Cation distribution in the structure of titanium-containing ludwigite

The crystal structure of natural titanium-containing ludwigite has been refined. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.260 ± 0.002 Å, b = 12.294± 0.002 Å, c = 3.0236± 0.0005 Å, sp. gr. Pbam, and R = 0.0288. The observed cation distribution over the M1-M4 positions corresponds to the structural formula (Mg_0.5)(Mg_1.0)(Mg_0.338Fe _0.162 ²⁺ )(Fe _0.47 ³⁺ Ti _0.21 ⁴⁺ Mg _0.15 ²⁺ Al _0.10 ³⁺ Fe _0.07 ²⁺ (BO₃)O₂. Highly charged titanium ions in the M4 position are balanced mainly with magnesium and not with divalent iron ions.     

A square-wave voltammetric study on the diffusivities of polyvalent elements in CaO/BaO/Al2O3/SiO2 glass melts

Diffusion coefficients of various polyvalent ions (Sn²⁺, As³⁺, As⁵⁺, Sb³⁺, Sb⁵⁺, Cr³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, V⁴⁺, V⁵⁺ and Fe³⁺) were measured in melts with the basic compositions of 10CaO·10 BaO·10Al₂O₃·70SiO₂ and 10CaO·10BaO·15Al₂O₃·65SiO₂ by means of square-wave voltammetry. At temperatures in the range of 1300-1600 °C, linear correlations between logD and 1/T were observed. At 1400 °C, the diffusion coefficients obtained are compared with those obtained from other glass melt compositions.     

Specific features of cation distribution in the crystal structure of mariinskite BeCr2O4 (Derivative of olivine-type structure)

Two samples of mineral mariinskite have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and their formulas were established to be Cr_1.43Al_0.64Be_0.9O₄ (sample 1) and Cr_1.32Al_0.74Be_0.9O₄ (sample 2). The parameters of their orthorhombic cells are, respectively, a = 4.487(1) Å, b = 5.629(1) Å, and c = 9.732(2) Å and a = 4.478(1) Å, b = 5.620(1) Å, and c = 9.746(2) Å; sp. gr. P2₁2₁2₁. The structures of samples 1 and 2 were solved by direct methods and refined in the anisotropic approximation of thermal atomic vibrations to R = 8.9 and 6.06%, respectively. Two components coexist in the mineral crystal structure, which belong to olivine-type structure and are interrelated through reflection in the mirror symmetry plane passing through close-packed layers. The presence of additional octahedral sites (which are statistically occupied by Cr³⁺ ions in the same way as vacancies in principal sites (occupancy ～80%)) in the mariinskite structure lowers the mineral symmetry from the centrosymmetric sp. gr. Pcmn, characteristic of olivine-group minerals, to the acentric sp. gr. P2₁2₁2₁.     

Structural features of compounds of the sillenite family

It is shown that the real composition and structure of phases belonging to the sillenite family can be determined using a complex of techniques (diffraction methods, vibrational and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis) with a subsequent crystal-chemical analysis of the data. Refined compositions are presented for phases of nominal composition Bi₂₄ M ₂O₄₀ with M = Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, Ga³⁺, Fe³⁺, Si⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Mn⁴⁺, and P⁵⁺, which demonstrate types and concentrations of point defects as functions of the M type.     

Structural properties of Cr2O3–Fe2O3–P2O5 glasses,Part I

The structural properties of xCr₂O₃–(40 − x)Fe₂O₃–60P₂O₅, 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 10 (mol%) glasses have been investigated by Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Raman spectra show that the addition of up to 5.3 mol% Cr₂O₃ does not produce any changes in the glass structure, which consists predominantly of pyrophosphate, Q¹, units. This is in accordance with O/P ≈ 3.5 for these glasses. The increase in glass density and T_g that occurs with increasing Cr₂O₃ suggests the strengthening of glass network. The Mössbauer spectra indicate that the Fe²⁺/Fe_tot ratio increases from 0.13 to 0.28 with increasing Cr₂O₃ content up to 5.3 mol%, which can be related to an increase in the melting temperature from 1423 to 1473 K. After annealing, the 10Cr₂O₃–30Fe₂O₃–60P₂O₅ (mol%) sample was partially crystallized and contained crystalline β-CrPO₄ and Fe₃(P₂O₇)₂. The SEM and AFM micrographs of the partially crystallized sample revealed randomly distributed crystals embedded in a homogeneous glass matrix. EDS analysis indicated that the glass matrix was rich in Fe₂O₃ (39.6 mol%) and P₂O₅ (54.9 mol%), but contained only 5.5 mol% of Cr₂O₃. These results suggest that the maximum solubility of chromium in these iron phosphate melts is 5.5 mol% Cr₂O₃.     

Refinement of the crystal structures of synthetic nickel- and cobalt-bearing tourmalines

The crystal structures of synthetic tourmalines with a unique composition containing 3d elements (Ni, Fe, and Co) have been refined: (Ca_0.12?_0.88)(Al_1.69Ni _0.81 ²⁺ Fe _0.50 ²⁺ )(Al_5.40Fe _0.60 ³⁺ )(Si_5.82Al_0.18O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.25O_0.75 I, a = 15.897(5), c = 7.145(2) Å, V = 1564(1) Å; Na_0.91(Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.96 ³⁺ Al_0.63Fe _0.18 ²⁺ Mg_0.03)(Al_4.26Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.48 ³⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.82Al_0.18)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.73O_0.27 II, a = 15.945(5), c = 7.208(2) Å, V = 1587(1) ų and Na_0.35(Al_1.80Co _1.20 ²⁺ )(Al_5.28Co _0.66 ²⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.64B_0.36)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.81O_0.19 III, a = 15.753(8), c = 7.053(3) Å, V = 1516(2) ų. The reliability factors are R ₁ = 0.038?0.057 and wR ₂ = 0.041–0.060. It is found that 3d elements occupy both Y- and Z positions in all structures. The excess positive charge is compensated for due to the incorporation of divalent oxygen anions into the O3(V)+O1(W) positions.     

Structural and magnetic properties of γ- and ε-Fe2O3 nanoparticles dispersed in silica matrix

Fabrication of composite materials by in situ generation of γ- and ε-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in a SiO₂ matrix through sol-gel process is reported. The process involves the hydrolysis and condensation of 1:3:10:x (x = 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) molar ratios of tetraethoxysilane, absolute ethanol, nitric acid (0.16 N) and ferric nitrate, respectively, and subsequent thermal-treatment at temperatures ranging from 110 to 1000 °C. The in situ generation and growth of γ- and ε-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, and their distribution in SiO₂ matrix strongly depend on the concentration of Fe³⁺ ions and thermal-treatment temperatures. The restricted growth of Fe₂O₃ in SiO₂ matrix seems to stabilize the metastable ε-Fe₂O₃ phase and prevent the formation of α-Fe₂O₃ even at 1000 °C. Further, the presence of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in SiO₂ matrix modified the gel morphology on thermal-treatment, leading to strong structural and chemical changes which influence the magnetic properties to a large extent. The concentration of individual magnetic phase (γ- and ε-Fe₂O₃) in the samples, the particle size and distribution, and thermal-treatment temperature determine the net magnetic moment, shape of the hysteresis loop (symmetric or concentric), coercivity and magnetic phase transition.     

The effect of composition on spinel crystals equilibrium in low-silica high-level waste glasses

The liquidus temperature (T_L) and the equilibrium mass fraction of spinel were measured in the regions of low-silica (less than 42 mass% SiO₂) high-level waste borosilicate glasses within the spinel primary phase field as functions of glass composition. The components that varied, one at a time, were Al₂O₃, B₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Li₂O, MnO, Na₂O, NiO, SiO₂, and ZrO₂. In the low-silica region, Cr₂O₃ increased the T_L substantially less, and Li₂O and Na₂O decreased the T_L significantly less than in the region with 42-56 mass% SiO₂. The temperature at which the equilibrium mass fraction of spinel was 1 mass% was 25-64 °C below the T_L.     

Crystal structure of magnesioferrikatophorite

The crystal structure of the Na,Ca-amphibole magnesioferrikatophorite found in carbonatites from the Turiy Cape (Kola Peninsula) was refined (Siemens P4 diffractometer, λMoK _α radiation, 1481 independent reflections with |F|>4σ(F), anisotropic refinement, R(F) = 0.039). The parameters of the monoclinic unit cell are a = 9.875(5) Å, b = 18.010(8) Å, c = 5.309(3) Å, β = 104.39(5)°, sp. gr. C2/m, Z = 2. The distribution of the cations over the crystallographically nonequivalent M(1–4)-positions was revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The character of splitting of the A-position correlates with the characteristic features of the magnesioferrikatophorite composition. The resulting structural formula (Na_0.87K_0.13)_{Σ = 1} · (Na_1.18Ca_0.82)_{Σ = 2}(Mg_1.41Fe _0.42 ³⁺ Ti _0.17 ⁴⁺ )_{Σ= 2} Fe _1.31 ³⁺ Mg_0.69)_{Σ = 2}(Mg_0.60Fe _0.38 ²⁺ Mn_0.02)_{Σ = 1}(Si_3.16Al_0.84)_{Σ = 4} · Si₄O₂₂(O_1.05OH_0.66F_0.29)_{Σ= 2} agrees well with the electron microprobe analysis data. Based on the zonal character of the crystal and high Fe ³⁺ content, the conditions of crystallogenesis are defined as oxidative against the background of a decrease in the Na potential in the course of the evolution of a mineral-forming system.     

Investigation of the crystallization features,atomic structure,and microstructure of chromium-doped monticellite

A series of Cr⁴⁺:CaMgSiO₄ single crystals is grown using floating zone melting, and their microstructure, composition, and crystal structure are investigated. It is shown that regions with inclusions of second phases, such as forsterite, akermanite, MgO, and Ca₄Mg₂Si₃O₁₂, can form over the length of the sample. The composition of the single-phase regions of the single crystals varies from the stoichiometric monticellite CaMgSiO₄ to the solid solution Ca_{(1 ? x)}Mg_{(1 + x)}SiO₄(x = 0.22). The Cr:(Ca_0.88Mg_0.12)MgSiO₄ crystal is studied using X-ray diffraction. It is revealed that, in this case, the olivine-like orthorhombic crystal lattice is distorted to the monoclinic lattice with the parameters a = 6.3574(5) Å, b = 4.8164(4) Å, c = 11.0387(8) Å, β = 90.30(1)^o, Z = 4, V = 337.98 ų, and space group P2₁/c. In the monoclinic lattice, the M(1) position of the initial olivine structure is split into two nonequivalent positions with the center of symmetry, which are occupied only by Mg²⁺ cations with the average length of the Mg-O bond R _av = 2.128 Å. The overstoichiometric Mg²⁺ cations partially replace Ca²⁺ cations (in the M(2) position of the orthorhombic prastructure) with the average bond length of 2.347 Å in the [(Ca,Mg)-O₆] octahedron. The average distance in SiO₄ distorted tetrahedra is 1.541 Å.     

Gaseous complexes — Their role in chemical transport

The literature about gaseous complexes consisting of two different metals and one halide is reviewed. With respect to chemical transport the most important properties of gaseous complexes are their appreciable thermodynamic stability and their volatility. This is clearly illustrated in the case of RbSnCl₃, whose vapour in equilibrium with the melt at 980 °K contains around 25 mole% of RbSnCl₃ (g) and whose vapour pressure is around 20 times higher than that of RbCl. Gaseous complexes of the type Mⁿ⁺L₂Cl_n+6 (M = Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Nd³⁺, Cr³⁺; L = Fe³⁺, Al³⁺) can, in an atmosphere of L₂Cl₆(g), have vapour pressures up to 10⁷ times higher than the vapour pressure of MCl_n. The importance of such gaseous complexes for the chemical transport of MCl_n and of compounds containing Mⁿ⁺ will be discussed.     

Physical properties of lead iron phosphate glasses containing Cr2O3

The influence of Cr₂O₃ on glass forming characteristics and physical properties of PbO-Fe₂O₃-P₂O₅ glasses has been investigated by Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and impedance spectroscopy. Glasses of the general composition xCr₂O₃-(28.3-x)PbO-28.7Fe₂O₃-43.0P₂O₅, 0 ≤ × ≤ 10, (mol%) were prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. The compositions containing up to 4 mol% Cr₂O₃ formed fully amorphous samples and their Raman spectra show systematic increase in the fraction of orthophosphate Q⁰ units with increasing Cr₂O₃ content and O/P ratio.On the other hand, compositions containing 8 and 10 mol% Cr₂O₃ partially crystallized during cooling and annealing to Fe₇(PO₄)₆, Fe₂Pb₃(PO₄)₄ and Cr₂Pb₃(PO₄)₄. A high tendency for crystallization of these melts is related to the high O/P (> 4) and Fe²⁺/Fe_tot (≈ 0.60) ratios.Electrical conductivity of xCr₂O₃-(28.3-x)PbO-28.7Fe₂O₃-43.0P₂O₅, 0 ≤ × ≤ 10, (mol%) compositions is independent of Cr₂O₃ and controlled entirely by the polaron transfer between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions.     

New transition metal fluoride glasses isolated in the PbF2MtIIF2MtIIIF3 systems

New glasses have been prepared in the PbF₂M_t^IIF₂M_t^IIIF₃ systems (m_t^II = Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺; M_t^III = Fe³⁺, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Ga³⁺). The extent of the vitreous area is shown in a PbF₂MnF₂FeF₃ diagram. Thermal properties have been measured for all samples. Some of these glasses are very transparent over a wide range of wavelengths (from 250–12 000 nm). The sixfold coordination of transition metal ions has been established by spectroscopic investigations. The structure of the glasses is discussed on the basis of a random corner-sharing of MF₆ octahedra.     

Fabrication of Cr4+,Nd3+:YAG transparent ceramics for self-Q-switched laser

Transparent 0.1 at.%Cr,1.0 at.%Nd:YAG (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) ceramics were fabricated by a solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering with CaO as a charge compensator and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a sintering aid using high-purity powders of Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, Nd₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃. The mixed powder compacts were sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h and 30 h under vacuum. The optical transmittance of the Cr,Nd:YAG ceramics sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h and 30 h is ∼63% and ∼78% in the infrared wavelengths, respectively. The two samples exhibit pore-free structures and the average grain size is about 10 and 20 μm. For the sample sintered at 1800 °C for 5 h, the dominant fracture mechanism is the transgranular fracture. With increase of holding time up to 30 h, the ratio of intergranular fracture surfaces increase and more Cr³⁺ ions in the Cr,Nd:YAG ceramic transform to Cr⁴⁺. High-quality Cr⁴⁺,Nd³⁺:YAG transparent ceramics may be a potential self-Q-switched laser material.     

Kinetic and equilibrium factors affecting saturation of chromium oxide in soda-silicate melts

Factors controlling the rate at which chromium oxide reaches saturation in Na₂O-xSiO₂ liquids have been studied as a function of melt composition and oxygen fugacity. Under an oxidizing atmosphere, liquid Na₂CrO₄ or Cr₂O₃ crystals can be in equilibrium with soda-silicate melts, depending on the concentration of sodium in the studied system. Under reducing conditions, NaCrSi₂O₆ is stabilized in silica-rich melts when T is lower than 1160 °C, while Cr₂O₃ is in equilibrium with the sodium-rich melts when T is above 1160 °C. The chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) to pyroxene (NaCrSi₂O₆) transformation is described in terms of the time required to reach chemical and textural equilibrium. Na₂CrO₄, NaCrSi₂O₆, and Cr₂O₃ phase stability domains are reported as well as the Na₂O-SiO₂-Cr₂O₃ phase diagram in the studied temperature and fO₂ range.     

Hole defects in the crystal structure of synthetic lipscombite (Fe 4.7 3+ Fe 2.3 2+ )[PO4]4O2.7(OH)1.3 and genetic crystal chemistry of minerals of the lipscombite-barbosalite series

The crystal structure of a synthetic analog of the mineral lipscombite (Fe _2.3 ²⁺ Fe _4.7 ³⁺ )[PO₄]₄O_2.7(OH)_1.3 obtained under hydrothermal conditions in the LiF-Fe₂O₃-(NH₄)₂HPO₄-H₂O system is resolved (R = 0.040) by X-ray diffraction analysis (Bruker Smart diffractometer with a highly sensitive CCD detector, MoK _α radiation): a = 14.776(3) Å, b = 14.959(3) Å, c = 7.394(1) Å, β = 119.188(4)°, sp. gr. C2/c, Z = 4, ρ_exp = 3.8 g/cm³, ρ_calcd = 3.9 g/cm³. Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations are statistically distributed in each of four crystallographically independent positions, while occupying the corresponding octahedra with probabilities of 60, 90, 100, and 91%. The ratio Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ in the composition of the crystals was established by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Lipscombite is interpreted as a mineral of variable composition described by the formula (Fe _x ²⁺ Fe _n?x ³⁺ )[PO₄]₄O_y(OH)_4?y . The field of stability is determined as a function of the iron content and the ratio Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺. It is shown that at n = 6 iron cations are ordered in octahedra and barbosalite structure is formed. An interpretation of genetically and structurally related members of the lipscombite family within a unified polysomatic series is proposed.     

Crystal structures and luminescence properties of novel compounds K4M2[Al2Si8O24] (M = Ce, Gd)

Two novel potassium rare earth silicates, obtained by hydrothermal synthesis, have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and described by the general formula K₄ M ₂[Al₂Si₈O₂₄] (M = Ce, Gd). The parameters of the monoclinic K₄Ce₂[Al₂Si₈O₂₄] and K₄Gd₂[Al₂Si₈O₂₄] cells are, respectively, as follows: a = 26.867(1), 26.6520(2) Å; b = 7.4150(2), 7.2854(1) Å; c = 14.910(1), 14.8182(1) Å; β = 123.52(1)°, 123.46(1)°; and sp. gr. P2₁/n. The structures are solved by the charge flipping method and refined in the anisotropic approximation of thermal vibrations for atoms to R = 5.2 and 2.5%, respectively. The compounds under study are crystallized into a new structural type, which is based on two-level [Al₂Si₈O₂₄] layers, combined into a three-dimensional framework by columns of edge-sharing seven-vertex REE polyhedra. Potassium atoms are located in the framework channels. The spectral luminescence characteristics are determined. The luminescence bands are typical of Gd³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions. Upon excitation by light with λ _exc = 246 nm, a band due to the ² D → ⁸ F _5/2 transition with λ_max = 430 nm is observed in the spectrum of K₄Ce₂[Al₂Si₈O₂₄] and a band related to the ⁶ P _7/2 → ⁸ S _7/2 transition with λ_max = 311 nm is observed in the spectrum of K₄Gd₂[Al₂Si₈O₂₄].     

Cryoscopic Investigation of Lead Oxide Mixtures with Garnet Forming Oxides,Garnets, and Related Oxide Compounds

The freezing point depression of PbO as solvent caused by the trivalent oxides and oxide compounds Fe₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, Al₂O₃, Bi₂O₃, Y₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, La₂O₃, YFeO₃, Fe₃O₄, Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂, and PbFe₁₂O₁₉ allows to determine the number of particles which are formed from these compounds in the diluted solutions. — We have measured the liquidus temperatures of binary mixtures with the help of a DTA-equipment. In this way the cryoscopic constant K̄_c = 121 ± 16 K · kg · mole⁻¹ of PbO was determined by addition of ZnO, Cu₂O, PbSO₄, and PbF₂, respectively. The experimental results show that the oxides and oxide compounds dissociate in particles which contain only one cation of the solved compound.     

Crystal structure of double vanadates Ca9 R(VO4)7. II. R = Tb, Dy, Ho, and Y

Crystal structures of the compounds Ca₉ R(VO₄)₇ (R = Tb (I), Dy (II), Ho (III), and Y (IV) have been studied by the method of the full-profile analysis. All the compounds are crystallized in the trigonal system (sp. gr. R 3 c, Z = 6) with the unit-cell parameters (I) a = 10.8592(1), c = 38.035(1), V = 3884.2(2) ų; (II) a = 10.8564(1), c = 38.009(1) Å, V = 3879.6(2) ų, (III) a = 10.8565(1) and c = 37.995(1) Å, V = 3878.3(2) ų, and (IV) a = 10.8588(1), c = 37.995(1) Å, V = 3879.9(2) ų. In structures I–IV, rare earth and calcium cations occupy three positions—M(1), M(2), and M(5). Rare earth cations occupy the R ³⁺ positions almost in the same way: 2.7–2.6(2) cations in the M(1) position; 2.7–2.3(2) cations in the M(2) position, and 0.6–1.0(1) cation in the M(5) position. At the same time, the occupancy of the M(5) position regularly increases with a decrease of the R ³⁺ radius.     

Pyroxenoids of pyroxmangite–pyroxferroite series from xenoliths of Bellerberg paleovolcano (Eifel,Germany): Chemical variations and specific features of cation distribution

The pyroxferroite and pyroxmangite from xenoliths of aluminous gneisses in the alkaline basalts of Bellerberg paleovulcano (Eifel, Germany) have been studied by electron-probe and X-ray diffraction methods and IR spectroscopy. The parameters of the triclinic unit cells are found to be a = 6.662(1) Å, b = 7.525(1) Å, c = 15.895(2) Å, α = 91.548(3)°, β = 96.258(3)°, and γ = 94.498(3)° for pyroxferroite and a = 6.661(3) Å, b = 7.513(3) Å, c = 15.877(7) Å, α = 91.870(7)°, β = 96.369(7)°, and γ = 94.724(7)° for pyroxmangite; sp. gr. \(P\overline 1 \). The crystallochemical formulas (Z = 2) are, respectively, ^M(1–2)(Mn_0.5Ca_0.4Na_0.1)₂^M(3–6)(Fe, Mn)₄^M7[Mg_0.6(Fe, Mn)_0.4][Si₇O₂₁] and ^M(1–3)(Mn, Fe)₃^M(4–6)[(Fe, Mn)_0.7Mg_0.3]₃^M7[Mg_0.5(Fe, Mn)_0.5][Si₇O₂₁]. For these and previously studied representatives of the pyroxmangite structural type, an analysis of the cation distribution over sites indicates wide isomorphism of Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Mg in all cation M(1–7) sites and the preferred incorporation of Сa and Na into large seven-vertex M1O₇ and M2O₇ polyhedra and Mg into the smallest five-vertex M7O₅ polyhedron.