Synthesis, Crystal and Magnetic Structures of the Sodium Ferrate (IV) Na4FeO4 Studied by Neutron Diffraction and Mössbauer Techniques

The alkali sodium ferrate (IV) Na₄FeO₄ has been prepared by solid-state reaction of sodium peroxide Na₂O₂ and wustite Fe_1−xO, in a molar ratio Na/Fe=4, at 400°C under vacuum. Powder X-ray and neutron diffraction studies indicate that Na₄FeO₄ crystallizes in the triclinic system P−1 with the cell parameters= a=8.4810(2) Å, b=5.7688(1) Å, c=6.5622(1) Å, α=124.662(2)°, β=98.848(2)°, γ=101.761(2)° and Z=2. Na₄FeO₄ is isotypic with the other known phases Na₄MO₄ (M=Ti, Cr, Mn, Co and Ge, Sn, Pb). The solid solution Na₄Fe_xCo_1−xO₄ exists for x=0-1 and we have followed the evolution of the cell parameters with x to determine the lattice parameters of the triclinic cell of Na₄FeO₄. A three-dimensional network of isolated FeO₄ tetrahedra connected by Na atoms characterizes the structure. This compound is antiferromagnetic below T_N=16 K. At 2 K the magnetic cell is twice the nuclear cell and the magnetic structure is collinear (μ_Fe=3.36(12) μ_B at 2 K). This black compound is highly hygroscopic. In water or on contact with the atmospheric moisture it is disproportionated in Fe³⁺ and Fe⁶⁺. The Mössbauer spectra of Na₄FeO₄ are fitted with one doublet (δ=− 0.22 mm/s, Δ=0.41 mm/s at 295 K) in the paramagnetic state and with a sextet at 8K. These parameters characterize Fe⁴⁺ high-spin in tetrahedral FeO₄ coordination.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the cubic oxide fluoride BaFeO2F

Fluorination of the parent oxide, BaFeO_3−δ, with polyvinylidine fluoride gives rise to a cubic compound with a=4.0603(4) Å at 298 K. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra confirmed that all the iron is present as Fe³⁺. Neutron diffraction data showed complete occupancy of the anion sites, indicating a composition BaFeO₂F, with a large displacement of the iron off-site. The magnetic ordering temperature was determined as T_N=645±5 K. Neutron diffraction data at 4.2 K established G-type antiferromagnetism with a magnetic moment per Fe³⁺ ion of 3.95 μ_B. However, magnetisation measurements indicated the presence of a weak ferromagnetic moment that is assigned to the canting of the antiferromagnetic structure. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra in the temperature range 10-300 K were fitted with a model of fluoride ion distribution that retains charge neutrality of the perovskite unit cell.     

Order-disorder at Fe sites in SrFe2/3B″1/3O3 (B″=Mo, W, Te, U) tetragonal double perovskites

We have prepared SrFe_2/3B″_1/3O₃ (B″=Mo, U, Te, and W) double perovskites in polycrystalline form by ceramic methods. Phases with B″=U, Te and W have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and the results have been compared with neutron diffraction data available for B″=Mo. At room temperature, the stoichiometric samples crystallize in the tetragonal crystal system (space group I4/m, Z=4). Cell parameters when B″=U, Te and W are a=5.6936(1) Å, c=8.0637(1)Å; a=5.5776(1) Å, c=7.9144(3) Å and a=5.5707(3) Å, c=7.9081(5) Å, respectively.The Mössbauer spectra at room temperature for all compounds show hyperfine parameters belonging to two Fe³⁺ sites located at lattice positions with different degrees of distortion. This is in agreement with diffraction data that indicate that the series of compounds display different degrees of Fe-site disorder, which increases in the following sequence: Mo<U<Te<W.     

The Synthesis of SnS2 Nanoflakes from Tetrabutyltin Precursor

Hexagonal phase SnS₂ nanoflakes have been synthesized by reactions between an organotin precursor tetrabutyltin [TBT, (CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃)₄Sn] and carbon disulfide in hexanes at 180-200°C for 10-40 h. The structure, morphologies, composition, and properties have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ICP-AES, and Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopies. XRD patterns determined the hexagonal SnS₂ with lattice parameters a=3.6384 Å, c=5.9201 Å obtained in n-hexane, and a=3.6389 Å, c=5.9288 Å in cyclohexane. The flakelike morphologies were mainly caused by the anisotropic growth of SnS₂. A possible mechanism is given in the paper.     

Mössbauer characterization of tin triflate Sn(OTf)2

¹⁵¹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy was performed with tin triflate Sn(OTf)₂ in order to determine its Mösbauer parameters for analytical purposes. The typical Mössbauer parameters at 80 K for crystalline Sn(OTf)₂ are IS=4.01±0.02 mm/s and QS=1.20±0.04 mm/s and show that the stannous ion is at a site with less than cubic symmetry under perturbation of the crystal field effect.     

Characterization by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of a new alluaudite-like phosphate:: Na4CaFe4(PO4)6

A single crystal of a new sodium calcium iron (III) phosphate, Na₄CaFe₄(PO₄)₆, has been synthesized by a flux method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c(a=12.099(5) Å, b=12.480(5) Å, c=6.404(2) Å, β=113.77(3)°, Z=2, R₁=0.022, R_w2=0.066). The crystal structure belongs to the alluaudite type, characterized by the X(2)X(1)M(1)M(2)₂(PO₄)₃ general formula. The open framework results from Fe₂O₁₀ units of edge-sharing FeO₆ octahedra, which alternate with M(1)O₆ octahedra (M(1)=Na+Ca) that form infinite chains. These chains are linked together through the common corners of PO₄ tetrahedra yielding two distinct tunnels of sodium cation occupation. This compound is antiferromagnetic with a Néel temperature of 35 K. Mössbauer parameters are consistent with the structural results.     

New Compounds of the ThCr2Si2-Type and the Electronic Structure of CaM2Ge2 (M: Mn-Zn)

Two new compounds were synthesized by heating mixtures of the elements at 975-1025 K and characterized by single-crystal X-ray methods. CaZn₂Si₂ (a=4.173(2) Å, c=10.576(5) Å) and EuZn₂Ge₂ (a=4.348(2) Å, c=10.589(9) Å) crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure (space group I4/mmm; Z=2). Magnetic susceptibility measurements of EuZn₂Ge₂ show Curie-Weiss behavior with a magnetic moment of 7.85(5)μ_B/Eu and a paramagnetic Curie temperature of 10(1) K. EuZn₂Ge₂ orders antiferromagnetically at T_N=10.0(5) K and undergoes a metamagnetic transition at a low critical field of about 0.3(2) T. The saturation magnetization at 2 K and 5.5 T is 6.60(5) μ_B/Eu. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments show one signal at 78 K at an isomer shift of −11.4(1) mm/s and a line width of 2.7(1) mm/s compatible with divalent europium. At 4.2 K full magnetic hyperfine field splitting with a field of 26.4(4) T is detected. The already known compounds CaM₂Ge₂ (M: Mn-Zn) also crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure. Their MGe₄ tetrahedra are strongly distorted with M=Ni and nearly undistorted with M=Mn or Zn. According to LMTO electronic band structure calculations, the distortion is driven by a charge transfer from M-Ge antibonding to bonding levels.     

Mössbauer study of crystalline FeSO3.3H2O and its frozen aqueous solution

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer measurements were performed on FeSO₃ being in frozen solution and in crystalline states. The obtained typical Mössbauer parameters for crystalline FeSO₃.3H₂O are IS=1.23±0.05 mm s^–1 and QS=2.50±0.01 mm s^–1, while for the fozen solution: IS=1.32±0.01 mm s^–1, QS=3.24±0.01 mm s^–1. It show that Fe^II is hexaaquacoordinated in the solution.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic property of a new 3D iron phosphite: |C4N3H14|[Fe3(HPO3)4F2(H2O)2] with intersecting channels

A new open-framework iron (III) phosphite |C₄N₃H₁₄|[Fe₃(HPO₃)₄F₂(H₂O)₂] has been solvothermally synthesized by using diethylenetriamine (DETA) as the structure-directing agent. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c having unit cell parameters a=12.877(3) Å, b=12.170(2) Å, c=12.159(2) Å, β=93.99(3)°, V=1900.9(7) Å³, and Z=4 with R₁=0.0447, wR₂=0.0958. The complex structure consists of HPO₃ pseudo-tetrahedra and {Fe₃O₁₄F₂} trimer building units. The assembly of these building units generates 3D inorganic framework with intersecting 6-, 8-, and 10-ring channels. The DETA cations are located in the 10-ring channels linked by hydrogen bonds. The Mössbauer spectrum shows that there exhibit two crystallographically independent iron (III) atoms. And the magnetic investigation shows the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions. Further characterization of the title compound was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectra, thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and elemental analyses.     

Synthesis, structure of [H3dien]·(MF6)·H2O (M=Cr, Fe) and Fe Mössbauer study of [H3dien]·(FeF6)·H2O

Single crystals of [H₃dien]·(FeF₆)·H₂O (I) and [H₃dien]·(CrF₆)·H₂O (II) are obtained by solvothermal synthesis under microwave heating. I is orthorhombic (Pna2₁) with a=11.530(2) Å, b=6.6446(8) Å, c=13.787(3) Å, V=1056.3(2) Å³ and Z=4. II is monoclinic (P2₁/c) with a=13.706(1) Å, b=6.7606(6) Å, c=11.3181(9) Å, β=99.38(1)°, V=1034.7(1) Å³ and Z=4. The structure determinations, performed from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, lead to the R₁/wR₂ reliability factors 0.028/0.066 for I and 0.035/0.102 for II. The structures of I and II are built up from isolated FeF₆ or CrF₆ octahedra, water molecules and triprotonated amines. In both structures, each octahedron is connected by hydrogen bonds to six organic cations and two water molecules. The iron-based compound is also characterized by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry: the hyperfine structure confirms the presence of Fe³⁺ in octahedral coordination and reveals the existence of paramagnetic spin fluctuations.     

The Enantioselective Role of the [N(C5H11)4]+Organic Cation in the Structure of the Molecular Magnet [N(C5H11)4][MnIIFeIII(C2O4)3]

A crystal of [N(C₅H₁₁)₄][Mn^IIFe^III(C₂O₄)₃] was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis: space group C222₁, a= 9.653(2) Å, b= 16.201(2) Å, c= 20.193(4) Å. The arrangement of the cations predetermines the formation of the crystal structure from anionic layers of the same chirality. The presence of two types of organic cation does not contradict the formation of crystals with left and right chirality and accounts for the data of Mössbauer spectroscopy, indicating two states of iron.     

Investigation of Fe-based oxyhydroxy-fluoride with hollandite-type structure

Well crystallized Fe-based oxyhydroxy-fluoride with the FeO(OH_0.2F_0.8)·0.2H₂O chemical composition has been prepared from hydrolysis of Fe trifluoride under supercritical CO₂ conditions. Investigation by Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction show that this compound crystallize in the monoclinic symmetry (SG: I2/m, a = 10.447(7) Å, b = 3.028(2) Å, c = 10.445(4) Å, β = 90.00(3)°). Taking into account the Fe-O(F) bond distances, F⁻ anions are mainly located on the common vertices of Fe octahedra whereas OH⁻ groups occupy mainly the shared edges of the Fe octahedra. Two various highly distorted octahedral sites have been identified with Fe-O/F bond distances varying from 1.90 Å to 2.31 Å. One Fe site is more distorted than in FeO_0.8OH_1.2·0.2Cl akaganeite because of the random distribution of F⁻/OH⁻/O²⁻ in the vicinity of this Fe cation.     

Hyperfine interactions and lattice dynamics of Sn21O6Cl16(OH)14

In this study, the tin(II) oxy-hydroxychloride Sn₂₁O₆Cl₁₆(OH)₁₄ has been synthesised and investigated. This compound is the synthetic equivalent of mineral abhurite, which was discovered in 1985 as a tin corrosion product formed on the surface of tin ingots after long immersion in seawater. The Mössbauer parameters of Sn₂₁O₆Cl₁₆(OH)₁₄ determined at various temperatures are reported and discussed for the first time. At room temperature, the isomer shift and the quadrupole splitting are, respectively, δ=3.22 mm s⁻¹ and Δ=1.71 mm s⁻¹, relative to the centroid of the spectrum of BaSnO₃. The Mössbauer recoil-free fraction has been also evaluated over a wide range of temperature. At 300 K, the recoil-free fraction of Sn₂₁O₆Cl₁₆(OH)₁₄ is f₃₀₀=0.09±0.02.     

The binary gallide Eu5Ga9 - crystal structure, chemical bonding and physical properties

The title compound was prepared from the elements by reaction in a sealed tantalum tube at 1320 K followed by slow cooling to 970 K or, alternatively, in glassy carbon crucibles with HF melting. The crystal structure of Eu₅Ga₉ was refined from single-crystal data: Cmcm, a=4.613(1) Å, b=10.902(3) Å, c=26.097(6) Å, Z=4, R_F=0.036, 811 structure factors and 46 variables. The structure is described as a three-dimensional network formed by gallium atoms with europium atoms embedded in the cavities. The bonding analysis (LMTO, ELF) confirmed this representation of the structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Curie-Weiss behavior above 60 K with a magnetic moment per Eu atom of 8.12(1) μ_B, indicating divalent europium. Eu₅Ga₉ orders antiferromagnetically at 19.0(5) K with re-ordering at 6.0(5) K. The electrical resistivity shows a metallic temperature dependence and magnetic scattering. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments are compatible with divalent europium and show complex magnetic hyperfine field splitting below the ordering temperature.     

Synthesis, structure and characterisation of Fe0.50Ti2(PO4)3: A new material with Nasicon-like structure

A new iron titanyl phosphate Fe_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ was synthesized by both solid-state reaction and Cu²⁺-Fe²⁺ ion exchange method. The material was then characterized by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer, magnetic susceptibility measurements and optical absorption. The crystal structure of the compound was refined, using X-ray powder diffraction data, by the Rietveld profile method; it crystallizes in the rhombohedral system, space group , with a=8.511(1) Å and c=20.985(3) Å, V=1316.45(3) Å³ and Z=6. The structure, which is compared to that of Mn_0.50Ti₂(PO₄)₃ is built up from [TiO₆] octahedra and [PO₄] tetrahedra which are linked by corner sharing along the c-axis. Fe²⁺ cations are located in half of the antiprism M_I sites and are orderly distributed with vacancies within the two possible positions of the M_I sites of . These results were supported by the Mössbauer studies that showed the presence of one Fe²⁺ site in the high spin state (t_2g⁴e_g²). The Curie-Weiss-type behavior is observed in the magnetic susceptibility. Diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates the presence of octahedrally coordinated Fe²⁺ ions.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of thermal decomposition of substituted pentacyanoferrate(II) complexes

The thermal behaviour of substituted pentacyanoferrates(II) of the type Na₃[Fe(CN₅)L]·xH₂O, whereL=n-, sec-, tert- oriso-butylamine,di-iso-butylamine ortri-n-butylamine, was investigated with the aid of Mössbauer spectroscopy, XRD and TG-DTG-DTA. The Mössbauer spectra of these complexes exhibit a quadrupole doublet with E _Q=0.70–0.83 mm s^–1 at room temperature. The isomer shift, =0.00±0.03 mm s^–1 suggests that the iron atom is in the +2 low-spin state. The complexes start to decompose at 50°C, yielding a residual mass of 5.8 –21.3% in the temperature range 900–950°C. The Mössbauer spectra recorded after heating at 150 and 300°C exhibit an asymmetric doublet, suggesting partial decomposition. The Mössbauer spectra at higher temperature are complex. At different stages of the thermal process, the presence of -Fe₂O₃, -Fe₂O₃, -Fe, Fe₃C and Fe₃O₄ was demonstrated.On leave from A. N. College, Anandwan-442 914, IndiaWe are grateful to the Monbusho (Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture) for the award of a fellowship to RBL and for financial assistance for the research work. Thanks are also due to Dr. T. Nakamoto for valuable cooperation.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Layered Fe(III) Carboxymethylphosphonate: [Fe(H2O)(O3P-CH2-CO2)] or MIL-49

[Fe^III(H₂O)(O₃P- (CH₂)-CO₂)] or MIL-49 was hydrothermally synthesized under autogenous pressure at 170°C for 48 h. Its bidimensional structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No.14). Cell parameters are a =9.3836(3) Å, b=6.3798(3) Å, c=10.1371(3) Å, β=111.891(2)°, Z=4, and V=563.10(4) ų. Reliability factors of the structure refinement are R₁(F)=0.0470 and wR₂(F²)=0.1297 for 1036 reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure of MIL-49 is based on inorganic units built up from two edge-sharing [FeO₅(H₂O)] octahedra and two carboxymethylphosphonate groups. The connection of these units leads to the formation of hybrid sheets. A dangling oxygen atom from the carboxy function points toward the interlayer space and is responsible for hydrogen bonding with adjacent layers. Magnetic measurements and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer study reveal an antiferromagnetic ordering below T_N=25(1) K which becomes canted below 11(1) K.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a new iron phosphate structure of ladder-like chains and coordination directly by an organo-nitrogen ligand: [Fe(phen)(HPO4)(H2PO4)·0.5H2O] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline)

A coordination iron phosphate, Fe(phen)(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)·0.5H₂O (I), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectral analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m (No. 12), with cell parameters M=438.03, a=21.421(5) Å, b=6.4292(1) Å, c=12.190(3) Å, β=105.964(9)°, V=1614.1(6) Å³, Z=4, R₁[I>2σ(I)]=0.0545, wR₂[I>2σ(I)]=0.1186. This compound displays a new structure of ladder-like chains, in which each one-dimensional chain is constituted by the distorted octahedral units of Fe³⁺ bridged through PO₄ tetrahedron. The phen ligands in the compound bind in a bidentate fashion to the metal atoms and the ladder-like structure of the compound extends into a three-dimensional supramolecular array via π-π stacking interactions of phen ligands. Mössbauer spectroscopy shows the presence of Fe³⁺ in the octahedral coordination. Magnetic susceptibility measurement studies show that this material may model as anti-ferromagnetic.     

Crystal Structure Refinement and Magnetic Properties of Fe4(P2O7)3 Studied by Neutron Diffraction and Mössbauer Techniques

Fe₄(P₂O₇)₃ was prepared from Fe(PO₃)₃ and FePO₄ at 940°C under oxygen. The unit cell is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a=7.389(2) Å, b=21.337(1) Å, c=9.517(2) Å, β=90(1)°, and Z=4. The crystallographic structure has been determined from a single crystal through direct methods and difference Fourier synthesis and refined to R=0.10 (R_w=0.09). The three-dimensional framework is built up from Fe₂O₉ clusters of two face-sharing octahedra, linked by bent diphosphates P₂O₇ (P-O-P∼156°). Fe₄(P₂O₇)₃ is antiferromagnetic below T_N=50 K. The magnetic structure has been determinated by means of powder neutron diffraction. There are four antiferromagnetic iron sublattices corresponding to the four crystallographically distinct iron atoms. The magnetic moments are antiferromagnetically coupled inside the Fe₂O₉ dimers, in agreement with the Goodenough rules. They are parallel to the c axis and have 4.55(5) μ_B value at 1.7 K. The magnetic interactions are discussed. Mössbauer spectra are fitted with four doublets and sextuplets in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic states, respectively. Their rather high isomer shifts are explained by the inductive effect.