The crystal structures of the ion conductors (NH+4)Zr2(PO4)3and (H3O+)Zr2(PO4)3

The crystal structures of (NH⁺₄)Zr₂(PO₄)₃ and (H₃O⁺)Zr₂(PO₄)₃ have been determined from neutron time-of-flight powder diffraction data obtained at 15 K. Both compounds are rhombohedral, $\text{R}\text{3}\text{c}$, with cell parameters a=8.7088(1) and c=24.2197(4) Å for the ammonium compound and a=8.7528(2), c=23.6833(11) Å for the hydronium compound. In both cases the ions are completely localized in the type I cavities and hydrogen bonded to lattice oxygens. The measured unit cell parameters are relatively large for this class of compounds but the entrance ways into the cavities are still too small to allow for unrestricted movement of the ions. Thus the low conductivity of the hydronium ion is related to this and other structural features.     

Structure and electrical conductivity of a novel inorganic solid electrolyte: Na14.5[Al(PO4)2F2]2.5[Ti(PO4)2F2]0.5 (NATP)

A novel inorganic solid electrolyte with a layered framework structure stable up to 1043 K, Na_14.5[Al(PO₄)₂F₂]_2.5[Ti(PO₄)₂F₂]_0.5 (NATP), has been hydrothermally prepared and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, IR spectroscopic measurement, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA and DTA). NATP crystallizes in the acentric hexagonal space group P3 with a=10.448(2), b=10.448(2), , Z=1, containing a large number of Na⁺ cations in the interlamellar space and the cavities of its framework. There are six different crystallographic Na⁺ cationic sites, in which 8% Na(5) and 12% Na(6) sites are vacant. Electrical conductivity measurements show that Na⁺ cations exhibit a high mobility with two domains for the electrical conductivity versus temperature.     

Dielectric dispersion in the incommensurate phases of [N(CH3)4]2CoCl4 and [N(CH3)4]2ZnCl4

The complex dielectric permittivity ?(ω) of [N(CH₃)₄]₂CoCl₄ and [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnCl₄ along the a-axis was measured between 0.35 MHz and 100 MHz. It has been found that for both substances the relaxation frequencies are about 5 MHz at T_c. The dielectric relaxation of both substances could be described by a polydispersive process β = 0.74 in the vicinity of T_c. However, for the temperature region of (T?T_c) > 0.6 for [N(CH₃)₄]₂CoCl₄ the dielectric absorption seems to be rather monodispersive.     

Structural, vibrational and dielectric properties of new potassium hydrogen sulfate arsenate: K4(SO4)(HSO4)2(H3AsO4)

A new compound, K₄(SO₄)(HSO₄)₂(H₃AsO₄) was synthesized from water solution of KHSO₄/K₃H(SO₄)₂/H₃AsO₄. This compound crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group P1¯ and cell parameters: a=8.9076(2) Å, b=10.1258(2) Å, c=10.6785(3) Å; α=72.5250(14)°, β=66.3990(13)°, γ=65.5159(13)°, V=792.74(3) Å³, Z=2 and ρ_cal=2.466 g cm⁻³. The refinement of 3760 observed reflections (I>2σ(I)) leads to R₁=0.0394 and wR₂=0.0755. The structure is characterized by SO₄²⁻, HSO₄⁻ and H₃AsO₄ tetrahedra connected by hydrogen bridge to form two types of dimer (H(16)S(3)O₄⁻?S(1)O₄²⁻ and H(12)S(2)O₄⁻?H₃AsO₄). These dimers are interconnected along the [1¯ 1 0] direction by the hydrogen bonds O(3)-H(3)?O(6). They are also linked by the hydrogen bridge assured by the hydrogen atoms H(2), H(3) and H(4) of the H₃AsO₄ group to build the chain S(1)O₄?H₃AsO₄ which are parallel to the “a” direction. The potassium cations are coordinated by eight oxygen atoms with K-O distance ranging from 2.678(2) to 3.354(2) Å.Crystals of K₄(SO₄)(HSO₄)₂(H₃AsO₄) undergo one endothermic peak at 436 K. This transition detected by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is also analyzed by dielectric and conductivity measurements using the impedance spectroscopy techniques. The obtained results show that this transition is protonic by nature.     

Ferroelectricity and phase transition from incommensurate phase into commensurate one in (NH4)2ZnCl4

Phase transition has been found in (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄ at T = 266 ± 0.5 K by NQR method. There is a ferroelectric phase below T_c with a space group P2₁cn and with the trebling of the elementary lattice parameter along the axis c. Above the phase transition temperature in the crystal (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄ an incommensurate phase is realized.     

The electronic properties of [CH(FeCl4)0.061]x

The temperature dependence of d.c. conductivity, thermopower and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) results on [CH(FeCl₄)_0.061]_x are reported. The d.c. conductivity and thermopower measurements indicate metallic charge transport along the polyacetylene chain interrupted by the interfibril contact resistances and also ‘dragged’ primarily by the dopant ions. The initial measurements of EPR show Dysonian lineshape with very broad linewidth (ΔH ≈ 600 G at room temperature). The temperature dependence of EPR absorption intensity implies that there exist localized magnetic moments. The observed g value (g ≈ 2.03) suggests the dopant anion is in a form of (FeCl₄)^-.     

H nuclear magnetic resonance study of the ferroelastic and superionic phase transitions of (NH4)4LiH3(SO4)4 single crystals

We investigated the temperature dependences of the line shape, spin-lattice relaxation time, T₁, and spin-spin relaxation time, T₂, of the ¹H nuclei in (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystals. On the basis of the data obtained, we were able to distinguish the “ammonium” and “hydrogen-bond” protons in the crystals. For both the ammonium and hydrogen-bond protons in (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄, the curves of T₁ and T₂ versus temperature changed significantly near the ferroelastic and superionic phase transitions at T_C (=232 K) and T_S (=405 K), respectively. In particular, near T_S, the ¹H signal due to the hydrogen-bond protons abruptly narrowed and the T₂ value for these protons abruptly increased, indicating that these protons play an important role in this superionic phase transition. The marked increase in the T₂ of the hydrogen-bond protons above T_S indicates that the breaking of O-H?O bonds and the formation of new H-bonds with HSO₄^- contribute significantly to the high-temperature conductivity of (NH₄)₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ crystals.     

Two-dimensional critical behaviour in antiferrodistortive Al ur6(CIO4)3 and Ga ur6(ClO4)3

Critical behaviour with dimensionality d = 2 has been observed for the 300 K antiferrodistortive phase transition in Al ur₆(ClO₄)₃ and Ga ur₆(ClO₄)₃ by means of the temperature dependence of the ESR parameter D. The systems exhibited d = 2 behaviour in the static critical behaviour for T<T_c?40 K for T>T_c + 40 K. From the ESR data including line width measurements the local order parameter relaxation rate ω₁ has been obtained for various temperatures above T_c, with a lowest value of ω₁ = 150 MHz at T_c + 15 K     

Pressure-induced ferroelectricity in {N(CH3)4}2FeCl4

The hydrostatic pressure effect on the stability of phases I, II, III and IV in {N(CH₃)₄}₂FeCl₄ was studied by dielectric and DTA measurements in the temperature and pressure region of -40-30°C and 0–2 kbar. The pressure-induced new phase V found at applied pressures between 0.3 and 1.0 kbar was confirmed to be ferroelectric by the observation of D-E hysteresis loop. These results are compared with those of {N(CH₃)₄}₂XCl₄ (X: Co, Zn and Mn) in this paper.     

High-pressure Raman spectroscopic studies on orthophosphates Ba3(PO4)2 and Sr3(PO4)2

By using diamond anvil cell (DAC), high-pressure Raman spectroscopic studies of orthophosphates Ba₃(PO₄)₂ and Sr₃(PO₄)₂ were carried out up to 30.7 and 30.1 GPa, respectively. No pressure-induced phase transition was found in the studies. A methanol:ethanol:water (16:3:1) mixture was used as pressure medium in DAC, which is expected to exhibit nearly hydrostatic behavior up to about 14.4 GPa at room temperature. The behaviors of the phosphate modes in Ba₃(PO₄)₂ and Sr₃(PO₄)₂ below 14.4 GPa were quantitatively analyzed. The Raman shift of all modes increased linearly and continuously with pressure in Ba₃(PO₄)₂ and Sr₃(PO₄)₂. The pressure coefficients of the phosphate modes in Ba₃(PO₄)₂ range from 2.8179 to 3.4186 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₃, 2.9609 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₁, from 0.9855 to 1.8085 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₄, and 1.4330 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₂, and the pressure coefficients of the phosphate modes in Sr₃(PO₄)₂ range from 3.4247 to 4.3765 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₃, 3.7808 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₁, from 1.1005 to 1.9244 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₄, and 1.5647 cm⁻¹ GPa⁻¹ for ν₂.     

The NMR study of the mixed compound (CH3NH3)2Cu(Cl0.1Br0.9)4

The mixed compound (CH₃NH₃)₂Cu(Cl_0.1Br_0.9)₄ which has random bonds of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions has been investigated by the pulsed NMR of ¹H, ^63,65Cu and ^79,81Br. The temperature dependence of the line width of ¹H showed the existence of the magnetic phase transition at 15 K in the applied field of 4 kOe. The moments of Cu²⁺ have been shown to lie within the c-plane and have some randomness from the field dependence of the NMR spectrum and the spin-echo decay time of the copper and the bromine nuclei.     

Electron spin resonance investigation of the structural phase transitions in Alurea6(ClO4)3 and Ga urea6(ClO4)3

Second order structural phase transitions in Alur₆(ClO₄)₃ and Gaur₆(ClO₄)₃ with T_c ～ 300 K are studied by means of ESR on single crystals doped with the analogous Cr(III) compound. The transitions are antiferrodistortive and of the displacive type, the displacements resulting from the condensation of a X₂ mode $\text{(k = (0}\text{1}\text{2}\text{1}\text{2}\text{))}$ of the ClO₄ ions. The ESR parameters have the same temperature dependence as the order parameters and can be described by D and E～φ～. The space group describing the structure changes from S₆² to S₂¹, and the number of domains is multiplied by three. Above 300 K the crystals already consist of two domains, resulting from a ferrodistortive phase transition D_3d⁶ → S₆². The actual transition temperature of the latter phase transition lies at some temperature above the decomposition temperature of the crystals.     

Dielectric dispersion in the microwave range of the incommensurate phase (NH4)2BeF4

The complex dielectric constant of (NH₄)₂BeF₄ single crystals was measured in the frequency range from 0.6 to 300 MHz in the vicinity of the transition temperature T_c. It was found that, the relaxation frequency is about 1 × 10⁸Hz atT_c. Dielectric relaxation can be described by a polydispersive process.     

Structure, microstructure and ionic conductivity of the solid solution LiTi2−xSnx(PO4)3

The Nasicon compounds with the composition LiTi_2−xSn_x(PO₄)₃ (x=0-1.8) were synthesised by the solid state reaction. Their structures were determined from X-ray powder diffraction using Rietveld analysis. All the compositions present the space group R-3c. The refinements show that the Ti and Sn cations are statistically distributed over the same position while the Li ones are exclusively located on the M1 site. The lattice constants a and c exhibit linear variation over the whole composition range. The bond lengths are in accordance with those of other Nasicon structures. The SEM micrographs of the samples show relative porous microstructures. The ionic conductivity is about 10⁻⁴-10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹; for the activation energy, a typical value of 0.32 eV is obtained for x=0.6 composition whereas significant deviation from linearity in the temperature dependence of the dc conductivity, is observed for the Sn-rich ones. This tendency is discussed along with the structural features.     

Electrical and thermal studies in the commensurate incommensurate phase region of (NH4)2ZnCl4 single crystal

DC electrical conductivity for a virgin and poled annealed (NH₄)₂ZnCl₄b-axis single crystal shows a defect controlled property. A Schottky mechanism is a probable mechanism of conduction in regions of strong structural transitions. The rise of conductivity in the incommensurate and paraelectric phases is linked to an increase in discommensurations density. The activation energies (ΔE) in the three phases region were calculated. DTA measurements shows that the crystal is stable up to 200 °C and the phase transition temperatures were observed at 42, 94.8 and 137 °C. The effective activation energy (E_e) was obtained using Kissinger and Mahadevan equations. It was found to be equal to 0.49 eV. This correlates with the value obtained through DC conductivity.     

AC electrical properties of the mixed crystal (NH4)3H(SO4)1.42(SeO4)0.58

The frequency dependence of the AC conductivity of (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)_1.42(SeO₄)_0.58 (NHSSe) has been presented in the temperature range (299-393 K). The conductivity data has been analysed in terms of two theoretical models: hopping over a potential barrier model and quantum-tunnelling model. Values of the exponent s, decrease from 1.08 to 0.91 with increasing temperature and the experimental data revel that the hopping model is the rate determining mechanism.     

Crystal structure of and evidence of a lattice distortion in (Me2ø2P)(TCNQ)2

(Dimethyldiphenylphosphonium)⁺(7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethanide)^?₂ is monoclinic, space group C_c, with a = 32.01(2), b = 6.56(1), $\text{c = 15.72(2)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 107.4(8)°. The TCNQ's stack plane-to-plane in columns parallel to b with (i) a mean interplanar spacing of 3.28 Å along the conducting chains and (ii) an exocyclic bond to quinonoid ring overlap of adjacent molecules. The conductivity along b, the needle axis, varies as $\text{σ = σ}{}_0\text{exp}\text{(}\text{?E}{}_{\mathrm{a}}\text{kT}\text{)}$ where σ_{300 K} = 0.05 S cm^?1 and E_a = 0.20 eV (Diethyldiphenylphosphonium)⁺(7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethanide)^?₂ is similarly monoclinic, space group C_c, with a = 31.48(2), b = 6.51(1), $\text{c = 15.48(2)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 104.2(8)°. The conductivity at 300 K and activation energy, both determined along b, are 1–10 S cm^?1 and 0.05 eV respectively. There is evidence of a lattice distortion in the dimethyl analogue only.     

Crystal structure and thermal behavior of two new organic monosulfates NH3(CH2)5NH3SO4 1.5H2O and NH3(CH2)9NH3SO4 H2O

The chemical preparation, the calorimetric studies and the crystal structure are given for two new organic sulfates NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃SO₄ 1.5H₂O (DAP-S) and NH₃(CH₂)₉NH₃SO₄·H₂O (DAN-S). DAP-S is monoclinic P2₁/n with unit cell dimensions: a=11.9330(2) Å; b=10.9290(2) Å; c=17.5260(2) Å; β=101.873(1)°; V=2236.77(6) Å³; and Z=8. Its atomic arrangement is described as inorganic layers of units and water molecules separated by organic chains. DAN-S is monoclinic P2₁/c with unit cell parameters: a=5.768(2) Å; b=25.890(10) Å; c=11.177(5) Å; β=115.70(4)°; V=1504.0(11) Å³ and Z=4. Its structure exhibits infinite chains, parallel to the [100] direction where the organic cations are interconnected. In both structures a network of strong and weak hydrogen bonds connects the different components in the building of the crystal.