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).     

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.     

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.     

Inherent instabilities of some W5Si3-type binary phases with large electropositive metal atoms: Six examples in the Ba-Pb, Ca-Sn-Mg,Cu,Zn, and La-Ga-Al,Zn systems

A particular pathology of certain W₅Si₃-type A₅B₃ structures (I4/mcm) appears to arise because of unduly close approaches of the A1-type atoms on the cell faces at , 0, () that occur with the larger and more electropositive A and/or in the presence of smaller B atoms. A structure refinement of binary Ba_4.81Pb₃ indicates such a marginal stability in that the Ba atoms in the facial Ba_0.81 chains exhibit an extreme displacement ellipsoid along . Although Ca₅Sn₃ and La₅Ga₃ binaries are unknown in this structure type, five stable ternary derivatives of these have been synthesized via substitution reactions and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction means: Ca₄Sn_3.223(4)Mg_0.777, Ca₄Sn₃Cu_1.30(4), Ca_4.66(6)Sn₃Zn_0.704(4), La_4.81(1)Ga_1.38(2)Al_1.62, and La_4.762(5)Ga_1.5(1)Zn_1.5. Only the Ca-Sn-Zn phase exhibits lower symmetry, P4/mbm. The problematic A1 sites exhibit diverse changes in these, whereas the surrounding B2 tetrahedra are largely unaltered. The Ca-Sn results are, respectively: direct Mg/Sn substitution at the Ca1 site; mixed fractional distribution of the smaller Cu at two sites around the A1 position with an unresolved disorder; a pair of apparently independent modes, fractional Ca in the normal position and fractional Zn rectangles thereabout. The two La-Sn phases contain normal Ga,Al (Ga,Zn) tetrahedral chains with pairs of fractional disordered La atoms along , 0, z. Each can be rationalized in terms of a reasonable incommensurate structure. Electronic effects may also be operable.     

The crystal structure of CuSb2O3Br: Slabs from cubic Sb2O3 interspersed between puckered hexagonal CuBr-type layers

The new compound CuSb₂O₃Br crystallize in the monoclinic space group Cc. The unit cell parameters are , , , β=90°, Z=16. The crystal structure is solved from single crystal data, R=0.0490. The compound show a layered structure with slabs from cubic Sb₂O₃ interspersed in between puckered layers of CuBr. The Sb(III) atoms have tetrahedral [SbO₃E] coordination where E is the 5s² lone pair, these units build up Sb₄O₄E₆ cages. The CuBr layers resemble those in hexagonal CuBr but the Cu(I) ions have actually tetrahedral [CuBr₃O] coordination. The Cu-O bonds link the Sb₄O₆ cages with the CuBr layers.     

Composition-induced phase transition in Ca14Zn6−xGa10+xO35+x/2 (x=0.0 and 0.5)

Novel complex oxides Ca₁₄Zn₆Ga₁₀O₃₅ and Ca₁₄Zn_5.5Ga_10.5O_35.25 were prepared in air at 1200 °C, 72 h. Refinements of their crystal structures using X-ray powder diffraction data showed that Ca₁₄Zn₆Ga₁₀O₃₅ is ordered (S.G. F23, =0.0458, R_p=0.0485, R_wp=0.0659, χ²=1.88) and Ca₁₄Zn_5.5Ga_10.5O_35.25 disordered (S.G. F432, =0.0346, R_p=0.0601, R_wp=0.0794, χ²=2.82) variants of the crystal structure of Ca₁₄Zn₆Al₁₀O₃₅. In the crystal structure of Ca₁₄Zn₆Ga₁₀O₃₅, there are large empty voids, which could be partially occupied by additional oxygen atoms upon substitution of Zn²⁺ by Ga³⁺ as in Ca₁₄Zn_5.5Ga_10.5O_35.25. These oxygen atoms are introduced into the crystal structure of Ca₁₄Zn_5.5Ga_10.5O_35.25 only as a part of four tetrahedra (Zn, Ga)O₄ groups sharing common vertex. This creates a situation where even a minor change in the chemical composition leads to considerable anion and cation disordering resulting in a change of space group from F23 (no. 196) to F432 (no. 209).     

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).     

CaB3—A new calcium boride stabilized by thin film epitaxy

Codeposition of Ca and B on various single crystal substrates was carried out by MBE technique. A new calcium boride CaB₃ was epitaxially grown on Al₂O₃(0001) with substrate temperature . Structural characterization by RHEED and X-ray diffraction indicated that CaB₃ has a hexagonal cell with lattice parameters and . No evidence for superconductivity was found down to 2 K.     

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.     

The disordered cubic structure of Ca7Co3Ga5O18

The new mixed oxide having composition close to Ca₇Co₃Ga₅O₁₈ was synthesized from CaCO₃, Co₃O₄ and Ga₂O₃ at 1150 °C in air and studied by neutron and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy. The structure was refined, using time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction data, in space group F432, with and Z=8, to R_F=0.7%. It is considerably disordered, with four different tetrahedral sites randomly occupied by Co and Ga atoms at a ratio of 1:2. The tetrahedra form a disordered (Co_1/3Ga_2/3)O₂ 3D-framework inside which isolated CoO₆ octahedra, surrounded by 8 Ca atoms, are located. The structure is related to the ordered structure of Ca₁₄Al₁₀Zn₆O₃₅. Electron diffraction patterns confirmed the symmetry and unit cell and revealed no diffuse scattering. High-resolution electron microscopy images showed the absence of extended structural defects.     

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.     

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.     

Preparation, crystal structure and chemical bonding analysis of the new binary compounds Rh4Ga21 and Rh3Ga16

The two new binary compounds Rh₄Ga₂₁ (space group Cmca (Cmce), , , , Pearson symbol oC136) and Rh₃Ga₁₆ (space group Ccca (Ccce), , , , Pearson symbol oC76) were synthesised and their crystal structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. From a topological point of view, both these two crystal structures and the crystal structure of PdGa₅ can be described either as inhomogeneous intergrowth structures containing three different kinds of segments, or as built up by layers of capped square antiprisms condensed via their capping atoms. Bonding analysis with bonding indicators revealed that the crystal structures of Rh₄Ga₂₁ and Rh₃Ga₁₆ have to be considered as framework polyanions formed by covalently bonded gallium atoms with embedded rhodium cations.     

Synthesis, crystal and magnetic structure of a novel brownmillerite-type compound Ca2Co1.6Ga0.4O5

The novel compound Ca₂Co_1.6Ga_0.4O₅ with brownmillerite (BM) structure has been prepared from citrates at 950 °C. The crystal structure of Ca₂Co_1.6Ga_0.4O₅ was refined, from neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data, in space group Pnma, , , , χ²=1.798, , R_wp=0.0378 and R_p=0.0292. On the basis of the NPD refinement the compound was found to be a G-type antiferromagnet (space group Pn^′m^′a) at room temperature, with the magnetic moments of cobalt atoms directed along chains of tetrahedra in the BM structure. Electron diffraction and electron microscopy studies revealed disorder in the crystallites, which can be interpreted as the presence of slabs with BM-type structure of Pnma and I2mb symmetry.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of a Ruddlesden-Popper compound: Sr3FeMoO7

A powder sample of Sr₃FeMoO₇ was synthesized by solid-state reaction in reduced atmosphere (5% H₂/Ar). At room temperature, Sr₃FeMoO₇ crystallizes in a typical Ruddlesden-Popper (n=2) structure in the space group I4/mmm, and . The structure refinement indicates that the Fe and Mo ions are randomly distributed in a single B-site with small fraction of B-site and oxygen vacancies. At low temperature, long-range magnetic interaction was observed. The antiferromagnetic magnetic interaction can be described with a large unit cell, and c_m=c_n, in the magnetic space group An′.     

Crystal structure of cobalt molybdate hydrate CoMoO4·nH2O

We have determined the crystal structure of the title compound, which has a triclinic cell with cell parameters of , , , α=76.617°, β=84.188°, γ=74.510° and space group . The crystal structure suggests the chemical formula CoMoO₄·3/4H₂O. The structure consists of MoO₄ tetrahedra and CoO₆ octahedra, confirming the earlier X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopic (XANES) investigation on the hydrate. The comparison of the crystal structures of the hydrate and the α-,β-, and hp-phases shows that the hydrate exhibits metal cation coordinations similar to those of the β-phase, but had arrangements of CoO₆ and MoO_n polyhedra similar to those of the hp-phase.     

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.     

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of two misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi2O3-MO-Nb2O5 (M=Mg, Ni) systems

The disordered structures and low temperature dielectric relaxation properties of Bi_1.667Mg_0.70Nb_1.52O₇ (BMN) and Bi_1.67Ni_0.75Nb_1.50O₇ (BNN) misplaced-displacive cubic pyrochlores found in the Bi₂O₃-M^IIO-Nb₂O₅ (M=Mg, Ni) systems are reported. As for other recently reported Bi-pyrochlores, the metal ion vacancies are found to be confined to the pyrochlore A site. The B₂O₆ octahedral sub-structure is found to be fully occupied and well-ordered. Considerable displacive disorder, however, is found associated with the O′A₂ tetrahedral sub-structure in both cases. The A-site ions were displaced from Wyckoff position 16d (, , ) to 96 h (, , ) while the O′ oxygen was shifted from position 8b (, , ) to Wyckoff position 32e (, , ). The refined displacement magnitudes off the 16d and 8b sites for the A and O′ sites were 0.408 Å/0.423 Å and 0.350 Å/0.369 Å for BMN/BNN, respectively.