Dynamics of superionic Rb3H(SeO4)2 single crystals studied by H and Rb spin-lattice relaxation

The ¹H and ⁸⁷Rb spin-lattice relaxation and spin-spin relaxation times in superionic Rb₃H(SeO₄)₂ single crystals grown by the slow evaporation method were measured over the temperature range 160-450 K. The temperature dependencies of the ¹H T₁, T_1ρ, and T₂ are measured. In the ferroelastic phase, T₁ differs from T_1ρ, which is in turn different from T₂, although these three relaxation times converge to similar values near 410 K. This transition seems to occur at temperature which is about 40 K lower than the superionic transition temperature. The observation of liquid-like values of the ¹H T₁, T_1ρ, and T₂ in the high temperature is compatible with the phase being superionic, indicating that the destruction and reconstruction of hydrogen bonds does indeed occur at high temperature. In addition, the ⁸⁷Rb T₁ and T₂ values at high temperature were similar (on the order of milliseconds), a trend that was also observed for ¹H T₁ and T₂. This behavior is expected for most hopping-type ionic conductors, and could be attributed to interactions between the mobile ions and the neighboring group ions within the crystal. The motion giving rise to this liquid-like behavior is related to the superionic motion.     

A study of the phase transitions and proton dynamics of the superprotonic conductor Cs5H3(SO4)4·0.5H2O single crystal with H and Cs nuclear magnetic resonance

The phase transitions and proton dynamics of Cs₅H₃(SO₄)₄·0.5H₂O single crystals were studied by measuring the NMR line shape, the spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, and the spin-spin relaxation time, T₂, of the ¹H and ¹³³Cs nuclei. The “acid” protons and the “water” protons in Cs₅H₃(SO₄)₄·0.5H₂O were distinguished. The loss of water protons was observed above T_C1, whereas the content of water protons was found to recover above T_C2. Therefore, the water protons play a special role in the stability of the superprotonic phase at high temperatures. The mechanism of fast proton conduction was found to consist of hydrogen-bond proton transfer involving the breakage of the weak part of the hydrogen bond and the formation of a new hydrogen bond. Thus, these structural phase transitions probably involve significant reorientation of the SO₄ tetrahedra and dynamical disorder of the hydrogen bonds between them.     

Pulsed NMR study of NH4+ β-alumina

Proton NMR relaxation times T₂, T₁, and T_1? are reported for NH₄⁺ β-alumina powder in the temperature range 77 K < T < 500 K at 16 MHz. The measurements show that the NH₄⁺ ions both reorient and translate. The translational process can be characterized by the parameters E = 20 kJ mole^?1 and τ⁰_d = 3 × 10^?11 sec. Relaxation at high temperatures is dominated by dipolar coupling to paramagnetic impurities. Reasons for the different activation energies measured using NMR and other techniques for β-alumina compounds are discussed.     

Phase transitions and molecular motions in [Cd(H2O)6](BF4)2 studied by DSC, H and F NMR and FT-MIR

Two solid phase transitions of [Cd(H₂O)₆](BF₄)₂ occurring on heating at T_C2=183.3 K and T_C1=325.3 K, with 2 K and 5 K hysteresis, respectively, were detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). High value of entropy changes indicated large orientational disorder of the high temperature and intermediate phase. Nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR and ¹⁹F NMR) relaxation measurements revealed that the phase transitions at T_C1 and T_C2 were associated with a drastic and small change, respectively, of the both spin-lattice relaxation times: T₁(¹H) and T₁(¹⁹F). These relaxation processes were connected with the “tumbling” motions of the [Cd(H₂O)₆]²⁺, reorientational motions of the H₂O ligands, and with the iso- and anisotropic reorientation of the BF₄⁻ anions. The cross-relaxation effect was observed in phase III. The line width and the second moment of the ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR line measurements revealed that the H₂O reorientate in all three phases of the title compound. On heating the onset of the reorientation of 3 H₂O in the [Cd(H₂O)₆]⁺², around the three-fold symmetry axis of these octahedron, causes the isotropic reorientation of the whole cation. The BF₄⁻ reorientate isotropically in the phases I and II, but in the phase III they perform slow reorientation only about three- or two-fold axes. A small distortion in the structure of BF₄⁻ as well as of [Cd(H₂O)₆]²⁺ is postulated. The temperature dependence of the bandwidth of the O-H stretching mode measured by Fourier transform middle infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR) indicated that the activation energy for the reorientation of the H₂O did not change much at the T_C2 phase transition.     

Study on crystallographically inequivalent protons in RbH2AsO4 using static NMR and MAS NMR

Two inequivalent protons from ¹H NMR spectra of RbH₂AsO₄ in the paraelectric phase were distinguished using static NMR and MAS NMR. From the ¹H spin–lattice relaxation times in the laboratory frame, T₁, and rotating frame, T_1ρ, of the two crystallographically inequivalent hydrogen sites, i.e., H(1) and H(2), the temperature dependences of T₁ and T_1ρ for H(1) were related to the reorientational motion. The shorter H(1) bonds give rise to stronger H-bonds, and protons involved in stronger H-bonds have long relaxation times. Consequently, the RbH₂AsO₄ structure has two crystallographically inequivalent sites with two different hydrogen-bond lengths.     

Magnetic resonance experiments on the radical cation salt (fluoranthenyl)2+ PF6−. Correlation of proton-NMR,fluorine-NMR and ESR

The longitudinal relaxation rates of the protons and the fluorine were determined for the radical cation salt (fluoranthenyl)₂⁺PF₆^? as a function of the temperature. These data are compared with the temperature dependence of the pulsed ESR signal amplitude at the same Larmor frequency (44 MHz). Whereas the fluorines are relaxed mainly by the reorientational motion of the anions and by the interaction with fixed paramagnetic impurities, the protons are relaxed additionally above 150 K predominantly by highly mobile paramagnetic species, whose concentration could be determined directly via the signal amplitudes of the NMR and ESR signals in the same set up. The Pauli susceptibility χ_c^s = 3.1 ×10^?5 cm³/mole which is derived from this experiment and the Korringa relation (T_1H4^?)^?1 = constant of the proton relaxation leads to the assumption of a metal-like behavior of the salt above 183 K. The observation that the protons of the cation stacks, rather than the fluorines on the anions are relaxed by the mobile paramagnetic species favors the assumption of one-dimensional spin transport within the fluoranthenyl stacks, which is further supported by an ω^{$\text{?1}\text{2}$} dependence of T_1H^?1.     

NMR relaxation study of the phase transitions and relaxation mechanisms of the alums MCr(SO4)2·12H2O (M=Rb and Cs) single crystals

The physical properties and phase transition mechanisms of MCr(SO₄)₂·12H₂O (M=Rb and Cs) single crystals have been investigated. The phase transition temperatures, NMR spectra, and the spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ of the ⁸⁷Rb and ¹³³Cs nuclei in the two crystals were determined using DSC and FT NMR spectroscopy. The resonance lines and relaxation times of the ⁸⁷Rb and ¹³³Cs nuclei undergo significant changes at the phase transition temperatures. The sudden changes in the splitting of the Rb and Cs resonance lines are attributed to changes in the local symmetry of their sites, and the changes in the temperature dependences of T₁ are related to variations in the symmetry of the octahedra of water molecules surrounding Rb⁺ and Cs⁺. We also compared these ⁸⁷Rb and ¹³³Cs NMR results with those obtained for the trivalent cations Cr and Al in MCr(SO₄)₂·12H₂O and MAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O crystals.     

A method for obtaining potential parameters for helium from T1 measurements

The temperature dependence of T₁ for ³He gas in the range 0–4°K is calculated for a Lennard-Jones (12,6) potential. The relaxation of the nuclear spins is assumed to be due to a dipolar interaction between the nuclei. A minimum value in the relaxation time, T_1,min, is found to occur at a temperature denoted by T_min. By repeating the calculation for different pairs of values of the potential parameters ? and σ, we have found that for a density of 10^?2 g/cm³,σ²T_min = 13.0?1.12 × 10³ ?σ², T_1,min/σ²(T_min)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$} = 17.4?6.56 × 10² ?σ², with ?, σ, T_min and T_1,min in eV, Å, °K and minutes, respectively. From measurements of T_min and T_1,min, ? and σ can be determined.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Magnetic structures of the α-Li3Fe2(PO4)3−x(AsO4)x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution

Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out for the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)_3−x(AsO₄)_x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution, potential candidate for the cathode material of the lithium secondary batteries. The crystal and magnetic structures of all these phases are based on the structural and magnetic model corresponding to the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ phosphate parent, but with some differences promoted by the arsenate substitution. The PO₄ and AsO₄ groups have a random distribution in the structure. In all compounds the coupling of the magnetic moments takes place in the (001) plane, but the value of the angle between the moments and the x direction decreases from 38.3° (α-Li₃Fe₂(AsO₄)₃) to 4.7° (α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₂(AsO₄)₁). This rotation arises from the change in the tilt angle between the Fe(1)O₆ and Fe(2)O₆ crystallographically and magnetically independent octahedra in the structures, and affects the effectiveness of the magnetic exchange pathways. The ordering temperature T_N decreases with the increase of phosphate amount in the compounds. The existence of a phenomenon of canting and the evolution of the ferrimagnetic behavior in this solid solution is also discussed.     

NMR study of hydrogen molybdenum bronzes: H1.71MoO3 and H0.36MoO3

Proton NMR relaxation times (T₂T₁, and T_1?) and absorption spectra are reported for the compounds H_1.71MoO₃ (red monoclinic) and H_0.36MoO₃ (blue orthorhombic) in the temperature range 77 K < T < 450 K. Rigid lattice dipolar spectra show that both compounds contain proton pairs, as OH₂ groups coordinated to Mo atoms in H_1.71MoO₃ and as pairs of OH groups in H_0.36MoO₃. The room temperature lineshape for H_1.71MoO₃ shows that the average chemical shielding tensor has a total anisotropy of 20.1 ppm. The relaxation measurements confirm that hydrogen diffusion occurs and give E_A = 22 kJ mole^?1 and $\text{τ}{}^0{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>C</mtext>}}\text{? 10}{}^{\mathrm{?13}}\text{sec}$ for H_1.71MoO₃ and E_A = 11 kJ mole^?1 and $\text{τ}{}^0{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>C</mtext>}}\text{? 3 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?8}}\text{sec}$ for H_0.36MoO₃.     

Low-temperature absorption spectra of the MoO2−4 ion in Cs2SO4 and of the ReO−4 ion in RbClO4 and in (C2H5)4NClO4

Absorption spectra of single crystals of Cs₂SO₄ doped with MoO^2?₄ and of RbClO₄ and (C₂H₅)₄HClO₄ doped with ReO^?₄ have been measured at the liquid-helium temperature. All spectra show two band systems with pronounced vibrational structures. In T_d symmetry they must correspond to ¹T₂ - ¹A₁ charge-transfer electornic transitions. It is likely that in the two band systems there are more than two electronic transitions.     

Three new acid M+ arsenates and phosphates with multiply protonated As/PO4 groups

The crystal structures of caesium dihydrogen arsenate(V) bis[trihydrogen arsenate(V)], Cs(H₂AsO₄)(H₃AsO₄)₂, ammonium dihydrogen arsenate(V) trihydrogen arsenate(V), NH₄(H₂AsO₄)(H₃AsO₄), and dilithium bis(dihydrogen phosphate), Li₂(H₂PO₄)₂, were solved from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. NH₄(H₂AsO₄)(H₃AsO₄), which was hydrothermally synthesized (T = 493 K), is homeotypic with Rb(H₂AsO₄)(H₃AsO₄), while Cs(H₂AsO₄)(H₃AsO₄)₂ crystallizes in a novel structure type and Li₂(H₂PO₄)₂ represents a new polymorph of this composition. The Cs and Li compounds grew at room temperature from highly acidic aqueous solutions. Li₂(H₂PO₄)₂ forms a three‐dimensional (3D) framework of PO₄ tetrahedra sharing corners with Li₂O₆ dimers built of edge‐sharing LiO₄ groups, which is reinforced by hydrogen bonds. The two arsenate compounds are characterized by a 3D network of AsO₄ groups that are connected solely via multiple strong hydrogen bonds. A statistical evaluation of the As—O bond lengths in singly, doubly and triply protonated AsO₄ groups gave average values of 1.70 (2) Å for 199 As—OH bonds, 1.728 (19) Å for As—OH bonds in HAsO₄ groups, 1.714 (12) Å for As—OH bonds in H₂AsO₄ groups and 1.694 (16) Å for As—OH bonds in H₃AsO₄ groups, and a grand mean value of 1.667 (18) Å for As—O bonds to nonprotonated O atoms.     

Heat capacity and thermodynamic functions of MnBr2 · 4H2O and MnCl2 · 4H2O

The heat capacities of MnBr₂ · 4H₂O and MnCl₂ · 4H₂O have been experimentally determined from 10 to 300 K. The smoothed heat capacity and the thermodynamic functions (H°_TH°₀) andS°_T are reported for the two compounds over the temperature range 10 to 300 K. The error in these data is thought to be less than 1%. A subtle heat capacity anomaly was observed in MnCl₂ · 4H₂O over the temperature range 52 to 90 K. The entropy associated with the anomaly is of the order 0.4 J/mole K.     

NMR study of water reorientation in molybdic acids: MoO3 · 2H2O and yellow MoO3 · H2O

Proton NMR relaxation times (T₂, T₁, T_1?) are reported for powder samples of MoO₃ · 2H₂O and yellow MoO₃ · H₂O in the temperature range 150–325 K and at 20 and 60 MHz. No translation of hydrogen atoms is detected but the spin-lattice relaxation behavior indicates reorientation of H₂O molecules. The waters coordinated to Mo atoms undergo 180° flips (about their C₂ axes) with similar motional parameters in both compounds. The interlayer waters in MoO₃ · 2H₂O undergo 180° flips with different parameters. An assumed Arrhenius-type temperature dependence of correlation times leads to preexponential factors which are “anomalously” low. The possible involvement of temperature-dependent activation barriers is discussed.     

NMR study of hindered rotation in solid (ND4)2GeF6

Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation times T₁ for deuterons and ¹⁹F nuclei in polycrystalline (ND₄)₂GeF₆ were measured by the pulse method at 8 MHz between 40 K and 300 K and between 4 K and 400 K, respectively. Correlation times and activation energies for the reorientational motions of ND₄⁺ and GeF₆^2? ions were calculated from the measured T₁ values.     

Tripotassium trichromium (III) tetraarsenate K3Cr3(ASO4)4: synthesis, structural study, IR spectroscopy characterization and ionic behavior

The potassium chromium (III) arsenate K₃Cr₃(AsO₄)₄ is prepared by solid state reaction at 900°C from a mixture of K₂CO₃, As₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇. It is structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the Cmca (no. 64) space group with a=10.671(1) Å, b=20.911(5) Å, c=6.500(3) Å, V=1450.4(8) Å³, Z=4, R(F²)=0.0424 and Rω(F²)=0.1199 for 846 reflections with F²>2σ(F²). The structure consists of CrO₆ octahedra and AsO₄ tetrahedra sharing corners and edges to form a two-dimensional framework. The K⁺(2) cations are located in the interlayer space. Conductivity measurement () shows that K₃Cr₃(AsO₄)₄ is a poor ionic conductor.     

Vibrational spectroscopic study of the arsenate mineral strashimirite Cu8(AsO4)4(OH)4·5H2O—Relationship to other basic copper arsenates

The basic copper arsenate mineral strashimirite Cu₈(AsO₄)₄(OH)₄·5H₂O from two different localities has been studied by Raman spectroscopy and complemented by infrared spectroscopy. Two strashimirite mineral samples were obtained from the Czech (sample A) and Slovak (sample B) Republics. Two Raman bands for sample A are identified at 839 and 856 cm⁻¹ and for sample B at 843 and 891 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the ν₁ (AsO₄³⁻) symmetric and the ν₃ (AsO₄³⁻) antisymmetric stretching modes, respectively. The broad band for sample A centred upon 500 cm⁻¹, resolved into component bands at 467, 497, 526 and 554 cm⁻¹ and for sample B at 507 and 560 cm⁻¹ include bands which are attributable to the ν₄ (AsO₄³⁻) bending mode. In the Raman spectra, two bands (sample A) at 337 and 393 cm⁻¹ and at 343 and 374 cm⁻¹ for sample B are attributed to the ν₂ (AsO₄³⁻) bending mode. The Raman spectrum of strashimirite sample A shows three resolved bands at 3450, 3488 and 3585 cm⁻¹. The first two bands are attributed to water stretching vibrations whereas the band at 3585 cm⁻¹ to OH stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Two bands (3497 and 3444 cm⁻¹) are observed in the Raman spectrum of B. A comparison is made of the Raman spectrum of strashimirite with the Raman spectra of other selected basic copper arsenates including olivenite, cornwallite, cornubite and clinoclase.     

A Raman spectroscopic study of the phosphate mineral pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl

A series of selected pyromorphite minerals Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl from different Australian localities has been studied by Raman spectroscopy complemented with selected infrared spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum of unsubstituted pyromorphite shows a single band at around 920 cm⁻¹ but for the natural minerals two bands at 919 and ∼932 cm⁻¹ attributed to the ν₁ (PO₄)³⁻ stretching vibration. The observation of multiple bands is attributed to the non-equivalence of phosphate units in the pyromorphite structure and the reduction in symmetry of the (PO₄)³⁻ units. This symmetry reduction is confirmed by the observation of multiple bands in both the ν₄ bending region (500–595 cm⁻¹) and the ν₂ bending region (350–500 cm⁻¹). The presence of isomorphic substitution of (PO₄)³⁻ by (AsO₄)³⁻ units is identified by the ν₁ symmetric stretching bands at around 824 and 851 cm⁻¹ and the ν₂ bending region around 331 and 354 cm⁻¹. Contrary to expectation Raman bands in the 3320–3700 cm⁻¹ region are observed and assigned to OH stretching bands of OH units resulting from the substitution of chloride anions in the pyromorphite structure. This study brings in to question the actual formula of natural pyromorphite as it is better represented as Pb₅(PO₄,AsO₄)₃(Cl,OH) · xH₂O.     

Thermodynamic studies on SrFe12O19(s), SrFe2O4(s), Sr2Fe2O5(s) and Sr3Fe2O6(s)

The citrate-nitrate gel combustion route was used to prepare SrFe₂O₄(s), Sr₂Fe₂O₅(s) and Sr₃Fe₂O₆(s) powders and the compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Different solid-state electrochemical cells were used for the measurement of emf as a function of temperature from 970 to 1151 K. The standard molar Gibbs energies of formation of these ternary oxides were calculated as a function of temperature from the emf data and are represented as (SrFe₂O₄, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±1.7)=−1494.8+0.3754 (T/K) (970?T/K?1151). (Sr₂Fe₂O₅, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±3.0)=−2119.3+0.4461 (T/K) (970?T/K?1149). (Sr₃Fe₂O₆, s, T)/kJ mol⁻¹ (±7.3)=−2719.8+0.4974 (T/K) (969?T/K?1150).Standard molar heat capacities of these ternary oxides were determined from 310 to 820 K using a heat flux type differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Based on second law analysis and using the thermodynamic database FactSage software, thermodynamic functions such as Δ_fH°(298.15 K), S°(298.15 K) S°(T), C_p°(T), H°(T), {H°(T)-H°(298.15 K)}, G°(T), free energy function (fef), Δ_fH°(T) and Δ_fG°(T) for these ternary oxides were also calculated from 298 to 1000 K.