Synthesis and characterization of La4MnCu6S10

The new quaternary sulfide La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃, MnS, and CuS₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in a new structure type in space group of the triclinic system with one formula unit in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=6.6076(3) Å, b=7.3247(3) Å, c=8.7844(4) Å, α=83.457(1)°, β=74.398(1)°, γ=89.996(1)°, and V=406.61(3) Å³. The structure of La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaS₇ monocapped trigonal prisms, MnS₆ octahedra, and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Band gaps of 2.49 eV in the [100] direction and 2.53 eV in the [001] direction have been derived from optical absorption measurements on a La₄MnCu₆S₁₀ single crystal.     

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 structures of CsFe2S3 and RbFe2S3: synthetic analogs of rasvumite KFe2S3

The isostructural alkali thioferrate compounds CsFe₂S₃, RbFe₂S₃ and KFe₂S₃ have been synthesized by reacting Fe and S with their corresponding AFeS₂ (A=K, Rb, Cs) precursors. The crystal structures of these and binary compounds of intermediate composition were determined by Rietveld analysis of laboratory powder X-ray diffraction patterns. All of the synthesized compounds adopt the space group Cmcm (#63), Z=4 with: a=9.5193(8) Å, b=11.5826(10) Å, c=5.4820(4) Å for CsFe₂S₃; a=9.2202(7) Å, b=11.2429(9) Å, c=5.4450(3) Å for RbFe₂S₃; and a=9.0415(13) Å, b=11.0298(17) Å, c=5.4177(6) Å for KFe₂S₃. These mixed valence alkali thioferrates show regular changes in cell dimensions, AS₁₀ (A=K, Rb, Cs) polyhedron volumes, polyhedron distortion parameters, and calculated oxidation state of Fe with respect to increasing size of the alkali element cation. The calculated empirical oxidation state of iron varies from +2.618 (CsFe₂S₃), through +2.666 (RbFe₂S₃) to +2.77 (KFe₂S₃).     

Synthesis, structure, and optical properties of the new lanthanum copper oxysulfide La3CuO2S3

The new quaternary lanthanum copper oxysulfide La₃CuO₂S₃ has been synthesized by the reaction of La₂S₃ and CuO at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=14.0318(7) Å, b=3.9342(2) Å, and c=12.5212(6) Å. The structure of La₃CuO₂S₃ consists of a three-dimensional framework of interconnected LaO_nS_8−n bicapped trigonal prisms and CuS₄ tetrahedra. Optical absorption measurements on a La₃CuO₂S₃ single crystal led to derived band gaps of 2.01 eV in both the [010] and [001] directions.     

Syntheses, structures, optical properties, and theoretical calculations of Cs2Bi2ZnS5, Cs2Bi2CdS5, and Cs2Bi2MnS5

Three new compounds, Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅, Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅, and Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅, have been synthesized from the respective elements and a reactive flux Cs₂S₃ at 973 K. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of a=15.763(3), b=4.0965(9), c=18.197(4) Å, V=1175.0(4) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅; a=15.817(2), b=4.1782(6), c=18.473(3)  Å, V=1220.8(3)  ų for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅; and a=15.830(2), b=4.1515(5), c=18.372(2) Å, V=1207.4(2) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅. The structure is composed of two-dimensional _∞²[Bi₂MS₅²⁻] (M=Zn, Cd, Mn) layers that stack perpendicular to the [100] axis and are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The layers consist of edge-sharing _∞¹[Bi₂S₆⁶⁻] and _∞¹[MS₃⁴⁻] chains built from BiS₆ octahedral and MS₄ tetrahedral units. Two crystallographically unique Cs atoms are coordinated to S atoms in octahedral and monocapped trigonal prismatic environments. The structure of Cs₂Bi₂MS₅, is related to that of Na₂ZrCu₂S₄ and those of the AMM′Q₃ materials (A=alkali metal, M=rare-earth or Group 4 element, M′= Group 11 or 12 element, Q=chalcogen). First-principles theoretical calculations indicate that Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅ and Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ are semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.85 and 1.75 eV, respectively. The experimental band gap for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ is ≈1.7 eV, as derived from its optical absorption spectrum.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new four-layer Aurivillius phase Bi2SrNa2Nb4O15 and its protonated form

A new four-layer Aurivillius phase Bi₂SrNa₂Nb₄O₁₅ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction of Bi₂SrNb₂O₉ and NaNbO₃ at 1100 °C. The detailed structure determination of Bi₂SrNa₂Nb₄O₁₅ performed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that it crystallizes in the space group I4/mmm [a∼3.9021(1) Å, c∼40.7554(10) Å]. Protonated form of Bi₂SrNa₂Nb₄O₁₅ was obtained by the substitution of bismuth oxide sheets with protons via acid treatment. The conversion into the protonated forms was achieved easily using 6 M HCl at room temperature. Preservation of the structure of the perovskite-like slabs and contraction in the c-axis were confirmed by X-ray analysis. The compositions of the resulting products were determined to be H_1.8[Sr_0.8Bi_0.2Na₂Nb₄O₁₃] by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XFS) and thermogravimetry.     

Phase diagram of SrO-InO1.5-CoOx and a new compound Sr3In0.9Co1.1O6

Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆, isostructural to Ca₃Co₂O₆, is revealed by the study of the phase relations in the system SrO-InO_1.5-CoO_x (1000 °C). The structure of Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ is refined by the combination of powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ crystallizes in a trigonal lattice with the cell parameters a=b=9.59438(3) Å, c=11.02172(4) Å with the space group R-3c. Its structure possesses 1D (In/Co)O₃ chains running along the c-axis constructed by alternating face-sharing CoO₆ octahedra and (In_0.9Co_0.1)O₆ trigonal prisms. The co-occupation of In³⁺ and Co³⁺ at the trigonal prismatic site is evidenced by elementary analysis and determined by the structure refinement. Sr₃In_0.9Co_1.1O₆ is paramagnetic, and the susceptibility is consistent with the occupation of Co³⁺ at 10% of the trigonal prismatic positions in a high spin state (HS, S=2). The HS Co³⁺ is well separated by diamagnetic CoO₆ octahedra and InO₆ trigonal prisms and shows a g factor of 2.0 in the magnetic measurements.     

A new 2212-type stair like structure: Bi14Sr21Fe12O61, m=5 member of the generic [Bi2Sr3Fe2O9]m[Bi4Sr6Fe2O16] family

A new oxide, Bi₁₄Sr₂₁Fe₁₂O_61, with a layered structure derived from the 2212 modulated type structure Bi₂Sr₃Fe₂O₉, was isolated. It crystallizes in the I2 space group, with the following parameters: a=16.58(3) Å, b=5.496(1) Å, c=35.27(2) Å and β=90.62°. The single crystal X-ray structure determination, coupled with electron microscopy, shows that this ferrite is the m=5 member of the [Bi₂Sr₃Fe₂O₉]_m[Bi₄Sr₆Fe₂O₁₆] collapsed family. This new collapsed structure can be described as slices of 2212 structure of five bismuth polyhedra thick along , shifted with respect to each other and interconnected by means of [Bi₄Sr₆Fe₂O₁₆] slices. The latter are the place of numerous defects like iron or strontium for bismuth substitution; they can be correlated to intergrowth defects with other members of the family.     

Designing and tuning properties of a three-dimensional porous quaternary chalcogenide built on a bimetallic tetrahedral cluster [M4Sn3S13] (M=Zn/Sn)

A multifunctional three-dimensional quaternary chalcogenide [Na₅Zn_3.5Sn_3.5S₁₃]·6H₂O has been synthesized by solvothermal reactions. [Na₅Zn_3.5Sn_3.5S₁₃]·6H₂O represents an interesting example of metal chalcogenides that combines semiconductivity, porosity, and light emission in a single structure. It crystallizes in the cubic space group Fm-3c, a=17.8630(3) Å, V=5699.85(17) Å³, Z=8. The compound decomposes at ∼450 °C. A band gap of 2.9 eV is estimated from the optical diffuse reflectance data. A strong photoluminescence peak is observed at 2.43 eV in Mn doped samples. The electronic and optical properties of this compound can be systematically tuned by substitution of metal and chalcogen elements.     

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, crystal structure, and nonlinear optical properties of Bi2Cu5B4O14

Bi₂Cu₅B₄O₁₄ crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric triclinic space group P1 (No. 1) with cell parameters a=10.1381(11) Å, b=9.3917(11) Å, c=3.4566(4) Å, α=105.570(2)°, β=92.275(2)°, γ=107.783(2)°, Z=1 and R₁=0.0401 and wR₂=0.0980. It is a layered structure that is built up from sheets of rectangular CuO₄ and trigonal BO₃ groups. The sheets are connected by infinite chains of edge shared BiO₆ polyhedra that intersect the bc plane at an angle slightly greater than 90°. The second-harmonic generation efficiency of Bi₂Cu₅B₄O₁₄, using 1064 nm radiation, is about one half times that of KH₂PO₄.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a new bismuth chromate: Bi8(CrO4)O11

Single crystals of a new bismuth chromate, Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁, were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of NaBiO₃·nH₂O in K₂CrO₄ solution. The bismuth chromate crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/m with a=9.657(3), b=11.934(3), c=13.868(2)Å and β=104.14(1)°, Z=4 and the final R factors are R=0.038 and R_w=0.041 for 3541 unique reflections. The crystal structure has a slab built up by (CrO₄)²⁻ tetrahedra and distorted bismuth polyhedra which are five-fold pyramids, six-fold trigonal prisms and octahedra. The distance of lone pair from nucleus for bismuth atoms ranges from 0.29 to 1.12 Å, depending on the coordination environment. Bi₈(CrO₄)O₁₁ decomposes to Bi₁₄CrO₂₄ and a small amount of an unknown phase at 796 °C.     

Comparative high-pressure study and chemical bonding analysis of Rh3Bi14 and isostructural Rh3Bi12Br2

The binary compound Rh₃Bi₁₄ was synthesized from the elements. The compound is isostructural with Rh₃Bi₁₂Br₂, crystallizes with the orthorhombic space group Fddd (no. 70) and lattice parameters a=6.8959(15) Å, b=17.379(3) Å, c=31.758(6) Å. The crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional (3D) framework of edge-sharing cubes and square antiprisms (RhBi_8/2). It is closely related to the intermetallic compound RhBi₄, in which two Y-like frameworks of antiprisms interpenetrate. In Rh₃Bi₁₄ and Rh₃Bi₁₂Br₂, additional bismuth and bromine anions, respectively, fill the channels of the 3D polyhedral framework formed by covalently bonded rhodium and bismuth atoms. High-pressure X-ray powder diffraction data from synchrotron measurements of Rh₃Bi₁₄ and Rh₃Bi₁₂Br₂ indicate a high stability of both compounds in the investigated range from ambient pressure to ca. 30 GPa at ambient temperature.     

Preparation and crystal structure of [Bi3I(C4H8O3H2)2(C4H8O3H)5]2Bi8I30 containing the novel polynuclear [Bi8I30] anion

Preparation and crystal structure of the novel compound [Bi₃I(C₄H₈O₃H₂)₂(C₄H₈O₃H)₅]₂Bi₈I₃₀ are reported. The title compound is prepared by heating of BiI₃ and diethylene glycol at 413 K in a sealed quartz glass tube filled with argon. Deep red single crystals are grown and applied to perform X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray single-crystal diffraction measurements. The compound crystallizes triclinic with space group P-1: Z=2, a=13.217(1) Å, b=15.277(1) Å, c=22.498(1) Å, α=84.33(1), β=73.18(1), γ=67.48(1). [Bi₃I(C₄H₈O₃H₂)₂(C₄H₈O₃H)₅]₂Bi₈I₃₀ comprises the novel polynuclear [Bi₈I₃₀]⁶⁻ anion and [Bi₃I(C₄H₈O₃H₂)₂(C₄H₈O₃H)₅]³⁺ as the cation. Cation as well as the anion can be assumed to represent intermediates between solid BiI₃ and BiI₃ completely dissolved in diethylene glycol.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of Ag2Nb[P2S6][S2] and KAg2[PS4]

Ag₂Nb[P₂S₆][S₂] (1) was obtained from the direct solid state reaction of Ag, Nb, P₂S₅ and S at 500 °C. KAg₂[PS₄] (2) was prepared from the reaction of K₂S₃, Ag, Nd, P₂S₅ and extra S powder at 700 °C. Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a=12.2188(11), b=26.3725(16), c=6.7517(4) Å, V=2175.7(3) Å³, Z=8. Compound 2 crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric tetragonal space group with lattice parameters a=6.6471(7), c=8.1693(11) Å, V=360.95(7) Å³, Z=2. The structure of Ag₂Nb[P₂S₆][S₂] (1) consists of [Nb₂S₁₂], [P₂S₆] and new found puckered [Ag₂S₄] chains which are along [001] direction. The Nb atoms are located at the center of distorted bicapped trigonal prisms. Two prisms share square face of two [S₂²⁻] to form one [Nb₂S₁₂] unit, in which Nb-Nb bond is formed. The [Nb₂S₁₂] units share all S²⁻ corners with ethane-like [P₂S₆] units to form 14-membered rings. The novel puckered [Ag₂S₄] chains are composed of distorted [AgS₄] tetrahedra and [AgS₃] triangles that share corners with each other. These chains are connected with [P₂S₆] units and [Nb₂S₁₂] units to form three-dimensional frame work. The structural skeleton of 2 is built up from [AgS₄] and [PS₄] tetrahedra linked by corner-sharing. The three-dimensional anionic framework contains orthogonal, intersecting tunnels directed along [100] and [010]. This compound possesses a compressed chalcopyrite-like structure. The structure is compressed along [001] and results from eight coordination sphere for K⁺. Both compounds are characterized with UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and compound 1 with IR and Raman spectra.     

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.     

High-pressure high-temperature synthesis and crystal structure of the isotypic rare earth (RE)-thioborate-sulfides RE9[BS3]2[BS4]3S3, (RE=Dy-Lu)

Application of high-pressure high-temperature conditions (3.5 GPa at 1673 K for 5 h) to mixtures of the elements (RE:B:S=1:3:6) yielded crystalline samples of the isotypic rare earth-thioborate-sulfides RE₉[BS₃]₂[BS₄]₃S₃, (RE=Dy-Lu), which crystallize in space group P6₃ (Z=2/3) and adopt the Ce₆Al_3.33S₁₄ structure type. The crystal structures were refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by applying the Rietveld method. Dy: a=9.4044(2) Å, c=5.8855(3) Å; Ho: a=9.3703(1) Å, c=5.8826(1) Å; Er: a=9.3279(12) Å, c=5.8793(8) Å; Tm: a=9.2869(3) Å, c=5.8781(3) Å; Yb: a=9.2514(5) Å, c=5.8805(6) Å; Lu: a=9.2162(3) Å, c=5.8911(3) Å. The crystal structure is characterized by the presence of two isolated complex ions [BS₃]^3- and [BS₄]^5- as well as [□(S^2-)₃] units.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of A3In2Ge4 and A5In3Ge6 (A=Ca, Sr, Eu, Yb)—New intermetallic compounds with complex structures, exhibiting Ge-Ge and In-In bonding

Reported are the synthesis and the structural characterization of four new polar intermetallic phases, which exist only with mixed alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal cations in narrow homogeneity ranges. (Sr_1-xCa_x)₅In₃Ge₆ and (Eu_1-xYb_x)₅In₃Ge₆ (x≈0.7) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with two formula units per unit cell (own structure type, Pearson symbol oP56). The lattice parameters are as follows: a=13.109(3)-13.266(3) Å, b=4.4089(9)-4.4703(12) Å, and c=23.316(5)-23.557(6) Å. (Sr_1-xCa_x)₃In₂Ge₄ and (Sr_1-xYb_x)₃In₂Ge₄ (x≈0.4-0.5) adopt another novel monoclinic structure-type (space group C2/m, Z=4, Pearson symbol mS36) with lattice parameters in the range a=19.978(2)-20.202(2) Å, b=4.5287(5)-4.5664(5) Å, c=10.3295(12)-10.3447(10) Å, and β=98.214(2)-98.470(2)°, depending on the metal cations and their ratio. The polyanionic sub-structures in both cases are based on chains of InGe₄ corner-shared tetrahedra. The A₅In₃Ge₆ structure (A=Sr/Ca or Sr/Yb) also features Ge₄ tetramers, and isolated In atoms in nearly square-planar environment, while the A₃In₂Ge₄ structure (A=Sr/Ca or Eu/Yb) contains zig-zag chains of In and Ge strings with intricate topology of cis- and trans-bonds. The experimental results have been complemented by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) band structure calculations.     

A solvothermal synthesis and characterization of a new open-framework K4Ag2Ge3S9·H2O

A novel framework K₄Ag₂Ge₃S₉·H₂O was synthesized solvothermally in the presence of a chelating agent of HSCH₂CH(SH)CH₂OH. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. This material crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2(1) (No. 33) with a=14.4524(4) Å, b=9.6339(3) Å, c=16.5636(9) Å, z=4, R₁=0.0292, wR₂=0.0624 for all data. The structure comprises of adamantane-like clusters [AgGe₃S₉]⁵⁻ linked by Ag+ ions to form a open-framework, and potassium ions and water molecules are located in the channels. Its IR and thermal properties were investigated.