Ba0.15WO3: A bronze with an original pentagonal tunnel structure

The structure of a new barium tungsten bronze, Ba_0.15WO₃, has been established by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution microscopy studies. This bronze is orthorhombic, space group Pbm2 or Pbmm, with a = 8.859(3) Å, b = 10.039(8) Å, and c = 3.808(2)Å. The “WO₃” framework is built up from corner-sharing WO₆ octahedra forming pentagonal tunnels where the barium ions are located. Structural relationships with hexagonal tungsten bronze and tetragonal tungsten bronze structures are discussed.     

Phase relations in the SnWO ternary system near to WO3

Phase relations in the SnWO system for compositions near to WO₃ and temperatures up to 1173 K have been determined by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The phase limits for the bronzes previously reported in this system have been determined. For the orthorhombic I bronzes the phase limits are from Sn_0.04WO₃ to Sn_0.06WO₃. Two orthorhombic II bronze phases form, one at a composition of Sn_0.13WO₃ to Sn_0.15WO₃, and another at Sn_0.16WO₃. These bronzes have structures which consist of lamellae of WO₃ united by fault planes. The other bronze phase to form, with the tetragonal tungsten bronze structure, has a lower composition limit of Sn_0.21WO₃.     

Phase equilibria,thermal analysis,and reactivity of tin tungsten bronzes and related phases

Crystal chemistry and phase relations of the bronze forming region of the SnWO system have been investigated. Above 780°C the tin bronzes Sn_xWO₃ are shown to be thermally unstable and an equilibrium diagram is established at 700°C which shows that the composition limits of the tetragonal phase are 0.21 ? x ? 0.29. Below x = 0.21 a series of single and two phase regions containing orthorhombic bronzes exists for which the composition limits have been established. In the range 0.29 ? x ? 0.76 the system comprises the tetragonal bronze, Sn₂W₃O₈ and SnWO₄, while above 0.76 there is no bronze, only Sn₂W₃O₈, SnWO₄ and free Sn. The phase Sn₂W₃O₈ has been isolated and shown to have a hexagonal unit cell, a = 7.696 Å, c = 18.654 Å. The evidence of differential thermal analysis and X-ray studies suggests that this hexagonal phase arises from the decomposition of the tungsten bronze phase and is itself decomposed to cubic SnWO₄ above 700°C. Small thermal effects observed in the DTA scans of tin-containing tetragonal bronzes are interpreted in terms of an order-disorder phenomenon arising from asymmetric tunnel occupancy by Sn²⁺ ions caused by the presence of the lone pair of electrons. Hydrogen reduction of Sn_xWO₃ has been shown to result in complete removal of oxygen, producing Sn + α-W in the range 600–850°C. Some activation energy data are given for the reduction process.     

Novel Arachno‐type X56– Zintl Anions in Sr3Sn5, Ba3Sn5, and Ba3Pb5 and Charge Influence on Zintl Clusters

Two new binary Zintl phases, Sr₃Sn₅ and Ba₃Sn₅ were synthesized and structurally characterized. The revised structure of Ba₃Pb₅ is also reported. All three compounds are isotypic and crystallize with a modified Pu₃Pd₅ structure type. The anionic substructure is composed of X₅^6– square pyramidal clusters (X = Sn, Pb), which are described as arachno clusters according to the Wade‐Mingos electron counting rules. The electronic structure of the pyramidal Zintl anions and the influence of the number of skeletal electrons of these clusters are investigated using the electron localization function (ELF). The structural relationship between Ba₃Sn₅ and the Zintl phases Ba₃Si₄ and Ba₃Ge₄ are analyzed. Additionally, two new Zintl phases Ba₃Ge_2.82Sn_2.18 and Ba₃Ge_3.94Sn_0.06, have been synthezised and their structures are reported, which directly show that the exchange of tin against germanium leads to a change from the M₃X₅ to the M₃X₄ structure type. This effect is traced back to the maximal charge acquisition property of the Zintl anions of heavier and lighter tetralides.     

Structural study of a new hexagonal form of tungsten trioxide

A new form of tungsten trioxide WO₃ has been obtained by dehydration of $\text{WO}{}_3\text{·}\text{1}\text{3}\text{H}{}_2\text{O}$ hydrate. The structural study was carried out from X-ray powder diffraction and selected area electron diffraction data. The crystallographic characteristics are: the hexagonal system; a = 7.298(2) Å, c = 7.798(3) Å; Z = 6. This hexagonal WO₃ is built up of slightly distorted (WO₆) octahedra sharing their corners arranged in six-membered rings in layers normal to the hexagonal axis; stacking of such layers leads to formation of large hexagonal tunnels. Some confirmations of this structure were made by high-resolution electron microscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction allowed us to determine an average structure. Absence of suitable single crystals has not permitted us to perform a complete structural determination. Although the existence of such a hexagonal structure for pure WO₃ had been considered as likely, it had not been hitherto observed.     

Gallium substitutions as a means to stabilize alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal pnictides with the cubic Th3P4 type: Synthesis and structure of A7Ga2Sb6 (A=Sr, Ba, Eu)

Three new compounds—Sr_7.04(2)Ga_1.94(2)Sb₆, Ba_7.02(3)Ga_1.98(3)Sb₆ and Eu_7.04(3)Ga_1.90(3)Sb₆—have been synthesized from reactions of the corresponding elements using gallium as a metal flux. Their crystal structures (space group I4¯3d (No. 220), Z=2 with unit cell parameters: a=9.9147(9) Å for the Sr-compound; a=10.3190(9) Å for the Ba-compound; and a=9.7866(8) Å for the Eu-compound) have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures are best described as Ga-stabilized derivatives of the hypothetical Sr₄Sb₃, Ba₄Sb₃ and Eu₄Sb₃ phases with the cubic Th₃P₄ type. Such an inclusion of interstitial Ga atoms in this atomic arrangement results in the formation of isolated [Ga₂Sb₆]¹⁴⁻ fragments, isoelectronic and isostructural with the [Sn₂Te₆]⁶⁻ anions in the K₃SnTe₃ type, and allows for the attainment of a charge-balanced electron count. In that sense, the Sr₄Sb₃, Ba₄Sb₃ and Eu₄Sb₃ binaries, which are expected to be electron-deficient and are currently unknown, can be “turned” into Sr₇Ga₂Sb₆, Ba₇Ga₂Sb₆ and Eu₇Ga₂Sb₆, whose structures are readily rationalized following the Zintl concept.     

Lanthanum Gallium Tin Antimonides LaGaxSnySb2

A series of quaternary lanthanum gallium tin antimonides LaGa_xSn_ySb₂ was elaborated to trace the structural evolution between the known end members LaGaSb₂ (SmGaSb₂-type) and LaSn_ySb₂ (LaSn_0.75Sb₂-type). Five members of this series were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For low Sn content, the Sn atoms disorder with Ga atoms in zigzag chains to form solid solutions LaGa_1-ySn_ySb₂ (0≤y≤0.2) adopting the SmGaSb₂-type structure, as exemplified by LaGa_0.92(3)Sn_0.08Sb₂ and LaGa_0.80(3)Sn_0.20Sb₂ (orthorhombic, space group D⁵₂−C222₁,Z=4). For higher Sn and lower Ga content, there is a segregation in which the Sn atoms appear in chains of closely spaced partially occupied sites as in the parent LaSn_0.75Sb₂-type structure whereas the Ga atoms remain in zigzag chains as in the parent SmGaSb₂-type structure. This feature is observed in the structures of LaGa_0.68(4)Sn_0.31(3)Sb₂, LaGa_0.62(3)Sn_0.32(3)Sb₂, and LaGa_0.43(3)Sn_0.39(3)Sb₂ (orthorhombic, space group D¹⁷_2h−Cmcm,Z=4). The last example illustrates that the combined Ga/Sn content can be substoichiometric (x+y<1). These compounds have a layered nature, with the chains of Ga or Sn atoms residing between ²_∞[LaSb₂] slabs.     

Pb2.85Ba2.15Fe4SnO13: A new member of the AnBnO3n−2 anion-deficient perovskite-based homologous series

Pb_2.85Ba_2.15Fe₄SnO₁₃, a new n=5 member of the anion-deficient perovskite based A_nB_nO_3n−2 (A=Pb, Ba, B=Fe, Sn) homologous series, was synthesized by the solid state method. The crystal structure of Pb_2.85Ba_2.15Fe₄SnO₁₃ was investigated using a combination of neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction, high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It crystallizes in the Ammm space group with unit cell parameters a=5.7990(1) Å, b=4.04293(7) Å and c=26.9561(5) Å. The Pb_2.85Ba_2.15Fe₄SnO₁₃ structure consists of quasi two-dimensional perovskite blocks separated by 1/2[110](1?01)_p crystallographic shear (CS) planes. The corner-sharing FeO₆ octahedra at the CS planes are transformed into edge-sharing FeO₅ distorted tetragonal pyramids. The octahedral positions in the perovskite blocks between the CS planes are jointly taken up by Fe and Sn, with a preference of Sn towards the position at the center of the perovskite block. The chains of FeO₅ pyramids and (Fe,Sn)O₆ octahedra of the perovskite blocks delimit six-sided tunnels at the CS planes occupied by double chains of Pb atoms. The compound is antiferromagnetically ordered below T_N=368±15 K.     

Dopant substitution and oxygen migration in the complex perovskite oxide Ba3CaNb2O9: A computational study

Atomistic simulation methods have been used to study the defect chemistry of the complex perovskite oxide Ba₃CaNb₂O₉. Calculations were carried out for the hexagonal (P-3m1) phase and the cubic (Fm-3m) phase. The hexagonal structure is predicted to be energetically more stable at room temperature. In both structures the most favourable dopant for Nb⁵⁺ is found to be Ca²⁺ rather than Mg²⁺, in contrast to the generally accepted rule that size similarities govern such processes. The diffusion of oxygen vacancies in the hexagonal and cubic phases occurs within different networks of corner-sharing NbO₆ and CaO₆ octahedra. Irrespective of the arrangement of octahedra, however, migration of oxygen vacancies around NbO₆ octahedra takes place with lower activation energies than around the CaO₆ octahedra.     

Mise en évidence d'un désordre statistique dans les structures chalcogénoiodures d'étain et d'antimoine

The crystal structures of Sn₂SbX₂I₃, with X = S or Se, and Sn₃SbSe₂I₅ are characterized by a statistical disorder of part of the [Sb] and [Sb, Sn] sites. All these crystal structures are built up from infinite ribbons (Sn₂X₄)_n of SnX₅ pyramids where X = ((S, Se) and I). The ribbons are weakly linked through Sn … I interactions to give infinite sheets. Between sheets are located [Sb] or [Sb, Sn] atoms in twinned sites.     

Structural chemistry of Sr3Cr2WO9, Ca3Cr2WO9, and Ba3Cr2WO9

We have studied the preparation and crystallographic structure of three perovskite-type compounds: Sr₃Cr₂WO₉, cubic, the lattice parameter of which is a = 7.812Å; Ca₃Cr₂WO₉, tetragonal, the lattice parameters of which are a = 5.408 Å and c = 7.635Å; and Ba₃Cr₂WO₉, hexagonal, the lattice parameters of which are a = 5.691 Å and c = 13.957Å. We have compared these three structures and shown the relationship between the dimensions of the alkaline-earth metal and the existence of the different structures.     

Beiträge zur Untersuchung anorganischer nichtstöchiometrischer Verbindungen. XXII. Neue metastabile Blockstrukturen im System Nb2O5/WO3 Elektronenoptische Untersuchung

Contributions to the Investigation of Inorganic Non-stoichiometric Compounds. XXII. New Metastable Block Structures in the System Nb₂O₅/WO₃, Electron Optical Investigation We succeeded in considerably expanding the region of existence of block structures. By substituting W for Nb, while the ratio O/∑M (M ? Nb, W) is kept constant, and starting from the known phases Nb₂O₅: WO₃ = 6:1, 7:3, 8:5 and 9:8 one obtains series of solid solutions whose metastable products of oxidation have block structures too. In contrast to the solid solutions which have the structures of the starting phases i. e. with socalled blocks of [3 × 4], [4 × 4], [4 × 5] and [5 × 5] M? O-octahedra, the products of the oxidation have structures in which some edge sharing octahedra changed their connections to become octahedra sharing corners thus opening up the possibility for the formation of blocks with twice the number of octahedra as before. Rows of these large blocks with e. g. [4 × 6] or [4 × 8] octahedra alternate nonperiodically with rows of smaller blocks of the initial size. Details of these heavily disordered structures could only be discerned with the help of high resolution electron microscopy.     

Ba3Sn2P4, ein neues Inophosphidostannat(III)

Ba₃Sn₂P₄, a New Inophosphidostannate(III) The new compound Ba₃Sn₂P₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁ (No. 4) with the lattice constants see “Inhaltsübersicht”. Distorted Sn₂P₆ octahedra are connected by common edges to infinite chains.     

Contrasting oxide crystal chemistry of Nb and Ta:: The structures of the hexagonal bronzes BaTa2O6 and Ba0.93Nb2.03O6

The high-temperature hexagonal forms of BaTa₂O₆ and Ba_0.93Nb_2.03O₆ have P6/mmm symmetry with unit-cell parameters a=21.116(1) Å, c=3.9157(2) Å and a=21.0174(3) Å, c=3.9732(1) Å, respectively. Single crystal X-ray structure refinements for both phases are generally consistent with a previously proposed model, except for displacements of some Ba atoms from high-symmetry positions. The structures are based on a framework of corner- and edge-connected Nb/Ta-centred octahedra, with barium atoms occupying sites in four different types of [0 0 1] channels with hexagonal, triangular, rectangular and pentagonal cross-sections. The refinements showed that the non-stoichiometry in the niobate phase is due to barium atom vacancies in the pentagonal channels and to extra niobium atoms occupying interstitial sites with tri-capped trigonal prismatic coordination. The origin of the non-stoichiometry is attributed to minimisation of non-bonded Ba-Ba repulsions. The hexagonal structure is related to the structures of the low-temperature forms of BaNb₂O₆ and BaTa₂O₆, through a 30° rotation of the hexagonal rings of octahedra centred at the origin.     

Ga-Ga bonding and tunnel framework in the new Zintl phase Ba3Ga4Sb5

A new Zintl phase Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ was obtained from the reaction of Ba and Sb in excess Ga flux at 1000°C, and its structure was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with a=13.248(3) Å, b=4.5085(9) Å, c=24.374(5) Å and Z=4. Ba₃Ga₄Sb₅ has a three-dimensional [Ga₄Sb₅]⁶⁻ framework featuring large tunnels running along the b-axis and accommodating the Ba ions. The structure also has small tube-like tunnels of pentagonal and rhombic cross-sections. The structure contains ethane-like dimeric Sb₃Ga-GaSb₃ units and GaSb₄ tetrahedra that are connected to form 12- and 14-membered tunnels. Band structure calculations confirm that the material is a semiconductor and indicate that the structure is stabilized by strong Ga-Ga covalent bonding interactions.     

Ternary rare-earth titanium antimonides: Phase equilibria in the RE-Ti-Sb (RE=La, Er) systems and crystal structures of RE2Ti7Sb12 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and RETi3(SnxSb1-x)4 (RE=Nd, Sm)

Investigations on phase relationships and crystal structures have been conducted on several ternary rare-earth titanium antimonide systems. The isothermal cross-sections of the ternary RE-Ti-Sb systems containing a representative early (RE=La) and late rare-earth element (RE=Er) have been constructed at 800 °C. In the La-Ti-Sb system, the previously known compound La₃TiSb₅ was confirmed and the new compound La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ (own type, Cmmm, Z=2, a=10.5446(10) Å, b=20.768(2) Å, and c=4.4344(4) Å) was discovered. In the Er-Ti-Sb system, no ternary compounds were found. The structure of La₂Ti₇Sb₁₂ consists of a complex arrangement of TiSb₆ octahedra and disordered fragments of homoatomic Sb assemblies, generating a three-dimensional framework in which La atoms reside. Other early rare-earth elements (RE=Ce, Pr, Nd) can be substituted in this structure type. Attempts to prepare crystals in these systems through use of a tin flux resulted in the discovery of a new Sn-containing pseudoternary phase RETi₃(Sn_xSb_1−x)₄ for RE=Nd, Sm (own type, Fmmm, Z=8; a=5.7806(4) Å, b=10.0846(7) Å, and c=24.2260(16) Å for NdTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄; a=5.7590(4) Å, b=10.0686(6) Å, and c=24.1167(14) Å for SmTi₃(Sn_0.1Sb_0.9)₄). Its structure consists of double-layer slabs of Ti-centred octahedra stacked alternately with nets of the RE atoms; the Ti atoms are arranged in kagome nets.     

Lithium and sodium insertion reactions of phosphate tungsten bronzes

Lithium insertion reactions of monophosphate tungsten bronzes, (PO₂)₄(WO₃)_2m and diphosphate tungsten bronzes K(P₂O₄)₂(WO₃)_2m indicate that a maximum of two Li/W and one Na/W may be inserted in these materials. The phosphate tungsten bronzes are three-dimensional network structures made up of slabs of ReO₃-type WO₆ octahedra connected by phosphate groups with large interconnected cavities. Ion-exchange reactions of selected members of K(P₂O₄)₂(WO₃)_2m show that potassium which occupies the large hexagonal tunnels in the lattice may be exchanged for various alkali metal cations. Upon lithium insertion, the metallic host materials become insulating. This is attributed to the filling of the π* conduction band formed by the overlap of Wt_2g − 5d and oxygenπ − 2p orbitals.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the novel Pb5Sb2MnO11 compound

The new Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ compound was synthesized using a solid-state reaction in an evacuated sealed silica tube at 650°C. The crystal structure was determined ab initio using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (a=9.0660(8)Å, b=11.489(1)Å, c=10.9426(9)Å, S.G. Cmcm, R_I=0.045, R_P=0.059). The Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ crystal structure represents a new structure type and it can be considered as quasi-one-dimensional, built up of chains running along the c-axis and consisting of alternating Mn⁺²O₇ capped trigonal prisms and Sb₂O₁₀ pairs of edge sharing Sb⁺⁵O₆ octahedra. The chains are joined together by Pb atoms located between the chains. The Pb⁺² cations have virtually identical coordination environments with a clear influence of the lone electron pair occupying one vertex of the PbO₅E octahedra. Electronic structure calculations and electron localization function distribution analysis were performed to define the nature of the structural peculiarities. Pb₅Sb₂MnO₁₁ exhibits paramagnetic behavior down to T=5 K with Weiss constant being nearly equal to zero that implies lack of cooperative magnetic interactions.     

Hexagonal tungsten bronze-type FeIII fluoride: (H2O)0.33FeF3; crystal structure,magnetic properties,dehydration to a new form of iron trifluoride

(H₂O)_0.33FeF₃, grown by hydrothermal synthesis, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with cell dimensions a = 7.423(3) Å, b = 12.730(4) Å, c = 7.526(3)Å, and space group Cmcm, Z = 12. The structure, derived from single crystal X-ray diffraction data (605 independent reflections) is refined to R = 0.019 (R_ω = 0.021). The framework of the Fe^IIIF₆ octahedra is related to that of hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) Rb_0.29WO₃. At 122°C, zeolithic water is evolved from hexagonal tunnels without any noticeable change of the fluorine skeleton. The related anhydrous compound represents a new form of iron trifluoride which is denoted HTBFeF₃; at 525°C, it transforms into the cubic form of ReO₃-type. (H₂O)_0.33FeF₃ and HTBFeF₃ are antiferromagnetic, with Néel temperatures of T_N = 128°7 ± 0.5 K and T_N = 97 ± 2 K, respectively.     

The structure of thorikosite,a naturally occurring member of the bismuth oxyhalide group

Thorikosite, (Pb₃Sb_0.6As_0.4)(O₃0H)Cl₂, is a naturally occurring member of the bismuth oxyhalide group isostructural with LiBi₃O₄Cl₂. The space group isI4/mmm witha = 3.919(1)A?,c = 12.854(5)A?, andZ = 1. A crystal structure analysis showed complete solid solution of Pb²⁺, Sb³⁺, and As³⁺ on the single cation site and large atomic temperature factors indicative of pervasive structural disorder. The latter is due to the structural adjustments necessary to accommodate cations of very different sizes in the same site. Thorikosite is closely related to synthetic tetragonal PbSbO₂Cl through the coupled substitution Sb³⁺O^2? ? Pb²⁺(OH)^?.