Phase relations in the K2W2O7-K2WO4-KPO3-Bi2O3 system and structure of K6.5Bi2.5W4P6O34

The phase relations in the cross-section of the K₂W₂O₇-K₂WO₄-KPO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ were undertaken using flux method. Crystallization fields of K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄, K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄), Bi₂WO₆, KBi(WO₄)₂ and their cocrystallization areas were identified. Novel phase K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: sp. gr. P−1, a=9.4170(5), b=9.7166(4), c=17.6050(7) Å, α=90.052(5)°, β=103.880(5)° and γ=90.125(5)°. It has a layered structure, which contains {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers stacked parallel to ab plane and sheets composed by potassium atoms separating these layers. Sandwich-like {K₇Bi₅W₈P₁₂O₆₈}_∞ layers are assembled from [W₂P₂O₁₃]_∞ and [BiPO₄]_∞ building units, and are penetrated by tunnels with K/Bi atoms inside. FTIR-spectra of K₂Bi(PO₄)(WO₄) and K_6.5Bi_2.5W₄P₆O₃₄ were discussed on the basis of factor group theory.     

KCl-KBO2-K2CO3, K2MoO4-KBO2-K2CO3, and K2WO4-KBO2-K2CO3 ternary systems

phase diagrams of KCl-KBO₂-K₂CO₃, K₂MoO₄-KBO₂-K₂CO₃, and K₂WO₄-KBO₂-K₂CO₃ ternary systems were studied by a calculation-experimental method and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The coordinates of ternary eutectics were determined to be E ₁: 622°C, 8.5 mol % KBO₂, 56.5 mol % KCl, and 35 mol % K₂CO₃; E ₂: 710°C, 23 mol % KBO₂, 43 mol % K₂CO₃, and 34 mol % K₂MoO₄; E ₃: 710°C, 23 mol % KBO₂, 43 mol % K₂CO₃, and 34 mol % K₂WO₄. The specific heats of melting of the eutectics were determined.     

NaBO2-NaCl-Na2CO3, NaBO2- Na2CO3-NaMoO4, NaBO2- Na2CO3-NaWO4, and NaBO2-NaCl-Na2WO4 ternary systems

The phase diagrams of the NaBO₂-NaCl-Na₂CO₃, NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄, NaBO₂- Na₂CO₃-Na₂WO₄, and NaBO₂-NaCl-Na₂WO₄ ternary systems were studied by a calculation-experimental method and differential thermal analysis. The coordinates of ternary eutectics were determined: E ₁: 612°C, 16 mol % NaBO₂, 42 mol % NaCl, and 42 mol % Na₂CO₃; E ₂: 568°C, 12 mol % NaBO₂, 28 mol % Na₂CO₃, and 60 mol % Na₂MoO₄; E ₃: 575°C, 12 mol % NaBO₂, 32 mol % Na₂CO₃, and 56 mol % Na₂WO₄; E ₄: 628°C, 8 mol % NaBO₂, 20 mol % NaCl, and 72 mol % Na₂WO₄; and E ₅: 655°C, 9 mol % NaBO₂, 53 mol % NaCl, and 38 mol % Na₂WO₄.     

Sol-gel synthesis of K3InF6 and structural characterization of K2InC10O10H6F9, K3InC12O14H4F18 and K3InC12O12F18

K₃InF₆ is synthesized by a sol-gel route starting from indium and potassium acetates dissolved in isopropanol in the stoichiometry 1:3, with trifluoroacetic acid as fluorinating agent. The crystal structures of the organic precursors were solved by X-ray diffraction methods on single crystals. Three organic compounds were isolated and identified: K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉, K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈. The first one, deficient in potassium in comparison with the initial stoichiometry, is unstable. In its crystal structure, acetate as well as trifluoroacetate anions are coordinated to the indium atom. The two other precursors are obtained, respectively, by quick and slow evaporation of the solution. They correspond to the final organic compounds, which give K₃InF₆ by decomposition at high temperature. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₄H₄F₁₈ is characterized by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₄(OH_x)₂]^(5−2x)− and isolated [CF₃COOH_2−x]^(x−1)− molecules with x=2 or 1, surrounded by K⁺ cations. The crystal structure of K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ is only constituted by complex anions [In(CF₃COO)₆]³⁻ and K⁺ cations. For all these compounds, potassium cations ensure only the electroneutrality of the structure. IR spectra of K₂InC₁₀O₁₀H₆F₉ and K₃InC₁₂O₁₂F₁₈ were also performed at room temperature on pulverized crystals.     

Theoretical study of polyoxide clusters B20O30, Al20O30, V20O50, Si20O30H20, and Si20O30F20

The structural, electronic, and vibrational characteristics and energies of the isolated polyoxide clusters B₂₀O₃₀, Al₂₀O₃₀, V₂₀O₅₀, Si₂₀O₃₀H₂₀, and Si₂₀O₃₀F₂₀ and their complexes with the H⁻ ion and ammonia complexes Al₂₀O₃₀ · nNH₃ have been calculated by the density functional theory B3LYP method with different basis sets. The computation results show that the symmetric closo structure I _h with oxygen bridges located above the centers of the faces of an empty [M₂₀] dodecahedron is more favorable for V₂₀O₅₀, Si₂₀O₃₀H₂₀, and Si₂₀O₃₀F₂₀. For B₂₀O₃₀, the cage closo isomer is also more favorable than the other isomers, but its structure is severely distorted as compared to a dodecahedron and has a symmetry close to C ₃ . For Al₂₀O₃₀, the I _h structure corresponds to a high-lying local minimum of the potential energy surface. For Al₂₀O₃₀, a set of unusual puckshaped isomers of symmetry C _i , with different numbers of four-coordinate atoms ^IVAl and three-coordinate atoms ^IIIO, was localized; these structures are more than 90 kcal/mol more favorable than the dodecahedron I _h . The most favorable isomer of Al₂₀O₃₀ contains twelve four-coordinate atoms ^IVAl and four five-coordinate atoms ^VAl. The energies of dissociation of the most favorable M₂₀O₃₀ clusters into the M₂O₃ (C _2v ) and M₄O₆ (T _d ) fragments and, in the case of Al₂₀O₃₀, also into the Al₈O₁₂ (O _h ) and Al₁₂O₁₈ (D _3d ) fragments, have been estimated. The conclusion has been drawn that these clusters can, in principle, exist and can be experimentally detected in the isolated state. Analogous calculations have been performed for ammonia complexes Al₂₀O₃₀ · nNH₃ with n varying from 1 to 20. The effect of solvation on the relative stability of the dodecahedral and puckshaped isomers of the Al₂₀O₃₀ cluster is observed. The isomers with ammonia molecules in their first coordination sphere become much closer to one another on the energy scale; however, the dodecahedron remains a considerably less favorable intermediate. Original Russian Text ? O.P. Charkin, N.M. Klimenko, D.O. Charkin, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 624–635.     

Sm2O3Ga2O3 and Gd2O3Ga2O3 phase diagrams

Four definite compounds exist in the Sm₂O₃Ga₂O₃ binary phase diagram, namely: Sm₃GaO₆, Sm₄Ga₂O₉, SmGaO₃, and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂. The $\text{3}\text{1}$ compound is orthorhombic (space group Pnna - Z.4) with the cell parameters: a = 11.40₀Å, b = 5.51₅Å, c = 9.07Å and belongs to the oxysel family. Sm₃GaO₆ and SmGaO₃ melt incongruently at 1715 and 1565°C; Sm₄Ga₂O₉ and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ have a congruent melting point at 1710 and 1655°C. With regard to the Gd₂O₃Ga₂O₃ system three definite compounds have been identified: Gd₃GaO₆, Gd₄Ga₂O₉, and Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂. Only the garnet melts congruently at 1740°C with the following composition: Gd_3.12Ga_4.88O₁₂. Gd₃GaO₆, and Gd₄Ga₂O₉ melt incongruently at 1760 and 1700°C. GdGaO₃ is only obtained by melt overheating which may yield an equilibrium or a metastable phase diagram.     

Polymorphism in the Sc2Si2O7-Y2Si2O7 system

This paper examines the structural changes with temperature and composition in the Sc₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ system; members of this system are expected to form in the intergranular region of Si₃N₄ and SiC structural ceramics when sintered with the aid of Y₂O₃ and Sc₂O₃ mixtures. A set of different compositions have been synthesized using the sol-gel method to obtain a xerogel, which has been calcined at temperatures between 1300 and 1750 °C during different times. The temperature-composition diagram of the system, obtained from powder XRD data, is dominated by the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ polymorph, with γ-RE₂Si₂O₇ and δ-RE₂Si₂O₇ showing very reduced stability fields. Isotherms at 1300 and 1600 °C have been analysed in detail to evaluate the solid solubility of the components. Although, the XRD data show a complete solid solubility of β-Sc₂Si₂O₇ in β-Y₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C, the ²⁹Si MAS-NMR spectra indicate a local structural change at x ca. 1.15 (Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) related to the configuration of the Si tetrahedron, which does not affect the long-range order of the β-RE₂Si₂O₇ structure. Finally, it is interesting to note that, although Sc₂Si₂O₇ shows a unique stable polymorph (β), Sc³⁺ is able to replace Y³⁺ in γ-Y₂Si₂O₇ in the compositional range 1.86?x?2 (where x is Sc_2−xY_xSi₂O₇) as well as in δ-Y₂Si₂O₇ for compositions much closer to the pure Y₂Si₂O₇.     

Solubility in the Na2Cr2O7-(NH4)2Cr2O7-K2Cr2O7-H2O system

Solubility in the Na₂Cr₂O₇-(NH₄)₂Cr₂O₇-K₂Cr₂O₇-H₂O four-component water-salt system at 25, 50, and 75°C was studied for the first time. Phase field boundaries for individual salts and potassium and ammonium dichromate solid solutions, monovariant lines, and invariant points were determined. Experimental data were used to optimize the looped isohydric process of potassium dichromate preparation involving additional salts.     

Tl2S-Sb2S3-Bi2S3 quasi-ternary system

The Tl₂S-Sb₂S₃-Bi₂S₃ quasi-ternary system (system A) was studied using DTA, X- ray powder diffraction, microstructure examination, and microhardness measurements. TlSbS₂-Tl₄Bi₂S₅(TlBiS₂, Bi₂S₃), Sb₂S₃-TlBiS₂, Tl₃SbS₃-TlBiS₂(Bi₂S₃), and [TlSb_0.5Bi_0.5S₂]-Tl₂S isopleths; isothermal sections at 500 K; and liquidus surface projection of system A were constructed. Characteristic features of the title system are extensive fields of solid solutions extended along the TlSbS₂-TlBiS₂ quasi-binary section and a continuous solubility belt 1–2 mol % wide extended along the Sb₂S₃-Bi₂S₃ binary subsystem. Primary separation fields of phases and the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria in system A were determined.     

Syntheses and characterizations of complex perovskite oxynitrides LaMg1/3Ta2/3O2N, LaMg1/2Ta1/2O5/2N1/2, and BaSc0.05Ta0.95O2.1N0.9

The following complex oxynitride perovskites have been prepared: LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2, and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction analyses show that LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N and LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 are isostructural to the oxide La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ (space group P2₁/n), whereas BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a simple cubic symmetry similarly to BaTaO₂N. The orderings of octahedral cations are markedly diminished in the above oxynitrides, as compared with the related oxides such as La₂Mg(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3)O₆ and Ba₂ScTaO₆. The optical band gaps are similar for the homologous compositions, LaMg_1/3Ta_2/3O₂N, LaMg_1/2Ta_1/2O_5/2N_1/2 and LaTaON₂ (1.9 eV), and BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 and BaTaO₂N (1.8 eV), while the absorption edges become broader for the complex derivatives. As revealed from the impedance spectroscopic analysis, the oxynitrides have clearly different dielectric components from those of comparable oxides containing Ta⁵⁺. Impedance spectroscopy reveals interesting capacitor geometry in BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 in which the semiconducting oxynitride grains are separated by insulating secondary phases. Most notably BaSc_0.05Ta_0.95O_2.1N_0.9 has a bulk component with a high relative permittivity (κ=7300) and the grain boundary component with an even higher κ.     

[R-C7H16N2][V2Te2O10] and [S-C7H16N2][V2Te2O10]; new polar templated vanadium tellurite enantiomers

New polar vanadium tellurite enantiomers have been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions through the use of sodium metavanadate, sodium tellurite and enantiomerically pure sources of either R-3-aminioquinuclidine or S-3-aminioquinuclidine. [R-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] and [S-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] contain [V₂Te₂O₁₀]_n²ⁿ⁻ layers constructed from [(VO₂)₂O(TeO₄)₂] monomers. Steric effects associated with the hydrogen-bonding network between the [V₂Te₂O₁₀]_n²ⁿ⁻ layers and [C₇H₁₆N₂]²⁺ result in polar structures and crystallization in the space group P2₁ (no. 4). Electron localization functions were calculated to visualize the tellurite stereoactive lone pairs. Both iterative and non-iterative Hirshfeld techniques were evaluated as means to determine atomic partial charges, with iterative Hirshfeld charges more accurately representing charge distributions in the reported enantiomers. These charges were used to calculate both component and net dipole moments. [R-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] and [S-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] exhibit dipole moments of 17.37 and 16.62D, respectively. [R-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] and [S-C₇H₁₆N₂][V₂Te₂O₁₀] both display type 1 phase-matching capabilities and exhibit second harmonic generation activities of ∼50×α-SiO₂.     

Magnetic properties of Fe2P-type Tb6FeTe2, Tb6CoTe2, Tb6NiTe2 and Er6FeTe2 compounds

The magnetic ordering of the Fe₂P-type Tb₆FeTe₂, Tb₆CoTe₂ Tb₆NiTe₂ and Er₆FeTe₂ phases (space group P6¯2m) has been investigated through magnetization measurement and neutron powder diffraction. Tb₆FeTe₂, Tb₆CoTe₂ and Tb₆NiTe₂ demonstrate high-temperature ferromagnetic and low-temperature spin reorientation transitions, whereas Er₆FeTe₂ shows antiferromagnetic transition, only.The Tb₆FeTe₂ and Tb₆NiTe₂ phases show same high-temperature collinear ferromagnetic structure, whereas Tb₆FeTe₂ is the commensurate non-collinear ferromagnet and Tb₆NiTe₂ is the canted ferromagnetic cone with K₁=[0, 0, ±3/10] and K₂=[±2/9, ±2/9, 0] wave vectors at 2 K. The magnetic structure of Er₆FeTe₂ is a flat spiral with K₁=[0, 0, ±1/10] at 2 K. The magnetic entropy change for Tb₆NiTe₂ is ΔS_m=−4.86 J/kg K at 229 K for the field change Δμ₀H=0-5 T.In addition, novel Fe₂P-type Gd₆FeTe₂, Zr₆FeTe₂, Hf₆FeTe₂, Dy₆NiTe₂, Zr₆NiTe₂ and Hf₆NiTe₂ phases have been obtained.     

Synthesis and characterization of quaternary selenides Sn2Pb5Bi4Se13 and Sn8.65Pb0.35Bi4Se15

Quaternary selenides Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ were synthesized from the elements in sealed silica tubes; their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/m (No.12), with lattice parameters of Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃: a = 14.001(6) Å, b = 4.234(2) Å, c = 23.471(8) Å, V = 1376.2(1) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0584/0.1477, and GOF = 1.023; Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅: a = 13.872(3) Å, b = 4.2021(8) (4) Å, c = 26.855(5) Å, V = 1557.1(5) Å³, R₁/wR₂ = 0.0506/0.1227, and GOF = 1.425. These compounds exhibit tropochemical cell-twinning of NaCl-type structures with lillianite homologous series L(4, 5) and L(4, 7) for Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ and Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅, respectively. Measurements of electrical conductivity indicate that these materials are semiconductors with narrow band gaps; Sn₂Pb₅Bi₄Se₁₃ is n-type, whereas Sn_8.65Pb_0.35Bi₄Se₁₅ is a p-type semiconductor with Seebeck coefficients −80(5) and 178(7) μV/K at 300 K, respectively.     

Phase states in the Bi4Ti3O12-BiFeO3 section in the Bi2O3-TiO2-Fe2O3 system

Specific features of the thermal behavior of Bi _{m + 1}Fe _m−3Ti₃O_{3m + 3} layered perovskite-like compounds (where m takes integer and some fractional values between 3 and 9) were considered, and the temperature limits of stability of these compounds were determined. The phase diagram of the Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂-BiFeO₃ section through the Bi₂O₃-TiO₂-Fe₂O₃ system was constructed.     

(H2NC4H8NCH2CH2NH2)(HNCH2CH2NH2)3Zn2Ge2Se8: A new,templated one-dimensional ternary semiconductor stabilized by mixed organic cations

The novel, 1D semiconductor (H₂NC₄H₈NCH₂CH₂NH₂)(HNCH₂CH₂NH₂)₃Zn₂Ge₂Se₈ has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions using N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine as solvent and templating agent at 200 °C. The material was characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The compound consists of 1D anionic [Zn₂Ge₂Se₈]⁴⁻ chains made of alternating edge-shared [ZnSe₄] and [GeSe₄] tetrahedra that charged balanced by one N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazinium and three piperazinium cations. The optical properties were investigated with solid state UV–Vis/near IR spectroscopy and the results show that the solid is a medium gap semiconductor with an absorption edge at 1.8 eV.     

Phase diagram of the Pb5Sb4S11-Pb2SnSb2S6 system

The Pb₅Sb₄S₁₁-Pb₂SnSb₂S₆ system was studied by a number of physicochemical methods, and its phase diagram was constructed. It was found that the system under investigation is a quasi-binary eutectic type section of the SnS-PbS-Sb₂S₃ ternary system. The coordinates of the eutectic are found to be 33 mol % Pb₅Sb₄S₁₁ and 750 K. Regions of solid solutions based on Pb₅Sb₄S₁₁ (6 mol % Pb₂SnSb₂S₆) and Pb₂SnSb₂S₆ (4 mol % Pb₅Sb₄S₁₁) were determined.     

Ag2Se-Tl2Se-Bi2Se3 quasi-ternary system

The Ag₂Se-Tl₂Se-Bi₂Se₃ quasi-ternary system (system A) was studied using DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, microstructure examination, and microhardness measurements. TlBiSe₂-AgBiSe₂, AgTlSe-AgBiSe₂, AgTlSe-Bi₂Se₃, and Tl₂Se-AgBiSe₂ polytherms, isothermal sections at 500 and 800 K, and liquidus surface projection of system A were constructed. System A is congruently triangulated into the following subordinate triangles: Tl₂Se-AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆ (I), AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆-TlBiSe₂ (II), Ag₂Se-AgTlSe-TlBiSe₂ (III), Ag₂Se-AgBiSe₂-TlBiSe₂ (IV), and AgBiSe₂-TlBiSe₂-Bi₂Se₃ (V). Subsystems I, III, and V are ternary systems with three-phase eutectic equilibrium; system II has a three-phase eutectic, and system IV is characterized by several invariant and monovariant peritectic and eutectic equilibria. Primary crystallization and homogeneity fields were outlined, and the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria in system A were determined. A characteristic feature of the title system is an extensive field of solid solutions between high-temperature cubic AgBiSe₂ and TlBiSe₂ phases; this field lies as a continuous belt along the AgBiSe₂-TlBiSe₂ quasibinary section and covers about one-fourth of the surface area of the triangular diagram of system A.     

Phase equilibria and glass formation in the As2S3-TlAs2S2Se2 section of the As2S3-As2Se3-TlS system

Alloys in the As₂S₃-TlAs₂S₂Se₂ section of the As₂S₃-As₂Se₃-TlS ternary system were studied and a phase diagram was constructed using physicochemical methods (differential thermal analysis, microstructural analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, also microhardness and density measurements). The diagram in the As₂S₃-TlAs₂S₂Se₂ section is a non-quasi-binary diagonal section of the As₂S₃-As₂Se₃-TlSe quasi-ternary system. It was found that all the alloys in the section under ordinary conditions are obtained in the vitreous state. At low As₂S₃ concentrations in the section, solid solutions form up to 2.5 mol %, and at low TlAs₂S₂Se₂ concentrations, their extent is 3 mol %.     

Yb3Cu6Sn5, Yb5Cu11Sn8 and Yb3Cu8Sn4: crystal structure of three ordered compounds

Yb₃Cu₆Sn₅, Yb₅Cu₁₁Sn₈ and Yb₃Cu₈Sn₄ compounds were prepared in sealed Ta crucibles by induction melting and subsequent annealing. The crystal structures of Yb₃Cu₆Sn₅ and Yb₅Cu₁₁Sn₈ were determined from single crystal diffractometer data: Yb₃Cu₆Sn₅, isotypic with Dy₃Co₆Sn₅, orthorhombic, Immm, oI28, a=4.365(1) Å, b=9.834(3) Å, c=12.827(3) Å, Z=2, R=0.019, 490 independent reflections, 28 parameters; Yb₅Cu₁₁Sn₈ with its own structure, orthorhombic, Pmmn, oP48, a=4.4267(6) Å, b=22.657(8) Å, c=9.321(4) Å, Z=2, R=0.047, 1553 independent reflections, 78 parameters. Both compounds belong to the BaAl₄-derived defective structures, and are closely related to Ce₃Pd₆Sb₅ (oP28, Pmmn). The crystal structure of Yb₃Cu₈Sn₄, isotypic with Nd₃Co₈Sn₄, was refined from powder data by the Rietveld method: hexagonal, P6₃mc, hP30, a=9.080(1) Å, c=7.685(1) Å, Z=2, R_wp=0.040. It is an ordered substitution derivative of the BaLi₄ type (hP30, P6₃/mmc). All compounds show strong Cu-Sn bonds with a length reaching 2.553(3) Å in Yb₅Cu₁₁Sn₈.     

XRD and Si MAS-NMR spectroscopy across the β-Lu2Si2O7-β-Y2Si2O7 solid solution

Samples in the system Lu_2−xY_xSi₂O₇ (0?x?2) have been synthesized following the sol-gel method and calcined to 1300 °C, a temperature at which the β-polymorph is known to be the stable phase for the end-members Lu₂Si₂O₇ and Y₂Si₂O₇. The XRD patterns of all the compositions studied are compatible with the structure of the β-polymorph. Unit cell parameters are calculated as a function of composition from XRD patterns. They show a linear change with increasing Y content, which indicates a solid solubility of β-Y₂Si₂O₇ in β-Lu₂Si₂O₇ at 1300 °C. ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra of the different members of the system agree with the XRD results, showing a linear decrease of the ²⁹Si chemical shift with increasing Y content. Finally, a correlation reported in the literature to predict ²⁹Si chemical shifts in silicates is applied here to obtain the theoretical variation in ²⁹Si chemical shift values in the system Lu₂Si₂O₇-Y₂Si₂O₇ and the results compare favorably with the values obtained experimentally.