Evaluation of Bond Covalency and Bond Valence in Sr-Doped Perovskite-Type Compounds

Formulas for decomposing of complex crystals to a sum of binary crystals are described and applied to the study of bond covalency in La_1−xSr_xFeO₃ (0.0≤x≤0.9) and Ca_1−xSr_xMnO₃ (0.0≤x≤0.5). The bond valence is treated by bond-valence sums scheme. The results indicate that, for both compounds, with the increasing doping level, the bond covalency and bond valence show the same trend, namely, larger bond covalency corresponds to higher bond valence. For La_1−xSr_xFeO₃, with the increase of doping level, the bond covalency of La−O, Ca−O decreases in the orthorhombic (0.0≤x≤0.2) and rhombohedral (0.4≤x≤0.7) systems, then increases slightly for the cubic (0.8≤x≤0.9) system, but that of Fe−O increases for all crystal systems. A sharp decrease in bond covalency was observed where the crystal changes from orthorhombic to rhombohedral, while a smooth trend was seen for the rhombohedral-to-cubic transition. On the other hand, for orthorhombic Ca_1−xSr_xMnO₃, the bond covalency of Ca−O, Sr−O, and Mn−O (4-coordinate site) decreases with the increasing doping level, that of Mn−O (2-coordinate site) increases.     

A 1,2,4‐Triazole‐based Polynuclear Mixed‐valence MnIIMnIII Complex: Synthesis,Characterization, and Magnetic Property

A mixed‐valence Mn complex {[Mn^IIMn^III(HL)₂(4,4′‐bpy)(H₂O)₂] · (ClO₄)(DMF)₃(4,4′‐bpy)_0.5}_n ( 1 ) [H₂L = 3‐(2‐phenol)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole] was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis and magnetic susceptibility. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that complex 1 has a dinuclear core, in which adjacent central Mn^III atoms are linked by 4,4′‐bipyridine to form an infinite one‐dimensional (1D) molecular configuration. According to the Mn surrounding bond lengths and bond valence sum (BVS) calculations, we demonstrated that the Mn atom coordinated to the pyridine N atoms is in the +2 oxidation state, while another Mn atom coordinated to the phenolic oxygen atoms is in the +3 oxidation state. Magnetic susceptibility data of the complex 1 indicate that the ferromagnetic interaction dominates in this complex.     

Site Preference of Cations and Structural Variation in MgAl2–xGaxO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) Spinel Solid Solution

The crystal structures of MgAl_2–xGa_xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) spinel solid solutions (x = 0.00, 0.38, 0.76, 0.96, 1.52, 2.00) were refined using ²⁷Al MAS NMR measurements and single crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Site preferences of cations were investigated. The inversion parameter (i) of MgAl₂O₄ (i = 0.206) is slightly larger than given in previous studies. It is considered that the difference of inversion parameter is caused by not only the difference of heat treatment time but also some influence of melting with a flux. The distribution of Ga³⁺ is little affected by a change of the temperature from 1473 K to 973 K. The degree of order‐disorder of Mg²⁺ or Al³⁺ between the fourfold‐ and sixfold‐coordinated sites is almost constant against Ga³⁺ content (x) in the solid solution. A compositional variable of the Ga/(Mg + Ga) ratio in the sixfold‐coordinated site has a constant value through the whole compositional range: the ratio is not influenced by the occupancy of Al³⁺. The occupancy of Al³⁺ is independent of the occupancy of Ga³⁺, though it depends on the occupancy of Mg²⁺ according to thermal history. The local bond lengths were estimated from the refined data of solid solutions. The local bond length between specific cation and oxygen corresponds with that expected from the effective ionic radii except local Al–O bond length in the fourfold‐coordinated site and local Mg–O bond length in the sixfold‐coordinated site. The local Al–O bond length in the fourfold‐coordinated site (1.92 Å) is about 0.15 Å longer than the expected bond length. This difference is induced by a difference in site symmetry of the fourfold‐coordinated site. The nature that Al³⁺ in spinel structure occupies mainly the sixfold‐coordinated site arises from the character of Al³⁺ itself. The local Mg–O bond length in the sixfold‐coordinated site (2.03 Å) is about 0.07 Å shorter than the expected one. Difference Fourier synthesis for MgGa₂O₄ shows a residual electron density peak of about 0.17 e/ų in height on the center of (Ga_0.59 Mg_0.41)–O bond. This peak indicates the covalent bonding nature of Ga–O bond on the sixfold‐coordinated site in the spinel structure.     

Novel Derivatives of the CaIn2 Type of Structure: Yb1+xMg1—xGa4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.058) and YLiGa4

The compounds Yb_1+xMg_1—xGa₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.058) and YLiGa₄ were synthesized by direct reaction of the elements in sealed niobium crucibles. The atomic arrangement of Yb_1+xMg_1—xGa₄ (x = 0.058) represents a new structure type (space group P6¯m2, a = 4.3979(3)Å and c = 6.9671(7)Å) as evidenced by single crystal structure analysis and can be described as an ordered variant of CaIn₂. YLiGa₄ is isotypic to the ytterbium compound according to X‐ray Guinier powder data (a = 4.3168(1)Å and c = 6.8716(2)Å). Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of both compounds reveal intrinsic diamagnetic behaviour, i.e., ytterbium in the 4f¹⁴ configuration for Yb_1+xMg_1—xGa₄ (x = 0). From electrical resistivity data both compounds can be classified as metals. The compressibility of Yb_1+xMg_1—xGa₄ (x = 0.058) as measured in diamond anvil cells by angle‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction is compatible with a valence change of the ytterbium atoms at high‐pressures and indicates a slight anisotropy which is in accordance with the structural organisation of the gallium network. X‐ray absorption spectra of the Yb L_III edge of Yb_1+xMg_1—xGa₄ (x = 0.058) at pressures up to 25.0 GPa show a two‐peak structure which reveals the presence of Yb in the 4f¹⁴ and 4f¹³ states. The amount of ytterbium in the 4f¹³ state increases in two steps with progressing compression. The bonding analysis by means of the electron localization function reveals the Zintl‐like character of both compounds and confirms the 4f¹⁴ state for the majority of ytterbium atoms.     

La_(1-x)Nd_xCrO_3(0.0≤x≤1.0)的化学键参数计算

使用复杂晶体化学键理论计算了La1-xNdxCrO3 (x =0 .0 ,0 .2 ,0 .4,0 .6 ,0 .8,1.0 )的化学键参数 ,如键性、键极化率等。结果表明 ,La-O ,Nd -O和Cr-O键的共价性基本上不随Nd掺杂的变化而变化 ,这个结论与实验结果一致。键极化率和磁距则随着掺杂量的增加而增加。共价性的大小次序为La -O 相似文献   

The novel arsenate Na4Co7−xAl2/3x(AsO4)6 (x = 1.37): crystal structure,charge‐distribution and bond‐valence‐sum investigations

The title compound, tetrasodium cobalt aluminium hexaarsenate, Na₄Co_7−xAl_2/3x(AsO₄)₆ (x = 1.37), is isostructural with K₄Ni₇(AsO₄)₆; however, in its crystal structure, some of the Co²⁺ ions are substituted by Al³⁺ in a fully occupied octahedral site (site symmetry 2/m) and a partially occupied tetrahedral site (site symmetry 2). A third octahedral site is fully occupied by Co²⁺ ions only. One of the two independent tetrahedral As atoms and two of its attached O atoms reside on a mirror plane, as do two of the three independent Na⁺ cations, all of which are present at half‐occupancy. The proposed structural model based on a careful investigation of the crystal data is supported by charge‐distribution (CHARDI) analysis and bond‐valence‐sum (BVS) calculations. The correlation between the X‐ray refinement and the validation results is discussed.     

An arsenate with the α‐CrPO4 structure type,NaCa1–xNi3–2xAl2x(AsO4)3 (x = 0.23): crystal structure,charge‐distribution and bond‐valence‐sum analyses

Since the discovery of electrochemically active LiFePO₄, materials with tunnel and layered structures built up of transition metals and polyanions have become the subject of much research. A new quaternary arsenate, sodium calcium trinickel aluminium triarsenate, NaCa_1–x Ni_3–2x Al_2x (AsO₄)₃ (x = 0.23), was synthesized using the flux method in air at 1023 K and its crystal structure was determined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data. This material was also characterized by qualitative energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure belongs to the α‐CrPO₄ type with the space group Imma . The structure is described as a three‐dimensional framework built up of corner‐edge‐sharing NiO₆, (Ni,Al)O₆ and AsO₄ polyhedra, with channels running along the [100] and [010] directions, in which the sodium and calcium cations are located. The proposed structural model has been validated by bond‐valence‐sum (BVS) and charge‐distribution (CHARDI) tools. The sodium ionic conduction pathways in the anionic framework were investigated by means of the bond‐valence site energy (BVSE) model, which predicted that the studied material will probably be a very poor Na⁺ ion conductor (bond‐valence activation energy ∼7 eV).     

Fe and Cr K‐edges EXAFS Study of Double Perovskite (Sr2‐xCax)FeMoO6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) and Sr2CrMO6 (M = Mo,W) Systems

The local structure of the double perovskite (Sr_2‐xCa_x)FeMoO₆ (0 ≤ × ≤ 2.0) and Sr₂CrMO₆ (M = Mo, W) systems have been probed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy at the Fe and Cr K‐edges. We found Fe‐O (ave) distance apparently decreases from 1.999 Å (x = 0) to 1.991 Å (x = 1.0) in (Sr_2‐xCa_x)FeMoO₆ (tetragonal structure). When x is increased further from 1.5 to 2.0, the Fe‐O bond distance decreased from 2.034 Å to 2.012 Å (monoclinic structure). In addition, Cr‐O, Sr‐Cr, and Cr‐Mo bond distances in Sr₂CrWO₆ are all slightly larger than the bond distances of Sr₂CrMoO₆, which is due to the ionic radius of the W⁵⁺ (0.62 Å) which is larger than the ionic radius of Mo⁵⁺ (0.61 Å). The results are consistent with our XRD refinements data.     

New Phases in the Lithiumnitridovanadate System — The Solid Solution Li7‐2xMgx[VN4] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1

Solid solution phases Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] (0 < x ≤ 1) with varying Mg‐content are obtained as yellow microcrystalline powders from heat treatment of mixtures of VN, Li₃N and Mg₃N₂ or from mixtures of Li₇[VN₄] and Mg₃N₂ at 1370 K in N₂ atmosphere at ambient pressure. At substitution parameter values of x > 0.5 a subsequent distortion from the ideal cubic unit cell to an orthorhombic unit cell is observed. The crystal structure of Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] with x ≈ 1 was refined from neutron and X‐ray powder diffraction data (space group Pbca, No. 61, a = 963.03(3) pm, b = 958.44(3) pm, c = 951.93(2) pm, neutron pattern 14° — 156° 2θ, step non‐linear ≈ 0.0782° 2θ, No. of measured points 1816, R_p = 0.089, R_wp = 0.115, R_Bragg = 0.155, R_F = 0.114; X‐ray pattern 10° — 98° 2θ, step 0.005° 2θ, No. of measured points 17600, R_p = 0.028, R_wp = 0.045, R_Bragg = 0.113, R_F = 0.133, structure variables: 45). The crystal structure resembles a Li₂O type superstructure with the atomic arrangement of β‐Li₇[VN₄] and with two crystallographic Li‐sites each substituted by Mg with statistical occupation factors of 0.5. Chemical analyses prove the composition and XAS spectroscopy at the V K‐edge support the +5 oxidation state assignment for vanadium. XAS data also support the tetrahedral coordination of vanadium by N as indicated by the structure refinements.     

Chemical Bond Parameters in Sr_3MRhO_6(M=Rare earth)

over tile years, tile collcept of bolld covalellcy or ionicity has been proved to be a veryilllpol'tallt quantity in classifyillg and explaining many basic properties of molecules andsolids from the viewpoint of the electronic structure. Nevertheless, previous study in thisaspect was only on binary crystals, which limited the usefulness of the theory. Therecently proposed method I for the evaluation of chemical bond parameters includingbond covalency has made the study on crystals with multipl…     

High‐Pressure Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Europium‐Substituted Barium Clathrate Ba8−xEuxGe43□3 (x ≤ 0.6)

The new clathrate Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ (x = 0.6) was synthesized at a pressure of 1 GPa and temperatures of up to 1220 K by means of a multi‐anvil device (Walker module) and a hydraulic 1000 ton press. X‐ray powder diffraction data indicate that the crystal structure of Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ (x = 0.6, space group , a = 21.2588(3) Å) corresponds to that of Ba₈Ge₄₃□₃. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ reveal Curie‐paramagnetic behaviour and prove that the electronic state of europium corresponds to 4f⁷, i.e., Eu²⁺. Electrical resistivity shows a metal‐like temperature dependence and ρ(300) ≈ 2mΩ cm for x = 0.6. Heat capacity measurements reveal an upturn of c_p/T(T) below 7 K that is attributed to magnetic interaction of the europium ions.     

Preparation and electrical and magnetic properties of Sr2−xNaxCuO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solutions

Mixed-valence copper(II/III) oxide solid solutions Sr_2?xNa_xCuO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been prepared by solid-state reactions in oxygen atmosphere. All solid solutions exhibit the structure of Sr₂CuO₃ (S.G. Immm). Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power measurements show a semiconducting behavior in the whole composition range. The electronic structure of Sr₂CuO₃ is compared with that of La₂CuO₄ on the basis of an iono-covalent model. Interpretation of transport properties suggests the formation of small polarons. Magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements show that the antiferromagnetic ordering of Sr₂CuO₃ tends to vanish as x increases, however magnetic interactions are still strong for a concentration of Cu²⁺ ions corresponding to x = 0.8.     

Fused Perovskite Tunnel Structures in Ba5Fe6+xS4+xO8 (0.44≤x≤0.55) with x‐Dependent Two‐Stage Magnetizations

Ba₅Fe_6+xS_4+xO₈ was synthesized through a solid‐state reaction, and pure powders of nominal compositions x=0.44–0.55 were obtained after being rinsed with water. The crystal structures (P4/mmm, a=10.13, c=4.03 Å) and sample purities were investigated by powder synchrotron X‐ray diffraction and were found to be composed of a tunnel lattice (Ba₅Fe₆S₄O₈), built from fused perovskite units and the tunnel filling (Fe_xS_x). The variable composition, that is, the tunnel filling (x), causes partially occupied sites as well as crystallographic split positions. Ba₅Fe_6+xS_4+xO₈ (x=0.525) is semiconducting and all investigated compositions exhibit magnetic ground states that could be described as either semi‐spin‐glass‐like (x>0.5) or canted antiferromagnetic (x<0.5). The spin‐glass in x=0.525 exhibits magnetic relaxations that are affected by ageing.     

Mn−O Covalency Governs the Intrinsic Activity of Co‐Mn Spinel Oxides for Boosted Peroxymonosulfate Activation

Transition metal (TM)‐based bimetallic spinel oxides can efficiently activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) presumably attributed to enhanced electron transfer between TMs, but the existing model cannot fully explain the efficient TM redox cycling. Here, we discover a critical role of TM?O covalency in governing the intrinsic catalytic activity of Co_3?xMn_xO₄ spinel oxides. Experimental and theoretical analysis reveals that the Co sites significantly raises the Mn valence and enlarges Mn?O covalency in octahedral configuration, thereby lowering the charge transfer energy to favor Mn_Oh–PMS interaction. With appropriate Mn^IV/Mn^III ratio to balance PMS adsorption and Mn^IV reduction, the Co_1.1Mn_1.9O₄ exhibits remarkable catalytic activities for PMS activation and pollutant degradation, outperforming all the reported TM spinel oxides. The improved understandings on the origins of spinel oxides activity for PMS activation may inspire the development of more active and robust metal oxide catalysts.     

Structure–composition sensitivity in “Metallic” Zintl phases: A study of Eu(Ga1−xTtx)2 (Tt=Si, Ge, 0≤x≤1)

Two isoelectronic series, Eu(Ga_1−xTt_x)₂ (Tt=Si, Ge, 0≤x≤1), have been synthesized and characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, physical property measurements, and electronic structure calculations. In Eu(Ga_1−xSi_x)₂, crystal structures vary from the KHg₂-type to the AlB₂-type, and, finally, the ThSi₂-type structure as x increases. The hexagonal AlB₂-type structure is identified for compositions 0.18(2)≤x<0.70(2) with Ga and Si atoms statistically distributed in the polyanionic 6³ nets. As smaller Si atoms replace Ga atoms while the number of valence electrons increases, the lattice parameters, unit cell volumes, and Ga–Si distances in this phase region decrease significantly. Although aspects of X-ray diffraction results suggest puckering of the 6³ nets for the Si-richest example of the AlB₂-type Eu(Ga_1−xSi_x)₂, the complete experimental evidence remains inconclusive. On the other hand, in Eu(Ga_1−xGe_x)₂, six different structural types were observed as x varies. In addition to EuGa₂ (KHg₂-type; space group Imma) and EuGe₂ (own structure type, space group P3¯m1), the ternary phases studied show four different structures: the AlB₂-type for Ga-rich compositions; the YPtAs-type structure for EuGaGe; and two new structures, which are intergrowths of the YPtAs-type EuGaGe and EuGe₂, for Ge-rich compositions. These two Ge-rich phases include: (1) Eu(Ga_0.45(2)Ge_0.55(2))₂ containing two YPtAs-type motifs of EuGaGe plus one EuGe₂ motif; and (2) Eu(Ga_0.40(2)Ge_0.60(2))₂ containing one YPtAs-type motif alternating with a split site at and z=0.4798(2) with ca. 50% site occupancy by Ga and Ge along the c-axis. Magnetic susceptibilities of three Eu(Ga_1−xGe_x)₂ compounds display Curie–Weiss behavior above ca. 100 K, and show effective magnetic moments indicative of divalent Eu with a 4f⁷ electronic configuration, consistent with. X-ray absorption spectra (XAS). Density of states (DOS) and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analyses, based on first principles electronic structure calculations, rationalize the observed homogeneity ranges of the AlB₂-type phases in both systems and the structural variations as a function of Tt content.     

The valence bond calculations for conjugated hydrocarbons having 24–28 π‐electrons

A novel algorithm is introduced for coding all Slater determinants in the covalent space with conserved S_Z, the z component of total spin S for a classical valence bond (VB) model. It effectively minimizes the search time and the storing space in the central memory of the computer. In cooperation with symmetry reductions based on molecular point group and spin inversion, the VB calculations have been extended to benzenoid hydrocarbons of up to 28 π‐electrons that have 4×10⁷ configurations. The low‐lying states of benzenoids with 24, 26, and 28 π‐electrons have been obtained for 62 species. To rationalize the aromaticity of benzenoids in a VB scheme, the resonance energy per hexagon (REPH) is defined. A linear correlation between the REPH and the energy gap of the ground (singlet) state and the first excited (triplet) state for 89 benzenoids is established. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 856–869, 2000     

Structural Variations in the Solid‐Solution Series LnxCa2−xAl[Al1+xSi1−xO7] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and Ln = La,Eu, Er

Gehlenite, Ca₂Al[AlSiO₇], has melilite‐type structure with space group . It contains two topologically distinct positions coordinated tetrahedrally by oxygen. One is completely occupied by Al³⁺, whereas the other one contains Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺. Normally, the Al³⁺ molar fraction in the second tetrahedrally coordinated position does not exceed x_Al = 0.5, i.e. the so‐called Loewenstein‐rule is obeyed. In this contribution the structural variations in the melilite‐type compounds of the compositions La_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇], Eu_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] and Er_xCa_2?xAl[Al_1+xSi_1?xO₇] are discussed. All members of the solid solution except the end‐members violate Loewenstein's rule. Rietveld refinements against X‐ray powder diffraction patterns confirm that the compounds have space group , without changes in the Wyckoff‐positions of the ions compared to gehlenite.     

Density functional study of structural and electronic properties of AlnN (1 ≤ n ≤ 12) clusters

Low‐lying equilibrium geometric structures of Al_nN (n = 1–12) clusters obtained by an all‐electron linear combination of atomic orbital approach, within spin‐polarized density functional theory, are reported. The binding energy, dissociation energy, and stability of these clusters are studied within the local spin density approximation (LSDA) and the three‐parameter hybrid generalized gradient approximation (GGA) due to Becke–Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP). Ionization potentials, electron affinities, hardness, and static dipole polarizabilities are calculated for the ground‐state structures within the GGA. It is observed that symmetric structures with the nitrogen atom occupying the internal position are lowest‐energy geometries. Generalized gradient approximation extends bond lengths as compared with the LSDA lengths. The odd–even oscillations in the dissociation energy, the second differences in energy, the highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps, the ionization potential, the electron affinity, and the hardness are more pronounced within the GGA. The stability analysis based on the energies clearly shows the Al₇N cluster to be endowed with special stability. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006