Warm white light from Y4MgSi3O13:Bi, Eu nanophosphor for white light-emitting diodes

Y₄MgSi₃O₁₃:Bi³⁺, Eu³⁺ nanophosphors have been prepared by a facile sol–gel method. The products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence measurements. The results show that the nanophosphors are of single phase hexagonal Y₄MgSi₃O₁₃ with size-distribution of 50–90 nm in diameter. White-light emission has been obtained from Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ co-doped Y₄MgSi₃O₁₃ nanophosphors upon excitation of 350 nm ultraviolet light. It is noted that Bi³⁺ ions can occupy two different Y³⁺ sites and generate different emissions from the ³p₁ → ¹s₀ transition. Warm white light has been obtained from Y₄MgSi₃O₁₃:Bi³⁺, Eu³⁺ nanophosphors according to Commission International de I’Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates and color temperature (T_c) with appropriately adjusted contents of Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺. The results indicate that Y₄MgSi₃O₁₃:0.08Bi³⁺, 0.04Eu³⁺ (x = 0.31, y = 0.31, T_c = 6907 K) are potential nanophosphors for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) applications.     

Synthesis and crystal structure analysis of Sr8Cu3In4N5 and Sr0.53Ba0.47CuN

Single crystals of new quaternary compounds Sr₈Cu₃In₄N₅ and Sr_0.53Ba_0.47CuN were prepared, respectively, from a Sr–Cu–In–Na melt under 7 MPa of N₂ and from a Sr–Ba–Cu–In–Na melt under 0.5 MPa of N₂ by slow cooling from 1023 to 823 K. The crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Sr₈Cu₃In₄N₅ has an orthorhombic structure (space group, Immm, Z=2, a=3.8161(5) Å, b=12.437(2) Å, c=18.902(2) Å), and is isostructural with Ba₈Cu₃In₄N₅. It contains nitridocuprates of isolated units ⁰[CuN₂] and one-dimensional linear chains _∝¹[CuN_2/2] and one-dimensional indium clusters _∝¹[In₂In_2/2]. Sr_0.53Ba_0.47CuN crystallizes in an orthorhombic cell, space group Pbcm, Z=4, a=5.4763(7) Å, b=9.2274(12) Å, c=9.0772(12) Å. The structure contains infinite zig-zag chains _∝¹[CuN_2/2] which kink at every second nitrogen atom.     

Icosahedral Li clusters in the structures of Li33.3Ba13.1Ca3 and Li18.9Na8.3Ba15.3

The intermetallic phases Li_33.3Ba_13.1Ca₃ and Li_18.9Na_8.3Ba_15.3 have been prepared and their crystal structures have been determined. According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, both compounds crystallize in new structure types with trigonal unit cells (Li_33.3Ba_13.1Ca₃: R3¯c, a=19.9127(4) Å, c=90.213(3) Å, Z=18, V=30,978(1) Å³ and Li_18.9Na_8.3Ba_15.3: P3¯, a=20.420(3) Å, c=92.914(19), Z=18, V=33,550(10) Å³). The first compound can be described as a complicated variant of the arsenic structure. The second has similar packing of the Ba atoms but differs from the Ca-containing phase in the packing of the light elements. Both compounds contain icosahedron-based polytetrahedral clusters, typical for Li-rich phases, e.g. Ba₁₉Li₄₄.     

New manganites NdM3Sr3Mn4O12 and NdM3Ba3Mn4O12 (M = Li, Na, K): Synthesis and X-ray diffraction characteristics

Manganites NdM₃Sr₃Mn₄O₁₂ and NdM₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂ (M = Li, Na, K) were synthesized by a ceramic method from the corresponding oxides and carbonates. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that all the compounds crystallized in the tetragonal crystal system with the following lattice parameters: NdLi₃Sr₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.88 ?, c = 9.52 ?, V ^o = 1126.9 ?³, Z = 4, ρ_X = 4.95 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.87 ± 0.05 g/cm³; NdNa₃Sr₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.73 ?, c = 10.66 ?, V ^o = 1227.3 ?³, Z = 4, ρ_X = 4.80 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.73 ± 0.07 g/cm³; NdK₃Sr₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.87 ?, c = 11.71 ?, V ^o = 1382.6 ?³, Z = 4, ρ_X = 4.50 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.43 ± 0.09 g/cm³; NdLi₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.97 ?, c = 10.34 ?, V ^o = 1244.3 ?³, Z = 4, ρ_X = 5.33 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.23 ± 0.09 g/cm³; NdNa₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.99 ?, c = 11.15 ?, V ^o = 1346.7 ?³, Z = 4; ρ_X = 5.11 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.05 ± 0.06 g/cm³; NdK₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂: a = 10.997 ?; c = 13.80 ?, V ^o = 1668.9 ?³, Z = 4, ρ_X = 4.32 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.26 ± 0.07 g/cm³. Original Russian Text ? B.K. Kasenov, E.S. Mustafin, M.A. Akubaeva, S.T. Edil’baeva, Sh.B. Kasenova, Zh.I. Sagintaeva, S.Zh. Davrenbekov, 2009, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 3, pp. 424–427.     

Conductivity studies of dense yttrium-doped BaZrO3 sintered at 1325 °C

High-temperature proton conductors have wide applications in the areas of fuel cells, electrolysis and hydrogen separation. Barium zirconate-based materials are of interest due to their good stability and high protonic conductivity. The reported conductivity of these ceramic materials is generally less than 10⁻² S/cm, even at high temperatures. This is not high enough for an electrolyte-supported device to achieve an ASR of less than 0.2 Ω cm² therefore thin film electrolytes are required for successful application. As BaZrO₃-based materials have to be sintered at temperatures as high as 1700 °C, this makes it difficult to find a suitable supporting electrode which will not undergo significant chemical reaction with the BaZrO₃-based electrolyte during fabrication of the required electrode supported electrolyte. In this paper, proton-conducting BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_2.9 was successfully sintered at 1325 °C with a relative density of 96% via addition of 1 wt% ZnO. Fabrication of electrochemical cells using proton-conducting BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_2.9 as the electrolyte thus becomes possible. The formula of the 1 wt% ZnO added sample is Ba_0.97Zr_0.77Y_0.19Zn_0.04O_3−δ which exhibits a tetragonal structure with space group P4/mbm (127); a=5.9787(1) Å, c=4.2345(1) Å, V=151.36(1) Å³. It was found that a solid solution was formed for a limited range of Zn doping. Conductivity has been studied as a function of atmosphere (air, dry and wet 5% H₂/Ar) with the changes in bulk and grain boundary on changing atmosphere being monitored as a function of time. The total conductivity of Ba_0.97Zr_0.77Y_0.19Zn_0.04O_3–δ is 1.0×10⁻³ S/cm above 600 °C therefore it may be used as a proton-conducting thin film electrolyte for efficient electrochemical devices at such temperatures. The grain boundary resistance is insignificant at high temperature for the well-sintered sample.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of KEu[AsS4], K3Dy[AsS4]2 and Rb4Nd0.67[AsS4]2

Three rare earth compounds, KEu[AsS₄] (1), K₃Dy[AsS₄]₂ (2), and Rb₄Nd_0.67[AsS₄]₂ (3) have been synthesized employing the molten flux method. The reactions of A₂S₃ (A = K, Rb), Ln (Ln = Eu, Dy, Nd), As₂S₃, S were accomplished at 600 °C for 96 h in evacuated fused silica ampoules. Crystal data for these compounds are: 1, monoclinic, space group P2₁/m (no. 11), a = 6.7276(7) Å, b = 6.7190(5) Å, c = 8.6947(9) Å, β = 107.287(12)°, Z = 2; 2, monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 10.3381(7) Å, b = 18.7439(12) Å, c = 8.8185(6) Å, β = 117.060(7)°, Z = 4; 3, orthorhombic, space group Ibam (no. 72), a = 18.7333(15) Å, b = 9.1461(5) Å, c = 10.2060(6) Å, Z = 4. 1 is a two-dimensional structure with ²_∞[Eu(AsS₄)]⁻ layers separated by potassium cations. Within each layer, distorted bicapped trigonal [EuS₈] prisms are linked through distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Eu²⁺ cation is coordinated by two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by edge-sharing and bonded to further two [AsS₄]³⁻ units by corner-sharing. Compound 2 contains a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Dy(AsS₄)₂]³⁻ chains separated by potassium cations. Within each chain, distorted bicapped trigonal prisms of [DyS₈] are linked by slightly distorted [AsS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra. Each Dy³⁺ ion is surrounded by four [AsS₄]³⁻ moieties in an edge-sharing fashion. For compound 3 also a one-dimensional structure with ¹_∞[Nd₀.₆₇(AsS₄)₂]⁴⁻ chains is observed. But the Nd position is only partially occupied and overall every third Nd atom is missing along the chain. This cuts the infinite chains into short dimers containing two bridging [As₄]³⁻ units and four terminal [AsS₄]³⁻ groups. 1 is characterized with UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, IR, and Raman spectra.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Mixed Orthovanadate-Pyrovanadate Series: MBa2V3O11 or MBa2V2PO11 with M = Bi, In, or a Rare Earth

A new series of vanadates with the general formula M Ba₂V₃O₁₁, where M may be Bi, In, or a rare earth, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. The general formula may be rewritten as M Ba₂(VO₄)(V₂O₇) to emphasize that there is one orthovanadate group and one pyrovanadate group in each formula unit. Up to one-third of the vanadium may be replaced by phosphorous, leading to the general formula M Ba₂V₂PO₁₁. However, phosphorous shows no preference between the ortho and pyro groups. Both M Ba₂V₃O₁₁ and M Ba₂V₂PO₁₁ crystallize in the monoclinic system with the space group P2₁/_c and Z = 4. The cell parameters from single crystal X-ray data of BiBa₂V₃O₁₁ are a = 12.332(4) Å, b = 7.750(4) Å, c = 11.279(4) Å, β = 103.22(3)°, V = 1049(1) ų; and for BiBa₂PO₁₁ are a = 12.266(2) Å, b = 7.615(2) Å, c = 11.312(2) Å, β = 103.32(2)°, V = 1028.2(2) ų. The Bi atom coordinates to six oxygen atoms forming a distorted octahedron, and the edge sharing of BiO₆ octahedra results in a BiO₄ chain along the b axis. There are two types of Ba atoms with coordination numbers of 10 and 11. There are three types of tetrahedral (T) atoms in these structures. The nonequivalent T atoms of the pyro group give T-O-T angles of 167 and 171° in BiBa₂V₃O₁₁ and BiBa₂V₂PO₁₁, respectively. Isostructural M Ba₂V₃O₁₁ compounds were prepared in which M is In, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, or Lu.     

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.     

Karplus-type relationships between scalar coupling constants: 3JHH molecular versus 4hJHH supramolecular coupling constants

The ³J_HH coupling constants in six H–X–Y–H systems (ethane, methylamine, methanol, hydrazine, hydroxylamine and hydrogen peroxide) and ^4hJ_HH coupling constants in four H–...XH...Y–H, namely [H₃NHNH₃]⁺ (two arrangements), HOHNH₃ and HOHOH₂ have been calculated theoretically as a function of the torsion angle . For covalent situations, the corresponding Karplus equations have been fitted to calculated ³J_HH=acos2 +bcos +c. The a, b and c terms have been analyzed as a function of the electronegativities of X and Y. In the case of ammonium/ammonia complexes (proton shared and not), water/ammonia, and water dimer the values are low (maximum 0.5 Hz) but follow closely a Karplus relationship. Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at     

Metal-organic deposition of YBa2Cu3Ox and Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Ox films on various substrates starting from different fluorine-free metallorganic compounds

YBa₂Cu₃O_x (Y-123) and Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O_x (Bi-2212) films on various substrates have been prepared by Metal-Organic Deposition starting from different metallorganic fluorine-free compounds and using a very simple instrumentation. The processing conditions include a rapid pyrolysis step in air and an annealing step in oxygen for Y-123 and in air for Bi-2212. The films obtained have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the formation of a superconducting phase of Y-123 or Bi-2212 was confirmed measuring the critical temperature (T _c) with Ac-susceptibility and resistive measurements. Microstructure and final cationic ratios have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).     

X-ray powder diffraction features of manganites DyM 3I M 3II Mn4O12 (MI = Li, Na, K; MII = Mg, Ba)

Manganites DyM₃^IMg₃Mn₄O₁₂ and DyM₃^IBa₃Mn₄O₁₂ (M^I = Li, Na, K) were synthesized by the solid-state reaction of dysprosium and manganese(III) oxides and magnesium and corresponding alkali metal carbonates. The X-ray powder diffraction studies showed that the crystals are orthozhombic with the following unit cell parameters and densities: DyLi₃Mg₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.88 ?, b = 10.73 ?, c = 19.63 ?, V ⁰ = 1656.2 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 5.36 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.11 ± 0.05 g/cm³; DyNaMg₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.55 ?, b = 10.72 ?, c = 18.28 ?, V ⁰ = 2067.4 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 4.60 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.88 ± 0.09 g/cm³; DyK₃Mg₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.56 ?, b = 10.72 ?, c = 20.89 ?, V ⁰ = 2206.0 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 4.60 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 4.92 ± 0.06 g/cm³; DyLi₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.53 ?, b = 10.69 ?, c = 21.28 ?, V ⁰ = 2395.4 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 5.58 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.98 ± 0.12 g/cm³; DyNa₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.53 ?, b = 10.74 ?, c = 23.00 ?, V ⁰ = 2602.3 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 5.39 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.30 ± 0.07 g/cm³; DyK₃Ba₃Mn₄O₁₂—a = 10.52 ?, b = 10.75 ?, c = 25.69 ?, V ⁰ = 2905.2 ?³, Z = 8, ρ_calc = 5.04 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.00 ± 0.18 g/cm³.     

Composition and structure refinement of superconducting crystals Y1? x Tb x Ba2Cu3O6+δ ( x = 0.10; δ = 0.75)

Crystals of Y_0.90Tb_0.10Ba₂Cu₃O_6.75 have been prepared by spontaneous crystallization from slowly cooled non-stoichiometric melt of the system Y-Tb-Ba-Cu-O. Average size of platelet crystals having mirror surface is 2×2, the largest — 8×9 mm with thickness 0.1–0.2 mm. The crystals have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. Tetragonal symmetry of the crystals has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Magnetic susceptibility measurements have revealed that the crystals manifest transition to superconducting state without additional annealing (T _c = 60 K). Structures and compositions — Y/Tb ratio (σ = 0.01) and oxygen content (σ = 0.04) — have been refined for two single crystals. Possibility of rhombic distortion of the tetragonal symmetry is discussed. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 1101–1107, November–December, 2008. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2008 by L. P. Kozeeva, N. V. Podberezskaya, N. V. Kuratieva, M. Yu. Kamaneva, and A. G. Blinov     

New insight in the structure–luminescence relationships of Ca9Eu(PO4)7

The double phosphate Ca₉Eu(PO₄)₇, obtained by solid state reaction, was found to be isotypic with Ca₃(PO₄)₂, with space group R3c and unit cell parameters a=10.4546(1) Å, c=37.4050(3) Å, V=3540.67(9) Å³, Z=6. The structure parameters refined using the Rietveld method showed that europium shares positions M1, M2 and M3 with calcium, contradicting previously published Mössbauer results. Low temperature luminescence under selective excitation of Eu³⁺ in Ca₉Y_1−xEu_x(PO₄)₇ and in Ca₉Eu(PO₄)₇ samples was studied, confirming the Eu³⁺ distribution into these sites. At 10 K, ⁵D₀→⁷F₀ emission lines of Eu³⁺ were observed at 578.5, 579.5, 580.1 nm for the M3, M1 and M2 sites, respectively. High temperature X-ray powder diffraction evidenced a second-order phase transition around 573 °C.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of the compounds containing HF2 anions: Ca(HF2)2, Ba4F4(HF2)(PF6)3 and Pb2F2(HF2)(PF6)

Three new compounds Ca(HF₂)₂, Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) were obtained in the system metal(II) fluoride and anhydrous HF (aHF) acidified with excessive PF₅. The obtained polymeric solids are slightly soluble in aHF and they crystallize out of their aHF solutions. Ca(HF₂)₂ was prepared by simply dissolving CaF₂ in a neutral aHF. It represents the second known compound with homoleptic HF environment of the central atom besides Ba(H₃F₄)₂. The compounds Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ and Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) represent two additional examples of the formation of a polymeric zigzag ladder or ribbon composed of metal cation and fluoride anion (MF⁺)_n besides PbF(AsF₆), the first isolated compound with such zigzag ladder. The obtained new compounds were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction method and partly by Raman spectroscopy. Ba₄F₄(HF₂)(PF₆)₃ crystallizes in a triclinic space group P1¯ with a=4.5870(2) Å, b=8.8327(3) Å, c=11.2489(3) Å, α=67.758(9)°, β=84.722(12), γ=78.283(12)°, V=413.00(3) Å³ at 200 K, Z=1 and R=0.0588. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 200 K: space group P1¯, a=4.5722(19) Å, b=4.763(2) Å, c=8.818(4) Å, α=86.967(10)°, β=76.774(10)°, γ=83.230(12)°, V=185.55(14) ų, Z=1 and R=0.0937. Pb₂F₂(HF₂)(PF₆) at 293 K: space group P1¯, a=4.586(2) Å, b=4.781(3) Å, c=8.831(5) Å, α=87.106(13)°, β=76.830(13)°, γ=83.531(11)°, V=187.27(18) Å³, Z=1 and R=0.072. Ca(HF₂)₂ crystallizes in an orthorhombic Fddd space group with a=5.5709(6) Å, b=10.1111(9) Å, c=10.5945(10) Å, V=596.77(10) Å³ at 200 K, Z=8 and R=0.028.     

High performance protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O3−δ perovskite cathode

Protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) based on proton-conducting electrolytes have attracted much attention because of many advantages, such as low activation energy and high energy efficiency. BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3−δ (BZCY7) electrolyte based PCMFCs with stable Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Zn_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ (BSZF) perovskite cathode were investigated. Using thin membrane BZCY7 electrolyte (about 15 μm in thickness) synthesized by a modified Pechini method on NiO-BZCY7 anode support, PCMFCs were assembled and tested by selecting stable BSZF perovskite cathode. An open-circuit potential of 1.015 V, a maximum power density of 486 mW cm⁻², and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.08 Ω cm² was achieved at 700 °C. The results have indicated that BZCY7 proton-conducting electrolyte with BSZF cathode is a promising material system for the next generation solid oxide fuel cells.     

Layered perovskite-related ruthenium oxychlorides: crystal structure of two new compounds Ba5Ru2Cl2O9 and Ba6Ru3Cl2O12

Single crystals of the title compounds were prepared using a BaCl₂ flux and investigated by X-ray diffraction methods using MoKα radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector. The crystal structures of these two new compounds were solved and refined in the hexagonal symmetry with space group P6₃/mmc, a=5.851(1) Å, c=25.009(5) Å, ρ_cal=4.94 g cm⁻³, Z=2 to a final R₁=0.069 for 20 parameters with 312 reflections for Ba₅Ru₂Cl₂O₉ and space group , a=5.815(1) Å, c=14.915(3) Å, ρ_cal=5.28 g cm⁻³, Z=1 to a final R₁=0.039 for 24 parameters with 300 reflections for Ba₆Ru₃Cl₂O₁₂. The structure of Ba₅Ru₂Cl₂O₉ is formed by the periodic stacking along [001] of three hexagonal close-packed BaO₃ layers separated by a double layer of composition Ba₂Cl₂. The BaO₃ stacking creates binuclear face-sharing octahedra units Ru₂O₉ containing Ru(V). The structure of Ba₆Ru₃Cl₂O₁₂ is built up by the periodic stacking along [001] of four hexagonal close-packed BaO₃ layers separated by a double layer of composition Ba₂Cl₂. The ruthenium ions with a mean oxidation degree +4.67 occupy the octahedral interstices formed by the four layers hexagonal perovskite slab and then constitute isolated trinuclear Ru₃O₁₂ units. These two new oxychlorides belong to the family of compounds formulated as [Ba₂Cl₂][Ba_n+1Ru_nO_3n+3], where n represents the thickness of the octahedral string in hexagonal perovskite slabs.     

High-pressure synthesis and structures of novel chromium sulfides, Ba3CrS5 and Ba3Cr2S6 with one-dimensional chain structures

Two new ternary chromium sulfides, Ba₃CrS₅, and Ba₃Cr₂S₆ were synthesized by the reaction of sulfur, barium sulfide, and chromium metal under a high pressure of 5 GPa at 1200°C. Ba₃CrS₅ crystallized in the hexagonal space group P6₃cm (No. 185) with a=9.1208(3) Å, c=6.1930(3) Å, V=446.17(3) Å³, and Z=6. It had a column structure with one-dimensional chains of [CrS₃]_∞ composed of face-sharing CrS₆ octahedra surrounded with Ba²⁺ ions. Additional S columns surrounded with Ba ions were running along with the CrS₆ columns. Ba₃Cr₂S₆ crystallized in the trigonal space group R-3c (No. 167) with a=11.8179(7) Å, c=12.796(1) Å, V=1547.7(2) Å³, and Z=6. The structure of Ba₃Cr₂S₆ also contains [CrS₃]_∞ chains but the chains are composed of octahedral and trigonal prismatic CrS₆ units, which are alternately stacked in a face-sharing manner. The formal charges of Cr ions in Ba₃CrS₅ and Ba₃Cr₂S₆ are 4+ and 3+, respectively.     

New complex oxides of the A3n+3mA′nB3m+nO9m+6n family: Ba6A′Mn4O15 (A′=Mg, Ni)

Complex oxides Ba₆AMn₄O₁₅, where A=Mg (I) and Ni (II), belonging to the homologous series A_3n+3mA′_nB_3m+nO_9m+6n (n=1, m=1) were obtained by solid state reaction method from Ba carbonate and oxides MgO, NiO, MnO₂. Both new oxides are incommensurate. Their crystal structures were interpreted as composite ones with two subcells: a=10.042(3) Å, c₁=4.318(2) Å, c₂=2.565(1) Å, c₁/c₂=1.6834 for (I) and a=10.044(3) Å, c₁=4.308(2) Å, c₂=2.551(1) Å, c₁/c₂=1.6887 for (II). Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the range 2–850 K revealed antiferromagnetic correlations in Ba₆MgMn₄O₁₅ (T_N=7 K) and a pseudo-square-planar environment of some Ni²⁺ cations in Ba₆NiMn₄O₁₅.     

Preparation and Structure of Cerium Titanates Ce2TiO5, Ce2TiO7, and Ce4Ti9O24

Compounds Ce₂TiO₅, Ce₂Ti₂O₇, and Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ were prepared by heating appropriate mixtures of solids containing Ce⁴⁺ and Ti³⁺ or Ti which were placed in a platinum-silica-ampoule combination at T = 1250°C (3d) under vacuum. The new compounds were characterized by powder patterns. We obtained Ce₂TiO₅ which is isotypic to La₂TiO₅ and crystallizes in the Y₂TiO₅-type (space group Pnma) with a = 10.877(6) Å, b = 3.893(1) Å, c = 11.389(8) Å, Z = 4. Ce₂Ti₂O₇ is isotypic to La₂Ti₂O₇ and crystallizes in the monoclinic Ca₂Nb₂O₇ type (space group P 2₁) with a = 7.776(6) Å, b = 5.515(4) Å, c = 12.999(6) Å, β = 98.36(5), Z = 4. The compound Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ crystallizes orthorhombic with a = 14.082(4) Å, b = 35.419(8) Å, c = 14.516(4) Å, Z = 16. The new cerium titanate Ce₄Ti₉O₂₄ is isotypic to Nd₄Ti₉O₂₄ (space group Fddd (No. 70)) which represents a novel type of structure.     

Diffraction and DAFS Studies of a Ba4(BaxPt1−x)Pt2O9Twinned Crystal, a Member of the Bap(BaxPt1−x)Ptp−2O3p−3Series

Crystallographic studies of the Ba–Pt–O system have been undertaken using X-ray and electron diffraction techniques. The system is described by means of a Ba_p(Ba_xPt²⁺_1−x)Pt⁴⁺_p−2O_3p−3formula which corresponds to a BaO₃hexagonal based framework with Pt chains, whereprepresents the oxygen deficiency and the presence of both Pt⁴⁺and Pt²⁺cations in the compounds, andxa possible substitution of Pt²⁺by Ba²⁺in trigonal prismatic sites. The structure of a Ba₄(Ba_0.04Pt²⁺_0.96)Pt⁴⁺₂O₉crystal has been solved by using 5548 X-ray difraction reflections collected on a twinned crystal. Refinements were performed with two distinct models: an “average”P321 space group and an “orthorhombic”C2 space group with cell parametersa=17.460(4) Å,b=10.085(2) Å,c=8.614(3) Å. In this structure, two Pt⁴⁺and one Pt²⁺cations are distributed over four Ba planes and form chains along thecaxis, consisting of two face-sharing Pt⁴⁺O₆octahedra connected with one Pt²⁺O₆trigonal prism. A lattice misfit occurs between the rigid barium lattice and the PtO₃chains, giving rise to a composite structure. Twinning and domain configurations are described and taken into account in the refinement. This twinning is related to the presence of Pt²⁺cations, whose positions break the threefold axis symmetry. A diffraction anomalous fine structure (DAFS) study was also performed on this twinned single crystal. Anomalous scattering factorsf′ andf″ for platinum in this crystal were refined near the L_IIIPt absorption edge. They confirm the weak barium occupancy of the trigonal prismataic site and the Pt⁴⁺valence of the octahedral sites. Reflection overlaps, due to twinning, flatten the DAFS sensitivity to Pt atoms in the prismatic sites and did not allow their clear valence determination, but Pt–O bond lengths agree with the presence of Pt²⁺cations at the center of prismatic faces. Electron diffraction patterns of powders having slightly different composition show a continuous evolution of incommensurate Bragg peaks and a weak correlation between the PtO₃chains. They also confirm the composite nature and the one-dimensionality of the Ba_p(Ba_xPt²⁺_1−x)Pt⁴⁺_p−2O_3p−3series, which can produce highly anisotropic physical properties.