CsBr—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>CdBr<Subscript>4</Subscript>—Cs<Subscript>2</Subscript>HgBr<Subscript>4</Subscript> Four-component system

Component interactions in the CsBr—Cs₂ZnBr₄—Cs₂CdBr₄—Cs₂HgBr₄ system were studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and powder X-ra y diffraction. The system is characterized by a continuous solid solution series. New compounds have not been found.     

Phase formation in Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-K<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-MMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> (M = Ca,Pb, Ba) systems and the crystal structure of α-KLiMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Solid-phase interactions in Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M = Ca, Pb, Ba) systems were studied, and the subsolidus regions of these systems were triangulated. The lead and barium systems were studied in a more detailed way to discover that, along KLiMoO₄-K₂M(MoO₄)₂ (M = Pb, Ba), KLiMoO₄-PbMoO₄, and Li₂MoO₄-K₂Ba(MoO₄)₂ quasi-binary sections, there are homogeneity regions reaching 6–11 mol % based on K₂M(MoO₄)₂ and lead molybdate. Triple molybdates are formed in none of the systems, which is verified by experiments on spontaneous crystallization from solution in melt. Crystallization experiments yielded crystals of potassium dimolybdate and simple and double molybdates from the boundary systems. The crystal structure was solved for a hexagonal KLiMoO₄ phase: (Na,K){ZnPO4}, a = 18.8838(7) Å, c = 8.9911(6)Å, Z = 24, space group P6₃, R = 0.065. The structure comprises a three-dimensional tridymite framework built by an alternation of corner-sharing LiO₄- and MoO₄ tetrahedra wherein voids are occupied by potassium cations.     

Thermal stability of stercorite H(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)Na(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Thermogravimetric analysis has been used to determine the thermal stability of the mineral stercorite H(NH₄)Na(PO₄)·4H₂O. The mineral stercorite originated from the Petrogale Cave, Madura, Eucla, Western Australia. This cave is one of many caves in the Nullarbor Plain in the South of Western Australia. The mineral is formed by the reaction of bat guano chemicals on calcite substrates. Upon thermal treatment the mineral shows a strong decomposition at 191 °C with loss of water and ammonia. Other mass loss steps are observed at 158, 317 and 477 °C. Ion current curves indicate a gain of CO₂ at higher temperature and are attributed to the thermal decomposition of calcite impurity.     

Multicomponent systems LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiCl–LiBr–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄ ternary system and the LiCl–LiBr–Li₂SO₄–Li₂MoO₄ quaternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis. The compositions and temperatures of minima in the ternary and quaternary systems were determined to be (31.2 mol % LiCl, 46.8 mol % LiBr, 22.0 mol % Li₂SO₄, 460°C) and (25.2 mol % LiCl, 30.2 mol % LiBr, 14.6 mol % Li₂SO₄, 30.0 mol % Li₂MoO₄, 411°C), respectively.