Refinement of the crystal structure of rhombohedral KU<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> as a representative of orthophosphates with the NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> structure

The crystal structure of the high-temperature β modification of synthetic orthophosphate KU₂(PO₄)₃ was refined from powder X-ray diffraction data by the Rietveld method: sp. gr. \(R\bar 3c\), the unit-cell parameters a= 9.113(1) Å and c= 24.997(1) Å. The isotropic refinement converged to R _wp = 6.15, R _B = 2.14, R _F = 3.52, and S = 0.42. It was confirmed that β-KU₂(PO₄)₃ belongs to the structure type of sodium zirconium phosphate containing an actinide atom in a sixfold (octahedral) coordination formed by oxygen atoms, which is unusual for orthophosphates. The principal interatomic distances and bond angles in the structure are reported.     

Synthesis and structural study of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeZr(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> phosphate with langbeinite structure

A new orthophosphate of rubidium, iron, and zirconium, crystallizing in the langbeinite structure (cubic system, sp. gr. P2₁3, Z = 4), was synthesized and investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The structure of the Rb₂FeZr(PO₄)₃ phosphate was refined by the Rietveld method using the neutron powder diffraction data (DN-2 time-of-flight diffractometer; Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna). This structure is characterized by a mixed framework [FeZr(PO₄)₃] with Rb atoms located in large cavities. Fe³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ cations are distributed statistically over two independent crystallographic positions.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structure of Fe<Subscript>6.36</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.64</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>(OH))<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Abstract  

Single crystals of iron and manganese phosphate Fe_6.36Mn_0.64(PO₃(OH))₄(PO₄)₂ was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The compound crystallizes in the Fe₇(PO₄)₆ structure type and is isotypic with the solid solution \textM_{7 - \textx} \textM_\textx^￠ ( \textHPO₄ )₄ ( \textPO₄ )₂ {\text{M}}_{{7 - {\text{x}}}} {\text{M}}_{\text{x}}^{\prime} \left( {{\text{HPO}}_{4} } \right)_{4} \left( {{\text{PO}}_{4} } \right)_{2} where M is Fe, Co, Mg, Mn. The compound is triclinic, P-1, a = 6.571(5), b = 7.993(3), c = 9.547(2) Ǻ, α = 103.97(1)°, β = 109.29(2)°, γ = 101.57(3)°. The structure is based on a three-dimensional framework of distorted edge-sharing MO₆ and MO₅ polyhedra, forming infinite chains, which are interlinked by corner-sharing with PO₄ tetrahedra. The formula unit is centrosymmetric, with all atoms in general positions except for one Fe atom, which has site symmetry −1.     

Two types of structural domains in Pb<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The conditions of the formation of suborientation states in multidomain and single-domain Pb₃(PO₄)₂ crystals are analyzed. It is shown that suborientation states belong to sets of two structurally different types of domains differing in the angle sign and the orientation of the axis of rotation with respect to the coordinate system of the paraelastic phase. These structural differences are proposed to be described by the Gibbs vector. It is concluded that this macroscopic parameter corresponds to cooperative displacement of some groups of atoms with respect to other groups, with the crystal matrix being at rest. It is found that the modulus of the Gibbs vector is proportional to the spontaneous-strain components and depends linearly on the crystallographic parameter c in the ferroelastic phase.     

Synthesis and an X-ray diffraction study of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]

The synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of compound Rb₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃], which crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, are performed. The unit cell parameters are as follows: a = 7.9996(6) Å, b = 8.8259(8) Å, c = 11.3220(7) Å, β = 105.394(2)°, and V = 770.7(1) ų; space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, and R ₁ = 0.0271. [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₃]^2? layers belonging to the AK _0.5 ⁰² T ¹¹ crystal chemical group of uranyl complexes (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K ⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and T ¹¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? ) are uranium-containing structural units of the crystals. The layers are connected with outer-sphere rubidium cations by electrostatic interactions.     

Structure of Cs<Subscript>4</Subscript>(HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) single crystals

Single crystals of Cs₄(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄) are synthesized and studied for the first time. The new compound is found in the course of studies of the phase diagram of the CsHSO₄–CsH₂PO₄–H₂O triple system. Data on the atomic crystal structure of single-crystalline and powder specimens, as well as on structural phase transitions, are obtained.     

Investigation of zirconium phosphate Zr<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> during heating

Zirconium phosphate Zr₃(PO₄)₄ has been synthesized by the sol-gel technique and investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. It has been established that the symmetry of the unit cell, R \(\bar 3\) c, which is characteristic of the NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP) family, is lowered to P \(\bar 3\) c. The behavior of the zirconium phosphate during heating has been examined using high-temperature X-ray diffraction at temperatures ranging from 25 to 575°C. It has been revealed that the structure of the zirconium phosphate is hardly subjected to expansion due to heating in the temperature ranges 25–125°C (α _a < 1 × 10^?6 K^?1, α _c < 1 × 10^?6 K^?1, Δα < 1 × 10^?6 K^?1) and 325–575°C (α _a = ?1.4 × 10^?6 K^?1, α _c < 1 × 10^?6 K^?1, Δα < ?2.4 × 10^?6 K^?1). In the temperature range 125–325°C, the synthesized compound undergoes a second-order phase transition (upon heating), which is accompanied by the contraction of the structure along all crystallographic directions. Upon cooling in the range from 75 to 25°C, the phase transition is accompanied by the expansion of the structure.     

Crystal chemistry of KCuMn<Subscript>3</Subscript>(VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> in the context of detailed systematics of the alluaudite family

The crystal structure of new manganese potassium copper vanadate KCuMn₃(VO₄)₃, which was prepared by the hydrothermal synthesis in the K₂CO₃–CuO–MnCl₂–V₂O₅–H₂O system, was studied by X-ray diffraction (R = 0.0355): a = 12.396(1) Å, b = 12.944(1) Å, c = 6.9786(5) Å, β = 112.723(1)°, sp. gr. C2/c, Z = 4, ρ_calc = 3.938 g/cm³. A comparative analysis of the crystal-chemical features of the new representative of the alluaudite family and related structures of minerals and synthetic phosphates, arsenates, and vanadates of the general formula A(1)A(1)′A(1)″A(2)A(2)′M(1)M(2)₂(TO₄)₃ (where A are sites in the channels of the framework composed of MО₆ octahedra and TО₄ tetrahedra) was performed. A classification of these structures into subgroups according to the occupancy of A sites is suggested.     

Proton-Conducting Composites Based on the Cs<Subscript>4</Subscript>(HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) Compound

Proton-conducting composites xCs₄(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄) + (1–x)AlPO₄ in the composition range x = 0.9–0.5 have been obtained. Their transport properties are studied by impedance spectroscopy. The dependences of the phase composition of the materials on the component ratio are investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The spatial phase distribution in the materials is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.     

Synthesis and structure of new thorium phosphate CaGdTh(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phosphate CaGdTh(PO₄)₃ was prepared by thermal treatment of a mixture of oxides. The final temperature was 1400°C. The phosphate was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure was studied by the Rietveld method. The compound crystallizes in the monazite structure type (sp. gr. P2₁/n). A comparative analysis of the structures of this phosphate and cerium orthophosphate CePO₄ was carried out.     

Vibrational modes of hydrogen in (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)H<Subscript>5</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (Neutron scattering and simulation)

The vibrational modes of hydrogen in (NH₄)H₅(PO₄)₂ have been investigated by inelastic incoherent neutron scattering at temperatures above (220 K) and below (160 and 5 K) the phase-transition point T _c = 180 K. Computer simulation of vibrational modes has been performed for the low-temperature phase (NH₄)H₅(PO₄)₂ at 5 K. The calculated generalized incoherent dynamic factor and the partial incoherent dynamic factors for all hydrogens make it possible to identify the observed modes from acid hydrogens and hydrogens of ammonium ions.     

Structure refinement of cadmium cerium(IV) phosphate Cd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Cadmium cerium orthophosphate Cd_0.5Ce₂(PO₄)₃ is synthesized by precipitation from aqueous solutions. The structure refinement from powder X-ray diffraction data is preceded by the sample preparation and structure solution. The refinement is carried out by the Rietveld method (ADP-2 diffractometer, Cu _Kα radiation, Ni filter, 15° < 2θ < 120°, 2θ-scan step 0.02°, counting time 10 s per step). All calculations are carried out using the WYRIET program (version 3.3) within the sp. gr. P2₁/n. The structure is refined with anisotropic displacement parameters for cations and isotropic displacement parameters for oxygen atoms.     

Exchange of sodium and silver ions in Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals

Sodium-and silver-ion exchange in single crystals of two polymorphous modifications of the Na₃Sc₂(PO₄)₃ compound has been studied. It is established that in the process of ion exchange, the samples undergo phase transitions similar to the well-known temperature transformations observed in these systems. It is shown that the phases with ferroelectric, ionic, and superionic properties may simultaneously coexist in one sample.     

Synthesis and structure of (Rb<Subscript>0.50</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>)[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]

A new compound (Rb_0.50Ba_0.25)[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃] is synthesized and its crystal structure is studied by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the form of yellow plates belonging to the cubic crystal system. The unit cell parameter a = 17.0367(1) Å, V = 4944.89(5) ų, space group I \(\bar 4\)3d, Z = 16, and R = 0.0182. The coordination polyhedron of the uranium atom is a hexagonal bipyramid with oxygen atoms of three acetate groups and the uranyl group in the vertices. The crystal chemical formula of the uranium-containing group is AB ₃ ⁰¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B ⁰¹ = CH₃COO^?). The oxygen atoms of the acetate groups that enter the coordination polyhedron of uranium are bound to barium and rubidium atoms.     

Crystal structure of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>, a new representative of the family of hydrated diphosphates

The crystal structure of Rb₂Mn₃(H₂O)₂[P₂O₇]₂, a new phase obtained in the form of single crystals under hydrothermal conditions in the MnCl₂–Rb₃PO₄–H₂O system, is determined by X-ray diffraction (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, R = 0.0270): a = 9.374(2), b = 8.367(2), c = 9.437(2) Å, ß = 99.12(2)°, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, D_x = 3.27 g/cm³. A correlation between the unit-cell parameters and the size of cations forming the crystal structures of isostructural A₂M₃(H₂O)₂[P₂O₇]₂ diphosphates (A = K, NH₄, Rb, or Na; _M = Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) is revealed. It is shown that, due to the topological similarity, the structures of diphosphates and orthophosphates of the farringtonite structural type can undergo mutual transformations.     

Crystal structure of new decaborate Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>[B<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>17</Subscript>(OH)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of a newly synthesized compound Na₂Ba₂[B₁₀O₁₇(OH)₂] has been determined (Syntex \(P\bar 1\) diffractometer, MoK_α radiation, 1784 crystallographically nonequivalent reflections, anisotropic approximation, R = 1.7%). The parameters of the monoclinic unit cell are a = 11.455(7), b = 6.675(4), c = 9.360(7) Å, β = 93.68(5)°, Z = 2, sp. gr. C2. The structure consists of double pseudohexagonal layers built by BO₄-tetrahedra and BO₃-triangles forming three-membered rings of two mutually orthogonal orientations. The neighboring layers along the [001] direction are bound by Na-polyhedra and hydrogen bonds with participation of OH groups. The interlayer tunnels along the [100] direction are filled with columns of Ba-polyhedra. The crystallochemical characteristics of a number of synthetic Ba-borates (to which the structure of new decaborate is related) are considered in terms of borate building blocks singled out in the structure.     

Synthesis and crystal chemical characteristics of the structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> phosphates

Double phosphates of zirconium and metals with an oxidation degree of +2 of the composition M_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ (M = Mg, Ca, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, and Ba) are synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction methods and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of all the compounds are based on three-dimensional frameworks of corner-sharing PO₄-tetrahedra and ZrO₆-octahedra. Phosphates with large Cd²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ cations octahedrally coordinated with oxygen atoms form rhombohedral structures (space group R3), whereas phosphates with small tetrahedrally coordinated Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn ²⁺, and Mn²⁺-cations are monoclinic (space group P2₁/n). The effect of various structure-forming factors on the M_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ compounds with a common structural motif but different symmetries are discussed.     

Crystal structure of (Al,V)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>, archetype of double cubic ring tetraphosphate

The crystal structure of the (Al,V)₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ solid solution, obtained in the single-crystal form by hydrothermal synthesis in the Al(OH)₃-VO₂-NaCl-H₃PO₄-H₂O system, has been solved by X-ray diffraction analysis (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, R = 0.0257): a = 13.7477(2) Å, sp. gr. I \(\bar 4\)3d, Z = 4, and ρ_calcd = 2.736 g/cm³. It is shown that the crystal structure of the parent cubic Al₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ modification can formally be considered an archetype for the formation of double isosymmetric tetraphosphates on its basis.     

X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of Rb<Subscript>4</Subscript>LiH<Subscript>3</Subscript>(XO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">(X</Emphasis> = S,Se) single crystals

Rb₄LiH₃(SeO₄)₄ single crystals (1) are studied by the X-ray diffraction method at 180 K and Rb₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystals (2a–2c) are studied by the neutron diffraction method at 298 K (2a and (2b) and 480 K (2c). It is established that isostructural single crystals 1 and 2 (sp. gr. P4₁) have analogous systems of hydrogen bonds: chains of four XO₄ tetrahedra linked by three H bonds with the central bond (2.49 Å) being somewhat shorter than the terminal ones (2.52–2.54 Å). In the high-temperature 2c phase, the amplitudes of atomic thermal vibrations and the degree of proton disorder in the central hydrogen bond have somewhat elevated values.