Magnetism and structural chemistry of ternary borides RE2MB6 (RE = rare earth, M = Ru,Os)

The magnetic behavior of the ternary borides RE₂RuB₆ and RE₂OsB₆ (RE = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) was studied in the temperature range 1.5 K < T < 1100 K. All compounds crystallize with the Y₂ReB₆-type structure and are characterized by direct RE-RE contacts and the formation of planar infinite two-dimensional rigid boron nets. The magnetic properties reveal a typical Van Vleck paramagnetism of free RE³⁺-ions at temperatures higher than 200 K with ferromagnetic interaction in the low-temperature range T < 55 K. The ferromagnetic ordering temperatures vary with the De Gennes factor. There is no indication for a magnetic contribution from the Ru(Os)-sublattice. Above 1.8 K none of the samples were found to be superconducting.     

Neutron diffraction studies of RSn1+xGe1−x (R=Tb-Er) compounds

The magnetic structures of RSn_1+xGe_1−x (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er, x≈0.1) compounds have been determined by neutron diffraction studies on polycrystalline samples. The data recorded in a paramagnetic state confirmed the orthorhombic crystal structure described by the space group Cmcm. These compounds are antiferromagnets at low temperatures. The magnetic ordering in TbSn_1.12Ge_0.88 is sine-modulated described by the propagation vector k=(0.4257(2), 0, 0.5880(3)). Tb magnetic moment equals 9.0(1) μ_B at 1.62 K. It lies in the b-c plane and form an angle θ=17.4(2)° with the c-axis. This structure is stable up to the Nèel temperature equal to 31 K. The magnetic structures of RSn_1+xGe_1−x, where R are Dy, Ho and Er at low temperatures are described by the propagation vector k=(1/2, 1/2, 0) with the sequence (++−+) of magnetic moments in the crystal unit cell. In DySn_1.09Ge_0.91 and HoSn_1.1Ge_0.9 magnetic moments equal 7.25(15) and 8.60(6) μ_B at 1.55 K, respectively. The moments are parallel to the c-axis. For Ho-compound this ordering is stable up to T_N=10.7 K. For ErSn_1.08Ge_0.92, the Er magnetic moment equals 7.76(7) μ_B at T=1.5 K and it is parallel to the b-axis. At T_t=3.5 K it tunes into the modulated structure described by the k=(0.496(1), 0.446(4), 0). With the increase of temperature there is a slow decrease of k_x component and a quick decrease of k_y component. The Er magnetic moment is parallel to the b-axis up to 3.9 K while at 4 K and above it lies in the b-c plane and form an angle 48(3)° with the c-axis. In compounds with R=Tb, Ho and Er the magnetostriction effect at the Nèel temperature is observed.     

The ternary rare earth ruthenium gallides R3Ru4Ga15 (R=Y, Tb-Er) with a new structure type, a further example of a recently recognized large family of structures

The title compounds were prepared by reaction of the elemental components at high temperature. They crystallize with a new orthorhombic structure type which was determined from single-crystal diffractometer data of Ho₃Ru₄Ga₁₅: Pnma, a=871.7(1) pm, b=956.4(1) pm, c=1765.9(3) pm, Z=4, R=0.040 for 1039 structure factors and 114 variable parameters. The structure may be viewed as consisting of two kinds of atomic layers, although atomic bonding within and between the layers is comparable strength, as can be judged from the near-neighbor environments, where all of the 15 atomic sites have high coordination numbers. One kind of atomic layers (A) contains all of the holmium and additional gallium atoms in the ratio Ho:Ga=3:5 with a unit mesh content of 2Ho₃Ga₅; these layers are flat. The other layers (B) consist of sheets of corner- and edge-sharing condensed RuGa₆ octahedra, which are extremely compressed resulting in a hexagonal close-packed, puckered net with a Ru:Ga ratio of 2:5 and a unit mesh content of 4Ru₂Ga₅. These nets alternate in the sequence ABAB, ABAB, thus yielding the formula 4Ho₃Ga₅·8Ru₂Ga₅=4Ho₃Ru₄Ga₁₅. Similar layers are observed in the structures of Y₂Co₃Ga₉, Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂, Er₄Pt₉Al₂₄, CeOsGa₄, CaCr₂Al₁₀, and the four stacking variants with the compositions TbRe₂Al₁₀, DyRe₂Al₁₀, YbFe₂Al₁₀, and LuRe₂Al₁₀.     

Structure and magnetic properties of sulfides of the type CdRE2S4 and Mg(GdxYb1−x)2S4

CdRE₂S₄ (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) and Mg(Gd_xYb_1?x)₂S₄ were prepared by solid-state reactions. All the cadmium-containing compounds are cubic, i.e., the Th₃P₄ structure for Gd, Tb, and Dy and the spinel type for all the others. The first three compounds were deficient in CdS. In the case of the Mg system, for x = 1 the system is cubic Th₃P₄, for x = 0 cubic spinel, and for 0 < x < 1 orthorhombic MnY₂S₄ (Cmc2₁). All the materials studied are paramagnetic above 77 K. Below 77 K in the magnesium family both cubic materials are paramagnetic down to 4.2 K and the orthorhombic materials show magnetic ordering. In the cadmium family all but CdTm₂S₄ show exchange coupling.     

Preparation, XRD and Raman spectroscopic studies on new compounds RE2Hf2O7 (RE=Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Y): Pyrochlores or defect-fluorite?

A series of compositions with the general formula RE₂Hf₂O₇ (RE=Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Y and Lu) was prepared by a standard solid-state route and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. As per theoretical modeling reported in literature, some of these materials were predicted to exist in pyrochlore lattice. However, a careful X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopic and synchrotron radiation-XRD study revealed that under the experimental conditions used in the present investigation, out of all the RE₂Hf₂O₇ samples only Dy₂Hf₂O₇ has got a tendency to form a pyrochlore structure. All the other (Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Y) hafnates crystallize in a defect-fluorite structure. In order to further ascertain these inferences, a few more RE₂Hf₂O₇ samples (La, Nd, Sm) i.e., with larger RE³⁺ ions were also prepared and the results were compared.     

Structure and magnetism of rare-earth-substituted Ca3Co2O6

Yttrium- and rare-earth-substituted derivatives of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ (RY, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, and Lu) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by powder X-ray and neutron diffraction. All phases adopt the K₄CdCl₆-type structure with space group R3¯c), in which the trivalent R³⁺ substituents randomly occupy the Ca²⁺ site. The homogeneity range of Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ extends to v≈0.90 for the substituents concerned. A significant increase in the Co2-O distances within the trigonal-prismatic Co2O₆ co-ordination polyhedra upon introduction of R³⁺ confirms that extra electrons from the R³⁺-for-Ca²⁺ substitution exclusively enter the Co2 site of the quasi-one-dimensional Ca_3−vR_vCo₂O₆ structure, thereby formally reducing its oxidation state. This is furthermore supported by magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature neutron diffraction measurements. The long-range ferrimagnetic ordering temperature is reduced upon R substitution and appears to vanish for v>∼0.30.     

Rare earth-copper-magnesium compounds RECu9Mg2 (RE=Y, La-Nd, Sm-Ho, Yb) with ordered CeNi3-type structure

A series of ternary compounds RECu₉Mg₂ (RE=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb) have been synthesized via induction melting of elemental metal ingots followed by annealing at 400 °C for 4 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) was used for examining microstructure and phase composition. These phases crystallize with an ordered version of the binary hexagonal structure type first reported for CeNi₃. The crystal structure was solved for TbCu₉Mg₂ from single crystal X-ray counter data (TbCu₉Mg₂-structure type, P6₃/mmc-space group, hP24-Pearson symbol, a=0.49886 (7) nm, c=1.61646 (3) nm, R_F=0.0474 for 190 unique reflections). The Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction patterns of RECu₉Mg₂ confirmed the same crystal structure for the reported rare earth metals. The unit cell volumes for RECu₉Mg₂ smoothly follow the lanthanide contraction. The existence of a RECu₉Mg₂ phase was excluded for RE=Er and Tm under the investigated experimental conditions.     

The disordered cubic structure of Ca7Co3Ga5O18

The new mixed oxide having composition close to Ca₇Co₃Ga₅O₁₈ was synthesized from CaCO₃, Co₃O₄ and Ga₂O₃ at 1150 °C in air and studied by neutron and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, selected-area electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy. The structure was refined, using time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction data, in space group F432, with and Z=8, to R_F=0.7%. It is considerably disordered, with four different tetrahedral sites randomly occupied by Co and Ga atoms at a ratio of 1:2. The tetrahedra form a disordered (Co_1/3Ga_2/3)O₂ 3D-framework inside which isolated CoO₆ octahedra, surrounded by 8 Ca atoms, are located. The structure is related to the ordered structure of Ca₁₄Al₁₀Zn₆O₃₅. Electron diffraction patterns confirmed the symmetry and unit cell and revealed no diffuse scattering. High-resolution electron microscopy images showed the absence of extended structural defects.     

CoLn dinuclear complexes (Ln = Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho and Er) as platforms for 1,5-dicyanamide-bridged tetranuclear Co2Ln2 complexes: A magneto-structural and theoretical study

Five acetate-diphenoxo triply-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) of formula [Co(μ-L)(μ-Ac)Ln(NO₃)₂] and two diphenoxo doubly-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb) of formula [Co(H₂O)(μ-L)Ln(NO₃)₃]·S (S = H₂O or MeOH), were prepared in one pot reaction from the compartmental ligand N,N′,N′′-trimethyl-N,N′′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylene triamine (H₂L). The diphenoxo doubly-bridged Co^II-Ln^III complexes were used as platforms to obtain 1,5-dicyanamide-bridged tetranuclear Co^II-Ln^III complexes (Ln^III = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er). All exhibit ferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II and Ln^III ions and in the case of the Gd^III complexes, the J_CoGd were estimated to be ∼+0.7 cm⁻¹. Compound 3 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization.     

Multianvil high-pressure/high-temperature preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new oxoborates Dy4B6O14(OH)2 and Ho4B6O14(OH)2

This paper reports about two new hydrogen-containing rare-earth oxoborates RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho) synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from the corresponding rare-earth oxides, boron oxide, and water using a Walker-type multianvil equipment at 8 GPa and 880 °C. The single crystal structure determination of Dy₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ showed: Pbcn, a=1292.7(2), b=437.1(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0190, and wR2=0.0349 (all data). The isotypic holmium species revealed: Pbcn, a=1292.8(2), b=436.2(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0206, and wR2=0.0406 (all data). The compounds exhibit a new type of structure, which is built up from layers of condensed BO₄-tetrahedra. Between the layers, the rare-earth cations are coordinated by 7+2 oxygen atoms. Furthermore, we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements, DTA/TG, and IR-spectroscopic investigations into RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho).     

Crystal structures of RPt3−xSi1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction

The crystal structures of ternary compounds RPt_3−xSi_1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data. All compounds are isotypic and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm. The general formula RPt_3−xSi_1−y arises from defects: x≈0.20, y≈0.14. The crystal structure of RPt_3−xSi_1−y can be considered as a packing of four types of building blocks which derive from the CePt₃B-type unit cell by various degrees of distortion and Pt, Si-defects.     

Ternary lanthanoid iron phosphides with YCo5P3 and Zr2Fe12P7-type structures

The new compounds YFe₅P₃ and LnFe₅P₃ (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were prepared by reaction of the elemental components in a tin flux. They have YCo₅P₃-type structure. A structure refinement of GdFe₅P₃ from single-crystal X-ray data resulted in a conventional residual of R = 0.063 for 29 variable parameters and 693 unique structure factors. Crystals of the new compound Ce₂Fe₁₂P₇ were also prepared by the tin flux technique. Their Zr₂Fe₁₂P₇-type structure was refined to R = 0.029 for 23 variables and 1365 F values. The coordination polyhedra of the two and some other closely related structure types are discussed. The thermal parameters of the transition metal atoms in such structures increase with increasing coordination number.     

A systematic study on the crystal structure and properties of RuSr2RCu2O8−δ (R=Gd,Tb, Dy,Y, Ho,Er)

The coexistence of superconductivity and magnetic order seems to take place in the so-called ruthenate-cuprates (Ru-1212). A systematic study is carried out on crystal structure of the RuSr₂RCu₂O_8−δ phases (R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Ho, Er) synthesized under high pressure by X-ray powder diffraction. RuSr₂RCu₂O_8−δ (R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Y, Ho, Er) has the Ru-1212-type structure of a tetragonal symmetry and the RuO₆ octahedra rotate around the c-axis with an additional small rotation around an axis perpendicular to c. The DC-magnetization data establish that compounds with R=Gd, Y, Ho, Er exhibit ferromagnetic order below about 140 K, and the Meissner effect was observed at low temperature for R=Y compound.     

Syntheses, structure and rare earth metal photoluminescence of new and known isostructural A2Mo4Sb2O18 (A=Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) compounds

Nine new A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) compounds have been synthesized by solid-state reactions. They are isostructural with six reported analogues of yttrium and other lanthanides and the monoclinic unit cell parameters of all fifteen of them vary linearly with the size of A³⁺ ion. Single crystal X-ray structures of eight A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Ce, Pr, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds have been determined. Neat A₂Mo₄Sb₂O₁₈ (A=Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) compounds exhibit characteristic rare earth metal photoluminescence.     

A Novel Complex Cobalt Gallium Oxide Ca2Co0.8Ga1.2O4.8: Synthesis and High-Temperature Electron Transport Properties

A new complex oxide with the cation ratio Ca:Co: Ga=2:0.8:1.2 has been synthesized in air at 1150^oC. The cobalt atoms adopt oxidation states 2+ and 3+ in equal amounts giving an oxygen content corresponding to the composition Ca₂Co_0.8Ga_1.2O_4.8. It crystallizes in F-centered cubic structure with a=15.0558 Å. Conductivity measurements performed at high temperatures revealed that the temperature increase gives a charge disproportionation of Co³⁺ species resulting in a small concentration of Co⁴⁺ species and thus a small p-type conductivity in the oxide. A decrease of the oxygen pressure promotes oxygen depletion from the oxide and a deterioration of the conductivity. The electric properties are interpreted within a small polaron conduction mechanism. An unusually large mobility activation energy of 0.45 eV can be explained by a large spatial separation of cobalt cations in the structure.     

Ln(GaM2+)O4 and Ln(AlMn2+)O4 compounds having a layer structure [Ln = Lu,Yb, Tm,Er, Ho,and Y,and M = Mg,Mn, Co,Cu, and Zn]

A series of new compounds Ln(GaM²⁺)O₄ and Ln(AlMn²⁺)O₄ having a layer structure were successfully prepared [Ln = Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, and Y, and M = Mg, Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn]. The synthesis conditions and the unit cell parameters for 23 compounds have been determined. These compounds are isostructural with YbFe₂O₄ (space group $\text{R}\text{3}\text{m, a = 3.455(1)}$ Å, and c = 25.109(2) Å).     

A systematic study on crystal structure and magnetic properties of Ln3GaO6 (Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er)

The crystal structures of a series of compounds with the composition Ln₃GaO₆(Ln=Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) synthesized by solid-state reaction at 1400°C are investigated. X-ray diffraction shows that Ln₃GaO₆ has a non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic structure (space group Cmc2₁). Lattice parameters a,b,c and cell volume and the average distances between Ln(1)-O, Ln(2)-O of these compounds decrease with the decreasing of the radii of trivalent Ln ions, which accord with the expected lanthanide contraction behavior. There are two sites of seven-fold coordination for Ln atoms with oxygens, and Ga atoms are in oxygen tetrahedra which are distorted and elongated along the a-axis. Magnetization measurements indicate that the susceptibility χ changes with temperature in Curie-type manner.     

Crystal growth, structure determination, and optical properties of new potassium-rare-earth silicates K3RESi2O7 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Single crystals of K₃RESi₂O₇ (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were grown from a potassium fluoride flux. Two different structure types were found for this series. Silicates containing the larger rare earths, RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb crystallize in a structure K₃RESi₂O₇ that contains the rare-earth cation in both a slightly distorted octahedral and an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment, while in K₃LuSi₂O₇, containing the smallest of the rare earths, lutetium is found solely in an octahedral coordination environment. The structure of K₃LuSi₂O₇ crystallizes in space group P6₃/mmc with a=5.71160(10) Å and c=13.8883(6) Å. The structures containing the remaining rare earths crystallize in the space group P6₃/mcm with the lattice parameters of a=9.9359(2) Å, c=14.4295(4) Å, (K₃GdSi₂O₇); a=9.88730(10) Å, c=14.3856(3) Å, (K₃TbSi₂O₇); a=9.8673(2) Å, c=14.3572(4) Å, (K₃DySi₂O₇); a=9.8408(3) Å, c=14.3206(6) Å, (K₃HoSi₂O₇); a=9.82120(10) Å, c=14.2986(2) Å, (K₃ErSi₂O₇); a=9.80200(10) Å, c=14.2863(4) Å, (K₃TmSi₂O₇); a=9.78190(10) Å, c=14.2401(3) Å, (K₃YbSi₂O₇). The optical properties of the silicates were investigated and K₃TbSi₂O₇ was found to fluoresce in the visible.     

Magnetic properties and structures of equiatomic rare earth-platinum compounds RPt (R = Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm)

The magnetic properties and structures of RPt compounds (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) are presented. Below their Curie temperature the compounds exhibit ferromagnetic behavior. In GdPt, the spontaneous magnetization at 4.2°K ($\text{6.7 μ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>B</mtext>}}\text{Gd}$) and the small superimposed susceptibility suggest that the gadolinium moments are parallel and the exchange interactions are positive. In the three types of noncollinear magnetic structures observed in the other compounds the rare earth atoms are divided into two sublattices with different magnetization directions. They give rise to a ferromagnetic component associated with an antiferromagnetic component. These structures, which are analyzed in terms of crystal field effects, result from a competition between a magnetocrystalline anisotropy and positive exchange interactions of Heisenberg type.     

The Family of Ln2Ti2S2O5 Compounds (Ln=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Y): Optical Properties

The optical properties of Ln₂Ti₂S₂O₅ compounds (Ln=Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Y) have been measured. Diffuse reflectance spectra revealed a strong absorption band above 2 eV, which explains the color of the compounds. Moreover, other bands, with a lower intensity, have been attributed to 4f-4f rare earth transitions. In the case of neodymium the derived energy level scheme is rich enough to determinate a set of phenomenological crystal field parameters that correctly reproduce the spectrum. These parameters were also calculated from the crystallographic structure, in a good agreement with the experiment. Finally, the paramagnetic susceptibility, well reproduced by the calculation, confirms that the rare earth is in a trivalent state.