Sr3Cr2WO9, Ca3Cr2WO9, and Ba3Cr2WO9

We have studied the preparation and crystallographic structure of three perovskite-type compounds: Sr₃Cr₂WO₉, cubic, the lattice parameter of which is a = 7.812Å; Ca₃Cr₂WO₉, tetragonal, the lattice parameters of which are a = 5.408 Å and c = 7.635Å; and Ba₃Cr₂WO₉, hexagonal, the lattice parameters of which are a = 5.691 Å and c = 13.957Å. We have compared these three structures and shown the relationship between the dimensions of the alkaline-earth metal and the existence of the different structures.     

XRD and Si MAS-NMR spectroscopy across the β-Lu2Si2O7-β-Y2Si2O7 solid solution

Samples in the system Lu_2−xY_xSi₂O₇ (0?x?2) have been synthesized following the sol-gel method and calcined to 1300 °C, a temperature at which the β-polymorph is known to be the stable phase for the end-members Lu₂Si₂O₇ and Y₂Si₂O₇. The XRD patterns of all the compositions studied are compatible with the structure of the β-polymorph. Unit cell parameters are calculated as a function of composition from XRD patterns. They show a linear change with increasing Y content, which indicates a solid solubility of β-Y₂Si₂O₇ in β-Lu₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C. ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra of the different members of the system agree with the XRD results, showing a linear decrease of the ²⁹Si chemical shift with increasing Y content. Finally, a correlation reported in the literature to predict ²⁹Si chemical shifts in silicates is applied here to obtain the theoretical variation in ²⁹Si chemical shift values in the system Lu₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ and the results compare favorably with the values obtained experimentally.     

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of new organic-inorganic haloplumbates complexes (C5H10N3)PbX4 (X=Br, Cl), (C2H2N4)PbBr3

Layered organic-inorganic composite materials (C₅H₁₀N₃)PbX₄ (X=Br 1, Cl 2) containing histaminium dications were grown via a solution-cooling process, and their structure and optical properties were determined. The organic ligand-histaminium introduced into the corner-sharing octahedra of the ‘PbX₄-layer’ contains both primary ammonium and imidazolium different from the traditionally primary amine found in this system. As comparison, another analogous amine of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol was used as ligand to coordinate with PbBr₂ in acid solution. A novel complex (C₂H₂N₄)PbBr₃ (3) was obtained with zigzag PbBr₂ chains different from the PbX₄ layer in compound as 1 and 2. The hybrid (C₅H₁₀N₃)PbX₄ show exciton absorption at 339 nm for X=Cl and 419 nm for X=Br with the corresponding emission at 360 and 436 nm, respectively. The different PbBr₂ chain structure of compound 3 does not show photoluminescence.     

Vibrational Spectra of the Cyclic SN-Compounds S4N4, S4N4H4 and S3N3Cl3

The IR and Raman spectra of solid and dissolved S₄N₄, S₄N₄H₄, S₄N₄D₄ and S₃N₃Cl₃ have been recorded and are assigned according to D_2d, C_4v and C_3v symmetry respectively. In the solid state, many forbidden bands and splittings of degenerate vibrations are observed because of the symmetry lowering in the crystals. Due to the different size and shape of the rings and to strong coupling of the normal modes there is no clear correlation between the SN ring stretching vibrations and the strength of the SN bonds, except for the one of the E modes. However, the stretching force constant show the trend expected from changes in interatomic distances.     

Spectroscopic properties of Ln2MoO6:Eu3+

The spectroscopic properties of Ln₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ (Ln = La, Gd, Y) compounds were investigated. The differences in the recorded fluorescence spectra are in accord with the different structures. For the La₂MoO₆:Eu³⁺ case, the spectrum is compatible with a C₂ point site symmetry. It appears that the energy level scheme is connected with the rare earth oxychloride one, so it is possible to determine accurately sets of crystal field parameters simulating the spectrum. For the other compounds, the Eu³⁺ ions occupy three different point sites. By using the site-selective excitation on the ⁵D₀ level it is possible to identify the energy level scheme characterizing each point site.     

Strained Structure in Ho0.5Sr0.5MnO3

The Ho_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskite, synthesized in air, has been studied by combining neutron powder and electron diffraction techniques. The Pnma-type structure exhibits a strong tilting of the MnO₆ octahedra. This octahedra tilting and microtwinning involve a complex strained structure. No structural transition is observed down to 1.4 K, but short-range A-type antiferromagnetism running over only a few perovskite subcells is evidenced below ≈90 K. The different behavior of this perovskite compared to other Ln_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ perovskites is discussed in terms of A-site cationic mismatch.     

Syntheses and structures of CsHo3Te5 and Cs3Tm11Te18 and the electronic structure of CsHo3Te5

Single crystals of CsHo₃Te₅ and Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ have been grown as byproducts in the synthesis of CsLnZnTe₃ (Ln=Ho or Tm) through the reaction of Ln, Zn, and Te with a CsCl flux at 850 °C. The crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. CsHo₃Te₅ crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system whereas Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ crystallizes in the space group C2/m of the monoclinic system. Each of the compounds adopts a three-dimensional structure; each possesses tunnels built from LnTe₆ octahedra that are filled with Cs atoms. The pseudo-rectangular tunnel in CsHo₃Te₅ is large enough in cross-section to accommodate two symmetrically equivalent Cs atoms. In the Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ structure there are two different sized tunnels: the smaller one is only large enough to host one Cs atom per unit cell whereas the larger one can accommodate two Cs atoms. The electronic structure of CsHo₃Te₅ was calculated. The band gap is estimated to be about 1.2 eV, consistent with the black color of the crystals.     

Ion-beam irradiation of lanthanum compounds in the systems La2O3-Al2O3 and La2O3-TiO2

Thin crystals of La₂O₃, LaAlO₃, La_2/3TiO₃, La₂TiO₅, and La₂Ti₂O₇ have been irradiated in situ using 1 MeV Kr²⁺ ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope-Tandem User Facility (IVEM-Tandem), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). We observed that La₂O₃ remained crystalline to a fluence greater than 3.1×10¹⁶ ions cm⁻² at a temperature of 50 K. The four binary oxide compounds in the two systems were observed through the crystalline-amorphous transition as a function of ion fluence and temperature. Results from the ion irradiations give critical temperatures for amorphisation (T_c) of 647 K for LaAlO₃, 840 K for La₂Ti₂O₇, 865 K for La_2/3TiO₃, and 1027 K for La₂TiO₅. The T_c values observed in this study, together with previous data for Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, are discussed with reference to the melting points for the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ and La₂O₃-TiO₂ systems and the different local environments within the four crystal structures. Results suggest that there is an observable inverse correlation between T_c and melting temperature (T_m) in the two systems. More complex relationships exist between T_c and crystal structure, with the stoichiometric perovskite LaAlO₃ being the most resistant to amorphisation.     

The mercury chromates Hg6Cr2O9 and Hg6Cr2O10—Preparation and crystal structures, and thermal behaviour of Hg6Cr2O9

The basic mercury(I) chromate(VI), Hg₆Cr₂O₉ (=2Hg₂CrO₄·Hg₂O), has been obtained under hydrothermal conditions (200 °C, 5 days) in the form of orange needles as a by-product from reacting elemental mercury and K₂Cr₂O₇. Hydrothermal treatment of microcrystalline Hg₆Cr₂O₉ in demineralised water at 200 °C for 3 days led to crystal growth of red crystals of the basic mercury(I, II) chromate(VI), Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀ (=2Hg₂CrO₄·2HgO). The crystal structures were solved and refined from single crystal X-ray data sets. Hg₆Cr₂O₉: space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z=4, a=7.3573(12), b=8.0336(13), , 3492 structure factors, 109 parameters, R[F²>2σ(F²)]=0.0371, wR(F² all)=0.0517; Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀: space group Pca2₁, Z=4, a=11.4745(15), b=9.4359(12), , 3249 structure factors, 114 parameters, R[F²>2σ(F²)]=0.0398, wR(F² all)=0.0625. Both crystal structures are made up of an intricate mercury-oxygen network, subdivided into single building blocks [O-Hg-Hg-O] for the mercurous compound, and [O-Hg-Hg-O] and [O-Hg-O] for the mixed-valent compound. Hg₆Cr₂O₉ contains three different Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells, whereas Hg₆Cr₂O₁₀ contains two different Hg₂²⁺ dumbbells and two Hg²⁺ cations. The Hg^I-Hg^I distances are characteristic and range between 2.5031(15) and 2.5286(9) Å. All Hg₂²⁺ groups exhibit an unsymmetrical oxygen environment. The oxygen coordination of the Hg²⁺ cations is nearly linear with two tightly bonded O atoms at distances around 2.07 Å. For both structures, the chromate(VI) anions reside in the vacancies of the Hg-O network and deviate only slightly from the ideal tetrahedral geometry with average Cr-O distances of ca. 1.66 Å. Upon heating at temperatures above 385 °C, Hg₆Cr₂O₉ decomposes in a four-step mechanism with Cr₂O₃ as the end-product at temperatures above 620 °C.     

The crystal structure of Cs[VOF3] · 12H2O

The crystal structure of $\text{Cs[VOF}{}_3\text{]}\text{·}\text{1}\text{2}\text{H}{}_2\text{O}$ has been determined and refined on the basis of three-dimensional X-ray diffractometer data (MoKα radiation). The structure is monoclinic, a = 7.710(2), b = 19.474(7), c = 7.216(2)Å, β = 116.75(1)°, V = 967.5ų, Z =8, space group Cc (No. 9). The final R and R_w were 0.0295 and 0.0300, respectively, for 1356 independent reflections and 117 variables.The structure contains two crystallographically different VOF₅ octahedra linked so as to form complex chains. Two non-equivalent octahedra share one FF edge, forming V₂O₂F₈ doublets. Two F atoms, connected to different V atoms within the doublet, form an edge in the adjacent equivalent V₂O₂F₈ unit thus continuing the chain. The VO distances are 1.583(7) and 1.595(7) Å. The VF distances are in the range 1.881-2.205 Å, mean value: 1.989 Å. The H₂O group is a crystal water molecule.     

Spin-glass behavior in Pr0.7Ca0.3CoO3 and Nd0.7Ca0.3CoO3

With a view to investigate the effect of small size of A-site cations on the magnetic properties of the rare earth cobaltates, Ln_1−xA_xCoO₃ (Ln=rare earth, A=alkaline earth), we have investigated Pr_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ and Nd_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ in detail. For this purpose, we have carried out low-field DC magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements including a study of magnetic relaxation and memory effects. Both Pr_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ and Nd_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ show frequency-dependent transitions at 70 and 55 K respectively in the ac susceptibility data, due to the onset of spin-glass like behavior. Their relaxation behavior exhibits aging effects. In addition, memory effects are found in the magnetization behavior. These characteristics establish spin-glass behavior in both these cobaltates, a behavior that is distinctly different from that of La_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ and La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ which show well-defined ferromagnetic transitions, albeit without long-range ordering.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of three new metal selenites Na2Co2(SeO3)3, Na2Co1.67Ni0.33(SeO3)3, and Na2Ni2(SeO3)3

Three new sodium cobalt (nickel) selenite compounds, namely, Na₂Co₂(SeO₃)₃, Na₂Co_1.67Ni_0.33(SeO₃)₃, and Na₂Ni₂(SeO₃)₃ have been hydro-/solvothermally synthesized in the mixed solvents of acetonitrile and water. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that these isostructural compounds belong to the orthorhombic Cmcm space group and their structures feature three-dimensional open frameworks constructed by the two-dimensional layers of [MSeO₃] pillared by the [SeO₃]²⁻ groups. The two different types of Na⁺ ions reside in the intersecting two-dimensional channels parallel to the a- and c-axes, respectively. Their thermal properties have been investigated via TGA-DSC. The magnetic measurements indicate the existence of the antiferromagnetic interactions in these compounds.     

Revisiting Y2Si2O7 and Y2SiO5 polymorphic structures by Y MAS-NMR spectroscopy

This paper describes the ⁸⁹Y MAS-NMR spectra for all the established polymorphs of Y₂Si₂O₇ (y, α, β, γ and δ) and Y₂SiO₅ (X1 and X2). The combination of our spectroscopic data with the structural information published up to now from diffraction data permits the revision and correction of mistakes which appear in the literature. Finally, the influence of different structural factors, such as yttrium coordination number and Y-O distances on the ⁸⁹Y NMR isotropic chemical shift is analyzed.     

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.     

Luminescence properties of efficient X-ray phosphors of YBa3B9O18, LuBa3(BO3)3, α-YBa3(BO3)3 and LuBO3

The samples of YBa₃B₉O₁₈, LuBa₃(BO₃)₃, α-YBa₃(BO₃)₃ and LuBO₃ powders have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction methods at high temperature and their X-ray excited luminescent properties were investigated. All the studied materials show a broad emission band in the wavelength range of 300-550 nm with the peak centers at about 385 nm for YBa₃B₉O₁₈ and LuBa₃(BO₃)₃, 415 nm for α-YBa₃(BO₃)₃ and 360 nm for LuBO₃ powders, respectively. Even though those compounds have the different atomic structures, they have the common structural feature of each yttrium or lutetium ion bonded to six separate BO₃ groups, i.e., octahedral RE(BO₃)₆ (RE=Lu or Y) moiety. This octahedral RE(BO₃)₆(RE=Lu or Y) moiety seems to be an important structural element for efficient X-ray excited luminescence of those compounds, as are the edge-sharing octahedral TaO₆ chains for tantalate emission.     

Single-crystal growth and structure determination of Ag16I12P2O7

Single crystals of the fast-ion conductor Ag₁₆I₁₂P₂O₇ were prepared and their structure ($\text{P6}\text{mcc}\text{, a = 12.054, c = 7.504}$ Å) was determined by X-ray diffraction (r = 0.08). The I atoms form a close-packed array leaving channels occupied by P₂O^4?₇ ions running along the c axis. The Ag atoms are disordered over four different types of site with occupation numbers ranging from 0.12 to 0.52. Each Ag⁺ ion coordination polyhedron shares several faces with adjacent polyhedra providing ready paths for Ag⁺ ion conduction.     

Atomistic simulation on the site preference and mechanical properties of Th3Co4+xAl12−x and U3Co4+xAl12−x

An atomistic study is presented on the phase stability, site preference and lattice constants of the actinide intermetallic compounds Th₃Co_4+xAl_12−x and U₃Co_4+xAl_12−x. Calculations are based on a series of interatomic pair potentials related to the actinides and transition metals, which are obtained by a strict lattice inversion method. The lattice constants of Th₃Co_4+xAl_12−x and U₃Co_4+xAl_12−x are calculated for different values of x. The site preference of Co atoms at Al sites is also evaluated and the order is given as 6h, 4f, 2b and 12k for Th₃Co_4+xAl_12−x, and 6h, 4f, 12k and 2b for U₃Co_4+xAl_12−x. In addition, some simple mechanical properties such as the elastic constants and bulk modulus are investigated for the actinide compounds with complex structures.