La4(Si5.2Ge2.8O18)(TeO3)4 and La2(Si6O13)(TeO3)2: Intergrowth of the lanthanum(III) tellurite layer with the XO4 (X=Si/Ge) tetrahedral layer

Two novel lanthanum(III) silicate tellurites, namely, La₄(Si_5.2Ge_2.8O₁₈)(TeO₃)₄ and La₂(Si₆O₁₃)(TeO₃)₂, have been synthesized by the solid state reactions and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of La₄(Si_5.2Ge_2.8O₁₈)(TeO₃)₄ features a three-dimensional (3D) network composed of the [(Ge_2.82Si_5.18)O₁₈]⁴⁻ tetrahedral layers and the [La₄(TeO₃)₄]⁴⁺ layers that alternate along the b-axis. The germanate-silicate layer consists of corner-sharing XO₄ (X=Si/Ge) tetrahedra, forming four- and six-member rings. The structure of La₂(Si₆O₁₃)(TeO₃)₂ is a 3D network composed of the [Si₆O₁₃]²⁻ double layers and the [La₂(TeO₃)₂]²⁺ layers that alternate along the a-axis. The [Si₆O₁₃]²⁻ double layer is built by corner-sharing silicate tetrahedra, forming four-, five- and eight-member rings. The TeO₃²⁻ anions in both compounds are only involved in the coordination with La³⁺ ions to form a lanthanum(III) tellurite layer. La₄(Si_5.2Ge_2.8O₁₈)(TeO₃)₄ is a wide band-gap semiconductor.     

On the distribution of tetrelide atoms (Si, Ge) in Gd5(SixGe1−x)4

A crystallographic study of the Si/Ge site preferences in the Si-rich regime of Gd₅(Si_xGe_1−x)₄ and a crystal chemical analysis of these site preferences for the entire range is presented. The room temperature crystal structure of Gd₅Si₄ as well as four pseudobinary phases, Gd₅(Si_xGe_1−x)₄ for x?0.6, is reported. All structures are orthorhombic (space group Pnma), Gd₅Si₄-type and show decreasing volume as the Si concentration increases. Refinements of the site occupancies for the three crystallographic sites for Si/Ge atoms in the asymmetric unit reveal a nonrandom, but still incompletely ordered arrangement of Si and Ge atoms. The distribution of Si and Ge atoms at each site impacts the fractions of possible homonuclear and heteronuclear Si-Si, Si-Ge and Ge-Ge dimers in the various structures. This distribution correlates with the observed room temperature crystal structures for the entire series of Gd₅(Si_xGe_1−x)₄.     

Die kristallstruktur des kaliumtetragermanats K2[Ge4O9]

Zusammenfassung Die Kristallstruktur des Kaliumtetragermanats, K₂[Ge₄O₉], wurde mit Hilfe dreidimensionaler Röntgendaten bestimmt. K₂[Ge₄O₉] kristallisiert trigonal mit der Raumgruppe P033034c1 (Nr. 165) und den Gitterparametern:a=11.84 undc=9.80 Å. Die vorgeschlagene strukturchemische Beziehung zum Wadeit, K₂Zr[Si₃O₉], wird durch die Existenz tetraedrischer [Ge₃O₉]-Ringe, die über [GeO₆]-Oktaeder zu einem dreidimensionalen Gerüst verknüpft sind, bestätigt. Es wurden folgende mittlere Ge–O-Abstände gefunden: 1.762 (Tetraeder) und 1.886 Å (Oktaeder).

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The crystal structure of potassium tetragermanate K₂[Ge₄O₉]

The crystal structure of potassium tetragermanate K₂[Ge₄O₉] has been determined by means of three-dimensional x-ray data. K₂[Ge₄O₉] crystallizes trigonal with space group P033034c1 (No. 165) and lattice parametersa=11.84 andc=9.80 Å. The proposed structural relationship to wadeite K₂Zr[Si₃O₉] is confirmed by the existence of [Ge₃O₉] rings built by tetrahedra, which are linked by [GeO₆] octahedra forming a three-dimensional network. The mean Ge–O distances are found to be: 1.762 (tetrahedra) and 1.886 Å (octahedra).

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Mit 2 Abbildungen

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Herrn Prof. Dr.H. Nowotny in Verehrung gewidmet.     

Sol–gel preparation and characterization of Bi4(Si1−xGex)3O12 solid solutions

Micro-crystals of Bi₄(Ge_xSi_1?x)₃O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) solid solution series were synthesized by a sol–gel method, using stoichiometric Si(OC₂H₅)₄, GeO₂, Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O as the starting materials. The as-prepared series were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, differential thermal analysis, and fluorescence spectra. Experiments showed that single phase of Bi₄(Si_1?xGe_x)₃O₁₂ was obtained by the sol–gel method. For all the composition, Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ and Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ can completely dissolve into each other. The refined cell parameters were in proportion to the composition. Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ showed the strongest fluorescence emission while Bi₄Si₃O₁₂ showed the weakest fluorescence emission.     

Cs2Bi2O(Ge2O7) (CBGO): A Larger SHG Effect Induced by Synergistic Polarizations of BiO5 Polyhedra and GeO4 Tetrahedra

A cesium bismuth germanate, Cs₂Bi₂O(Ge₂O₇) (CBGO), was synthesized by a traditional high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. Its structure features a 3D network composed of a 1D chains composed of Bi₂O₈ dimers that are further bridged by Ge₂O₇ dimers, forming tunnels of seven member rings (MRs) that are filled by the Cs⁺ cations. CBGO exhibits extraordinary larger second harmonic generation (SHG) response of about 13.7 times that of KDP (KH₂PO₄) under 1064 nm laser radiation and 1.1 times that of KTP (KTiOPO₄) under 2.05 μm laser radiation, which is the highest among all of the metal germanates reported so far. CBGO possesses a moderate birefringence (0.073 at 1064 nm) and is phase matchable. Furthermore, CBGO melts congruently and exhibits high thermal stability.     

In1.08Gd0.92Ge2O7: a new member of the thortveitite family

Indium gadolinium digermanium heptaoxide, In_1.08Gd_0.92Ge₂­O₇, with a thortveitite‐type structure, has been prepared as a polycrystalline powder material by a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. As in the mineral thortveitite, the crystal structure belongs to the monoclinic system, with space group C2/m (No. 12). The precise structural parameters were obtained by applying the Rietveld method of refinement to the X‐ray powder diffraction data. This layered structure presents, on one side, a honeycomb‐like arrangement of the unique octahedral site, which is occupied randomly by In and Gd atoms, and, on the other side, sheets of isolated Ge₂O₇ diortho‐groups made up of double tetrahedra sharing a common vertex and displaying C_2h point symmetry. This compound showed a remarkable photoluminescence effect when it was irradiated with the X‐ray beam during the X‐ray diffraction measurements, and with the α beam during the Rutherford back‐scattering spectrometry experiments employed to analyze the chemical stoichiometry.     

Structure ofA2Ge4O9-Type Sodium Tetragermanate (Na2Ge4O9) and Comparison with Other Alkali Germanate and Silicate Mixed Tetrahedral–Octahedral Framework Structures

Long-standing uncertainty on the structure type of Na₂Ge₄O₉has been resolved. Sodium tetragermanate has been grown by crystallization from a supercooled melt and its single-crystal X-ray structure has been determined (R=0.022). Sodium tetragermanate is trigonal witha=11.3234(12),c=9.6817(9) Å, space groupP c1,Z=6, andD_x=4.451 g cm⁻³. The structure is comprised of a mixed tetrahedral–octahedral framework with three-membered [Ge₃O₉] rings of GeO₄tetrahedra interconnected by isolated GeO₆octahedra via shared corners and isA₂Ge₄O₉-type. Bond distances and angles for GeO₄tetrahedra and GeO₆octahedra are very similar to the corresponding values in the type structure of K₂Ge₄O₉, the two structures differing mainly in the accommodation of the smaller (medium–large-sized) Na cation, which is now in a 5+2 coordination. The structure–composition relationships of wadeite-type,A₂Ge₄O₉-type, and Na₂Si₄O₉-type structures of germanates and silicates depend largely on theT–O distance and the size of the monovalent cation. We confirm that sodium tetragermanate is a metastable phase at all pressures up to 2 kbar, the stable assemblage for the Na₂Ge₄O₉composition being sodium enneagermanate (Na₄Ge₉O₂₀) plus a more sodic phase.     

Electrical conductivity of potassium titanyl phosphate KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> pure crystals and those doped with Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Rb<Superscript>+</Superscript>, and F<Superscript>–</Superscript> ions

KTiOPO₄ crystals, both pure and doped with rubidium Rb⁺ and fluorine F^– ions, were grown in temperature range from 1060 to 846°С from salt solvent containing potassium metaphosphate КРО₃ and potassium orthophosphate К3РО₄ by using a Czochralski modified method. Potassium–sodium titanyl phosphate crystals were obtained from KTiOPO₄ crystals by the potassium isomorphic replacement with sodium; to this purpose, sodium chemical diffusion from NaNO₃ melt was used. Their ionic conductivity was studied by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. The KTiOPO₄ crystal doping with rubidium and sodium ions was shown to lower the conductivity, whereas the doping with fluorine ions results in increased conductivity.     

In1.06Ho0.94Ge2O7: a thortveitite‐type compound

A new indium holmium digermanate, In_1.06Ho_0.94Ge₂O₇, with a thortveitite‐type structure, has been prepared as a polycrystalline powder material by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. This new compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group C2/c, No. 15). The structure was characterized by Rietveld refinement of powder laboratory X‐ray diffraction data. The In³⁺ and Ho³⁺ cations occupy the same octahedral site, forming a hexagonal arrangement on the ab plane. In their turn, the hexagonal arrangements of (In/Ho)O₆ octahedral layers are held together by sheets of isolated diortho groups comprised of double tetrahedra sharing a common vertex. In this compound, the Ge₂O₇ diortho groups lose the ideal D_3d point symmetry and also the C_2h point symmetry present in the thortveitite diortho groups. The Ge—O—Ge angle bridging the diortho groups is 160.2 (3)°, compared with 180.0° for Si—O—Si in thortveitite (Sc₂Si₂O₇). The characteristic mirror plane in the thortveitite space group (C2/m, No. 12) is not present in this new thortveitite‐type compound and the diortho groups lose the C_2h point symmetry, reducing to C₂.     

Trigonal sodium cal­cium germanate,Na2.54Ca1.73Ge3O9

Single crystals of a new germanate, Na_2.54Ca_1.73Ge₃O₉, have been synthesized. The structure has a six-membered ring of GeO₄ tetrahedra, which is similar to the rings of the silicate analogue Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉, and both structures contain pseudo-cubic subcells with an edge length of 3.8 Å. The details of the two compounds are slightly different, however. For example, two O atoms are statistically distributed about twofold axes in the title compound, while the silicate analogue has no such O-atom distributions. In addition, the title germanate has an extra partially populated metal site containing 54 (4)% Na, with no equivalent site in the silicate analogue.     

New silicate-germanate Cs2Pb2[(Si0.6Ge0.4)2O7] from the series A2Pb2[B2O7], A = K,Cs, B = Si,Ge with the umbrella-like [PbO3]4- group

New silicate-germanate Cs₂Pb₂[(Si_0.6Ge_0.4)₂O₇] was synthesized in multi-components hydrothermal solution with 20 w.% concentration of Cs₂CO₃ mineralizer, pH = 10. Novel mixed compound belongs to the structure type A₂Pb₂[B₂O₇] previously indicated for powders with A = K, B=Si or Ge. Singe crystal structure determination of Cs₂Pb₂[(Si_0.6Ge_0.4)₂O₇] revealed the need for the correction of the space group of the earlier suggested structural model from P-3 to P-3m1, as well as for the splitting of the Pb-atom position. Umbrella-like groups [PbO₃]^4- are located between [(Si,Ge)O₄]^4- tetrahedra in mica-like honeycomb layers and play the role of tetrahedra with the Pb-lone-pair as the forth apex. Crystal chemical comparison revealed similarities and differences with the classical structure type of α-celsian Ba[Al₂Si₂O₈] with the tetrahedral double layer. Recently investigated nonlinear optical acentric borates Pb₂(BO₃)(NO₃) and Pb₂(BO₃)Cl are both related to this structural type, possessing umbrella-like groups [PbO₃]^4- and honeycomb layers [Pb₂(BO₃)]⁺ with the BO₃-triangles on the tetrahedral positions.     

Powder neutron diffraction of Tl2BeF4 at six temperatures from room temperature to 1.5 K

The structure of thallium fluoro­beryllate, Tl₂BeF₄, has been analysed by the Rietveld method on neutron diffraction patterns collected at 1.5, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 K, with the aim of detecting low‐temperature instabilities. Atomic parameters based on the isomorphic β‐K₂SO₄ crystal in the paraelectric phase were used as the starting model at room temperature; no evidence for any phase transition has been detected at lower temperature. The structure was determined in the ortho­rhom­bic space group Pnma. All the atoms (except one F atom) occupy sites with m symmetry. We have compared the structure with those of other compounds of the β‐K₂SO₄ family, at room temperature, in order to gain insight into their observed instabilities. The irregular coordination of the cations may indicate stereochemical activity of the Tl^I lone pair but does not indicate a possible structural instability.     

ACu9X4 ‐ Neue Verbindungen mit der CeNi8, 5Si4, 5‐Struktur (A: Sr,Ba; X: Si,Ge)

ACu₉X₄ ‐ New Compounds with CeNi_{8, 5}Si_{4, 5} Structure (A: Sr, Ba; X: Si, Ge) The new compounds SrCu₉Si₄ (a = 8.146(1), c = 11.629(2)Å), BaCu₉Si₄ (a = 8.198(2), c = 11.735(2)Å), SrCu₉Ge₄ (a = 8.273(2), c = 11.909(5)Å), and BaCu₉Ge₄ (a = 8.338(4), c = 12.011(7)Å) are formed by reaction of the elements at 1000° ‐ 1100 °C. They are isotypic (I4/mcm, Z = 4) and crystallize in an ordered variant of the cubic NaZn₁₃ type structure, also built up by the binary phase BaCu₁₃. In the ternary compounds the positions of Cu2 are orderly occupied by copper and silicon and germanium, respectively. This results in a lowering of symmetry and a distortion of the polyhedra. The metallic conductivity of the compounds was confirmed by measurements on BaCu₉Si₄.     

Temperature effect on hydrothermal synthesis of wairakite and hsianghualite

The zeolite minerals wairakite (Ca₈(Al₁₆Si₃₂O₉₆)x16H₂O) and hsianghualite (Li₁₆Ca₂₄(Be₂₄Si₂₄O₉₆)xF₁₆) were synthesized in a temperature range between 150°C and 500°C by hydrothermal treatment of artificial glasses of the respective same composition at one kbar H₂O pressure. The crystal symmetry of wairakite varied systematically with temperature under the given experimental conditions starting from orthorhombic symmetry at low synthesis temperatures, tetragonal at medium, leading to cubic symmetry at highest zeolite formation temperatures. In contrast, the crystal symmetry of hsianghualite remained cubic in the whole temperature range of synthesis. The crystal sizes varied between 500 nm and 100 μm. The investigations showed the direct correlation between chemical composition of the starting materials and the formed zeolite phase under the given pressure-temperature conditions.     

CdZn2KB2O6F,a new fluoride borate crystal

During an attempt to grow crystals of the nonlinear optical material Cd₃Zn₃B₄O₁₂ using a KBF₄ flux, crystals of a new cadmium dizinc potassium borate fluoride compound, CdZn₂KB₂O₆F, were unexpectedly isolated. The structure consists of layers constructed of distorted corner‐sharing ZnO₃F tetrahedra and BO₃ triangles. Both Zn and B reside on threefold rotation axes, while the F⁻ anion is located at a site of 3.2 symmetry. The Cd^II (site symmetry ) and K⁺ (site symmetry 3.2) ions occupy six‐ and nine‐coordinate interlayer sites, respectively. The BO₃ triangles and ZnO₃ pyramids from the ZnO₃F tetrahedra share bridging O atoms with each other to form an extended [ZnBO₃] layer parallel to (001). Although these layers are similar to the [MBO₃] layers seen in other compounds, they are uniquely bridged here by the Cd centres and F⁻ anions to form a three‐dimensional framework. In so doing, a series of channels is formed along the [010] direction and the K⁺ cations are found in these channels.     

A comparison of the clinopyroxene compounds CaZnSi2O6 and CaZnGe2O6

Single crystals of CaZnSi₂O₆ (calcium zinc silicate) and CaZnGe₂O₆ (calcium zinc germanate) were synthesized at 1623 K and 2.5 GPa by slow cooling of the melts from 1473 K. Structure solution using Patterson methods revealed the two compounds to be isomorphous and thus isostructural. They adopt the clinopyroxene structure type with space group C2/c. The substitution of Ge⁴⁺ for Si⁴⁺ increases the distortion of the tetrahedra and octahedra. The increased size of the tetrahedral GeO₄ chain is mainly compensated by (i) increasing the kinking of the tetrahedral chain and (ii) lengthening the Zn—O bonds.     

Centrosymmetric aliovalent KTP isomorphs KMIII0.5Nb0.5OPO4 (M = Cr and Fe)

Aliovalent KTP isomorphic compounds potassium chromium niobium oxide phosphate, KCr_0.5Nb_0.5OPO₄, and potassium iron niobium oxide phosphate, KFe_0.5Nb_0.5OPO₄, exhibit structures that differ from that of the non‐centrosymmetric KTiOPO₄. There are two crystallographically independent octa­hedral sites, M1 and M2, statistically occupied by Nb and Cr (or Fe) atoms. The M1O₆ and M2O₆ octa­hedra are connected alternately to form a chain with a cis–trans arrangement. The Nb atoms prefer the M2 sites arranged in a cis‐like configuration. Each PO₄ tetra­hedon has the P atom on a twofold axis. Site‐splitting at the K‐atom position is observed in both compounds. In the isomorphous structures, one Nb atom lies on an inversion centre and the other on a twofold axis. Similarly with the pairs of Fe/Cr sites, one is on an inversion centre and the other on a twofold axis.     

Synthetic aenigmatite analog Na2(Mn5.26Na0.74)Ge6O20: structure and crystal chemical considerations

Disodium hexamanganese(II,III) germanate is the first aenigmatite‐type compound with significant amounts of manganese. Na₂(Mn_5.26Na_0.74)Ge₆O₂₀ is triclinic and contains two different Na positions, six Ge positions and 20 O positions (all with site symmetry 1 on general position 2i of space group P). Five out of the seven M positions are also on general position 2i, while the remaining two have site symmetry (Wyckoff positions 1f and 1c). The structure can be described in terms of two different layers, A and B, stacked along the [011] direction. Layer A contains pyroxene‐like chains and isolated octahedra, while layer B is built up by slabs of edge‐sharing octahedra connected to one another by bands of Na polyhedra. The GeO₄ tetrahedra show slight polyhedral distortion and are among the most regular found so far in germanate compounds. The M sites of layer A are occupied by highly charged (trivalent) cations, while in layer B a central pyroxene‐like zigzag chain can be identified, which contains divalent (or low‐charged) cations. This applies to the aenigmatite‐type compounds in general and to the title compound in particular.     

Thallium selenate (Tl2SeO4) in a paraelastic phase by X‐ray powder diffraction

The structure of thallium selenate, Tl₂SeO₄, in a paraelastic phase (above 661 K) has been analysed by Rietveld analysis of the X‐ray powder diffraction pattern. Atomic parameters based on the isomorphic K₂SO₄ crystal in the paraelastic phase were used as the starting model. The structure was determined in the hexagonal space group P6₃/mmc, with a = 6.2916 (2) Å and c = 8.1964 (2) Å. From the Rietveld refinement it was found that two orientations are possible for the SeO₄ tetrahedra, in which one of their apices points randomly up and down with respect to [001]. One Tl atom lies at the origin with symmetry, the other Tl and one of the O atoms occupy sites with 3m symmetry, the Se atom is at a site with symmetry and the remaining O atom is at a site with m symmetry. Furthermore, it was also found that the Tl atoms display anomalously large positional disorder along [001] in the paraelastic phase.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and preliminary study of luminescent properties of InTbGe2O7

A new indium terbium germanate InTbGe₂O₇, which is a member of the thortveitite family, was prepared as a polycrystalline powder material by high-temperature solid-state reaction. This new compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c (No. 15), with unit cell parameters a=6.8818(2) Å, b=8.8774(3) Å, c=9.7892(4) Å, β=101.401(1)°, V=586.25(4) ų and Z=4. Its structure was characterized by Rietveld refinement of powder laboratory X-ray diffraction data. It consists of octahedral sheets that are held together by sheets of isolated Ge₂O₇ diorthogroups composed of two tetrahedra sharing a common vertex. It contains only one octahedral site occupied by In³⁺ and Tb⁺³ cations. The characteristic mirror plane in the thortveitite (Sc₂Si₂O₇) space group (C2/m, No. 12) is not present in this new compound. Besides, in InTbGe₂O₇, the Ge–O–Ge angle bridging two diorthogroups is 156.8(2)° as compared to the one in thortveitite, which is 180°. On the other hand, luminescent properties were observed when it is excited with 376.5 nm wavelength. The luminescence spectrum shows typical transitions from the ⁵D₄ multiplet belonging to the trivalent terbium ion.