K1.4P4W14O50: An odd-m member (m = 7) of the monophosphate tungsten bronze series KxP4O8(WO3)2m

The crystal structure of K_xP₄W₁₄O₅₀ (x = 1.4) has been solved by three-dimensional single crystal X-ray analysis. The refinement in the cell of symmetry $\text{A2}\text{m}$, with a = 6.660(2) Å, b = 5.3483(3) Å, c = 27.06(5) Å, and β = 97.20(2)°, Z = 1, has led to R = 0.036 and R_w = 0.039 for 2436 reflections with $\text{σ(I)}\text{I}\text{≤ 0.333}$. This structure belongs to the structural family K_xP₄O₈(WO₃)_2m, called monophosphate tungsten bronzes (MPTB), which is characterized by ReO₃-type slabs of various widths connected through PO₄ single tetrahedra. This bronze corresponds to the member m = 7 of the series and its framework is built up alternately of strands of three and four WO₆ octahedra. The structural relationships with the P₄O₈(WO₃)_2m series, called M′PTB, are described and the possibility of intergrowth between these two structures is discussed.     

The monophosphate tungsten bronzes with pentagonal tunnels (MPTBP, P4O8(WO3)2m: A high-resolution electron microscopy study

A series of monophosphate tungsten bronzes of composition P₄O₈(WO₃)_2m with pentagonal tunnels, MPTB_P, have been investigated by high resolution electron microscopy. Most of the micrographs of the integral m members exhibit an asymmetrical contrast which could not be explained qualitatively by the structural models derived from X-ray diffraction studies of some members of the series. Image calculations were thus performed on the m = 4 member (P₄W₈O₃₂), which showed that the unexpected symmetry does not result from a structural anomaly, but could be due to a titled electron beam. The observations revealed that ordered crystals can be obtained up to m = 16. The investigation of the nonintegral m compositions showed two sorts of intergrowths: disordered intergrowths of different m members belonging to the MPTB_P series and ordered intergrowths of the MPTB_P structure with a related phosphate tungsten bronze structure based upon hexagonal tunnels.     

Bronzes with a tunnel structure KxP4O8(WO3)2m: The tenth member of the series—KP8W40O136

The crystal structure of KP₈W₄₀O₁₃₆, the tenth member of the series K_xP₄O₈(WO₃)_2m, has been resolved by three-dimensional single-crystal X-ray analysis. The space group is $\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}$ and the cell parameters are a = 19.589(3) Å, b = 7.5362(4) Å, c = 16.970(3) Å and β = 91.864(14)°. The framework is built up from ReO₃-type slabs connected through pyrophosphate groups. The structure is compared to those of the other members of the series: although the ReO₃-type slabs show a different type of tilting of the WO₆ octahedra, the dispersion of WO distances is always higher for the octahedra linked to one or two P₂O₇ groups and decreases in proportion as W is farther from these groups. The perovskite cages of the slabs are described and compared to those encountered in the structures of WO₃ and of the bronzes A_xWO₃.     

One-dimensional chains in uranyl tungstates: Syntheses and structures of A8[(UO2)4(WO4)4(WO5)2] (A=Rb, Cs) and Rb6[(UO2)2O(WO4)4]

Three new uranyl tungstates, A₈[(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂] (A=Rb (1), Cs (2)), and Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄] (3), were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions and their structures were solved by direct methods on twinned crystals, refined to R₁=0.050, 0.042, and 0.052 for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural, monoclinic P2₁/n, (1): a=11.100(7), b=13.161(9), , β=90.033(13)°, , Z=8 and (2): , , , β=89.988(2)°, , Z=8. There are four symmetrically independent U⁶⁺ sites that form linear uranyl [O=U=O]²⁺ cations with rather distorted coordination in their equatorial planes. There are six W positions: W(1) and W(2) have square-pyramidal coordination (WO₅), whereas W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) are tetrahedrally coordinated. The structures are based upon a novel type of one-dimensional (1D) [(UO₂)₄(WO₄)₄(WO₅)₂]⁴⁻ chains, consisting of WU₄O₂₅ pentamers linked by WO₄ tetrahedra and WO₅ square pyramids. The chains run parallel to the a-axis and are arranged in modulated pseudo-2D-layers parallel to (0 1 0). The A⁺ cations are in the interlayer space between adjacent pseudo-layers and provide a 3D integrity of the structures. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first uranyl tungstates with 2/3 of W atoms in tetrahedral coordination. Such a high concentration of low-coordinated W⁶⁺ cations is probably responsible for the 1D character of the uranyl tungstate units. The compound 3 is triclinic, P1¯ a=10.188(2), b=13.110(2), , α=97.853(3), β=96.573(3), γ=103.894(3)°, , Z=4. There are four U positions in the structure with a typical coordination of a pentagonal bipyramid that contain uranyl ions, UO₂²⁺, as apical axes. Among eight W sites, the W(1), W(2), W(3), W(4), W(5), and W(6) atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas the W(7) and W(8) cations have distorted fivefold coordination. The structure contains chains of composition [(UO₂)₂O(WO₄)₄]⁶⁻ composed of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and W polyhedra. The chains involve dimers of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that share common O atoms. The dimers are linked into chains by sharing corners with WO₄ tetrahedra. The chains are parallel to [−101] and are arranged in layers that are parallel to (1 1 1). The Rb⁺ cations provide linkage of the chains into a 3D structure. The compound 1 has many structural and chemical similarities to its molybdate analog, Rb₆[(UO₂)₂O(MoO₄)₄]. However, the compounds are not isostructural. Due to the tendency of the W⁶⁺ cations to have higher-than-fourfold coordination, part of the W sites adopt distorted fivefold coordination, whereas all Mo atoms in the Mo compound are tetrahedrally coordinated. Distribution of the WO₅ configurations along the chain extension does not conform to its ‘typical’ periodicity. As a result, both the chain identity period and the unit-cell volume are doubled in comparison to the Mo analog, which leads to a new structure type.     

A large series of isotypic Mo(V) diphosphates with a tunnel structure: From A(MoO)10(P2O7)8 with A=Ba, Sr, Ca, Cd, Pb to A(MoO)5(P2O7)4 with A=Ag, Li, Na, K

The single crystal structure of a series of nine isotypic Mo(V) diphosphates was determined from crystals with composition A²⁺(MoO)₁₀(P₂O₇)₈ (A=Ba, Sr, Ca, Cd, Pb) and A⁺(MoO)₅(P₂O₇)₄ (A=Ag, Li, Na, K). The structure of those phosphates, built up of corner sharing MoO₆ octahedra, MoO₅ tetragonal pyramids and P₂O₇ diphosphates groups, forms eight-sided tunnels as described by Lii et al. for A=Ag. New features are evidenced: (1) existence of two orientations, up and down along b for the MoO₅ pyramids; (2) maximum insertion rate of the divalent cations which is twice less than that of the univalent cations; (3) different behavior of the series “Pb, Sr, Ba, Li, Na, K” which exhibits only one kind of site for the inserted cation, compared to the “Cd, Ca, Ag” series for which two kinds of sites are observed; (4) off-centering of the A-site cations with respect to the tunnel axis; and (5) unusually high thermal factors along the tunnel axis, but absence of ionic conductivity.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of the layered uranyl tellurites A2[(UO2)3(TeO3)2O2] (A=K, Rb, Cs)

The reactions of UO₃ and TeO₃ with KCl, RbCl, or CsCl at 800 °C for 5 d yield single crystals of A₂[(UO₂)₃(TeO₃)₂O₂] (A=K (1), Rb (2), and Cs (3)). These compounds are isostructural with one another, and their structures consist of two-dimensional sheets arranged in a stair-like topology separated by alkali metal cations. These sheets are comprised of zigzagging uranium(VI) oxide chains bridged by corner-sharing trigonal pyramidal TeO₃²⁻ anions. The chains are composed of dimeric, edge-sharing, pentagonal bipyramidal UO₇ moieties joined by edge-sharing tetragonal bipyramidal UO₆ units. The lone-pair of electrons from the TeO₃ groups are oriented in opposite directions with respect to one another on each side of the sheets rendering each individual sheet non-polar. The alkali metal cations form contacts with nearby tellurite oxygen atoms as well as with oxygen atoms from the uranyl moieties. Crystallographic data (193 K, MoKα, ): 1, triclinic, space group , , , , α=101.852(1)°, β=102.974(1)°, γ=100.081(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.70% for 98 parameters and 1697 reflections with I>2σ(I); 2, triclinic, space group , , , , α=105.590(2)°, β=101.760(2)°, γ=99.456(2)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.36% for 98 parameters and 1817 reflections with I>2σ(I); 3, triclinic, space group , , , , α=109.301(1)°, β=100.573(1)°, γ=99.504(1)°, , Z=2, R(F)=2.61% for 98 parameters and 1965 reflections with I>2σ(I).     

Mecanisme d'hydratation des niobates alcalins lamellaires de formule A4Nb4O17 (A = K,Rb, Cs)

Two double oxides, K₄Nb₆O₁₇ and K₂Rb₂Nb₆O₁₇ · 5H₂O, have been synthesized as single crystals. Unit cell dimensions are a = 7.83, b = 33.21, c = 6.46 Å for the first and a = 7.84, b = 41.75, c = 6.50 Å for the second. The common space group is P2₁nb (Z = 4). The K₄Nb₆O₁₇ structure was solved by X-ray diffraction using three-dimensional Patterson and Fourier techniques with 1401 reflections collected on films. Comparison between the structure types of K₄Nb₆O₁₇ and Rb₄Nb₆O₁₇ · 3H₂O leads to elaboration of a pattern for the pentahydrate which was confirmed by the crystal structure. These results show that the hydration mechanism leads only to compounds with three or five molecules of water and they explain the differences of stability found between several compounds of the same type.     

New open-framework in the uranyl vanadates A3(UO2)7(VO4)5O (A=Li, Ag) with intergrowth structure between A(UO2)4(VO4)3 and A2(UO2)3(VO4)2O

New uranyl vanadates A₃(UO₂)₇(VO₄)₅O (M=Li (1), Na (2), Ag (3)) have been synthesized by solid-state reaction and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for 1 and 3. The tetragonal structure results of an alternation of two types of sheets denoted S for _∞²[UO₂(VO₄)₂]⁴⁻ and D for _∞²[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₃]⁵⁻ built from UO₆ square bipyramids and connected through VO₄ tetrahedra to _∞¹[U(3)O₅-U(4)O₅]⁸⁻ infinite chains of edge-shared U(3)O₇ and U(4)O₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternatively parallel to a- and b-axis to construct a three-dimensional uranyl vanadate arrangement. It is noticeable that similar _∞[UO₅]⁴⁻ chains are connected only by S-type sheets in A₂(UO₂)₃(VO₄)₂O and by D-type sheets in A(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃, thus A₃(UO₂)₇(VO₄)₅O appears as an intergrowth structure between the two previously reported series. The mobility of the monovalent ion in the mutually perpendicular channels created in the three-dimensional arrangement is correlated to the occupation rate of the sites and by the geometry of the different sites occupied by either Na, Ag or Li. Crystallographic data: 293 K, Bruker X8-APEX2 X-ray diffractometer equipped with a 4 K CCD detector, MoKα, λ=0.71073 Å, tetragonal symmetry, space group P4¯m2, Z=1, full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F²; 1,a=7.2794(9) Å, c=14.514(4) Å, R1=0.021 and wR2=0.048 for 62 parameters with 782 independent reflections with I?2σ(I); 3, a=7.2373(3) Å, c=14.7973(15) Å, R1=0.041 and wR2=0.085 for 60 parameters with 1066 independent reflections with I?2σ(I).     

A novel open-framework with non-crossing channels in the uranyl vanadates A(UO2)4(VO4)3 (A=Li, Na)

A new sodium uranyl vanadate Na(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and its structure determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in the tetragonal symmetry with space group I4₁/amd and following cell parameters: a=7.2267(4) Å and c=34.079(4) Å, V=1779.8(2) Å³, Z=4 with ρ_mes=5.36(3) g/cm³ and ρ_cal=5.40(2) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement on the basis of F² yielded R₁=0.028 and wR₂=0.056 for 52 parameters with 474 independent reflections with I?2σ(I) collected on a BRUKER AXS diffractometer with MoKα radiation and a CCD detector. The crystal structure is characterized by _∞²[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)] sheets parallel to (001) formed by corner-shared UO₆ distorted octahedra and V(2)O₄ tetrahedra, connected by V(1)O₄ tetrahedra to _∞¹[UO₅]⁴⁻ chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids alternately parallel to the a- and b-axis. The resulting three-dimensional framework creates mono-dimensional channels running down the a- and b-axis formed by face-shared oxygen octahedra half occupied by Na. The powder of Li analog compound Li(UO₂)₄(VO₄)₃ has been synthesized by solid-state reaction. The two compounds exhibit high mobility of the alkaline ions within the two-dimensional network of non-intersecting channels.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

Structure property relationships in the ATi2O4 (A=Na, Ca) family of reduced titanates

Reduced titanates in the ATi₂O₄ (A=Li, Mg) spinel family exhibit a variety of interesting electronic and magnetic properties, most notably superconductivity in the mixed-valence spinel, Li_1+xTi_2−xO₄. The sodium and calcium analogs, NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄, each differ in structure, the main features of which are double rutile-type chains composed of edge-sharing TiO₆ octahedra. We report for the first time, the properties and band structures of these two materials. XANES spectroscopy at the Ti K-edge was used to probe the titanium valence. The absorption edge position and the pre-edge spectral features observed in the XANES data confirm the assignment of Ti³⁺ in CaTi₂O₄ and mixed-valence Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ in NaTi₂O₄. Temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetic susceptibility studies are consistent with the classification of both NaTi₂O₄ and CaTi₂O₄ as small band-gap semiconductors, although changes in the high-temperature magnetic susceptibility of CaTi₂O₄ suggest a possible insulator-metal transition near 700 K. Band structure calculations agree with the observed electronic properties of these materials and indicate that while Ti-Ti bonding is of minimal importance in NaTi₂O₄, the titanium atoms in CaTi₂O₄ are weakly dimerized at room temperature.     

Formation of pentagonal tunnels bordered with P2O7 groups in diphosphate tungsten bronzes (P2O4)2(WO3)2m: A HREM investigation

During the investigation of the phosphate bronzes (PO₂)₄(WO₃)_2m [MPTB_P] and K_x(P₂O₄)₂WO₃)_2m [DPTB_H] crystals of a new type were observed. HREM images of these crystals showed twinned ReO₃-type slabs the junction of which was parallel to the (102)_ReO3 plane. The proposed model identified the twin boundary as built from P₂O₇ groups involving the formation of pentagonal tunnels. The structure of this new type of extended defects is quite original: it corresponds to a new structural type named “diphosphate tungsten bronzes with pentagonal tunnels” [DPTB_P], for which no regular member could be synthesized. Image calculations were performed to confirm the junction model. Apart from the disordered stacking of the ReO₃-type slabs, very few defects were observed and shear planes were only obtained in reduced samples. This new structural type takes its place in the large family of phosphate tungsten bronzes where all members (DPTB_H, MPTB_H, MPTB_P) are very closely related.     

Thermochemistry of the mixed calcium phosphate Ca8P2O7(PO4)4

The calcium mixed phosphate Ca₈P₂O₇(PO₄)₄ has been synthesized by thermal decomposition of octacalcium phosphate previously prepared by precipitation in ammoniacal phosphate solution. The enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K referenced to β-tricalcium phosphate and calcium pyrophosphate is determined. β-Tricalcium phosphate was prepared by two methods: precipitation in ammoniacal aqueous medium and high temperature solid-state reaction. Calcium pyrophosphate was prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction. All the compounds are characterized by chemical analysis, X-rays diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The enthalpy of formation +10.83 ± 0.63 kJ mol⁻¹ is obtained by solution calorimetry at 298.15 K in nitric acid.     

Magnetic order in AVX3 (A = Rb,Cs, (CD3)4 N; X = Cl,Br, I): A neutron diffraction study

AVX₃ (A = Rb, Cs, (CD₃)₄ N; X = Cl, Br, I) crystallize in the hexagonal system, space group $\text{P6}{}_3\text{mmc}$, with chains of face-sharing VX₆ octahedra along the c-axis. This leads to a pronounced one-dimensional character of their magnetic properties with a strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction J between nearest neighbor V²⁺ ions along these chains. All compounds except [(CD₃)₄N]VCl₃ order three-dimensionally with ordering temperatures T_c between 13 and 32 K. In the ordered phase the magnetic moments, μ, lie in the basal plane in a triangular arrangement typical for antiferromagnetic interchain interaction J′.     

Long-range magnetic ordering of S=1/2 linear trimers in A3Cu3(PO4)4 (A=Ca, Sr, and Pb)

Magnetic properties of S=1/2 linear trimer cluster compounds A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ (A=Ca, Sr, and Pb) were investigated. Magnetic susceptibility data for the three compounds showed that paramagnetic copper spins form trimers with the total spin of 1/2 below about 45 K. Specific heat and magnetization measurements indicated that the trimer clusters undergo ferromagnetic long-range ordering at for A=Ca and antiferromagnetic long-range ordering at for A=Sr and for A=Pb. A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ exhibited 1/3-magnetization plateau at least up to magnetic field of 55 T at 1.3 and 4.2 K. A₃Cu₃(PO₄)₄ with A=Sr and Pb showed a spin-flop transition near 0.03 T in the antiferromagnetic state at 0.08 K. Specific heat data at magnetic fields clearly showed broad maxima at low temperatures due to the finite intra-chain interaction in one-dimensional arrays of the trimers.     

Structural Characterization of YMexMn1−xO3 (Me=Cu, Ni, Co) Perovskites

The structural properties of the YMe_xMn_1−xO₃ (Me=Cu, Ni, Co) pseudobinary oxides have been studied by X-ray diffraction and electrical measurements. The powders were prepared by solid state reaction between the corresponding oxides. The incorporation in solid solution of small divalent cations, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺, substituting for Mn in the hexagonal YMnO₃ compound, leads to a phase transition in which a perovskite-type structure is formed. The amount of substituting cation necessary for such a transition depends on the cation nature and, to a small extent, on the ionic radius. The phase transition depends strongly on the progressive substitution of the Jahn-Teller Mn³⁺ cation and therefore of the cooperative Jahn-Teller interaction weakness. The steric influence plays a secondary role, as is shown by the very small variation of the tolerance factor, t, as a function of the cation content. The solid solutions with perovskite-type structure show semiconducting behavior. The conductivity mechanism is of a thermally activated small polaron hopping.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new uranyl oxychloro-vanadate layered compounds: M7(UO2)8(VO4)2O8Cl with M=Rb, Cs

Two new alkali uranyl oxychloro vanadates M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl with M=Rb, Cs, have been synthesized by solid-state reactions and their structures determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. They crystallize in the orthorhombic system with space groups Pmcn and Pmmn, respectively. The a and b unit cell parameters are almost identical in both compounds while the c parameter in the Rb compound is doubled: Rb—a=21.427(5) Å, b=11.814(3) Å, c=14.203(3) Å, V=3595.1(1) Å³, Z=4, ρ_mes=5.93(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.82(1) g/cm³; Cs—a=21.458(3) Å, b=11.773(2) Å, c=7.495(1) Å, V=1893.6(5) Å³, Z=2, ρ_mes=6.09(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=6.11(1) g/cm³. A full-matrix least-squares refinement yielded R₁=0.0221, wR₂=0.0562 for 2675 independent reflections and R₁=0.0386, wR₂=0.1042 for 2446 independent reflections, for the Rb and Cs compounds, respectively. Data were collected with Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector of a Bruker diffractometer. Both structures are characterized by [(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl]_n⁷ⁿ⁻ layers parallel to the (001) plane. The layers are built up from VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids, and UO₆ distorded octahedra. The UO₇ and UO₆Cl pentagonal bipyramids are associated by sharing opposite equatorial edges to form infinite chains (UO₅-UO₄Cl-UO₅)_n parallel to the a axis. These chains are linked together by VO₄ tetrahedra, UO₆ octahedra, UO₇ corner sharing and UO₆Cl, Cl sharing. Both structures differ simply by the symmetry of the layers. The unit cell contains one centrosymmetric layer in the Cs compound, whereas in the two-layer unit cell of the Rb compound, two non-centrosymmetric consecutive layers are related by an inversion center. The layers appear to be held together by the alkali ions. The mobility of the M⁺ ions within the interlayer space in M₇(UO₂)₈(VO₄)₂O₈Cl and carnotite analog compounds is compared.     

Alpha self-irradiation effects in ternary oxides of actinides elements: The zircon-like phases AmVO4 and ANp(VO4)2 (A=Sr, Pb)

We report the experimental studies of irradiation damage from alpha decay in neptunium and americium vanadates versus cumulative dose. The isotopes used were the transuranium α-emitter ²³⁷Np and the α,γ-emitter ²⁴¹Am. Neptunium and americium vanadates self-irradiation was studied by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). The comparison of the powder diffraction patterns reveal that the irradiation has no apparent effect on the neptunium phases while the americium vanadate swells and becomes metamict as a function of cumulative dose.     

Synthesis and characterization of the pseudo-hexagonal hollandites ALi2Ru6O12 (A=Na, K)

The crystal structures, synthesis and physical properties of ruthenium hollandites ALi₂Ru₆O₁₂ (A=Na, K) with a new pseudo-hexagonal structure type are described. Analogous to tetragonal hollandites, the framework is made of MO₆ octahedra in double chains that share corner oxygens with each other to create interstitial tunnels. The tunnels are either hexagonal or triangular in cross-section. Magnetic susceptibilities, low temperature specific heat, and electrical resistivities are reported. The data indicate that these materials are normal, low density of states metals. This new structure type can be extended from A=Group I to A=Group II ions with the synthesis of CaLi₂Ru₆O₁₂ and SrLi₂Ru₆O₁₂.