Crystal structure of Eu-doped M3MgSi2O8 (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) compounds and their emission properties

Emission properties of Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ (M: Ba, Sr, Ca) are discussed in terms of the crystal structure. When Ba²⁺ ions account for over one third of M²⁺ ions, M₃MgSi₂O₈ crystallizes in glaserite-type trigonal structure, while Ba-free compounds crystallize in merwinite-type monoclinic structure. Under UV excitation, the Eu²⁺-doped glaserite-type compounds exhibit an intense blue emission assigned to 5d-4f electron transition at about 435 nm, regardless of the molar ratio of Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions. By contrast, the Eu²⁺-doped merwinite-type compounds show an emission color sensitive to the ratio. A detailed analysis of the emission spectra reveals that the emission chromaticity for the Eu²⁺-doped M₃MgSi₂O₈ is composed of two emission peaks reflecting two different sites accommodating M²⁺ ion.     

Syntheses and Characterization of One-Dimensional Antimony(III) Diphosphonates: [NH3(CH2)nNH3][Sb{CH3C(O)(PO3)2}] (n=4, 5)

This paper describes the hydrothermal syntheses and characterization of two antimony(III) diphosphonates: [NH₃(CH₂)_nNH₃]Sb{CH₃C(O)(PO₃)₂} [n=4 (1), 5 (2)]. The two compounds are isostructural based on their XRD measurements. Single-crystal structure determination of compound 1 revealed a one-dimensional linear chain structure where the distorted {SbO₅E} octahedra (E is the lone pair electrons occupying an axial position) are corner-shared by {CPO₃} tetrahedra. The protonated diamines are located between the chains, with their nitrogen atoms locked by the hydrogen bonds with the phosphonate oxygens. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Pnma, a=13.426(4), b=17.149(4), c5.4496(14) Å, V=1254.7(6) Aų, Z=4.     

Syntheses and characterization of the actinide manganese selenides ThMnSe3 and UMnSe3

The AnMnSe₃ (An=Th, U) compounds were synthesized from high-temperature solid-state reactions of the constituent elements at 1223 and 1273 K, respectively. Both compounds are isostructural with UFeS₃ and crystallize in the space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell. Cell constants (Å) at 153 K are: ThMnSe₃, 4.0304(4), 12.795(1), 9.2883(9); UMnSe₃, 3.931(5), 12.705(14), 9.148(10). The structure comprises layers of MnSe₆ octahedra that alternate with layers of AnSe₈ bicapped trigonal prisms along the b-axis. Because there are no Se-Se bonds in the structure of AnMnSe₃ the formal oxidation states of An/Mn/Se are 4+/2+/2−. UMnSe₃ is a ferromagnet with T_C=62 K.     

Structure and physical properties of ternary W5Si3-type antimonides and bismuthides Zr5M1-xPn2+x (M=Cr, Mn; Pn=Sb, Bi)

Four new ternary compounds Zr₅M_1-xPn_2+x (M=Cr, Mn; Pn=Sb, Bi) were synthesized by arc-melting and annealing at 800 °C. They crystallize in the tetragonal W₅Si₃-type structure. The crystal structure of Zr₅Cr_0.49(2)Sb_2.51(2) was refined from powder X-ray diffraction data by the Rietveld method (Pearson symbol tI32, tetragonal, space group I4/mcm, Z=4, a=11.1027(6) Å, c=5.5600(3) Å). Four-probe electrical resistivity measurements on sintered polycrystalline samples indicated metallic behavior. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 2 and 300 K revealed temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism for Zr₅Cr_1-xSb_2+x and Zr₅Cr_1-xBi_2+x, but a strong temperature dependence for Zr₅Mn_1-xSb_2+x and Zr₅Mn_1-xBi_2+x which was fit to the Curie-Weiss law for the latter with θ=-11.3 K and μ_eff=1.81(1) μ_B. Band structure calculations for Zr₅Cr_0.5Sb_2.5 support a structural model in which Cr and Sb atoms alternate within the chain of interstitial sites formed at the centers of square antiprismatic Zr₈ clusters.     

Syntheses and structures of dimesitylbismuth(III) bromide, Mes2BiBr, and bis(diphenyldithiophosphinato)mesitylbismuth(III), MesBi(S2PPh2)2

Addition of BiBr₃ to Mes₃Bi (Mes = 2, 4, 6-Me₃C₆H₂) in Et₂O gives 86% of Mes₂BiBr (1) as yellow crystals. Reaction of 1 with Ph₂PS₂NH₄ in a 1 : 1 molar ratio gives a quantitative yield of MesBi(S₂PPh₂)₂ (2) rather than the expected dimesitylbismuth compound. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined at 153 K and 173 K, respectively. They contain Mes₂BiBr molecules with trigonal pyramidal coordination around Bi. The mean Bi---C bond distance is 2.27 Å and the Bi---Br bond distance is 2.690(2) Å. The angles around Bi vary between 89.4 and 106.4°. Intermolecular Bi…Br contacts of 3.795 Å, indicating weak secondary bonding, give rise to zig-zag shaped (Bi---Br)_x chains. In the polymeric chain the coordination geometry around bismuth atoms can be described as pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal. The crystals of 2 consist of discrete monomeric MesBi(S₂PPh₂)₂ molecules with a symmetry plane containing the metal atom and the aromatic ring of the attached mesityl group. The dithiophosphinato ligands exhibit an anisobidentate coordination pattern with long and short phosphorus—sulfur bonds, i.e. P(1)---S(1) 2.051(31) Å and P(1)---S(2) 1.980(3) Å, related to short and long bismuth—sulfur distances, respectively, i.e. Bi---S(1) 2.662(2) Å and Bi---S(2) 3.123(3) Å. This leads to a square-pyramidal geometry around the bismuth atom, with the metal lying 0.33 Å above the basal plane formed by the four sulfur atoms.     

Syntheses, structures, optical properties, and theoretical calculations of Cs2Bi2ZnS5, Cs2Bi2CdS5, and Cs2Bi2MnS5

Three new compounds, Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅, Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅, and Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅, have been synthesized from the respective elements and a reactive flux Cs₂S₃ at 973 K. The compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a new structure type in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in cells of dimensions at 153 K of a=15.763(3), b=4.0965(9), c=18.197(4) Å, V=1175.0(4) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅; a=15.817(2), b=4.1782(6), c=18.473(3)  Å, V=1220.8(3)  ų for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅; and a=15.830(2), b=4.1515(5), c=18.372(2) Å, V=1207.4(2) Å³ for Cs₂Bi₂MnS₅. The structure is composed of two-dimensional _∞²[Bi₂MS₅²⁻] (M=Zn, Cd, Mn) layers that stack perpendicular to the [100] axis and are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The layers consist of edge-sharing _∞¹[Bi₂S₆⁶⁻] and _∞¹[MS₃⁴⁻] chains built from BiS₆ octahedral and MS₄ tetrahedral units. Two crystallographically unique Cs atoms are coordinated to S atoms in octahedral and monocapped trigonal prismatic environments. The structure of Cs₂Bi₂MS₅, is related to that of Na₂ZrCu₂S₄ and those of the AMM′Q₃ materials (A=alkali metal, M=rare-earth or Group 4 element, M′= Group 11 or 12 element, Q=chalcogen). First-principles theoretical calculations indicate that Cs₂Bi₂ZnS₅ and Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ are semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.85 and 1.75 eV, respectively. The experimental band gap for Cs₂Bi₂CdS₅ is ≈1.7 eV, as derived from its optical absorption spectrum.     

Electronic band structures and photovoltaic properties of MWO4 (M=Zn, Mg, Ca, Sr) compounds

Divalent metal tungstates, MWO₄, with wolframite (M=Zn and Mg) and scheelite (M=Ca and Sr) structures were prepared using a conventional solid state reaction method. Their electronic band structures were investigated by a combination of electronic band structure calculations and electrochemical measurements. From these investigations, it was found that the band structures (i.e. band positions and band gaps) of the divalent metal tungstates were significantly influenced by their crystal structural environments, such as the W-O bond length. Their photovoltaic properties were evaluated by applying to the working electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. The dye-sensitized solar cells employing the wolframite-structured metal tungstates (ZnWO₄ and MgWO₄) exhibited better performance than those using the scheelite-structured metal tungstates (CaWO₄ and SrWO₄), which was attributed to their enhanced electron transfer resulting from their appropriate band positions.     

Syntheses, structure, and magnetic properties of several LnYbQ3 chalcogenides, Q=S, Se

The six LnYbQ₃ compounds β-LaYbS₃, LaYbSe₃, CeYbSe₃, PrYbSe₃, NdYbSe₃, and SmYbSe₃ have been synthesized from high-temperature solid-state reactions of the constituent elements at 1223 K. The compounds are isostructural to UFeS₃ and crystallize in the space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system with four formula units in a cell. Cell constants (Å) at 153 K are: β-LaYbS₃, 3.9238(8), 12.632(3), 9.514(2); LaYbSe₃, 4.0616(8), 13.094(3), 9.932(2); CeYbSe₃, 4.0234(5), 13.065(2), 9.885(1); PrYbSe₃, 4.0152(5), 13.053(2), 9.868(1); NdYbSe₃, 4.0015(6), 13.047(2), 9.859(1); SmYbSe₃, 3.9780(9), 13.040(3), 9.860(2). The structure is composed of layers of YbQ₆ (Q=S or Se) octahedra that alternate with layers of LnQ₈ bicapped trigonal prisms along the b-axis. Because there are no Q-Q bonds in the structure the formal oxidation states of Ln/Yb/Q are 3+/3+/2−. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that CeYbSe₃ and SmYbSe₃ are Curie-Weiss paramagnets over the temperature range 5-300 K.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Europium(II) Tartrate Tetrahydrate, [Eu(C4H4O6)(H2O)2](H2O)2

Single crystals of [Eu(C₄H₄O₆)(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂ were obtained from the combination of solutions of EuCl₂, previously obtained by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of EuCl₃, and tartraric acid, neutralized by LiOH. The crystal structure (orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4, a = 948.9(1), b = 954.6(1), c = 1098.4(1) pm; R(F) = 0.0242 and R_w(F²) = 0.0585 for I > 2σ(I); R(F) = 0.0256 and R_w(F²) = 0.0592 for all data) is isotypic with [Ca(C₄H₄O₆)(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂ and [Sr(C₄H₄O₆)(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂ exhibiting a three‐dimensional structure. The divalent cations (Eu²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺) are eight‐coordinate by oxygen atoms that originate from carboxylate and hydroxyl groups of the tartraric dianion and two of the four water molecules.     

Preparation and structure of the light rare-earth copper selenides LnCuSe2 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm)

The ternary selenides LnCuSe₂ (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) have been synthesized by the reaction at 1173 K of Ln, Cu, and Se in a KBr or KI flux. The compounds, which are isostructural with LaCuS₂, crystallize with four formula units in the space group P2₁/c of the monoclinic system. The structure may be thought of as consisting of layers of CuSe₄ tetrahedra separated by double layers of LnSe₇ monocapped trigonal prisms along the a-axis. Cell constants (Å or deg) at 153 K are: LaCuSe₂, 6.8142(5), 7.5817(6), 7.2052(6), 97.573(1)°; CeCuSe₂, 6.7630(5), 7.5311(6), 7.1650(6), 97.392(1)°; PrCuSe₂, 6.740(1), 7.481(1), 7.141(1), 97.374(2)°; NdCuSe₂, 6.7149(6), 7.4452(7), 7.1192(6), 97.310(1)°; SmCuSe₂, 6.6655(6), 7.3825(7), 7.0724(6), 97.115(1)°. There are no Se-Se bonds in the structure of LnCuSe₂; the formal oxidation states of Ln/Cu/Se are 3+/1+/2−.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and characterizations of BaZn(SeO3)2 and BaZn(TeO3)Cl2

Two new barium zinc selenite and tellurite, namely, BaZn(SeO₃)₂ and BaZn(TeO₃)Cl₂, have been synthesized by the solid state reaction. The structure of BaZn(SeO₃)₂ features double chains of [Zn(SeO₃)₂]²⁻ anions composed of four- and eight-member rings which are alternatively along a-axis. The double chains of [Zn₂(TeO₃)₂Cl₃]³⁻ anions in BaZn(TeO₃)Cl₂ are formed by Zn₃Te₃ rings in which each tellurite group connects with three ZnO₃Cl tetrahedra. BaZn(SeO₃)₂ and BaZn(TeO₃)Cl₂ are wide bandgap semiconductors based on optical diffuse reflectance spectrum measurements.     

Luminescent europium(III) complexes of tripodal heptadentate N7 ligands containing three imidazole groups

Luminescent Eu^III complexes with tripodal heptadentate N₇ ligands containing three imidazole groups, [Eu^III(H₃L^2-H)(ac)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (1), [Eu^III(H₃L^2-Me)(ac)](ClO₄)₂·2EtOH (2), and [Eu^III(H₃L^4-Me)(ac)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (3), were synthesized and characterized, where H₃L^2-H, H₃L^2-Me, and H₃L^4-Me are the tripodal ligands derived from the 1:3 condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and either 4-formylimidazole, 2-methyl-4-formylimidazole, and 4-methyl-5-formylimidazole, respectively, and ac denotes an acetate ion. Single-crystal X-ray analyses revealed that each Eu^III ion is coordinated by a tripodal heptadentate N₇ ligand and two oxygen atoms of the acetate ion as a bidentate ligand. The complexes displayed sharp emission bands based on the f-f transitions by excitation at 261 nm in acetonitrile. The emission intensities increased in the order 1 < 2 < 3 in acetonitrile, while the emission spectra were quenched in aqueous solution due to the partial dissociation of the acetate ion and tripodal ligand.     

Syntheses, structure and magnetic properties of pillared layered diphosphonates: M2(O3PC6H4PO3)(H2O)2 (M=Co, Ni)

This paper describes the hydrothermal syntheses of two isostructural metal bisphosphonates: M₂(O₃PC₆H₄PO₃)(H₂O)₂ [M=Co^II (1), Ni^II (2)]. Single-crystal structure determination of compound 1 revealed a pillared layered structure in which the phenyl groups connect the inorganic layers of cobalt phosphonate. Crystal data for 1: orthorhombic, space group Pnnm, a=19.306(5), b=4.8293(12), c=5.6390(14) Å, V=525.7(2) Å³, Z=2. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated in both cases.     

The first rubidium rare-earth(III) thiophosphates: Rb3M3[PS4]4 (M=Pr, Er)

The two non-isotypical rubidium rare-earth(III) thiophosphates Rb₃M₃[PS₄]₄ of praseodymium and erbium can easily be obtained by the stoichiometric reaction of the respective rare-earth metal, red phosphorus and sulfur with an excess of rubidium bromide (RbBr) as flux and rubidium source at 950°C for 14 days in evacuated silica tubes. The pale green platelet-shaped single crystals of Rb₃Pr₃[PS₄]₄ as well as the pink rods of Rb₃Er₃[PS₄]₄ are moisture sensitive. Rb₃Pr₃[PS₄]₄ crystallizes triclinically in the space group (, , , α=84.329(4)°, β=88.008(4)°, γ=80.704(4)°; Z=2), Rb₃Er₃[PS₄]₄ monoclinically in the space group P2₁/n (, , , β=95.601(6)°; Z=4). In both structures, there are three crystallographically different rare-earth cations present. (M1)³⁺ is eightfold coordinated in the shape of a square antiprism, (M2)³⁺ and (M3)³⁺ are both surrounded by eight sulfur atoms as bicapped trigonal prisms each with a coordination number of eight as well as for the praseodymium, but better described as CN=7+1 in the case of the erbium compound. These [MS₈]¹³⁻ polyhedra form a layer according to by sharing edges with the isolated [PS₄]³⁻ tetrahedra (d(P-S)=200-209 pm, ?(S-P-S)=102-116°). These layers are stacked with a repetition period of three in the case of the praseodymium compound, but of only two for the erbium analog. The rubidium cation (Rb1)⁺ is located in cavities of these layers and tenfold coordinated in the shape of a tetracapped trigonal antiprism. The also tenfold but more irregularly coordinated rubidium cations (Rb2)⁺ and (Rb3)⁺ reside between the layers.     

RbAuUSe3, CsAuUSe3, RbAuUTe3, and CsAuUTe3: Syntheses and structure; magnetic properties of RbAuUSe3

The compounds RbAuUSe₃, CsAuUSe₃, and RbAuUTe₃ were synthesized at 1073 K from the reactions of U, Au, Q, and A₂Q₃ (A=Rb or Cs; Q=Se or Te). The compound CsAuUTe₃ was synthesized at 1173 K from the reaction of U, Au, Te, and CsCl as a flux. These isostructural compounds crystallize in the KCuZrS₃ structure type in space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system. The structure consists of layers that contain nearly regular UQ₆ octahedra and distorted AuQ₄ tetrahedra. The infinite layers are separated by bicapped trigonal prismatic A cations. The magnetic behavior of RbAuUSe₃ deviates significantly from Curie–Weiss behavior at low temperatures. For T>200 K, the values of the Curie constant C and the Weiss constant θ_p are 1.82(9) emu K mol⁻¹ and −3.5(2)×10² K, respectively. The effective magnetic moment μ_eff is 3.81(9) μ_B. Formal oxidation states of A/Au/U/Q may be assigned as +1/+1/+4/−2, respectively.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and optical spectroscopy of Ln2(SO4)3·8H2O (Ln=Ho, Tm) and Pr2(SO4)3·4H2O

The lanthanide sulphate octahydrates Ln₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O (Ln=Ho, Tm) and the respective tetrahydrate Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O were obtained by evaporation of aqueous reaction mixtures of trivalent rare earth oxides and sulphuric acid at 300 K. Ln₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O (Ln=Ho, Tm) crystallise in space group C2/c (Z=4, a_Ho=13.4421(4) Å, b_Ho=6.6745(2) Å, c_Ho=18.1642(5) Å, β_Ho=102.006(1) Å³ and a_Tm=13.4118(14) Å, b_Tm=6.6402(6) Å, c_Tm=18.1040(16) Å, β_Tm=101.980(8) Å³), Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O adopts space group P2₁/n (a=13.051(3) Å, b=7.2047(14) Å, c=13.316(3) Å, β=92.55(3) Å³). The vibrational and optical spectra of Ho₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O and Pr₂(SO₄)₃·4H₂O are also reported.     

Eu3F4S2: Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of the mixed-valent europium(II,III) fluoride sulfide EuF2·(EuFS)2

Using the method to synthesize rare-earth metal(III) fluoride sulfides MFS (M=Y, La, Ce–Lu), in some cases we were able to obtain mixed-valent compounds such as Yb₃F₄S₂ instead. With Eu₃F₄S₂ another isotypic representative has now been synthesized. Eu₃F₄S₂ (tetragonal, I4/mmm, a=400.34(2), c=1928.17(9) pm, Z=2) is obtained from the reaction of metallic europium, elemental sulfur, and europium trifluoride in a molar ratio of 5:6:4 within seven days at 850 °C in silica-jacketed gas-tightly sealed platinum ampoules. The single-phase product consists of black plate-shaped single crystals with a square cross section, which can be obtained from a flux using equimolar amounts of NaCl as fluxing agent. The crystal structure is best described as an intergrowth structure, in which one layer of CaF₂-type EuF₂ is followed by two layers of PbFCl-type EuFS when sheeted parallel to the (001) plane. Accordingly there are two chemically and crystallographically different europium cations present. One of them (Eu²⁺) is coordinated by eight fluoride anions in a cubic fashion, the other one (Eu³⁺) exhibits a monocapped square antiprismatic coordination sphere with four F⁻ and five S²⁻ anions. Although the structural ordering of the different charged europium cations is plausible, a certain amount of charge delocalization with some polaron activity has to take place, which is suggested by the black color of the title compound. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of Eu₃F₄S₂ show Curie–Weiss behavior with an experimental magnetic moment of 8.19(5) μ_B per formula unit and a paramagnetic Curie temperature of 0.3(2) K. No magnetic ordering is observed down to 4.2 K. In accordance with an ionic formula splitting like (Eu^II)(Eu^III)₂F₄S₂ only one third of the europium centers in Eu₃F₄S₂ carry permanent magnetic moments. ¹⁵¹Eu-Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments at 4.2 K show one signal at an isomer shift of −12.4(1) mm/s and a second one at 0.42(4) mm/s. These signals occur in a ratio of 1:2 and correspond to Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺, respectively. The spectra at 78 and 298 K are similar, thus no change in the Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ fraction can be detected.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of RE3MnSn5−x (RE=Tm, Lu) with 3D Mn-Sn framework

Four new isostructural rare earth manganese stannides, namely RE₃MnSn_5−x (x=0.16(6), 0.29(1) for RE=Tm, x=0.05(8), 0.21(3) for RE=Lu), have been obtained by reacting the mixture of corresponding pure elements at high temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that they crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62) with cell parameters of a=18.384(9)-18.495(6) Å, b=6.003(3)-6.062(2) Å, c=14.898(8)-14.976(4) Å, V=1644.3(14)-1679.0(9) Å³ and Z=8. Their structures belong to the Hf₃Cr₂Si₄ type and feature a 3D framework composed of 1D [Mn₂Sn₇] chains interconnected by [Sn₃] double chains via Sn-Sn bonds, forming 1D large channels based on [Mn₄Sn₁₆] 20-membered rings along the b-axis, which are occupied by the rare earth atoms. Electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) for idealized “RE₃MnSn₅” model indicate that these compounds are metallic, which are in accordance with the results from temperature-dependent resistivity measurements.     

Magnetic structures of the α-Li3Fe2(PO4)3−x(AsO4)x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution

Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out for the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)_3−x(AsO₄)_x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution, potential candidate for the cathode material of the lithium secondary batteries. The crystal and magnetic structures of all these phases are based on the structural and magnetic model corresponding to the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ phosphate parent, but with some differences promoted by the arsenate substitution. The PO₄ and AsO₄ groups have a random distribution in the structure. In all compounds the coupling of the magnetic moments takes place in the (001) plane, but the value of the angle between the moments and the x direction decreases from 38.3° (α-Li₃Fe₂(AsO₄)₃) to 4.7° (α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₂(AsO₄)₁). This rotation arises from the change in the tilt angle between the Fe(1)O₆ and Fe(2)O₆ crystallographically and magnetically independent octahedra in the structures, and affects the effectiveness of the magnetic exchange pathways. The ordering temperature T_N decreases with the increase of phosphate amount in the compounds. The existence of a phenomenon of canting and the evolution of the ferrimagnetic behavior in this solid solution is also discussed.