Synthesis, structure characterization and optical properties of a new tripotassium cadmium pentaborate, K3CdB5O10

A new ternary borate oxide, K₃CdB₅O₁₀, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 580 °C. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.6707 (7) Å, b=19.1765 (17) Å, c=7.8784 (6) Å, β=115.6083 (49)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional infinite [CdB₅O₁₀] layer, which forms by connecting isolated double ring [B₅O₁₀] groups and CdO₄ tetrahedra. K atoms filling in the interlayer and intralayer link the layers together and balance charge. The IR spectrum has been studied and confirmed the presence of both BO₃ and BO₄ groups, and the UV-vis-IR diffuse reflectance spectrum exhibits a band gap of about 3.4 eV. The DSC analysis proves that K₃CdB₅O₁₀ is a congruent melting compound.     

The non-centrosymmetric borate oxides, MBi2B2O7 (M=Ca, Sr)

Two novel noncentrosymmetric borates oxides, MBi₂B₂O₇ or MBi₂O(BO₃)₂ (MCa, Sr), have been synthesized by solid-state reactions in air at temperatures in the 600-700 °C range. Their crystal structures have been determined ab initio and refined using powder neutron diffraction data. CaBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pna2₁ space group with a=8.9371(5) Å, b=5.4771(3) Å, c=12.5912(7) Å, Z=4, R_wp=0.118, χ²=2.30. SrBi₂B₂O₇ crystallizes in the hexagonal P6₃ space group with a=9.1404(4) Å, c=13.0808(6) Å, Z=6, R_wp=0.115, χ²=4.15. Large displacement parameters suggest the presence of disorder in SrBi₂B₂O₇ as also revealed by diffuse 2×a superstructure reflections in electron diffraction patterns. Both structures are built of identical (001) neutral layers of corner-sharing BO₃ triangles and MO₆ trigonal prisms forming six-membered rings in which Bi₂O groups are located. Adjacent layers are stacked in a staggered configuration and connected through weak Bi-O bonds. A moderate efficiency for second harmonic generation (SHG) has been measured for a powder sample of CaBi₂B₂O₇ (d_eff=2d_eff(KDP)).     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of a novel sodium lead pentaborate, NaPbB5O9

A novel sodium lead pentaborate, NaPbB₅O₉, has been successfully synthesized by standard solid-state reaction. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis showed that NaPbB₅O₉ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=6.5324(10) Å, b=13.0234(2) Å, c=8.5838(10) Å, β=104.971(10)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure is composed of double ring [B₅O₉]³⁻ units, [PbO₇] and [NaO₇] polyhedra. [B₅O₉]³⁻ groups connect with each other forming two-dimensional infinite _∞[B₅O₉]³⁻ layers, while [PbO₇] and [NaO₇] polyhedra are located between the layers. [PbO₇] polyhedra linked together via corner-sharing O atom forming novel infinite _∞[PbO₆] chains along the c axis. The thermal behavior, IR spectrum and the optical diffuse reflectance spectrum of NaPbB₅O₉ were reported.     

Multianvil high-pressure/high-temperature preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new oxoborates Dy4B6O14(OH)2 and Ho4B6O14(OH)2

This paper reports about two new hydrogen-containing rare-earth oxoborates RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho) synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from the corresponding rare-earth oxides, boron oxide, and water using a Walker-type multianvil equipment at 8 GPa and 880 °C. The single crystal structure determination of Dy₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ showed: Pbcn, a=1292.7(2), b=437.1(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0190, and wR2=0.0349 (all data). The isotypic holmium species revealed: Pbcn, a=1292.8(2), b=436.2(2), , Z=2, R1=0.0206, and wR2=0.0406 (all data). The compounds exhibit a new type of structure, which is built up from layers of condensed BO₄-tetrahedra. Between the layers, the rare-earth cations are coordinated by 7+2 oxygen atoms. Furthermore, we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements, DTA/TG, and IR-spectroscopic investigations into RE₄B₆O₁₄(OH)₂ (RE=Dy, Ho).     

The crystal structure determinations and refinements of K2S2O7, KNaS2O7 and Na2S2O7 from X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction data

The crystal structures of K₂S₂O₇, KNaS₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ have been solved and/or refined from X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction data and conventional single-crystal data. K₂S₂O₇: From powder diffraction data, monoclinic C2/c, Z=4, a=12.3653(2), b=7.3122(1), , β=93.0792(7)°, R_Bragg=0.096. KNaS₂O₇: From powder diffraction data; triclinic , Z=2, a=5.90476(9), b=7.2008(1), , α=101.7074(9), β=90.6960(7), γ=94.2403(9)°, R_Bragg=0.075. Na₂S₂O₇: From single-crystal data; triclinic , Z=2, a=6.7702(9), b=6.7975(10), , α=116.779(2), β=96.089(3), γ=84.000(3)°, R_F=0.033. The disulphate anions are essentially eclipsed. All three structures can be described as dichromate-like, where the alkali cations coordinate oxygens of the isolated disulphate groups in three-dimensional networks. The K-O and Na-O coordinations were determined from electron density topology and coordination geometry. The three structures have a cation-disulphate chain in common. In K₂S₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ the neighbouring chains are antiparallel, while in KNaS₂O₇ the chains are parallel. The differences between the K₂S₂O₇ and Na₂S₂O₇ structures, with double-, respectively single-sided chain connections and straight, respectively, corrugated structural layers can be understood in terms of the differences in size and coordinating ability of the cations.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of new vanadate PbCo2V2O8

A new vanadate PbCo₂V₂O₈ was obtained through the study of PbO-CoO-V₂O₅ ternary system. The crystal structure was determined by Rietveld method, indicating that PbCo₂V₂O₈ has a tetragonal structure of space group I41cd with a spiral chain along the c-axis. Magnetic properties of the titled compound were investigated by means of susceptibility, magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. The results show that PbCo₂V₂O₈ is a quasi-one-dimensional canted antiferromagnet with Neel temperature of ∼4 K, being consistent with its crystal structure.     

High-pressure transitions in MgAl2O4 and a new high-pressure phase of Mg2Al2O5

Phase transitions in MgAl₂O₄ were examined at 21-27 GPa and 1400-2500 °C using a multianvil apparatus. A mixture of MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum that are high-pressure dissociation products of MgAl₂O₄ spinel combines into calcium-ferrite type MgAl₂O₄ at 26-27 GPa and 1400-2000 °C. At temperature above 2000 °C at pressure below 25.5 GPa, a mixture of Al₂O₃ corundum and a new phase with Mg₂Al₂O₅ composition is stable. The transition boundary between the two fields has a strongly negative pressure-temperature slope. Structure analysis and Rietveld refinement on the basis of the powder X-ray diffraction profile of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase indicated that the phase represented a new structure type with orthorhombic symmetry (Pbam), and the lattice parameters were determined as a=9.3710(6) Å, b=12.1952(6) Å, c=2.7916(2) Å, V=319.03(3) Å³, Z=4. The structure consists of edge-sharing and corner-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra, and contains chains of edge-sharing octahedra running along the c-axis. A part of Mg atoms are accommodated in six-coordinated trigonal prism sites in tunnels surrounded by the chains of edge-sharing (Mg, Al)O₆ octahedra. The structure is related with that of ludwigite (Mg, Fe²⁺)₂(Fe³⁺, Al)(BO₃)O₂. The molar volume of the Mg₂Al₂O₅ phase is smaller by 0.18% than sum of molar volumes of 2MgO and Al₂O₃ corundum. High-pressure dissociation to the mixture of corundum-type phase and the phase with ludwigite-related structure has been found only in MgAl₂O₄ among various A²⁺B³⁺₂O₄ compounds.     

High-pressure preparation, crystal structure, and properties of the new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy2B4O9

In this work we report about a new rare-earth oxoborate β-Dy₂B₄O₉ synthesized under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions from Dy₂O₃ and boron oxide B₂O₃ in a B₂O₃/Na₂O₂ flux with a walker-type multianvil apparatus at 8 GPa and 1000°C. Single crystal X-ray structure determination of β-Dy₂B₄O₉ revealed: , a=616.2(1) pm, b=642.8(1) pm, c=748.5(1) pm, α=102.54(1)°, β=97.08(1)°, γ=102.45(1)°, Z=2, R1=0.0151, wR₂=0.0475 (all data). The compound exhibits a new structure type which is built up from bands of linked BO₃- (Δ) and tetrahedral BO₄-groups (□). The Dy³⁺-cations are positioned in the voids between the bands. According to the conception of fundamental building blocks β-Dy₂B₄O₉ can be classified with the notation 2Δ6□:Δ3□=4□=3□Δ. Furthermore we report about temperature-resolved in situ powder diffraction measurements and IR-spectroscopic investigations on β-Dy₂B₄O₉.     

Electronic parameters of Sr2Nb2O7 and chemical bonding

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were carried out on a strontium pyroniobate (Sr₂Nb₂O₇) powder sample, which was synthesized using standard solid-state method. The binding energy (BE) differences between the O 1s and cation core levels, Δ(O-Nb)=BE(O 1s)-BE(Nb 3d_5/2) and Δ(O-Sr)=BE(O 1s)-BE(Sr 3d_5/2), were used to characterize the valence electron transfer on the formation of the Nb-O and Sr-O bonds. The chemical bonding effects were considered on the basis of our XPS results for Sr₂Nb₂O₇ and earlier published structural and XPS data for other Sr- or Nb-containing oxide compounds. The new data point for Sr₂Nb₂O₇ is consistent with the previously derived relationship for a set of Nb⁵⁺-niobates that Δ(O-Nb) increases with increasing mean Nb-O bond distance, L(Nb-O). A new empirical relationship between Δ(O-Sr) and L(Sr-O) was also obtained. Interestingly, the correlation between Δ(O-Sr) and L(Sr-O) was found to differ from that between Δ(O-Nb) and L(Nb-O). Possible cause for the difference is discussed.     

Magnetic properties of Mn2V2O7 single crystals

Magnetic properties of Mn₂V₂O₇ single crystals are investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. A structural phase transition of the α-β forms is clearly observed at the temperature range of 200-250 K and an antiferromagnetic ordering with magnetic anisotropy is observed below 20 K. A spin-flop transition is observed with magnetic field applied along the [110] axis of β-Mn₂V₂O₇, of which corresponds to the [001] axis of α-Mn₂V₂O₇, suggesting that the spins of Mn²⁺ ions locate within honeycomb layers which point likely in the [110] direction of β-Mn₂V₂O₇ or the [001] axis of α-Mn₂V₂O₇. However, a rather small jump of magnetization at spin-flop transition suggests a possible partition of crystal to some domains through β-to-α transition on cooling or much complex spin structure in honeycomb lattice with some frustration.     

硼砂水溶液的低温热容及热化学性质研究

利用精密绝热量热仪测定了0.03355mol·kg-1的硼砂水溶液在78～351K温区的热容,从实验热容测定结果得到了该水溶液的凝固点为272.905K。用最小二乘法将实验热容值对温度进行拟合,建立了该溶液的热容随温度变化的多项式方程。根据热力学函数关系式,用此多项式方程进行数值积分,获得了以298.15K为基准的该溶液在80～350K温区每隔5K的热力学函数值,并计算出摩尔熔化焓和熔化熵分别为4.536kJ·mol-1和16.22J·K-1·mol-1。根据溶液凝固点降低值,计算出了该溶液的活度为0.99763。     

Crystal-chemistry of mullite-type aluminoborates Al18B4O33 and Al5BO9: A stoichiometry puzzle

Orthorhombic Al₂O₃-rich aluminoborate is an important ceramic material for which two slightly different compositions have been assumed: Al₅BO₉ (5Al₂O₃:B₂O₃) and Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (9Al₂O₃:2B₂O₃). The formula Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ (=Al_4.91B_1.09O₉) was derived from results of chemical analyses when crystal structure data were not yet available. Subsequent structural investigations indicated Al₅BO₉ composition. Nevertheless, Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ was still accepted as the correct stoichiometry assuming that additional B replaces 9% Al.Powder samples of both compositions and ones with excess boron were prepared by solid state reactions between α-Al₂O₃ and B₂O₃/H₃BO₃ at temperatures above 1100 °C and single-crystals were grown from flux at 1100 and 1550 °C. Products were investigated by single-crystal and powder XRD, ¹¹B and ²⁷Al solid-state MAS-NMR, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as Laser-ablation ICP-MS. No indication of the predicted 9% B→Al substitution was found. LA ICP-MS indicated 12.36(27) wt% B₂O₃ corresponding to Al_4.97B_1.03O₉. Hence, the suggested Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ stoichiometry can be excluded for all synthesized samples. A very low amount of Al vacancies at a five-fold coordinated site are likely, charge balanced by an additional nearby three-fold coordinated B site. All evidences indicate that the title compound should be reported as Al_5−xB_1+xO₉ with x<0.038(6), which is close to Al₅BO₉.     

The effects of ZnGa2O4 formation on structural and optical properties of ZnO:Ga powders

Gallium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Ga 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at%) samples were prepared in powder form by modifying the Pechini method. The formation of zinc gallate (ZnGa₂O₄) with the spinel crystal structure was observed even in ZnO:Ga 1 at% by X-ray diffraction. The presence of ZnGa₂O₄ in ZnO:Ga samples was also evidenced by luminescence spectroscopy through its blue emission at 430 nm, assigned to charge transfer between Ga³⁺ at regular octahedral symmetry and its surrounding O²⁻ ions. The amount of ZnGa₂O₄ increases as the dopant concentration increases, as observed by the quantitative phase analysis by the Rietveld method.     

Crystal structure of BaMg2Si2O7 and Eu luminescence

Crystal structure of BaMg₂Si₂O₇ was determined and refined by a combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method (monoclinic, C2/c, no. 15, Z=8, a=7.24553(8) Å, b=12.71376(14) Å, c=13.74813(15) Å, β=90.2107(8)°, V=1266.44(2) Å³; R_p/R_wp=3.38%/4.77%). The structure contains a single crystallographic type of Ba atom coordinated to eight O atoms with C₁ (1) site symmetry. Under 325-nm excitation Ba_0.98Eu_0.02Mg₂Si₂O₇ exhibits an asymmetric emission band around 402 nm. The asymmetric shape of the emission band is likely associated with a small electron-phonon coupling in BaMg₂Si₂O₇. The integrated intensity of the emission band was observed to remain constant over the temperature range 4.2-300 K.     

Rietveld refinement and photoluminescent properties of a new blue-emitting material: Eu activated SrZnP2O7

A new efficient blue phosphor, Eu²⁺ activated SrZnP₂O₇, has been synthesized at 1000 °C under reduced atmosphere and the crystal structure and photoluminescence properties have been investigated. The crystal structure of SrZnP₂O₇ was obtained via Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. It was found that SrZnP₂O₇ crystallizes in space group of P2₁/n (no. 14), Z=4, and the unit cell dimensions are: a=5.30906(2) Å, b=8.21392(3) Å, c=12.73595(5) Å, β=90.1573(3)°, and V=555.390(3) Å³. Under ultraviolet excitation (200-400 nm), efficient Eu²⁺ emission peaked at 420 nm was observed, of which the luminescent efficiency at the optimal concentration of Eu²⁺ (4 mol%) was estimated to be 96% as that of BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu²⁺. Hence, the SrZnP₂O₇:Eu²⁺ exhibit great potential as a phosphor in different applications, such as ultraviolet light emitting diode and photo-therapy lamps.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a new aluminum oxycarbonitride, Al5(O, C, N)4

A new aluminum oxycarbonitride, Al₅(O_xC_yN_4−x−y) (x∼1.4 and y∼2.1), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The title compound was found to be hexagonal with space group P6₃/mmc, Z=2, and unit-cell dimensions a=0.328455(6) nm, c=2.15998(3) nm and V=0.201805(6) nm³. The atom ratios O:C:N were determined by EELS. The final structural model, which is isomorphous with that of (Al_4.4Si_0.6)(O_1.0C_3.0), showed the positional disordering of one of the three types of Al sites. The maximum-entropy method-based pattern fitting (MPF) method was used to confirm the validity of the split-atom model, in which conventional structure bias caused by assuming intensity partitioning was minimized. The reliability indices calculated from the MPF were R_wp=6.94% (S=1.22), R_p=5.34%, R_B=1.35% and R_F=0.76%. The crystal was an inversion twin. Each twin-related individual was isostructural with Al₅C₃N (space group P6₃mc, Z=2).     

新型红色荧光粉Sr3Al2O6的合成和发光性能研究

稀土金属离子激活的多铝酸盐发光材料，在可见光区具有较高的量子效率犤１～４犦，充分显示出这类荧光发光材料，在高效节能、环保、电光源与新一代可见光显示器领域的应用前景犤４～９犦。特别是SrAl２O４∶Eu２＋的持续发光现象的发现犤２，３犦，激起了对以稀土金属离子为激活剂，碱土铝酸盐为基质的长余辉无机发光材料体系的兴趣。研究表明其发光强度和余辉时间是传统硫化物发光材料的十倍以上，利用其长余辉储光－发光特性，有望开发新型发光油漆、涂料、发光陶瓷、发光塑料、薄膜、发光纸、发光纤维犤４犦。早在七十年代，荷兰菲利…     

Crystal growth, structure determination, and optical properties of new potassium-rare-earth silicates K3RESi2O7 (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)

Single crystals of K₃RESi₂O₇ (RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) were grown from a potassium fluoride flux. Two different structure types were found for this series. Silicates containing the larger rare earths, RE=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb crystallize in a structure K₃RESi₂O₇ that contains the rare-earth cation in both a slightly distorted octahedral and an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment, while in K₃LuSi₂O₇, containing the smallest of the rare earths, lutetium is found solely in an octahedral coordination environment. The structure of K₃LuSi₂O₇ crystallizes in space group P6₃/mmc with a=5.71160(10) Å and c=13.8883(6) Å. The structures containing the remaining rare earths crystallize in the space group P6₃/mcm with the lattice parameters of a=9.9359(2) Å, c=14.4295(4) Å, (K₃GdSi₂O₇); a=9.88730(10) Å, c=14.3856(3) Å, (K₃TbSi₂O₇); a=9.8673(2) Å, c=14.3572(4) Å, (K₃DySi₂O₇); a=9.8408(3) Å, c=14.3206(6) Å, (K₃HoSi₂O₇); a=9.82120(10) Å, c=14.2986(2) Å, (K₃ErSi₂O₇); a=9.80200(10) Å, c=14.2863(4) Å, (K₃TmSi₂O₇); a=9.78190(10) Å, c=14.2401(3) Å, (K₃YbSi₂O₇). The optical properties of the silicates were investigated and K₃TbSi₂O₇ was found to fluoresce in the visible.     

B2O3-Bi2O3-ZnO-Al2O3玻璃助烧剂对BaTiO3陶瓷烧结条件、晶体结构和介电性能的影响

通过调节B₂O₃‐Bi₂O₃‐ZnO‐Al₂O₃(BBZA)玻璃的添加量研究其对钛酸钡(BaTiO₃)陶瓷烧结条件、晶体结构和介电性能的影响。结果表明：添加适量的BBZA玻璃能够有效地将BaTiO₃陶瓷烧结温度由1350℃降至950℃,并使其致密化。同时,添加BBZA玻璃后,BaTiO₃的晶体结构随着烧结温度的升高而发生转变(立方相→四方相)。另外,BBZA玻璃的引入使BaTiO₃陶瓷的居里峰得到了有效的抑制和拓宽。陶瓷微观形貌显示,玻璃相均匀分布在BaTiO₃晶粒表面。优化的BaTiO₃陶瓷制备条件如下：BBZA添加量(质量分数)为2.0%,烧结温度为950℃。在该条件下制备的BaTiO₃陶瓷介电常数达到1364,介电损耗低至1.2%。