Ab initio total energy calculations of copper nitride: the effect of lattice parameters and Cu content in the electronic properties

We have studied the structural and electronic properties of bulk copper nitride by performing first principles total energy calculations using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. In our study we have considered two types of cells: the ideal cubic anti-ReO₃ structure corresponding to Cu₃N, and a unit cell with an extra Cu atom at the center of the cube. In the first case, our calculated lattice parameter a=3.82 Å is in excellent agreement with the experimental value a=3.807 Å. The structure is semiconductor with a small indirect band-gap. The increasing of the lattice parameter results in larger band-gaps. An addition of an extra Cu atom at the center of the cell results in a slightly larger lattice parameter a=3.88 Å, and the structure becomes fully metallic. Our calculated value is similar to the experimental lattice parameter corresponding to a metallic copper nitride film.     

Structure and magnetic properties of a novel copper diphosphonate with pillared layered structure:: Cu2(H2O)2{O3PCH2N(C2H4)2NCH2PO3}

Compound Cu₂(H₂O)₂{O₃PCH₂N(C₂H₄)₂NCH₂PO₃} (1) has a pillared layered structure in which the organic groups of N,N′-piperazinebis(methylenephosphonate) are sandwiched between the inorganic layers. Compared with other copper phosphonates with layered or pillared layered structures, the inorganic layer in 1 is unique in that each {CPO₃} tetrahedron is corner-shared with three {CuO₄N} square pyramids through three oxygen donors. Ferromagnetic interactions are mediated between the metal centers. Crystal data: Pbca, a=10.0830(16) Å, b=9.4517(15) Å, c=13.218(2) Å, V=1259.7(3) Å³, Z=4.     

Hybrid inorganic–organic frameworks containing magnesium: Synthesis and structures of magnesium squarate,diglycolate, and glutarate,and potassium magnesium cyclobutanetetracarboxylate

Four new magnesium containing metal–organic hybrid compounds have been synthesized in an effort to prepare low-density materials for hydrogen storage. The compounds were prepared hydrothermally and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Three of these compounds are analogs of known transition metal structures with squarate (I, Pn-3n, a = 16.276(5) Å), diglycolate (II, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 6.860(1) Å, b = 9.993(1) Å, c = 10.884(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0341), and glutarate (III, R-3, a = 10.744(2) Å, c = 28.677(5) Å, R₁ = 0.0554) ligands; the fourth is a novel structure using cyclobutanetetracarboxylate (IV, Pccn, a = 9.382(1) Å, b = 14.410(2) Å, c = 8.725(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0465) which contains potassium as well as magnesium cations.     

Synthesis and properties of the compound: LiNi3/5Cu2/5VO4

The LiNi_3/5Cu_2/5VO₄ is synthesized by solution-based chemical method and its formation has been checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. XRD study shows a tetragonal unit cell structure with lattice parameters of a = 11.6475 (18) Å, c = 2.4855 (18) Å and c/a = 0.2134 Å. Electrical properties are verified using complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique. Complex impedance analysis reveals following points: (i) the bulk contribution to electrical properties up to 200 °C, (ii) the bulk and grain boundary contribution at T ≥ 225 °C, (iii) the presence of temperature dependent electrical relaxation phenomena in the material. D.c. conductivity study indicates that electrical conduction in the material is a thermally activated process.     

Copper and cadmium phosphonates based on 2-quinolinephosphonate

Hydrothermal reactions of 2-quinolinephosphonic acid (1) and CuSO₄ or CdSO₄ result in two new compounds with formula Cu(2-C₉H₆NPO₃) (2) and Cd(2-C₉H₆NPO₃)(H₂O) (3). Compound 2 has a layer structure in which dimers of edge-sharing {CuO₄N} square-pyramids are linked by {CPO₃} tetrahedra through corner sharing. Compound 3 shows a new type of layer structure where chains of corner sharing {CdO₅N} octahedra are connected by {CPO₃} tetrahedra into an inorganic layer. The quinoline groups fill in the inter-layer spaces in both cases. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 10.270(2) Å, b = 13.566(3) Å, c = 6.9818(16) Å, β = 101.916(4)°, V = 951.8(4) Å³, Z = 4. For 2: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 13.976(3) Å, b = 7.9398(18) Å, c = 7.8687(18) Å, β = 101.150(5)°, V = 856.7(3) Å³, Z = 4. For 3: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 17.164(4) Å, b = 5.4870(12) Å, c = 10.850(2) Å, β = 101.557(4)°, V = 1001.1(4) Å³, Z = 4. The magnetic measurement on 2 reveals a dominant antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Cu(II) centers. A quasi-reversible electrochemical reaction is observed for complex 2 immobilized on the surface of GC electrode, corresponding to the redox couple Cu²⁺/Cu⁺. The fluorescent properties of 1–3 are also investigated.     

Crystal structure and thermal analysis of the tetramethylammonium dichromate and trichromate

The structures of the tetramethylammonium dichromate, [(CH₃)₄N]₂Cr₂O₇ and trichromate, [(CH₃)₄N]₂Cr₃O₁₀, were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. These compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system (space group Pnma, with Z=4 and a=17.192(1) Å, b=8.55(1) Å, c=10.637(1) Å), for the dichromate and in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/n, with Z=4 and a=11.366(2) Å, b=8.493(2) Å, c=20.187(4) Å, β=103.98(3)° for the trichromate. The structures consist of discrete dichromate anions (Cr₂O₇)^2– or trichromate anions (Cr₃O₁₀)^2–, respectively, stabilized by quaternary ammonium [(CH₃)₄N]⁺. Phase transitions in [(CH₃)₄N]₂Cr₂O₇ have been evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry as well as a new allotropic variety of [(CH₃)₄N]₂Cr₂O₇ which was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic system with the unit cell parameters a=24.49(1) Å, b=8.85(1) Å, c=8.705(8) Å.     

Two coordination polymers of manganese(II) isophthalate and their preparation,structures, and magnetic properties

Two manganese coordination polymers, [Mn₂(ip)₂(dmf)]·dmf (1) and [Mn₄(ip)₄(dmf)₆]·2dmf (2) (ip=isophthalate; dmf=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structural data reveal that compound 1 crystallizes in triclinic space group P?1, a=9.716(3) Å, b=12.193(3) Å, c=12.576(3) Å, α=62.19(2)°, β=66.423(17)°, γ=72.72(2)°, Z=2, while compound 2 crystallizes in monoclinic space group Cc, a=19.80(3) Å, b=20.20(2) Å, c=18.01(3) Å, β=108.40(4)°, Z=4. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit overall weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the adjacent Mn(II) ions.     

Inhibitors for magnesium corrosion: Metal organic frameworks

Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that magnesium surfaces can be protected by alkyl carboxylate. In a nearly neutral pH solution of sodium decanoate, the reduced corrosion rate and a passivation behaviour are attributed to the formation of Mg(C₁₀H₁₉O₂)₂(H₂O)₃ (Mg(C10)₂) at the magnesium surface whereas heptanoate Mg(C₇H₁₃O₂)₂(H₂O)₃ (Mg(C7)₂) is not efficient in such media. The crystal structures of the two metal carboxylates Mg(C7)₂ and Mg(C10)₂ are determined by X-ray diffraction. Single crystal data: Mg(C7)₂, P2₁/a, a = 9.130(5) Å, b = 8.152(5) Å, c = 24.195(5) Å, β = 91.476(5)°, V = 1800.3(15) Å³, D_x = 1.242 g cm⁻³, Z = 4. Synchrotron powder data: Mg(C10)₂, P2₁/a, a = 9.070(3) Å, b = 8.165(1) Å, c = 32.124(1) Å, β = 98.39(1)°, V = 2353.85(8) Å³, D_x = 1.188 g cm⁻³, Z = 4. Their layered structures are quite similar and differ mainly by the length of the hydrophobic chains. They consist of two planes of O-octahedra centred by Mg atoms, parallel to (001). The distorted octahedra are constituted by three oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups and by three oxygen atoms coming from water molecules. The layers are connected by hydrogen bonds. The carboxylate chains are located perpendicularly and on both sides of these planes. One carboxylate chain is bridging the Mg atom along [010] while the other is monodendate. The presence of structural water is confirmed by thermal analyses.     

Jahn–Teller phase transition in Cu0.50TiO(PO4): Powder structural characterization of the β-variety and thermal study

The thermal study of Cu_0.50TiO(PO₄), by X-ray diffraction and DSC, shows a phase transition α → β with a hysteresis (∼600 °C during heating; ∼300 °C during cooling). Single crystals have been obtained for the α-phase but the β-phase can only be stabilised at room temperature as a powder mixture with α. Structural characterization of the β-variety has been done with diffraction data (X-ray Cu Kα₁ and neutrons) using a powder rich in β-phase (α(20%) + β(80%)). A monoclinic cell (a = 7.1134(7) Å; b = 7.7282(7) Å; c = 7.3028(7) Å; β=119.30(1)°; V = 350.1(1) Å³) has been found for β-phase, space group P2₁/c. An “ab initio” structure determination has been done, and the Rietveld refinement leads to cR_wp = 0.150 and R_B = 0.041. The results from the X-ray data were confirmed by refinements from neutron data.Similarly to the α-phase, the structure of β-Cu_0.50TiO(PO₄) can be described as a TiOPO₄ framework constituted of chains of tilted corner-sharing [TiO₆] octahedra running parallel to the c axis and cross linked by [PO₄] tetrahedra. Ti atoms are displaced from the centres of the octahedral units, leading to long (2.27 Å) and short (1.73 Å) Ti–O(1) bonds. The [CuO₆] octahedra exhibit a typical Jahn–Teller distorted coordination with four short equatorial Cu–O bonds (2 × 1.93 Å and 2 × 2.06 Å), and two longer apical Cu–O bonds (2 × 2.33 Å). The two longer Cu–O bonds are almost parallel to the b axis.The transition from the α to the β-phase is characterized by a “rocking” of the Jahn–Teller elongation from the (a,c) plane to the b direction accompanied by a relatively strong expansion of the cell volume.     

Copper diazine spin ladders: Synthesis,structure and magnetic analyses of Cu(2-methylthiopyrazine)Br2

The reaction of copper(II) bromide with 2-methylthiopyrazine (meSpz) in THF/CH₂Cl₂ gave crystals of [Cu(meSpz)Br₂]_n. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m: a = 13.754(6) Å, b = 6.825(2) Å, c = 9.731(4) Å, β = 104.598(8)°. The structure comprises ladders where the rungs of the ladder are formed by bridging bromide ions and the rails are formed by bridging meSpz molecules. Magnetic susceptibility data over the range 1.8–325 K was fit to a strong-rung ladder model resulting in J/k_rung = ?39.79(17) K and J/k_rail = ?18.0(4) K.     

Synthesis and structure of a new scorpionate-dithio carboxyl oxovanadium complex and an organic dithio carboxyl compound

A new complex of oxovanadium(IV), V₂O₂[(HB(pz)₃)₂(pyrro)₂ (1) and a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound (C₅H₈NS₂)₂ (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of VOSO₄·nH₂O with NaHB(pz)₃ and pyrrolidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt. They were characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses of 1 and 2 gave the following parameters: 1, triclinic, P-1, a = 7.732(4) Å, b = 14.285(8) Å, c = 17.802(9) Å, α = 101.314(8)°, β = 92.682(9)°, γ = 92.228(9)°, V = 1923.6(18) Å³, and Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.857(2) Å, b = 10.4213(18) Å, c = 9.436(2) Å, β = 97.099(2), V = 1352.1(4) Å³, and Z = 4. In complex 1, vanadium atom adopts a distorted tetragonal bipyramid structure, which is typical for oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Compound 2 is a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound with S–S bond. In addition, thermal analysis was performed for analyzing the stabilization of the complexes.     

New three-dimensional (3,4)-net zincophosphites templated by linear diammonium cations: H3N(CH2)5NH3·Zn3(HPO3)4 and β-H3N(CH2)6NH3·Zn3(HPO3)4

The mild-condition syntheses, single-crystal structures and properties of H₃N(CH₂)₅NH₃·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄ and β-H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄ are reported. Both are constructed from (3,4)-nets of ZnO₄ tetrahedra and HPO₃ pyramids, sharing vertices to result in three-dimensional anionic open-frameworks. In both materials, the organic species interacts with the framework by way of N–H⋯O bonds. Crystal data: H₃N(CH₂)₅NH₃·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄, M_r = 620.22, orthorhombic, Pccn (No. 56), a = 9.5364 (9) Å, b = 21.8015 (19) Å, c = 9.1118 (7) Å, V = 1894.4 (3) Å³, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.044, wR(F²) = 0.111. β-H₃N(CH₂)₆NH₃·Zn₃(HPO₃)₄, M_r = 634.25, monoclinic, P2₁/n (No. 14), a = 8.7627 (1) Å, b = 13.8117 (2) Å, c = 16.6187 (3) Å, β = 92.680 (1)°, V = 2009.12 (5) Å³, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.072, wR(F²) = 0.187.     

Crystal structures of Th(OH)PO4, U(OH)PO4 and Th2O(PO4)2. Condensation mechanism of MIV(OH)PO4 (M = Th,U) into M2O(PO4)2

Three new crystal structures, isotypic with β-Zr₂O(PO₄)₂, have been resolved by the Rietveld method. All crystallize with an orthorhombic cell (S.G.: Cmca) with a = 7.1393(2) Å, b = 9.2641(2) Å, c = 12.5262(4) Å, V = 828.46(4) Å³ and Z = 8 for Th(OH)PO₄; a = 7.0100(2) Å, b = 9.1200(2) Å, c = 12.3665(3) Å, V = 790.60(4) Å³ and Z = 8 for U(OH)PO₄; a = 7.1691(3) Å, b = 9.2388(4) Å, c = 12.8204(7) Å, V = 849.15(7) Å³ and Z = 4 for Th₂O(PO₄)₂. By heating, the M(OH)PO₄ (M = Th, U) compounds condense topotactically into M₂O(PO₄)₂, with a change of the environment of the tetravalent cation that lowers from 8 to 7 oxygen atoms. The lower stability of Th₂O(PO₄)₂ compared to that of U₂O(PO₄)₂ seems to result from this unusual environment for tetravalent thorium.     

Subsolidus phase relations,crystal chemistry and cation-transport properties of sodium iron antimony oxides

Subsolidus phase relations in Na₂O–Fe₂O₃–Sb₂O_x system (excluding Na-rich and Sb-rich corners) were studied using powder X-ray diffraction. Samples were prepared by conventional solid-state reactions at 980–1030 °C followed by quenching. Sb substitution for Fe stabilizes the low-temperature rhombohedral α form of NaFeO₂ and enhances ionic conductivity: σ(300 °C) = 0.5 S/m, E_a = 0.38(3) eV, t_e < 0.01 for Na_0.8Fe_0.9Sb_0.1O₂ ceramics. Besides known orthorhombic Na₂Fe₃SbO₈, three new compounds have been identified: trigonal Na₄FeSbO₆, a superlattice of α-NaFeO₂ type, a = 5.4217(7) Å, c = 16.2715(1) Å, possible space group P3₁12; orthorhombic Na₂FeSbO₅, possibly related to brownmillerite, Pbcn, a = 10.8965(13) Å, b = 15.7178(13) Å, c = 5.3253(4) Å, and one more phase with empirical formula Na₄Fe₃SbO₉, whose pattern could not be indexed. Ion-exchange reactions lead to a delafossite-type superlattice Ag₃(NaFeSb)O₆ (a = 5.4503(12) Å, c = 18.7747(20) Å, possible space group P3₁12).     

New iodate materials as potential laser matrices. Preparation and characterisation of α-M(IO3)3 (M = Y,Dy) and β-M(IO3)3 (M = Y,Ce, Pr,Nd, Eu,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er). Structural evolution as a function of the Ln3+ cationic radius

Anhydrous yttrium iodate presents polymorphism; two crystalline phases are obtained under hydrothermal conditions. α-Y(IO₃)₃ crystallises in the monoclinic space-group P2₁/c with a three-dimensional structure, whereas β-Y(IO₃)₃ crystallises in the monoclinic space-group P2₁/n with a two-dimensional structure. The lattice parameters are a = 7.038(1) Å, b = 8.466(1) Å, c = 13.317(1) Å, β = 99.65(1)°, V = 782.3(2) Å³, Z = 4 for α-Y(IO₃)₃ and a = 8.685(1) Å, b = 5.964(1) Å, c = 14.958(1) Å, β = 96.99(2)°, V = 769.0(2) Å³, Z = 4 for β-Y(IO₃)₃. The α-form is isostructural with α-Dy(IO₃)₃ studied in this work and α-Ln(IO₃)₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) already studied. The β-form is isostructural with β-Ln(IO₃)₃ (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) studied in this work. The structural evolutions as a function of the Ln³⁺ cationic radius are studied. α-Y(IO₃)₃ and β-Y(IO₃)₃ present good thermal stability since they decompose at 600 °C. They are transparent up to 11.5 μm and they have good optical damage thresholds on powder.     

Crystal chemistry and physical properties of the ternary compounds REBC (RE = Ce,Pr, Nd)

The ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides REBC (RE = Ce, Pr, Nd) were prepared by melting mixtures of the elements and subsequent annealing at temperatures between 1270 K and 1570 K. Their crystal structures were refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in the LaBC-type structure (space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 20); CeBC: a = 8.5021(5) Å, b = 8.5217(7) Å, c = 12.3834(7) Å, R1 = 0.033 (wR2 = 0.059) for 2838 reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o); PrBC: a = 8.4478(5) Å, b = 8.4719(8) Å, c = 12.325(1) Å, R1 = 0.031 (wR2 = 0.063) for 2564 reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o); NdBC: a = 8.370(1) Å, b = 8.392(1) Å, c = 12.253(3) Å, R1 = 0.035 (wR2 = 0.086) for 4275 reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o). The structure consists of a three-dimensional framework of rare-earth metal atoms resulting from the stacking of slightly corrugated two-dimensional square nets, leading to voids filled with B₅C₅ finite chains. The magnetism of the compounds PrBC and NdBC is characterized by the onset of ferromagnetism with Curie temperatures around 10 K and 8 K, respectively. The reduced effective paramagnetic moment μ_eff ≈ 1.8 μ_B as well as the weak magnetization at 6 K, 5 T is discussed.     

Organic derivatives of tin (II/IV): Investigation of their structure

The structures of tin(II)-oxalate, tin(IV)Na–EDTA and tin(IV)Na₈-inositol hexaphosphate were investigated using XRD analysis. Samples were identified using the Mössbauer study, thermal analysis and FTIR spectrometry. The Mössbauer study determined two different oxidation states of tin atoms, and consequently two different tin surroundings in the end products. The tin oxalate was found to be orthorhombic with space group Pnma, a=9.2066(3) Å, b=9.7590(1) Å, c=13.1848(5) Å, V=1184.62 Å³ and Z=8. SnNa–EDTA was found to be monoclinic with space group P2₁/c₁, a=10.7544(3) Å, b=10.1455(3) Å, c=16.5130(6) Å, β=98.59(2)°, V=1781.50(4) Å³ and Z=4. Sn(C₆H₆Na₈O₂₄P₆) was found to be amorphous.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of two new hexagonal osmates: Ba2Fe0.92Os1.08O6 and Ba2Co0.77Os1.23O6

Two complex oxides of osmium, Ba₂Fe_0.92Os_1.08O₆ and Ba₂Co_0.77Os_1.23O₆, have been prepared as single crystals from molten potassium hydroxide. Both oxides crystallize in the hexagonal space group P6₃mc with a = 5.7403(1) Å and c = 14.0771(6) Å and a = 5.7745(2) Å and c = 14.0946(7) Å for Ba₂Fe_0.92Os_1.08O₆ and Ba₂Co_0.77Os_1.23O₆, respectively. The structure of these compounds is related to the 6H–BaTiO₃ structure but exhibit mixed occupancy of both metals on the three crystallographically independent metal sites.