A single-crystal study of eight-layer barium niobium lithium oxide,Ba4Nb3LiO12

A single-crystal study of a sample of Ba₄Nb₃LiO₁₂ provided by Dr. T. Negas has been carried out and confirms the |(4)|(4)| layer stacking scheme (Zhdanov notation) for the eight BaO₃ layers per unit cell. Of the eight MO₆ octahedra per cell (M = Nb or Li), four share faces in pairs, and these pairs are linked by pairs of corner-sharing MO₆ octahedra. The compound has an hexagonal cell of dimensions a = 5.777 ± 0.006 Å and c = 18.95 ± 0.03 Å, probable space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}\text{, Z = 2}$. The theoretical density is 6.22 g/cm³; within the limit of error of the pycnometrically measured density, 6.08 ± 0.06 g/cm³. The study was carried out with 620 independent reflections, of which 437 were considered observed, collected by automated counter methods and refined by least-squares to a conventional R value of 0.076.     

Diffusion of oxide ions in LaFeO3 single crystal

The tracer diffusion coefficient, $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$, of oxide ions in LaFeO₃ single crystal was determined over the temperature range of 900–1100°C by the gas-solid isotopic exchange technique using ¹⁸O as a tracer. For the determination of $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$, the depth profile of ¹⁸O was measured by means of a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS). The surface exchange reaction was found to be slow and the surface exchange rate constant, k, was determined together with $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$. It was found that $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$ at 950°C is proportional to P^?0.58_O2, where P_O2 is an oxygen pressure. The vacancy mechanism was determined for the diffusion of oxide ions from the P_O2 dependence. The vacancy diffusion coefficient, D_V, for LaFeO₃ was nearly the same as that for LaCoO₃ at the same temperature. The activation energy for migration of oxide ion vacancies was 74 kJ · mole^?1 for both oxides.     

Tracer diffusion coefficient of oxide ions in LaCoO3 single crystal

The tracer diffusion coefficient, $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$, of oxide ions in LaCoO₃ single crystal was determined over the temperature range of 700–1000°C by a gas-solid isotopic exchange technique using ¹⁸O tracer. For the determination, two methods, the gas phase analysis and the depth profile measurement, were employed. Under an oxygen pressure of 34 Torr, the temperature dependence of $\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$ in LaCoO₃ was expressed by

$\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{cm}{}^2\text{·}\text{sec}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{) = 3.63 × 10}{}^4\text{exp}\text{?}\text{(74 ± 5)}\text{kcal}\text{·}\text{mole}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{RT}$

$\text{D1}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>O</mtext>}}$ at 950°C was found to be proportional to P^?0.35_O2. The diffusion of oxide ions occurs through a vacancy mechanism. The activation energy for the migration of oxide ion vacancies was estimated as 18 kcal · mole^?1.     

A structural model for barium platinum oxide,Ba3Pt2O7

A single crystal study of Ba₃Pt₂O₇ shows that the structure tolerates a variable composition which can be written Ba₃Pt_2+xO_7+2x. The crystal studied has a hexagonal cell of dimensions a = 10.108 ± 0.006 Å and c = 8.638 ± 0.009 Å, and a probable space group $\text{P}\text{6}\text{2c, Z = 4}$. The density determined by water displacement is 7.99 g/cm³; the theoretical density for Ba₃Pt₂O₇ is 7.94 g/cm³. The structure was determined from the set of 401 observed independent reflections obtained from 5189 reflections measured by automated counter methods. Refinement on F was carried to a conventional R of 8.0%. The structure has barium-oxygen layers with an essentially four-layer stacking sequence of the double hexagonal (ABAB) type. Platinum is found mainly in face-sharing octahedra, but is also distributed over some sites in which the coordination is nearly square planar and other sites in which the coordination is trigonal prismatic with three PtO bond lengths of 2.00 Å and three long PtO distances of 2.65 Å. The platinum with planar coordination is 0.08 Å from the plane of the four oxygen atoms.     

Polarised vibrational spectra of KH2PO3 single crystal

Polarised IR and Raman spectra for KH₂PO₃ single crystal samples were measured at room temperature. Additionally, the IR spectra for the Xb(Z) sample were also measured at low temperatures (300–14 K). The spectra are discussed on the basis of oriented gas model and group theory. The stretching νOH vibrations of the hydrogen bonds with the OO distances of 2.547 and 2.529 Å give characteristic broad ABC-type bands in the IR (polarised parallel to the X and to the b(Z) directions) and Raman (xx, xz and yx) spectra. The Davydov-type (correlation field or factor group) splitting is not observed for the νOH modes. The presence of two independent hydrogen bonds in the crystal is manifested by splitting of the C band into two (C′, C″) components and by the different frequencies of the out-of-plane bending γOH vibrations. The in-plane bending modes δOH are strongly mixed/coupled with the stretching vibrations of the PO₃ groups.

The C bands (C′ and C″) change into quite sharp bands on lowering of the temperature. Various simplified models for internal vibrations of the phosphite anions are applied for finding a correlation between the crystal structure and polarised vibrational spectra. The stretching vibrations of the νPH groups manifest their unequivalence in two symmetry-independent hydrogenphosphite anions.     

High-pressure syntheses of TaS3, NbS3, TaSe3, and NbSe3 with NbSe3-type crystal structure

Transition metal trichalcogenides TaSe₃, TaS₃, NbSe₃ and NbS₃ were prepared under the reaction conditions of 2 GPa, 700°C, 30 min. NbSe₃ is exactly the same as that obtained in the usual sealed-tube method. The other products are modifications of each usual phase. They have crystal structures very similar to that of NbSe₃. The lattice parameters are a = 10.02Å, b = 3.48 Å, c = 15.56 Å, β = 109.6° for TaSe₃, a = 9.52 Å, b = 3.35 Å, c = 14.92 Å, β = 110.0° for TaS₃, and a = 9.68 Å, b = 3.37 Å, c = 14.83 Å, β = 109.9° for NbS₃. In spite of the similarity in their crystal structures, these high-pressure phases show a variety of electrical transport properties. TaSe₃ is a superconductor having T_c at 1.9 K. TaS₃ is a semiconductor with two transitions at 200 and 250 K. NbS₃ is a semiconductor with E_a = 180 MeV.     

The crystal structure of La3Ru3O11: A new cubic KSbO3 derivative oxide with no metal-metal bonding

La₃Ru₃O₁₁ was prepared by the reaction of La₂O₃, RuO₂, and NaClO₃ in a KCl flux under vacuum at 950°C. The crystal structure of this new cubic KSbO₃ derivative oxide was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected on an automated diffractometer with MoKα radiation. Principal crystallographic data: Cubic, space group Pn3; a = 9.451(2), Å; V = 844.2ų; d_X = 7.049 g cm^?3. Final discrepancy indices R = 0.036, R_w = 0.042. La₃Ru₃O₁₁ is isomorphous with Bi₃Ru₃O₁₁, but is notably different in showing no direct bonding between ruthenium atoms; the closest RuRu contact in this new oxide is 2.994(1) Å.     

Absorption and circular dichroism spectra of a single crystal of K3Pr2(NO3)9

Low-temperature absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy have been used to study single crystals of cubic potassium praseodymium double nitrate (anhydrous), K₃Pr₂(NO₃)₉. A model calculation of the optical activity has been performed to correlate the observed rotational strengths for crystal-field component-to-component transitions.     

Synthesis, structures, and phase transitions of barium bismuth iridium oxide perovskites Ba2BiIrO6 and Ba3BiIr2O9

The Ba-Bi-Ir-O system is found to contain two distinct perovskite-type phases: a rock-salt ordered double perovskite Ba₂BiIrO₆; and a 6H-type hexagonal perovskite Ba₃BiIr₂O₉. Ba₂BiIrO₆ undergoes a series of symmetry-lowering phase transitions on cooling , all of which are second order except the rhombohedral→monoclinic one, which is first order. The monoclinic phase is only observed in a 2-phase rhombohedral+monoclinic regime. The transition and 2-phase region lie very close to 300 K, making the room-temperature X-ray diffraction patterns extremely complex and potentially explaining why Ba₂BiIrO₆ had not previously been identified and reported. A solid solution Ba₂Bi_1+xIr_1−xO₆, analogous to Ba₂Bi_1+xRu_1−xO₆, 0≤x≤2/3, was not observed. The 6H-type phase Ba₃BiIr₂O₉ undergoes a clean second-order phase transition P6₃/mmc→C2/c at 750 K, unlike 6H-type Ba₃LaIr₂O₉, the P6₃/mmc structure of which is highly strained below ∼750 K but fails to distort coherently to the monoclinic phase.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and magnetic studies of Na3Fe2Mo5O16, a new oxide containing Mo3O13 clusters

The complex oxide Na₃Fe₂Mo₅O₁₆ has been synthesized, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (space group (SG) P-3m1; a=5.7366(6) Å, c=22.038(3) Å; Z=2). The compound can be considered as a new structure type containing Mo₃O₁₃ cluster units, which can be derived from the Na₂In₂Mo₅O₁₆ structure model by doubling of the cell along the c-axis. Na₃Fe₂Mo₅O₁₆ crystallizes in centrosymmetric SG (P-3m1) and the positions of the sodium atoms are fully occupied in contrast to the proposed Na₂In₂Mo₅O₁₆ model SG (P3m1). Magnetic properties of Na₃Fe₂Mo₅O₁₆ were studied by superconducting quantum interference device measurements, revealing antiferromagnetic ordering below Tχ_max=10(1) K. Thermal stability in air was investigated by in situ high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Structural relationships to Na₂In₂Mo₅O₁₆ and NaFe(MoO₄)₂ are discussed.     

Synthesis and crystal chemistry of NH3(MoO3)3

NH₃(MoO₃)₃ crystallizes with hexagonal symmetry, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{m}$, lattice constants a = 10.568 Å, c = 3.726 Å, and Z = 2. The crystal structure has been determined by Patterson synthesis and refined assuming isotropic temperature factors to a final conventional R value of 0.085. The structure shows a three-dimensional arrangement built up of double chains of distorted MoO₆ octahedra, parallel to the [001] direction. The octahedral double chains are linked among each other through common oxygen atoms. In addition to the shared oxygen atoms, each molybdenum is coordinated to one terminal oxygen. MoO distances range from 1.645 to 2.378 Å and OMoO angles from 74.3 to 114.3°. These results are consistent with the fact that molybdenum in high-valence states shows octahedral coordination with terminal oxygens.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescence properties of new oxyborates, Mg5NbO3(BO3)3 and Mg5TaO3(BO3)3, with novel warwickite-type superstructures

Single crystals of new oxyborates, Mg₅NbO₃(BO₃)₃ and Mg₅TaO₃(BO₃)₃, were prepared at 1370 °C in air using B₂O₃ as a flux. They were colorless and transparent with block shapes. X-ray diffraction analysis of the single crystals revealed Mg₅NbO₃(BO₃)₃ and Mg₅TaO₃(BO₃)₃ to be isostructural. The X-ray diffraction reflections were indexed to the orthorhombic Pnma (No. 62) system with a=9.3682(3) Å, b=9.4344(2) Å, c=9.3379(3) Å and Z=4 for Mg₅NbO₃(BO₃)₃ and a=9.3702(3) Å, b=9.4415(3) Å, c=9.3301(2) Å and Z=4 for Mg₅TaO₃(BO₃)₃. The crystal structures of Mg₅NbO₃(BO₃)₃ and Mg₅TaO₃(BO₃)₃ are novel warwickite-type superstructures having ordered arrangements of Mg and Nb/Ta atoms. Polycrystals of Mg₅NbO₃(BO₃)₃ prepared by solid state reaction at 1200 °C in air showed broad blue-to-green emission with a peak wavelength of 470 nm under 270 nm ultraviolet excitation at room temperature.     

Vtbrational spectra of the triclinic K3[ReO2(CN)4] single crystal

Infrared spectra of K₃[ReO₂(CN)₄] have been recorded using polarized radiation and oriented single crystals. The dichroic behaviour of the bands is analyzed and discussed on the basis of molecular geometry and the oriented molecular model. Experimentally determined dichroic ratios are used to obtain a full set of vibrational frequencies. By combining these data with those obtained from Raman spectra, the fundamental internal and lattice vibrations are assigned.     

Toluene oxidation on LaCoO3, LaFeO3 and LaCrO3 perovskite catalysts. A comparative study

Vapor phase catalytic oxidation of toluene over perovskites viz., LaCoO₃, LaCrO₃ and LaFeO₃ has been studied. The maximum activity was observed at 450°C. The oxidation is first order. The order of catalytic reactivity is LaCoO₃>LaFeO₃>LaCrO₃. The activation energy (E_a) values for LaCoO₃, LaFeO₃ and LaCrO₃ are 13.4, 23.93 and 25.31 kJ/mol, respectively.     

A comparative study of species N3 and P3

Calculations on linear and bent structures of N₃ and P₃ show that these species are quite different. N₃ is linear, P₃ is bent almost to a D_3h geometry. The symmetry of P₃ in D_3h is ²E″ but the Jahn-Teller distortion is very small, ≈4°. The many-body expansion of the energy of P_n clusters appears to be only slowly convergent.     

Hypothetical AlF3 crystal structures

Applying a structure prediction computer programme (GRINSP=Geometrically Restrained INorganic Structure Prediction), the occurrence of 6-connected 3D networks was investigated, through AlF₆ octahedra exclusive corner sharing. The five known AlF₃ varieties were reproduced (α-, β-, η-, κ- and τ-AlF₃) and seven hypothetical models were predicted. Among these still to be synthesized AlF₃ phases, one can recognize two known structure types (TlCa₂Ta₅O₁₅, Ba₄CoTa₁₀O₃₀) and some easy to imagine intergrowths; however, a few others are completely unexpected, though simple. A comparison of the ab initio total energies of all the structures is provided, leading to the conclusion that the virtual models could well be viable.     

NMR study of the order-disorder phase transitions of KHCO3 and KDCO3 single crystals

KHCO₃ and its deuterated analogue KDCO₃ are typical materials that undergo order-disorder phase transitions at 318 and 353 K, respectively. The spin-lattice relaxation times, T₁, spin-spin relaxation times, T₂, and the number of resonance lines for the ¹H, ²D, and ³⁹K nuclei of these crystals were investigated using NMR spectrometer. These materials are known to exhibit anomalous decreases in T₁ near T_C, which have been attributed to a structural phase transition. Additionally, changes in the symmetry of the (HCO₃)₂²⁻ (or (DCO₃)₂²⁻) dimers in these materials are associated with large changes in T₁, T₂, and the number of resonance lines. Here we found that the resonance lines for ¹H, ²D, and ³⁹K nuclei decrease in number as the temperature is increased up to T_C, indicating that the orientations of the (HCO₃)₂²⁻ (or (DCO₃)₂²⁻) dimers and the environments of the K ions change at T_C. Moreover, based on number of resonance lines, the results further indicate that the (HCO₃)₂²⁻ (or (DCO₃)₂²⁻) dimers reorientate to approximately parallel to the directions of the hydrogen bonds (or deuteron bonds) and the direction of the a-axis. The transitions at 318 and 345 K of the two crystals are of the order-disorder type. The present results therefore indicate that the orientations of the (HCO₃)₂²⁻ and (DCO₃)₂²⁻ dimers and the environment of the K ion play a significant role in these phase transitions.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of three new metal selenites Na2Co2(SeO3)3, Na2Co1.67Ni0.33(SeO3)3, and Na2Ni2(SeO3)3

Three new sodium cobalt (nickel) selenite compounds, namely, Na₂Co₂(SeO₃)₃, Na₂Co_1.67Ni_0.33(SeO₃)₃, and Na₂Ni₂(SeO₃)₃ have been hydro-/solvothermally synthesized in the mixed solvents of acetonitrile and water. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that these isostructural compounds belong to the orthorhombic Cmcm space group and their structures feature three-dimensional open frameworks constructed by the two-dimensional layers of [MSeO₃] pillared by the [SeO₃]²⁻ groups. The two different types of Na⁺ ions reside in the intersecting two-dimensional channels parallel to the a- and c-axes, respectively. Their thermal properties have been investigated via TGA-DSC. The magnetic measurements indicate the existence of the antiferromagnetic interactions in these compounds.     

The crystal structure of Ca3Cu3(PO4)4

Single crystals of Ca₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ synthesized hydrothermally at 420°C and 55 kpsi (3.8 kbar) were found to occur in the space group $\text{P2}{}_1\text{a}$ (No. 14) with a = = 17.619(2), b = 4.8995(4), c = 8.917(1)Å, β = 124.08(1)°, and Z = 2. Full-matrix least-squares refinement of the structure using diffractometer data converged to a final anisotropic R = 0.037 (R_w = 0.046). The two calcium atoms are in six- and nine-coordination and the two copper-containing polyhedra (four- and five-coordinated) are similar to those previously found in Cu₃(PO₄)₂.     

Thermodynamic properties of the gaseous barium silicates BaSiO2 and BaSiO3

In the present study, the stability of gaseous barium silicates was confirmed by the high temperature mass spectrometry. On the basis of equilibrium constants measured for gas-phase reactions, the standard formation enthalpies were determined for gaseous barium silicates as (−510 ± 15) kJ · mol⁻¹ and (−884 ± 18) kJ · mol⁻¹ at 298 K; standard atomization enthalpies as (1637 ± 17) kJ · mol⁻¹ and (2318 ± 20) kJ · mol⁻¹ at 298 K for BaSiO₂ and BaSiO₃, respectively. Based on the results obtained the critical analysis of the literature data was carried out.