Layered Intergrowth Phases Bi4MO8X (X=Cl, M=Ta and X=Br, M=Ta or Nb): Structural and Electrophysical Characterization

The high-temperature structural behavior of the layered intergrowth phase Bi₄TaO₈Cl, belonging to the Sillén-Aurivillius family, has been studied by powder neutron diffraction. This material is ferroelectric, space group P2₁cn, at T_C<640 K. An order-disorder transition to centrosymmetric space group Pmcn is found around 640 K, which involves disordering of TaO₆ octahedral tilts. A second phase transition, of a first-order nature, to space group P4/mmm occurs at a temperature of ∼1038 K. The crystal structures of the bromide analogs Bi₄MO₈Br (M=Nb, Ta) have also been determined at room temperature; both are isomorphous with Bi₄TaO₈Cl and exhibit maxima in dielectric constant at temperatures of approximately 588 and 450 K, respectively.     

The phase diagrams of Ag2XAgY (X = S,Se, Te; Y = Cl,Br, I): Mixtures and the structure of Ag5Te2Cl

The phase diagrams of Ag₂SAgI, Ag₂SeAgI, Ag₂TeAgI, Ag₂TeAgBr, and Ag₂TeAgCl were investigated. The system Ag₂S-AgI shows two broad regions of solid solution which are based on the structure of the high-temperature phases of the constituent compounds. The high-temperature modification of Ag₃SI is part of one of these regions. The system Ag₂SeAgI resembles the system Ag₂TeAgI; both contain limited regions of terminal solid solutions. The AgI-based solid solutions decompose peritectically. In the system Ag₂TeAgBr a compound Ag₃TeBr was found. Ag₃TeBr undergoes a phase transition at 590 ± 20 K. The low-temperature form has hexagonal symmetry with the lattice parameters a = 748.8(1) pm and c = 4357.6(6) pm. The compound Ag₅Te₂Cl was found in the Ag₂TeAgCl system. In both systems a restricted terminal solid solution, based on the high-temperature form of Ag₂Te, was observed. Ag₅Te₂Cl has a reversible phase transformation at 329 ± 3 K with ΔH_tr = 9.82 ± 0.4 kJ mole^?1. β-Ag₅TeCl, the low-temperature form probably has the space group $\text{P2}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>n</mtext>}}\text{, a = 1365.5(1), b = 1386.1(1), c = 764.23(2)}$, β = 90.201(1)°, and Z = 4, α-Ag₅Te₂Cl has the space group $\text{I4}{}_{\mathrm{mcm}}$ with a = 975.5(3), c = 783.0(1) pm, and Z = 4. The anion sublattice is built of octahedra, which share all their vertices with neighboring octahedra. The Ag⁺ ions are distributed over octahedral holes of this network. The phase is similar in behavior to Ag₈GeTe₆ and may be a silver-ion conductor.     

Expanded polycationic mercury-chalcogen networks in the layered compounds Hg3E2[MX6] (E=S, Se; M=Zr, Hf; X=Cl, Br)

The reactions of HgE (E=S, Se) with HgX₂ and MX₄ (M=Zr, Hf; X=Cl, Br) in evacuated glass ampoules lead to a series of isotypic compounds of the general formula Hg₃E₂[MX₆] in the form of colorless (X=Cl) and light-yellow (X=Br) air-sensitive crystals. The crystal structures of Hg₃S₂[ZrCl₆] (I), Hg₃S₂[HfCl₆] (II), Hg₃Se₂[ZrCl₆] (III), Hg₃Se₂[HfCl₆] (IV), Hg₃S₂[ZrBr₆] (V), and Hg₃Se₂[ZrBr₆] (VI) were refined based on single-crystal data. All compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with the lattice parameters a=662.18(2) pm, b=734.97(3) pm, c=1290.83(5) pm, β=91.755(2)° for (I) and and a=701.97(3) pm, b=756.79(3) pm, c=1350.99(6) pm, β=92.164(3)° for (VI). The structures are built of (Hg₃E₂)²⁺ layers stacked perpendicular to the c-axis. The polycationic layers consist of two-dimensionally linked 12-membered Hg₆E₆ rings in the chair conformation with linear coordinated Hg and trigonal pyramidal coordinated chalcogen atoms. Almost regular octahedral [MX₆]²⁻ ions are embedded between the layers. This arrangement is closely related to the structure of Hg₃S₂[SiF₆], which represents a higher symmetric congener. The structure relation is discussed using the supergroup-subgroup relation between space groups.     

Nouveaux chalcogenures mixtesGaMo4(XX′)8 (X =S,Se, Te)a`clusters tetraedriques Mo4

Nous pre´sentons ici la pre´paration et la caracte´risation de nouveaux chalcoge´nures mixtes de molybde`ne de formulationGaMo<sub>4</sub>(XX′)<sub>8</sub>avec (X,X′ =S, Se, Te) appartenanta`la famille des chalcoge´nuresGaMo₄X₈a`clusters te´trae´driques Mo₄.     

The preparation of WMeCl3Y (Y = S OR Se) and some coordination compounds of WMeCl3Y (Y = O,S OR Se)

The reaction of WCl₄Y (Y = S or Se) with Me₂Mg leads to the formation of WMeCl₃Y. The compounds WMeCl₃Y (Y = O, S or Se) are very reactive and attempts to isolate them in pure form failed. However, a range of complexes which they form with some nitrogen and oxygen donors have been isolated and characterised.     

Synthesis and structure of the ternary and quaternary strontium nitride halides, Sr2N(X, X′) (X, X′=Cl, Br, I)

A number of new, layered nitride mixed halides have been synthesised in the quaternary phase systems Sr-N-Cl-Br and Sr-N-Br-I. The variation in structure with composition has been investigated by powder X-ray and powder neutron diffraction techniques and the structure of strontium nitride iodide, Sr₂NI, has been determined for the first time (rhombohedral space group R-3m, , , Z=3). A continuous solid solution exists between Sr₂NCl and Sr₂NBr with intermediate compounds adopting the same anti-α-NaFeO₂ structure (rhombohedral space group R-3m) as the ternary end members. A similar smooth and linear relationship between structure and composition is seen from Sr₂NBr to Sr₂NI and hence cubic close packing of metal-nitrogen layers is adopted regardless of halide, X (X′). While nitride and halide anions occupy distinct crystallographic sites, there is no ordering of the halides in the quaternary materials irrespective of stoichiometry or temperature (between 3 and 673 K).     

The crystal structure of AgTIX phases (X = S,Se, Te)

The isomorphism of ternary compounds AgTIX (X = S, Se, Te) is pointed out. The compounds have an orthorhombic unit cell with four formulas and the space group is Pnam. The crystal structure of AgTlTe has been solved with a final R value of 0.098. Silver and tellurium atoms are covalently bonded in chains of AgTe₄ tetrahedra delimiting channels where thallium atoms are located.     

Magnetic order in AVX3 (A = Rb,Cs, (CD3)4 N; X = Cl,Br, I): A neutron diffraction study

AVX₃ (A = Rb, Cs, (CD₃)₄ N; X = Cl, Br, I) crystallize in the hexagonal system, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}$, with chains of face-sharing VX₆ octahedra along the c-axis. This leads to a pronounced one-dimensional character of their magnetic properties with a strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction J between nearest neighbor V²⁺ ions along these chains. All compounds except [(CD₃)₄N]VCl₃ order three-dimensionally with ordering temperatures T_c between 13 and 32 K. In the ordered phase the magnetic moments, μ, lie in the basal plane in a triangular arrangement typical for antiferromagnetic interchain interaction J′.     

Ternary and quaternary layered nitride halides, Ca2N(X,X′) (X,X′=Cl, Br, I): Evolution of structure with composition

The quaternary systems Ca-N-Cl-Br and Ca-N-Br-I have been investigated resulting in the synthesis of a number of new layered nitride mixed halides. The evolution of structure with composition has been investigated by powder X-ray and powder neutron diffraction techniques. A continuous solid solution exists between Ca₂NCl and Ca₂NBr with intermediate compounds adopting the same anti- α-NaFeO₂ structure (rhombohedral space group ) as the ternary end members. A phase transition occurs in the Ca₂NBr_1−yI_y system between y=0.7 and y=0.8 corresponding to a switch from cubic close packing to hexagonal close packing of metal-nitrogen layers and corresponding adoption of the anti-β-RbScO₂ (filled anti-CdI₂) structure (hexagonal space group P6₃/mmc). While nitride and halide anions occupy distinct crystallographic sites, there is no ordering of halides in quaternary materials irrespective of stoichiometry or structure type. All the nitride halides show temperature independent paramagnetic behaviour between 2 and 300 K.     

Crystal Structures, and Electrical Conducting and Magnetic Properties in the Plate Crystals of (Ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalenoquinone-1,3-dithiolemethide)2·MX4 (M=Fe, Ga, X=Br; M=Fe, X=C1) Salts

By the reaction of a new donor molecule, ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalenoquinone-1,3-dithiolemethide (1) with FeBr₃, GaBr₃ or FeCl₃ in CH₃CN/CS₂ charge transfer (CT) salts of 1 with counteranions of FeBr₄⁻, GaBr₄⁻ or FeCl₄⁻ (1₂·FeBr₄, 1₂·GaBr₄ and 1₂·FeCl₄) as plate crystals were obtained. Their crystal structures are apparently similar to each other, in which 1 molecules are dimerized in the parallel direction of their molecular long axes, and the dimers are stacked with changing the direction of the molecular long axes alternately to form a one- dimensional column. The counteranions intervene between the 1-stacked columns and are aligned in a zigzag manner. The room-temperature electrical conductivities of 1₂·FeBr₄ and 1₂·GaBr₄ are fairly high (10-15 S cm⁻¹), but a small value (0.8 S cm⁻¹) is obtained for 1₂·FeCl₄. For all CT salts, temperature dependences of electrical conductivity are semiconducting in spite of very small activation energies (30-90 meV). Based on the comparison between their electrical conducting and magnetic properties, it is suggested that the d spins of FeBr₄⁻ or FeCl₄⁻ ions exert almost no influence on the π conducting electrons in the 1-stacked column.     

Stoichiometry and physical properties of ternary molybdenum chalcogenides MxMo6X8 (X = S,Se; M = Li,Sn, Pb)

Chemical and electrochemical insertion of Li at room temperature, as well as insertion of lead and tin at moderate temperatures (500°C), into the binary phase Mo₆X₈ forms ternary molybdenum chalcogenides M_xMo₆X₈ (X = S, Se). Crystallographic parameters, superconducting properties, and magnetic susceptibility are reported. The stoichiometry x for lead and tin is shown not to exceed x = 1, while for Li, x can reach approximately 4.0. For the lead and tin sulfide series, the hexagonal lattice parameters and superconducting critical temperatures (T_c) are invariant to changes in the nominal composition of 0.8 < x < 1.2, while both an increase in T_c and a small decrease in c_h is observed for the selenides; a narrow homogeneity range exists near x = 1 below 500°C for both these sulfides and selenides, the single-phase region being somewhat larger in the selenides. In contrast, several single-phase regions and large unit cell changes are observed in Li_xMo₆X₈ (0 < x < 3.2). Magnetic susceptibility measurements of the lithiated compounds at x ～ 3.2 reveals a structural phase transition at 140 and 185 K for the sulfide and selenide, respectively; but neither superconducts down to 1.5 K. At lower lithium concentration near x ～ 1.0, the T_c of the sulfide is raised from that of Mo₆S₈ (1.8 K) to 5.2 K but the T_c of Mo₆Se₈ (6.5 K) is depressed to 3.9 K.     

Etude comparative des composés TiX2 (X = S,Se, Te). Structures de TiTe2 et TiSeTe

The evolution of crystal-structure and chemical-bond characteristics is studied for the series of isotypical compounds TiX₂, with X = S, Se, Te. The structure determination of TiTe₂ and TiSeTe confirms the existence of an increasing trigonal C_3v distortion of metal sites when the chalcogen electronegativity decreases. The ESCA study shows that this distortion is associated with augmentation of the covalent or metallic character of the bonds. The structural and spectroscopic differences appearing from TiS₂ to TiSe₂ can be interpreted by an orbital delocalization in TiSe₂ and TiTe₂, which would explain the semimetallic behavior of these compounds.     

A study on mixed halide compounds MFX (M = Ca,Sr, Eu,Ba; X = Cl,Br, I)

MFX (M = Ca, Sr, Eu, Ba; X = Cl, Br, I) compounds have been prepared by solid-state reaction. Lattice parameters and X-ray diffraction patterns are presented for these compounds, which are all isostructural with tetragonal PbFCl. Attempts to synthesize solid solutions of Sr(Eu)FCl and of MFCl compounds with several rare earth oxychlorides are reported. The crystal chemistry of MFX, MHX, and LnOX compounds is briefly discussed in comparison, and the observed $\text{c}\text{a}$ ratios are interpreted on the basis of electrostatic calculations.     

Ta3SBr7—A New Structure Type in theM3QX7Family (M=Nb, Ta;Q=S, Se, Te;X=Cl, Br, I)

The layered compound Ta₃SBr₇has been prepared by direct reaction of the elements at 550°C for 2 weeks in evacuated Pyrex ampules, and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ta₃SBr₇crystallizes with monoclinic symmetry in space groupCm;a=12.249(2) Å,b=7.071(2) Å,c=8.829(2) Å,β=134.421(8)°,V=546.16(23) ų,Z=2,R=0.027,R=0.032. The structure, related to the Cd(OH)₂type, consists of triangular tantalum clusters located between every other layer of a closed-packed mixed S/SBr ordered anion framework. The slightly distorted, quasi-infinite²_∞[Ta₃SBr₇] slabs stack parallel to the crystallographicabplane in a new variant, with each successive²_∞[Ta₃SBr₇] slab related by a 1/2b+c stacking vector. This stacking mode is the sixth layered structure type observed in theM₃QX₇system. Ta₃SBr₇represents the first Ta₃QX₇compound discovered that is not isostructural with its niobium counterpart and is the second of the two one-slab per unit cell stacking types possible in theM₃QX₇system Nb₃SBr₇being the other. Synthesis, structural characterization, and lattice energy calculations of Ta₃SBr₇and related compounds are reported.     

Electrical conductivity of MOXO4 (M=V, Nb; X=P, As) compounds intercalated with H2O and H3XO4

Layered compounds with the general formula MOXO₄·yH₂O (M=V, Nb; X=P, As) were prepared. The content of water y was controlled by keeping the samples in an atmosphere with various relative humidities (RH). Depending on RH, the formation of several hydrates of niobyl phosphate and arsenate was observed and their basal spacings (d) were determined, namely, NbOPO₄·H₂O, , at 11% RH and lower, NbOPO₄·2H₂O, , at 22-33% RH, NbOPO₄·3H₂O, , at 43-84% RH, and NbOPO₄·5H₂O, , at 92% RH and above; NbOAsO₄·H₂O, , at 0-16% RH and NbOAsO₄·3H₂O, at 33% RH and above. As follows from ac and dc conductivity data, NbOXO₄·yH₂O compounds are practically pure protonic conductors, whereas VOXO₄·yH₂O compounds are mixed protonic-electronic conductors and the protonic component increases with y. Two intercalates of MOXO₄·yH₂O with inorganic acids were prepared. A new intercalate of H₃AsO₄ into VOAsO₄·yH₂O with the formula VOAsO₄·0.5H₃AsO₄·yH₂O (y=0.5-0.8) has the cell parameters a=6.37 and at 0-22% RH. Above 22% RH, the intercalate decomposes and the parent VOAsO₄·yH₂O with H₃AsO₄ adsorbed on the surface is formed. Another intercalate with formula NbOPO₄·H₃PO₄·yH₂O (y=2-4 at 0-75% RH) has the cell parameters a=6.43 and at RH from 0% to 5% and a=6.48 and at RH from 33% to 75%. Both intercalates are more conductive than their MOXO₄·yH₂O hosts and their conductivity increases with increasing RH of the surrounding atmosphere. Like NbOPO₄·yH₂O, also NbOPO₄·H₃PO₄·yH₂O can be considered pure proton conductor and its conductivity at 20 °C reaches 5×10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ for y=4.     

Effects of partial anion substitution on the thermoelectric properties of silver(I) chalcogenide halides in the system Ag5Q2X with Q=Te, Se and S and X=Br and Cl

A selection of mixed conducting silver chalcogenide halides of the general formula Ag₅Q₂X with Q=sulfur, selenium and tellurium and X=chlorine and bromine has been investigated due to their thermoelectric properties. Recently, the ternary counterpart Ag₅Te₂Cl showed a defined d¹⁰-d¹⁰ interaction in the disordered cation substructure at elevated temperatures where Ag₅Te₂Cl is present in its high temperature α-phase. A significant drop of the thermal diffusivity has been observed during the β−α phase transition reducing the values from 0.12 close to 0.08 mm² s⁻¹. At the same transition the thermopower reacts on the increasing silver mobility and jumps towards less negative values.Thermal conductivities, thermopower and thermal diffusivity of selected compounds with various grades of anion substitution in Ag₅Q₂X were determined around the silver-order/disorder β−α phase transition. A formation of attractive interactions could be observed for selenium substituted phases while no effect was detected for bromide and sulfide samples. Depending on the grade and type of substitution the thermopower changes significantly at and after the β−α phase transition. Thermal conductivities are low reaching values around 0.2-0.3 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 299 K. Partial anion exchange can substantially tune the thermoelectric properties in Ag₅Q₂X phases.     

Sur les chalcogeno-iodures d'antimoine SbXI(X =S,Se, Te): Structures et spectroscopie Mo¨ssbauer de121Sb

The crystal structure of SbXI(X =Se, Te) compounds has been determined by means of three-dimensional intensity data. The crystal structure of SbSeI, orthorhombic, space groupPnma witha = 8.698(2), b = 4.127(1), c = 10.412(2) Å, was refined at several temperatures (180 K,R = 0.021; 293 K,R = 0.020; 320 K,R = 0.023) in correlation with the paraelectric structure or SbSI stable above 293 K. The crystal structure of SbTeI, triclinic, space groupP1¯, witha = 7.570(3), b = 7.159(3), c = 4.228(3) Å, α = 107.22(5), β = 106.18(4), γ = 77.19(3)° has been determined by symbolic addition method and refined to a finalR value of 0.035. These structures are built up from infinite weakly linked ribbons (SbX₂)_n of trigonal SbX₃ with SbX bonds of 2.605(1), 2.795(1)Å(X =Se), and 2.829(1), 2.953(1), 2.955(1)Å(X =Te). The nature of SbX and SbI bonds is discussed in terms of the S, Se, Te substitution. Antimony-121 Mo¨ssbauer spectra have been recorded at liquid helium temperature. The data are discussed with regard to the stereochimical activity of the antimony (III) lone pair of electrons. For SbTeI the Mo¨ssbauer parameters are interpreted in terms of direct population of conductance bands by nonbonding electron pairs.     

The stereochemistry of Tutton's salts X2[M(H2O)6](YO4)2

Neutron structure determinations have been made of Tutton's salts, X₂[M(H₂O)₆] (YO₄)₂, where Y = Se, X = K⁺, M = Cu²⁺; Y = S, X = K⁺, M = Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; X = Rb⁺, Cs⁺, M = Cu²⁺. This work has shown that there are extensive hydrogen networks with almost linear hydrogen bonds from [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ to (YO₄)^2?. The (H … O) distance increases in the Cu²⁺ series for X = K⁺ to Cs⁺ but there is no difference for the potassium copper salts when Y = Se or S. Three different distorted [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra were found in the series (orthorhombic, tetragonal with two long and four short, or four long and two short bonds). The interatomic distances from X⁺ to the neighboring O in a distorted XO₈⁺ dodecahedron increases with increased cation size, implying that the X⁺ polyhedron is maintaining its shape.     

NQR study of ternary chalcogenides A3BX3, ABX2, and ABX where A = Cu,Ag, or TI, B = As or Sb,and X = S or Se

¹²¹Sb, ¹²³Sb, ⁷⁵As, ⁶³Cu, and ⁶⁵Cu NQR resonances are reported for CuSbSe₂, Tl₃SbSe₃, Tl₃SbS₃, Tl₃AsS₃, Tl₃AsSe₃, Ag₃AsSe₃, TlSbS₂, CuAsS, AgAsS, and Cu₅SbS₃I₂. Tl₃SbSe₃ is an incongruently melting compound not observed in an earlier phase-diagram study of the pseudobinary system Tl₂SeSb₂Se₃. For isostructural arsenic and antimony chalcogenides the ratio of ⁷⁵As to ¹²¹Sb quadrupole coupling constants is 0.42, and for the BX₃ group in binary or ternary corresponding pairs of sulfide and selenides the ratio of quadrupole coupling constants for ⁷⁵As or ¹²¹Sb is 0.83. A reversible phase transition was observed at 130 K for Ag₃AsSe₃. Unit cell parameters are reported for crystals of TlSbS₂ and Cu₅SbS₃I₂.