Structure and luminescence properties of silver-doped NaY(PO3)4 crystal

Single crystals of NaY(PO₃)₄ and Ag_0.07Na_0.93Y(PO₃)₄ have been synthesized by flux method. These new compounds turned out to be isostructural to NaLn(PO₃)₄, with Ln=La, Nd, Gd and Er [monoclinic, P2₁/n, a=7.1615(2) Å, b=13.0077(1) Å, c=9.7032 (3) Å, β=90.55 (1)°, V=903.86(14) Å³ and Z=4]. The structure is based upon long polyphosphate chains running along the shortest unit-cell direction and made up of PO₄ tetrahedra sharing two corners, linked to yttrium and sodium polyhedra. Infrared and Raman spectra at room temperature confirms this atomic arrangement. The luminescence of silver ions was reported in metaphosphate of composition Ag_0.07Na_0.93Y(PO₃)₄. One luminescent centre was detected and assigned to single Ag⁺ ions.     

Crystal structures and phase transitions of SrZr(PO4)2-BaZr(PO4)2 solid solutions

A complete series of solid solutions was prepared in the SrZr(PO₄)₂-BaZr(PO₄)₂ system and examined by conventional X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The crystals of Sr_xBa_1−xZr(PO₄)₂ with x?0.1 were isomorphous with yavapaiite (KFe(SO₄)₂, space group C2/m). The solid solution with 0.2?x?0.7 has been composed of a new phase, showing a superstructure along the a-axis (c-axis of the yavapaiite substructure). The crystals with 0.8?x?0.9 were composed of both the new phase and the triclinic phase, the latter being isostructural with SrZr(PO₄)₂ (x=1). The crystal structure of the new phase has been determined using direct methods, and it has been further refined by the Rietveld method. The crystal of Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Zr(PO₄)₂ (x=0.7) is monoclinic (space group P2/c, Z=4 and D_x/Mg m⁻³=3.73) with a=1.53370(8) nm, b=0.52991(3) nm, c=0.84132(4) nm, β=92.278(1)° and V=0.68321(6) nm³. Final reliability indices are R_wp=7.32%, R_p=5.60% and R_B=3.22%. The powder specimen was also examined by high-temperature XRPD and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to reveal the occurrence of two phase transitions during heating; the space group changed from P2/c to C2/m at ∼400 K, followed by the monoclinic-to-hexagonal (or trigonal) transition at 1060 K. The P2/c-to-C2/m transition has been, for the first time, described in the yavapaiite-type compounds.     

NASICON型Na4FeV(PO4)3的合成、晶体结构和电化学性能

采用高温熔盐法制备了NASICON型Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3单晶。单晶X射线衍射数据分析表明,Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3属于六方R3c空间群,单胞参数为a=b=0.878 17(4) nm,c=2.170 1(2) nm,Z=6,V=1.449 31(18) nm~3。该磷酸盐属于典型的NASICON结构,由PO_4四面体和Fe/VO_6八面体共顶点组成三维框架结构,提供多维的Na~+传输通道,2种不同类型Na~+位于框架的间隙。以Na_4Fe V(PO_4)_3/C粉末样品作为钠电池正极材料并以金属钠为对电极制备电池时,电化学测试结果表明其具有较高的容量。     

Crystal structures of lazulite-type oxidephosphates TiTi3O3(PO4)3 and M4Ti27O24(PO4)24 (M=Ti, Cr, Fe)

Single crystals of the oxidephosphates Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃ (black), Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (red-brown, transparent), and Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (brown) with edge-lengths up to 0.3 mm were grown by chemical vapour transport. The crystal structures of these orthorhombic members (space group F2dd ) of the lazulite/lipscombite structure family were refined from single-crystal data [Ti^IIITi^IV₃O₃(PO₄)₃: Z=24, a=7.3261(9) Å, b=22.166(5) Å, c=39.239(8) Å, R₁=0.029, wR₂=0.084, 6055 independent reflections, 301 variables; Cr^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.419(3) Å, b=21.640(5) Å, c=13.057(4) Å, R₁=0.037, wR₂=0.097, 1524 independent reflections, 111 variables; Fe^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄: Z=1, a=7.4001(9) Å, b=21.7503(2) Å, c=12.775(3) Å, R₁=0.049, wR₂=0.140, 1240 independent reflections, 112 variables). For Ti^IIITi^IVO₃(PO₄)₃ a well-ordered structure built from dimers [Ti^III,IV₂O₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉] and phosphate tetrahedra is found. The metal sites in the crystal structures of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ and Fe₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄, consisting of dimers [M^IIITi^IVO₉] and [Ti^IV,IV₂O₉], monomeric [Ti^IVO₆] octahedra, and phosphate tetrahedra, are heavily disordered. Site disorder, leading to partial occupancy of all octahedral voids of the parent lipscombite/lazulite structure, as well as splitting of the metal positions is observed. According to Guinier photographs Ti^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (a=7.418(2) Å, b=21.933(6) Å, c=12.948(7) Å) is isotypic to the oxidephosphates M^III₄Ti^IV₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ (M^III: Cr, Fe). The UV/vis spectrum of Cr₄Ti₂₇O₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ reveals a rather small ligand-field splitting Δ_o=14,370 cm⁻¹ and a very low nephelauxetic ratio β=0.72 for the chromophores [Cr^IIIO₆] within the dimers [Cr^IIITi^IVO₉].     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new open-framework iron phosphate (NH4)4Fe3(OH)2F2[H3(PO4)4]: Novel linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra

A new iron phosphate (NH₄)₄Fe₃(OH)₂F₂[H₃(PO₄)₄] has been synthesized hydrothermally at HF concentrations from 0.5 to 1.2 mL. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals its three-dimensional open-framework structure (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a=6.2614(13) Å, b=9.844(2) Å, c=14.271(3) Å, β=92.11(1)°, V=879.0(3) Å³). This structure is built from isolated linear trimers of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, which are linked by (PO₄) groups to form ten-membered-ring channels along [1 0 0]. This isolated, linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, [(FeO₄)₃(OH)₂F₂], is new and adds to the diverse linkages of Fe polyhedra as secondary building units in iron phosphates. The trivalent iron at octahedral sites for the title compound has been confirmed by synchrotron Fe K-edge XANES spectra and magnetic measurements. Magnetic measurements also show that this compound exhibit a strong antiferromagnetic exchange below T_N=17 K, consistent with superexchange interactions expected for the linear trimer of ferric octahedra with the Fe-F-Fe angle of 132.5°.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new phosphates K2Mn0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 and K2Co0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 with the langbeinite structure

New complex phosphates of the general formula K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (M=Mn, Co) have been obtained from the melting mixture of KPO₃, K₄P₂O₇, TiO₂ and CoCO₃·mCo(OH)₂ or Mn(H₂PO₄)₂ by means of a flux technique. The synthesized phosphates have been characterized by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the FTIR-spectroscopy. The compounds crystallize in the cubic system with the space group P2₁3 and cell parameters a=9.9030(14) Å for K₂Mn_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ and a=9.8445(12) Å for K₂Co_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃. Both phosphates are isostructural with the langbeinite mineral and contain four formula unit K₂M_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ per unit cell. The structure can be described using [M₂(PO₄)₃] framework composed of two [MO₆] octahedra interlinked via three [PO₄] tetrahedra. The Curie-Weiss-type behavior is observed in the magnetic susceptibility.     

Crystal structure and properties of the new vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na2MVO(PO4)2, M=Ca and Sr

Two new complex vanadyl(IV)phosphates Na₂MVO(PO₄)₂ (M=Ca, Sr) were synthesized in evacuated quartz ampoules and investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, DTA, ESR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The crystal structure of Na₂SrVO(PO₄)₂ was solved ab initio from X-ray powder diffraction data. Both compounds are isostructural: a=10.5233(3) Å, b=6.5578(2) Å, c=10.0536(3) Å and a=10.6476(3) Å, b=6.6224(2) Å, c=10.2537(3) Å for Ca and Sr, respectively; S.G. Pnma, Z=4. The compounds have a three-dimensional structure consisting of V⁴⁺O₆ octahedra connected by PO₄ tetrahedra via five of the six vertexes forming a framework with cross-like channels. The strontium and sodium atoms are located in the channels in an ordered manner. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirmed the structure solution. The new vanadylphosphates are Curie-Weiss paramagnets in a wide temperature range down to 2 K with θ=12 and 5 K for Ca and Sr phases, respectively.     

Carbon coated Na3V2(PO4)3 as novel electrode material for sodium ion batteries

A Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ sample coated uniformly with a layer of 6 nm carbon has been successfully synthesized by a one-step solid state reaction. This material shows two flat voltage plateaus at 3.4 V vs. Na⁺/Na and 1.63 V vs. Na⁺/Na in a nonaqueous sodium cell. When the Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C sample is tested as a cathode in a voltage range of 2.7-3.8 V vs. Na⁺/Na, its initial charge and discharge capacities are 98.6 and 93 mAh/g. The capacity retention of 99% can be achieved after 10 cycles. The electrode shows good cycle performance and moderate rate performance. When it is tested as an anode in a voltage range of 1.0-3.0 V vs. Na⁺/Na, the initial reversible capacity is 66.3 mAh/g and the capacity of 59 mAh/g can be maintained after 50 cycles. These preliminary results indicate that Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C is a new promising material for sodium ion batteries.     

Photoluminescence of Ce, Pr and Tb activated Sr3Ln(PO4)3 under VUV-UV excitation

The spectroscopic properties in VUV-Vis range for the eulytite structural phosphors Sr₃Gd(PO₄)₃:Ln³⁺ (Ln³⁺=Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Tb³⁺), Sr₃Ce(PO₄)₃, Sr₃Gd(PO₄)₃ and Sr₃Tb(PO₄)₃ were investigated. The bands near 170 nm in VUV excitation spectra are assumed to connect with the host lattices related absorption. The f-d transitions of Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺ and Tb³⁺ in the host lattices are assigned and corroborated. A convenient experiment formulation on the relationship between the lowest f-d transition energies and n value for trivalent 4fⁿ-series rare earth ions in these host lattices is applied.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical investigation of the new phosphates: Na7Mg13Ln(PO4)12 (Ln=La, Eu)

Two new isostructural rare earth phosphates Na₇Mg₁₃Ln(PO₄)₁₂ (Ln=La, Eu) have been synthesized and investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical measurements. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with the Cmc2₁ space group (Z=4). The crystal structure exhibits a new type of framework built up from LnO₈ (Ln=La, Eu), MO₆ (M=0.5Mg+0.5Na) and MgO_x (x=5, 6) polyhedra and PO₄ tetrahedra linked by common corner, edge or face. It can be described in terms of [Mg₄MP₄O₂₂]_∞ layers stacked along the a direction. These layers are interconnected by [Mg₄LnP₄O₃₆]_∞ undulating chains spreading along the b direction. This framework delimits 6 distinct cavities occupied by Na⁺ cations. The results of the optical study of Na₇Mg₁₃La_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₁₂ (x=0, 0.02, 0.1, 1) reveal the presence of two different Eu³⁺ ion environments whereas the X-ray study predicts the existence of only one Eu site. This difference can be explained by the possible presence of the europium element in the sodium sites with small occupancies which cannot be detected by the X-ray structural determination.     

A crystal structure of mixed-metal dianionic phosphate Cs3.70Mg0.60Ti2.78(TiO)3(P2O7)4(PO4)2

The single crystals of caesium magnesium titanium (IV) tri-oxo-tetrakis-diphosphate bis-monophosphate, Cs_3.70Mg_0.60Ti_2.78(TiO)₃(P₂O₇)₄(PO₄)₂, crystallize in sp. gr. P-1 (No. 2) with cell parameters a=6.3245(4), b=9.5470(4), c=15.1892(9) Å, α=72.760(4), β=85.689(5), γ=73.717(4), z=1. The titled compound possesses a three-dimensional tunnel structure built by the corner-sharing of distorted [TiO₆] octahedra, [Ti₂O₁₁] bioctahedra, [PO₄] monophosphate and [P₂O₇] pyrophosphate groups. The Cs⁺ cations are located in the tunnels. The partial substitution of Ti positions with Mg atoms is observed. The negative charge of the framework is balanced by Cs cations and Mg atoms leading to pronounced concurrency and orientation disorder in the [P₂O₇] groups, which coordinate both.     

A new structure type of phosphate: Crystal structure of Na2Zn5(PO4)4

A new compound, Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄, was identified in the system ZnONa₂OP₂O₅ and high-quality crystal was obtained by the melt method. The crystal structure of this compound was solved by direct method from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure was then refined anisotropically using a full-matrix least square refinement on F² and the refinement converged to R₁=0.0233 and wR₂=0.0544. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group Pbcn, lattice parameters a=10.381(2) Å, b=8.507(1) Å, c=16.568(3) Å and Z=4. The structure is made up of 3D [Zn₅P₄O₁₆]_n²ⁿ⁻ covalent framework consisting of [Zn₄P₄O₁₆]_n⁴ⁿ⁻ layers. The powder diffraction pattern of Na₉Zn₂₁(PO₄)₁₇ is explained by simulating a theoretical pattern with NaZnPO₄ and Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ in the molar ratio of 1:4 and then by Rietveld refinement of experimental pattern. Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ melts congruently at 855 °C and its conductivity is 5.63×10⁻⁹ S/cm.     

New Gallium Phosphate Frameworks Containing 1,4-Diaminobutane and 1,5-Diaminopentane: [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga4(PO4)4(HPO4)] and [NH3(CH2)xNH3][Ga(PO4)(HPO4)] (x=4 and 5)

Two new gallium phosphates, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄ (HPO₄)] (I) and [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (II), have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1,4-diaminobutane and their structures determined using room-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Compound (I) (M_r=844.90, triclinic, space group P-1, a=9.3619(3), b=10.1158(3) and c=12.6456(5) Å, α=98.485(1), β=107.018(2) and γ=105.424(1)°; V=1070.39 ų, Z=2, R=3.68% and R_w=4.40% for 2918 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) consists of GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra and GaO₅ trigonal bipyramids linked to generate an open three-dimensional framework containing 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-membered rings of alternating Ga- and P-based polyhedra. 1,4-Diaminobutane dications are located in channels bounded by the 12-membered rings in the two-dimensional pore network and are held to the framework by hydrogen bonding. Compound (II) (M_r=350.84, monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=4.8922(1), b=18.3638(6) and c=13.7468(5) Å, β=94.581(1)°; V=1227.76 ų, Z=4, R=2.95% and R_w=3.37% for 2050 observed data [I>3(σ(I))]) contains chains of edge-sharing 4-membered rings of alternating GaO₄ and PO₄ tetrahedra constituting a backbone from which hang ‘pendant’ PO₃(OH) groups. Hydrogen bonding between the GaPO framework and the diamine dications holds the structure together. A previously reported phase, [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (V), structurally related but distinct from its stoichiometric equivalent, (I), has been prepared as a pure phase by this method. Two further materials, [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga₄(PO₄)₄(HPO₄)] (III) (tricli- nic, lattice parameters from PXD: a=9.3565(4), b=5.0156(2) and c=12.7065(4) Å, α=96.612(3), β=102.747(4) and γ=105.277(3)°) and [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃][Ga(PO₄)(HPO₄)] (IV) (M_r=364.86, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=4.9239(2), b=13.2843(4) and c=19.5339(7) Å, β=96.858(1)°; V=1268.58 ų, Z=4, R=3.74% and R_w=4.44% for 2224 observed room-temperature data [I>3(σ(I))]), were also prepared under similar conditions in the presence of 1,5-diaminopentane. (III) and (IV) are structurally related to, yet distinct from (I) and (II) respectively.     

The Crystal Chemistry of Lithium in the Alluaudite Structure: A Study of the (Na1−xLix)CdIn2(PO4)3 Solid Solution (x=0 to 1)

Several compounds of the (Na_1−xLi_x)CdIn₂(PO₄)₃ solid solution were synthesized by a solid-state reaction in air, and pure alluaudite-like compounds were obtained for x=0.00, 0.25, and 0.50. X-ray Rietveld refinements indicate the occurrence of Cd²⁺ in the M(1) site, and of In³⁺ in the M(2) site of the alluaudite structure. This non-disordered cationic distribution is confirmed by the sharpness of the infrared absorption bands. The distribution of Na⁺ and Li⁺ on the A(1) and A(2)′ crystallographic sites cannot be accurately assessed by the Rietvled method, probably because the electronic densities involved in the Na⁺→Li⁺ substitution are very small. A comparison with the synthetic alluaudite-like compounds, (Na_1−xLi_x)MnFe₂(PO₄)₃, indicates the influence of the cations occupying the M(1) and M(2) sites on the coordination polyhedra morphologies of the A(1) and A(2)′ crystallographic sites.     

Structural changes accompanying negative thermal expansion in Zr2(MoO4)(PO4)2

Zr₂(MoO₄)(PO₄)₂ is orthorhombic (Sc₂W₃O₁₂ structure) from 9 to at least 400 K, and shows anisotropic volume negative thermal expansion (α_a=−8.35(4)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹; α_b=3.25(3)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹; α_c=−8.27(5)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ in the range 122-400 K) similar in magnitude to A₂M₃O₁₂ (M—Mo or W) with large A³⁺. The contraction on heating is associated with a pattern of Zr-O-Mo/P bond angle changes that is somewhat similar, but not the same as that for Sc₂W₃O₁₂. On heating, the most pronounced reductions in the separation between the crystallographic positions of neighboring Zr and P are not associated with significant reductions in the corresponding Zr-O-P crystallographic bond angles, in contrast to what was seen for Sc₂W₃O₁₂.     

Etude des equilibres solide-liquide des systems MIPO3Sm(PO3)3 (MI = Li,Na, Ag)

The M^IPO₃Sm(PO₃)₃(M^I = Li, Na, Ag) systems were studied. Differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the liquidus and solidus relations. Three compounds LiSm(PO₃)₄, NaSm(PO₃)₄, and AgSm(PO₃)₄ were obtained which melt incongruently at 1248, 1143, and 1078 K, respectively. These compounds are isomorphous with their homologs LiLn(PO₃)₄, NaLn(PO₃)₄, AgLn(PO₃)₄ (Ln = Ce, La, Nd). They belong to the monoclinic system. The LiSm(PO₃)₄ unit cell parameters refined by least squares method are a = 16.43(3) Å, b = 7.16(1) Å, c = 9.65(3) Å, β = 125,9°(1), with the space group $\text{C2}\text{c}$ and Z = 4. NaSm(PO₃)₄ and AgSm(PO₃)₄ are isotypic; they cristallize in the $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ space group, Z = 4; their unit cell parameters are, respectively, a = 12.18(1) Å, b = 13.05(1) Å, c = 7.25(5) Å, β = 126,53°(4), $\text{a = 12.25(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$, b = 13.06(1) Å, c = 7.201(9) Å, β = 126,57°(7). The ir spectra of the last two compounds indicate that these phosphates are chain phosphates.     

The crystal structure, thermal behaviour and ionic conductivity of a novel lithium gadolinium polyphosphate LiGd(PO3)4

Crystal structure and ionic conductivity of lithium gadolinium polyphosphate, LiGd(PO₃)₄, were investigated. Single crystals of the title compound have been grown by a flux technique. The structure of this novel phosphate was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. LiGd(PO₃)₄ is isotypic with LiNd(PO₃)₄. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the unit cell parameters a=16.386(2), b=7.059(3), c=9.677(2) Å, β=126.12(1)°, V=904.2(4) Å³ and Z=4. The structure refined from 967 independent reflections leads to R₁=0.0167 and wR₂=0.0458. The lattice of LiGd(PO₃)₄ is built of twisted zig-zag chains running along with the b direction and make up of PO₄ tetrahedra sharing two corners, connected to the GdO₈ and LiO₄ polyhedra by common oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional framework. Differential and thermogravimetric thermal analysis are given. The thermal curve of this compound was recorded and interpreted in agreement with impedance measurements. The ionic conductivity has been measured on pellet of the polycrystalline powder and evaluated as a function of temperature. This phase showed the conductivity of 2×10⁻⁶ and 2×10⁻⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 682 and 951 K, respectively.     

Long-range magnetic ordering of S=1/2 linear trimers in A3Cu3(PO4)4 (A=Ca, Sr, and Pb)

Magnetic properties of S=1/2 linear trimer cluster compounds A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ (A=Ca, Sr, and Pb) were investigated. Magnetic susceptibility data for the three compounds showed that paramagnetic copper spins form trimers with the total spin of 1/2 below about 45 K. Specific heat and magnetization measurements indicated that the trimer clusters undergo ferromagnetic long-range ordering at for A=Ca and antiferromagnetic long-range ordering at for A=Sr and for A=Pb. A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ exhibited 1/3-magnetization plateau at least up to magnetic field of 55 T at 1.3 and 4.2 K. A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ with A=Sr and Pb showed a spin-flop transition near 0.03 T in the antiferromagnetic state at 0.08 K. Specific heat data at magnetic fields clearly showed broad maxima at low temperatures due to the finite intra-chain interaction in one-dimensional arrays of the trimers.     

Crystal structures of lanthanide and zirconium phosphates with general formula Ln0.33Zr2(PO4)3, where Ln=Ce, Eu, Yb

Crystal structures of synthetic phosphates Ce_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃, Eu_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ and Yb_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ have been refined by Rietveld method using powder diffraction data. Unit cell parameters: a=8.7419 (4), c=23.128 (2) Å; a=8.7659 (1), c=22.822 (1) Å; a=8.8078 (4), c=22.485 (3) Å, respectively; Z=6. Values of final R-factors in isotropic approximation: R_wp=4.00, R_wp=3.33, R_wp=4.12%, respectively. New space group P3¯c has been established for the compounds with general formula Ln_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃, where Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y. It has been confirmed that the synthetic phosphates with general formula Ln_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃ belong to the NZP (sodium zirconium phosphate) structure type.     

Crystal structure and cation transport properties of the layered monodiphosphates Rb6Bi4(PO4)2(P2O7)3

Single crystals of the new Bi(III) phosphates, Rb₆Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃, have been isolated and their structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.077(1)Å, b=9.268(2)Å, c=36.418(6)Å, β=95.75(1)° and Z=8. The crystal structure is made up of BiO₅ and BiO₆ polyhedra sharing the corners with PO₄ tetrahedra and P₂O₇ diphosphate groups. The structure can be described as infinite anionic layers with composition [Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃]_∞⁶⁻ parallel to the [301] plane, connected via P-O-Bi bridges to form a three-dimensional open framework. This framework delimits tunnels running along [100] and [010] directions, where the rubidium ions reside. This compound exhibits a rubidium ion conduction but with rather low conductivity value at 640 K.