Magnetic and charge transport properties of the Na-based Os oxide pyrochlore

The Na-based osmium oxide pyrochlore was synthesized for the first time by an ion-exchange method using KOs₂O₆ as a host. The composition was identified as Na_1.4Os₂O₆·H₂O by electron probe micro-analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and structural analysis using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Na_1.4Os₂O₆·H₂O crystallizes in a regular pyrochlore structure with some defects (space group: Fd-3m, a=10.16851(1) Å). Electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements clearly showed absence of superconductivity down to 2 K, being in large contrast to what was found for the β-type pyrochlore superconductor AOs₂O₆ (A=Cs, Rb, and K). The Sommerfeld coefficient is 22 mJ K⁻² mol⁻¹, being the smallest among AOs₂O₆. A magnetic anomaly at ∼57 K and associated magneto-resistance (+3.7% at 2 K in 70 kOe) were found.     

The crystal structure of the monohydrate R2Mo6O21·H2O (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu): a layer structure containing disordered [Mo2O7] groups

Although R₂O₃:MoO₃=1:6 (R=rare earth) compounds are known in the R₂O₃-MoO₃ phase diagrams since a long time, no structural characterization has been achieved because a conventional solid-state reaction yields powder samples. We obtained single crystals of R₂Mo₆O₂₁·H₂O (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) by thermal decomposition of [R₂(H₂O)₁₂Mo₈O₂₇]·nH₂O at around 685-715 °C for 2 h, and determined their crystal structures. The simulated XRD patterns of R₂Mo₆O₂₁·H₂O were consistent with those of previously reported R₂O₃:MoO₃=1:6 compounds. All R₂Mo₆O₂₁·H₂O compounds crystallize isostructurally in tetragonal, P4/ncc (No. 130), a=8.9962(5), 8.9689(6), 8.9207(4), and 8.875(2) Å; c=26.521(2), 26.519(2), 26.304(2), and 26.15(1) Å; Z=4; R₁=0.026, 0.024, 0.024, and 0.021, for R=Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, respectively. The crystal structure of R₂Mo₆O₂₁·H₂O consists of two [Mo₂O₇]²⁻-containing layers (A and B layers) and two interstitial R(1)³⁺ and R(2)³⁺ cations. Each [Mo₂O₇]²⁻ group is composed of two corner-sharing [MoO₄] tetrahedra. The [Mo₂O₇]²⁻ in the B layer exhibits a disorder to form a pseudo-[Mo₄O₉] group, in which four Mo and four O sites are half occupied. R(1)³⁺ achieves 8-fold coordination by O²⁻ to form a [R(1)O₈] square antiprism, while R(2)³⁺ achieves 9-fold coordination by O²⁻ and H₂O to form a [R(2)(H₂O)O₈] monocapped square antiprism. The disorder of the [Mo₂O₇]²⁻ group in the B layer induces a large displacement of the O atoms in another [Mo₂O₇]²⁻ group (in the A layer) and in the [R(1)O₈] and [R(2)(H₂O)O₈] polyhedra. A remarkable broadening of the photoluminescence spectrum of Eu₂Mo₆O₂₁·H₂O supported the large displacement of O ligands coordinating Eu(1) and Eu(2).     

Epitaxial stabilization of (110)-layered perovskites of the RE2Ti2O7 (RE=La, Nd, Sm, Gd) family

Thin films of RE₂Ti₂O₇ (RE=La, Nd, Sm, Gd) were deposited on single crystal SrTiO₃ (110) substrates at 900 °C using pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed sharp (00k) peaks (in θ-2θ scans) with narrow rocking curves (ω-scan peak widths of 0.4-0.9°), indicating that all compositions adopted the (110)-layered perovskite structure. While this is the stable structure for RE=La and Nd, it is metastable for RE=Sm and Gd. The metastable compounds are formed directly through epitaxial stabilization at these high temperatures and are shown to be isostructural to monoclinic La₂Ti₂O₇. The a, b, and c lattice parameters decreased monotonically with decreasing size of the RE cation, while the monoclinic angle remained fairly constant. The epitaxial relationship between the (110)-layered RE₂Ti₂O₇ films and the SrTiO₃(110) substrate was found by XRD and transmission electron microscopy to be . The single-phase, metastable, epitaxial, 100 nm thick films maintained the layered perovskite structure even after annealing at 900 °C for two hours in 200 Torr of oxygen.     

New process of preparation, structure, and physicochemical investigations of the new titanyl phosphate Ti2O(H2O)(PO4)2

New titanyl phosphate Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ has been prepared and characterized by X-ray and neutron diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and Raman spectroscopies and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure has been solved from neutron powder diffraction data at 300 K by Rietveld method in P2₁ space group. The refinement led to satisfactory profile factors (R_p=2.7%, R_wp=3.2%) and crystal structure model indicators (R_B=5.8%, R_F=3.2%). The cell is monoclinic with a=7.3735 Å, b=7.0405 Å, c=7.6609 Å and β=121.48°, Z=4. The structure can be described as a three-dimensional framework built up by chains of [TiO₅(OH₂)] octahedra with alternative short bonds [Ti₍₁₎-O₍₁₂₎; Ti₍₂₎-O₍₁₂₎, 1.88-1.84 Å] and long ones [Ti₍₁₎-O_W; Ti₍₂₎-O_W, 2.25-2.23 Å] along c-axis and connected via [PO₄] tetrahedra. Oxygen atom denoted O₍₁₂₎ is only linked to two titanium atoms and Oxygen atom denoted O_W is linked to two titanium atoms and two hydrogen atoms. O₍₁₂₎ and O_W are not linked to P atoms and justify the titanyl phosphate formulation Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂. The infrared and Raman spectra presents peaks due to vibrations of Ti-O, P-O and O-H bonds. The ³¹P MAS NMR spectrum reveals two ³¹P resonance lines, in agreement with the structure which showed two crystallographic sites for phosphorus. The thermogravimetric analysis show that Ti₂O(H₂O)(PO₄)₂ is thermally stable until 400 °C. Above this temperature, it losses water and decomposes to Ti₅O₄(PO₄)₄ and TiP₂O₇.     

New members of ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides containing finite boron-carbon chains: RE25B14C26 (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd25B12C28

New ternary rare-earth metal boride carbides RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) and Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ were synthesized by co-melting the elements. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈ is stable up to 1440 K. RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ (RE=Pr, Nd) exist above 1270 K. The crystal structures were investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: space group P, a=8.3209(7) Å, b=8.3231(6) Å, c=29.888(2) Å, α=83.730(9)°, β=83.294(9)°, γ=89.764(9)°. Pr₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: space group P2₁/c, a=8.4243(5) Å, b=8.4095(6) Å, c=30.828(1) Å, β=105.879(4)°, V=2100.6(2) Å³, (R1=0.048 (wR2=0.088) from 2961 reflections with I_o>2σ(I_o)); for Nd₂₅B₁₄C₂₆ space group P2₁/c, Z=2, a=8.3404(6) Å, b=8.3096(6) Å, c=30.599(2) Å, β=106.065(1)°. Their structures consist of a three-dimensional framework of rare-earth metal atoms resulting from the stacking of slightly corrugated and distorted square nets, leading to cavities filled with cumulene-like molecules [B₂C₄]⁶⁻ and [B₃C₃]⁷⁻, nearly linear [BC₂]⁵⁻ and bent [BC₂]⁷⁻ units and isolated carbon atoms. Structural and theoretical analysis suggests the ionic formulation for RE₂₅B₁₄C₂₆: (RE³⁺)₂₅[B₂C₄]⁶⁻([B₃C₃]⁷⁻)₂([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·5e⁻ and for Nd₂₅B₁₂C₂₈: (Nd³⁺)₂₅([B₂C₄]⁶⁻)₃([BC₂]⁵⁻)₄([BC₂]⁷⁻)₂(C⁴⁻)₄·7e⁻. Accordingly, extended Hückel tight-binding calculations indicate that the compounds are metallic in character.     

Thermal expansion and cation disorder in Bi2InNbO7

The structure of the pyrochlore-type oxide Bi₂InNbO₇ has been investigated between room temperature and 700 °C using electron and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and at room temperature and 10 K using neutron diffraction methods. Bi₂InNbO₇ exhibits an A₂B₂O₇ cubic pyrochlore-type average structure at all temperatures that is characterized by an apparently random mixing of the In³⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ cations on the octahedral B sites. The Bi cations on the eight-coordinate pyrochlore A sites are displacively disordered, presumably as a consequence of their lone pair electron configuration. Heating the sample does not alter this disorder.     

Long- and short-range order in stuffed titanate pyrochlores

We report a structural study of the stuffed pyrochlore series Ln₂(Ti_2−xLn_x)O_7−x/2 (Ln=Ho, Yb; 0?x?0.67). Electron microscopy and Rietveld refinements of neutron powder diffraction data for the x=0.67 end members, Ho₂TiO₅ and Yb₂TiO₅, reveal that small domains (∼50 Å or less) exist where the Ln and Ti/Ln sublattices are pyrochlore like, while the average structure is fluorite like. Both the Ho and Yb stuffed pyrochlore series for 0.1?x?0.5 are shown to be a composite of long- and short-range-ordered pyrochlore phases. The relative fraction of long-range vs. short-range pyrochlore order decreases with increasing Ln doping. An additional complex structural modulation of the pyrochlore structure is observed in electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy images.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermochemistry of K2B5O8(OH)·2H2O

A pure hydrated potassium borate K₂B₅O₈(OH)·2H₂O has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectra and DTA-TG. The crystal structure consists of two K-O polyhedra and [B₅O₈(OH)]²⁻ polyborate anion. The enthalpy of formation was determined to be −4772.6 ± 4.0 kJ mol⁻¹ by solution calorimetry.     

Enthalpy change and mechanism of oxidation of o-phenylenediamine by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase

The hydrogen peroxide-oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at 37 °C in 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was studied by calorimetry. The apparent molar reaction enthalpy with respect to OPD and hydrogen peroxide were −447 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹ and −298 ± 9 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Oxidation of OPD by H₂O₂ catalyzed by HRP (1.25 nM) at pH 7.0 and 37 °C follows a ping-pong mechanism. The maximum rate V_max (0.91 ± 0.05 μM s⁻¹), Michaelis constant for OPD K_m,S (51 ± 3 μM), Michaelis constant for hydrogen peroxide Km,H₂O₂ (136 ± 8 μM), the catalytic constant k_cat (364 ± 18 s⁻¹) and the second-order rate constants k₊₁ = (2.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₊₅ = (7.1 ± 0.8) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained by the initial rate method.     

Synthesis and structural study of stoichiometric Bi2Ti2O7 pyrochlore

Bi₂Ti₂O₇ has been synthesized using a co-precipitation route from H₂O₂/NH_3(aq) solutions of titanium with aqueous bismuth nitrate. The stoichiometric material crystallizes into a pale yellow cubic pyrochlore phase. A powder X-ray diffraction study showed this crystallization to be very temperature sensitive, the pure phase can only be obtained within a few degrees of 470°C. Time-of-flight powder neutron diffraction studies of Bi₂Ti₂O₇ (Space group , a=10.37949(4) Å at ambient temperature, Z=8, R_p=3.95%, R_wp=4.75%) revealed positional disorder in the bismuth site and in the O′ oxide site both at ambient temperature and at 2 K.     

Visible and infrared luminescence properties of Er-doped Y2Ti2O7 nanocrystals

Er³⁺-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals were fabricated by the sol-gel method. While the annealing temperature exceeds 757 °C, amorphous pyrochlore phase Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ transfers to well-crystallized nanocrystals, and the average crystal size increases from ∼70 to ∼180 nm under 800-1000 °C/1 h annealing. Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ nanocrystals absorbing 980 nm photons can produce the upconversion (526, 547, and 660 nm; ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively) and Stokes (1528 nm; ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2) photoluminescence (PL). The infrared PL decay curve is single-exponential for Er³⁺ (5 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals but slightly nonexponential for Er³⁺ (10 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals. For 5 and 10 mol% doping concentrations, the mechanism of up-converted green light is the two-photon excited-state absorption. Much stronger intensity of red light relative to green light was observed for the sample with 10 mol% dopant. This phenomenon can be attributed to the reduced distance between Er³⁺-Er³⁺ ions, resulting in the enhancement of the energy-transfer upconversion and cross-relaxation mechanisms.     

Structural and magnetic properties of pyrochlore solid solutions (Y,Lu)2Ti2−x(Nb,Ta)xO7±y

The synthesis and characterization of the pyrochlore solid solutions, Y₂Ti_2−xNb_xO_7−y, Lu₂Ti_2−xNb_xO_7−y, Y₂Ti_2−xTa_xO_7−y and Lu₂TiTaO_7−y (−0.4<y<0.5), is described. Synthesis at 1600 °C, and 10⁻⁵ Torr yields oxygen deficiency in all systems. All compounds are found to be paramagnetic and semiconducting, with the size of the local moments being less, in some cases substantially less, than the expected value for the number of nominally unpaired electrons present. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that all compounds can be fully oxidized while retaining the pyrochlore structure, yielding oxygen rich pyrochlores as white powders. Powder neutron diffraction of Y₂TiNbO₇-based samples was done. Refinement of the data for oxygen deficient Y₂TiNbO_6.76 indicates the presence of a distribution of oxygen over the 8b and 48f sites. Refinement of the data for oxygen rich Y₂TiNbO_7.5 shows these sites to be completely filled, with an additional half filling of the 8a site. The magnetic and TGA data strongly suggest a preference for a Ti³⁺/(Nb,Ta)⁵⁺ combination, as opposed to Ti⁴⁺/(Nb,Ta)⁴⁺, in this pyrochlore family. In addition, the evidence clearly points to Ti³⁺ as the source of the localized moments, with no evidence for localized Nb⁴⁺ moments.     

New synthetic method and thermochemistry of szaibelyite

A new synthetic method of szaibelyite (2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O) has been reported. The enthalpy of solution of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) was determined. From a combination of this result with measured enthalpies of solution of H₃BO₃ in 2.9842 mol dm⁻³ HCl (aq) and of MgO in (HCl+H₃BO₃) solution, together with the standard molar enthalpies of formation of MgO (s), H₃BO₃ (s), and H₂O (l), the standard molar enthalpy of formation of −(2884.36±1.82) kJ mol⁻¹ of 2MgO·B₂O₃·H₂O was obtained.     

Enthalpy of mixing in 0.8[xB2O3-(1 − x)P2O5]-0.2Na2O glasses at 298 K

0.8[xB₂O₃-(1 − x)P₂O₅]-0.2Na₂O (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) glasses have been characterized by solution calorimetry at 298 K in acid solvent. The experimental data showed a strong negative departure of the enthalpy of mixing from the ideality described by the equation (in kJ/mol): ΔH = x(1 − x)(−660.2 + 570x). The results were interpreted on the basis of the structural data. Enthalpies of mixing were consistent with sub-regular solution behaviour.     

Characterization of an aluminium(III)–citrate species by means of ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry detection

The aluminium(III)–citrate complex (NH₄)₄[Al₂(C₆H₄O₇)(C₆H₅O₇)₂]·4H₂O was characterized using anion exchange chromatography on-line coupled with the element specific ICP-AES detector. Time-dependent monitoring of individual species in aqueous solution at different temperatures gave information about the species stability and the decomposition pathway. The aluminium–citrate complex (NH₄)₄[Al₂(C₆H₄O₇)(C₆H₅O₇)₂]·4H₂O disintegrated via an unknown intermediary Al(III)–citrate species from which the thermodynamically stable complex [Al₃(C₆H₄O₇)₃(OH)(H₂O)]⁴⁻ was formed. The activation energy for the decomposition reaction and the pre-exponential factor were determinated to be E_a = 81.95 kJ mol⁻¹ and A = 3.62 × 10¹³ s⁻¹.     

Hydridic reactivity of W(CO)(H)(NO)(PMe3)3 - Dihydrogen bonding and H2 formation with protic donors

The hydridic reactivity of the complex W(CO)(H)(NO)(PMe₃)₃ (1) was investigated applying a variety of protic donors. Formation of organyloxide complexes W(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₃(OR) (R = C₆H₅ (2), 3,4,5-Me₃C₆H₂ (3), CF₃CH₂ (4), C₆H₅CH₂ (5), Me (6) and iPr (7)) and H₂ evolution was observed. The reactions of 1 accelerated with increasing acidity of the protic donor: Me₂CHOH (pK_a = 17) < MeOH (pK_a = 15.5) < C₆H₅CH₂OH (pK_a = 15) < CF₃CH₂OH (pK_a = 12.4) < C₆H₂Me₃OH (pK_a = 10.6) < C₆H₅OH (pK_a = 10).Regioselective hydrogen bonding of 1 was probed with two of the protic donors furnishing equilibrium formation of the dihydrogen bonded complexes ROH···HW(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₃ (R = 3,4,5-Me₃C₆H_2,3a and iPr, 7a) and the O_NO hydrogen bonded species ROH···ONW(CO)(H)(PMe₃)₃ (R = C₆H₂Me_3,3b and iPr, 7b) which were studied in hexane and d₈-toluene solutions using variable temperature IR and NMR spectroscopy. Quantitative IR experiments at low temperatures using 3,4,5-trimethylphenol (TMP) confirmed the two types of competitive equilibria: dihydrogen bonding to give 3a (ΔH₁ = −5.8 ± 0.4 kcal/mol and ΔS₁ = −15.3 ± 1.4 e.u.) and hydrogen bonding to give 3b (ΔH₂ = −2.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol and ΔS₂ = −5.8 ± 0.3 e.u.). Additional data for the hydrogen bonded complexes 3a,b and 7a,b were determined via NMR titrations in d₈-toluene from the equilibrium constants K_(Δδ) and K_(ΔR1) measuring either changes in the chemical shifts of H_W(_Δδ) or the excess relaxation rates of H_W (ΔR₁) (3a,b: ΔH_(Δδ) = −0.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol; ΔS_(Δδ) = −1.4 ± 0.3 e.u. and ΔH_(ΔR1) = −5.8 ± 0.4 kcal/mol; ΔS_(ΔR1) = −22.9 ± 1.9 e.u) (7a,b: ΔH_(Δδ) = −2.3 ± 0.2 kcal/mol; ΔS_(Δδ) = −11.7 ± 0.9 e.u. and ΔH_(ΔR1) = −2.9 ± 0.2 kcal/mol; ΔS_(ΔR1) = −14.6 ± 1.0 e.u). Dihydrogen bonding distances of 1.9 Å and 2.1 Å were derived for 3a and 7a from the NMR excess relaxation rate measurements of H_W in d₈-toluene. An X-ray diffraction study was carried out on compound 2.     

Mg2MTaO6 (M=Nd or La): a group of new pyrochlore oxides

Preparation of two novel mixed metal oxide ceramic materials, namely magnesium neodymium tantalum oxide (Mg₂NdTaO₆) and magnesium lanthanum tantalum oxide (Mg₂LaTaO₆) by conventional solid-state reaction method is reported in this paper. The crystal structure of these new compounds, were studied by indexing the X-ray diffraction patterns, powder pattern calculation and profile fitting. They were found to have a defective cubic pyrochlore structure, with the A site being randomly occupied by Mg and La/Nd, while, Ta and Mg are randomly distributed at the B site. The formula assigned were (MgNd)(MgTa)O₆ and (MgLa)(MgTa)O₆. The variation of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity of sintered pellets of these materials with applied frequencies in the range of 30 Hz-1 MHz were studied at room temperature. These room temperature studies at 1 MHz gave dielectric constant values of 24.8 and 25.35; conductivity values of 7.75×10⁻⁶ and 8.27×10⁻⁶ S/m as well as dielectric loss values of 0.0055 and 0.006 for Mg₂NdTaO₆ and Mg₂LaTaO₆, respectively. These new pyrochlore compounds were found to have dielectric constant, dielectric loss and conductivity values in the range suitable for possible electronic ceramic applications.     

Stability and oxide ion conductivity in rare-earth aluminium cuspidines

RE₄(Al_2−xGe_xO_7+x/2□_1−x/2)O₂ (RE=Gd³⁺ and Nd³⁺) oxy-cuspidine series have been prepared by ceramic method (RE=Gd³⁺) and freeze-dried precursor method (RE=Nd³⁺). The compositional ranges and the high temperature stability have been determined for both series. Gadolinium aluminium cuspidines are stable at very high temperatures but the analogous neodymium compounds are only stable below 1273 K. Joint Rietveld analyses of neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) have been carried out for Nd₄(Al₂O₇□₁)O₂ and Nd₄(Al_1.5Ge_0.5O_7.25□_0.75)O₂ compositions. Furthermore, Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD) data were carried out for Gd₄(Al_1.0Ge_1.0O_7.5□_0.5)O₂ composition. The refinements have confirmed the known structural features of the cuspidine framework. These cuspidines series are oxide ion conductors with negligible electronic contribution as determined from impedance spectroscopy at variable oxygen partial pressures. The enhancement in the overall oxide conductivity along the two oxy-cuspidine series is two orders of magnitude. Typical ionic conductivity values for doped samples are around 4×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 973 K.     

Ternary rare-earth titanium antimonides: Phase equilibria in the RE-Ti-Sb (RE=La, Er) systems and crystal structures of RE2Ti7Sb12 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and RETi3(SnxSb1-x)4 (RE=Nd, Sm)

Investigations on phase relationships and crystal structures have been conducted on several ternary rare-earth titanium antimonide systems. The isothermal cross-sections of the ternary RE-Ti-Sb systems containing a representative early (RE=La) and late rare-earth element (RE=Er) have been constructed at 800 °C. In the La-Ti-Sb system, the previously known compound La₃TiSb₅ was confirmed and the new compound La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ (own type, Cmmm, Z=2, a=10.5446(10) Å, b=20.768(2) Å, and c=4.4344(4) Å) was discovered. In the Er-Ti-Sb system, no ternary compounds were found. The structure of La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ consists of a complex arrangement of TiSb₆ octahedra and disordered fragments of homoatomic Sb assemblies, generating a three-dimensional framework in which La atoms reside. Other early rare-earth elements (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd) can be substituted in this structure type. Attempts to prepare crystals in these systems through use of a tin flux resulted in the discovery of a new Sn-containing pseudoternary phase RETi₃(Sn_xSb_1−x)₄ for RE=Nd, Sm (own type, Fmmm, Z=8; a=5.7806(4) Å, b=10.0846(7) Å, and c=24.2260(16) Å for NdTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄; a=5.7590(4) Å, b=10.0686(6) Å, and c=24.1167(14) Å for SmTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄). Its structure consists of double-layer slabs of Ti-centred octahedra stacked alternately with nets of the RE atoms; the Ti atoms are arranged in kagome nets.     

Single-crystal growth of Tl2Ru2O7 pyrochlore using high-pressure and flux method

Single crystals of the thallium ruthenium pyrochlore have been grown by flux method under high oxygen pressure. The growth conditions were determined by direct observations using in situ powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) method under high pressure and high temperature. The crystals were grown using NaCl-KCl flux at 1350 °C and B₂O₃ flux at 1150 °C. High growth temperature of 1350 °C for the NaCl-KCl flux caused Pt contamination from the crucible and oxygen deficiency for the crystals obtained. The crystal growth using B₂O₃ flux proceeded at lower temperature by grain growth with material transfer through B₂O₃. The crystal obtained was characterized by single-crystal XRD method, and was found to have a stoichiometric composition, Tl₂Ru₂O_7−δ (δ=0), with a structural phase transition around 120 K. The grain growth technique with B₂O₃ is efficient for high-temperature single-crystal growth under high pressure.