Raman spectroscopy of the ferroelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition in Li<Subscript>0.12</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.88</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramic solid solution

The phase transition in the Li_0.12Na_0.88Ta_0.2Nb_0.8O₃ ceramic solid solution has been studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy at 350°C. A considerable broadening of the lines due to translational vibrations of cations in octahedral and cuboctahedral voids and to vibrations of the oxygen framework, as well as the decrease to zero of the intensity of the line due to bridge stretching vibrations of oxygen atoms of BO₆ octahedral anions, was revealed as the temperature of the solution approached the transition point from below. It was found that the solution loses its ferroelectric properties due to the preferential increase in the anharmonicity of vibrations of cations in octahedral voids.     

X-Ray Structure Investigation of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> Langasite Family Crystal

An accurate structure analysis of Sr₃NbGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystals, belonging to the langasite family, has been performed. Two datasets are obtained on an Xcalibur S diffractometer equipped with a CCD detector. The structure is been refined using an averaged dataset: sp. gr. P 321, Z = 1, 295 K, sin θ/λ ≤ 1.35 Å^–1, a = 8.2797(3) Å, c = 5.0774(5) Å; the agreement factors between the model and experiment are found to be R/wR = 0.76/0.64% and Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.21/0.17 e/ų for 3820 independent ref lections. The Sr₃NbGa₃Si₂O₁₄ and Sr₃NbFe₃Si₂O₁₄ structures are compared, and the role of magnetic ions in the predicted P321 → P3 phase transition is analyzed.     

Crystal structure of the Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> compound

The absolute crystal structure of the Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ piezoelectric compound is refined using X-ray diffraction analysis. The unit cell parameters and final R factors are as follows: a = 8.112(1) Å, c = 4.9862(6) Å, space group P321, Z = 1, R = 0.98%, and R _w = 1.42%. It is shown that the configuration of the absolute crystal structure inherited from the seed material determines the positive sense of the optical activity of the crystal under investigation. The structural and acoustical characteristics of the Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ crystals are compared with those of the La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ crystals.     

Structural study of new compound Bi<Subscript>2.53</Subscript>Li<Subscript>0.29</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> by the powder neutron diffraction method

A new compound of composition Bi_2.53Li_0.29Nb₂O₉ was synthesized in the course of the search for new materials with high ionic conductivity. Its crystal structure was determined from the neutron diffraction data. The new compound Bi_2.53Li_0.29Nb₂O₉ is crystallized in the orthorhombic system, sp. gr. Cmc2₁, and unit-cell parameters a = 24.849(1) Å, b = 5.4536(3) Å, and c = 5.4619(2) Å at T = 290 K (a = 24.843(2) Å, b = 5.4456(5) Å, and c = 5.4546(5) Å at T = 10 K). Within the temperature range 10–870 K, no structural phase transitions were revealed. The atomic coordinates and the thermal factors in the isotropic approximation were refined by the Rietveld method at 290 and 10 K. The data obtained were analyzed based on the calculated local balance of bond strengths.     

Accurate structural study of langasite-family Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystal

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.1056(2) Å, c = 4.9800(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.486/0.488%). A model structure is determined which is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of structural parameters. Each site in Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ is occupied by atoms of only one type. Nevertheless, its structural feature is asymmetric disordering of sites of Ca, Ta, Ga, and two out of three oxygen atoms occupying special and general sites. A transition of some part of Ca atoms (~3%) from 3e sites on the twofold symmetry axis to general 6g sites is revealed.     

Crystal-structure refinement of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript>

The accurate X-ray diffraction study of a Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal was performed based on two X-ray diffraction data sets collected on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.2776(2), c = 5.0415(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.78/0.69%, 3645 independent reflections). The structure of Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ is characterized by the presence of two mixed cation sites, which is accompanied by the anharmonic motion not only of cations, but also of two oxygen atoms in general positions. The structures and electromechanical characteristics of Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ and Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ were compared. The Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ structure is characterized by a larger elongation of the Sr polyhedron along the a axis and, simultaneously, by the smaller unit-cell parameter a compared with Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄, which correlates with the ratio of the piezoelectric coefficients d ₁₁. The absence of thermally stable directions in the crystals of Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ and Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ is consistent with the absence of the anomalous temperature dependence of the dielectric constant ?₃₃.     

Synthesis and Electrical Properties of a Fluorite-Like Nd<Subscript>5</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>16</Subscript> Compound with Partial Substitution of Molybdenum by Tungsten,Niobium, or Vanadium

The phase formation of Nd₅Mo_{3 – x}W _x O_16.5, Nd₅Mo_{3 – x}Nb _x O_{16.5 – х/2}, and Nd₅Mo_{3 – x}V _x O_{16.5 – х/2} solid solutions based on a fluorite-like Nd₅Mo₃O_16.5 compound (mixed conductor with interstitial oxygen conductivity) has been studied. The electrical conductivity of doped compounds obeys the Arrhenius law and, at a low impurity content, is as high as 0.03–0.08 S/cm at 800°C. Substitution of Mo⁶⁺ cations by V⁵⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ cations reduces the interstitial oxygen content, which causes a decrease in the solid-solution electrical conductivity by 1–2 orders of magnitude and a decrease in the cubic unit-cell parameter. A wide diffuse anomaly with a maximum of about 1500–4000 has been observed in the temperature dependence of the permittivity for all single-crystal and polycrystalline samples in the range of 300–900°C.     

Structural study of K<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.93</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>0.07</Subscript>OPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystals at 30 K

The structure of a K_0.93Ti_0.93Nb_0.07OPO₄ single crystal is studied at the temperature 30 K. The measurements are performed on a four-circle HUBER-5042 diffractometer with a DISPLEX DE-202 cryostat. Processing of the diffraction data and the preliminary refinement of the model are performed using the ASTRA program package. The final refinement of the structure model is made using the JANA2000 program complex. The refinement shows that the structure of a K_0.93Ti_0.93Nb_0.07OPO₄ crystal at T = 30 K is similar to its structure at room temperature. No phase transitions are revealed. Slight temperature-induced displacements of the potassium positions in the large cavities of the mixed framework are established.     

A new centrosymmetric modification of synthetic hilgardite Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[B<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>](OH) · 0.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A new centrosymmetric modification of Pb-hilgardite Pb₂[B₅O₉](OH) · 0.5H₂O is synthesized hydrothermally under conditions close to natural. This modification is intermediate between the centrosymmetric monoclinic phase studied earlier and the polar orthorhombic phase. The occupancies of the framework voids with water molecules, OH-groups, and halogen atoms are considered for all the known varieties of hilgardite. The correlation between the conditions of hilgardite formation and types of structure is established.     

Accurate Refinement of the Crystal Structure of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> from Langasite Family and Analysis of Structural Transformations Due to Isomorphous Cation Substitutions

An accurate structure analysis of a Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal from langasite family was performed using four X-ray diffraction data sets collected on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, sinθ/λ ≤ 1.35 Å^–1; at 295 K a = 8.516(1) Å, c = 5.1910(6) Å, R/wR = 0.58/0.56%, Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.73/0.42 e/ų, 4414 independent reflections; at 106 K a = 8.5109(9) Å, c = 5.1861(9) Å, R/wR = 0.75/0.86%, Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.81/1.06 e/ų, 4382 reflections). The distinguishing feature of the Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ structure is a strong disorder of the Ga atom at the 3f site. Structural transformations in the series of Сa₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ crystals were analyzed.     

Expanded Prussian Blue Analogue Based on Octahedral {Nb<Subscript>6</Subscript>} Clusters and {K<Subscript>2</Subscript>} Dimers as Nodes

Abstract  The preparation, structures, and characterization of two new compounds containing octahedral niobium cyanochloride clusters as building units and (Et₄N)⁺ as cation are reported. The reaction between Nb₆Cl₁₄ · 8H₂O, KCN and (Et₄N)Cl led to the formation of (Et₄N)₄[Nb₆Cl₁₂(CN)₆] · 2.67H₂O (1) which crystallizes in triclinic P-1 space group (No. 2) with a = 12.552(2), b = 12.818(2), c = 12.919(2) ?, α = 105.157(3)°, β = 104.188(3)°, γ = 117.390(2)°, V = 1611.7(5) ?³ and Z = 1. 1 has a 2D hydrogen-bonded layer structure based on [Nb₆Cl₁₂(CN)₆]⁴⁻ units connected through hydrogen bonding between cyanide ligands and solvent water molecules. In the presence of large excess of K⁺ ions, similar reaction leads to formation of K₂(Et₄N)₂[Nb₆Cl₁₂(CN)₆] (2) which crystallizes in the tetragonal I4/m space group (No. 87) with a = b = 10.9597(3), c = 19.178(1) ?, V = 2303.6(2) ?³ and Z = 2. Its 3D structure is based on [Nb₆Cl₁₂]²⁺ and [K₂]²⁺ nodes bridged by cyanide ligands to form an expanded Prussian blue type framework with (Et₄N)⁺ acting as charge compensating ions. Index Abstract  An expanded Prussian blue type 3D framework based on hexanuclear {Nb₆} and dinuclear {K₂} units which are bridged by cyanide linker was synthesized and characterized. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Crystal structure refinement of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript>

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (STGS) crystal (a = 8.3023(10) Å, c = 5.0853(2) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.59/0.52%, 4004 independent reflections) is performed. The use of two independent data sets obtained on diffractometers with point and 2D detectors made it possible to determine the model structure characterized by the best reproducibility of parameters. The ordered distribution of atoms over crystallographic positions and the anharmonic character of displacements of all cations and one oxygen atom are established.     

Growth and structure of La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>Si<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystals

The complete X-ray structure determination of Czochralski grown La₃Zr_0.5Ga₅Si_0.5O₁₄ single crystals with the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ structure is performed (sp. gr. P321, a = 8.226(1) Å, c = 5.1374(6) Å, Z = 1, Mo K_α1 radiation, 1920 crystallographically independent reflections, R = 0.0166, R_w = 0.0192). The absolute structure is determined. It is shown that possible transition of some of La atoms (～1.2%) from the 3e to 6g position may give rise to the formation of structural defects.     

Phase transitions in compounds with the Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> structure

Possible structural changes described by the group-subgroup relationships in the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄-type structure (sp. gr. P321) are considered. The most probable phase transitions seem to be those accompanied by lowering of the symmetry to the maximal non-isomorphic subgroups P3 and C2. It is shown that only destructive phase transitions accompanied by symmetry rise up to the minimal non-isomorphic supergroups for the given structure type can take place. The change of the trigonal symmetry to monoclinic is revealed in La₃SbZn₃Ge₂O₁₄, whose crystal structure is refined as a derivative structure of the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ structure type within the sp. gr. A2 (C2). At ～250°C, La₃SbZn₃Ge₂O₁₄ undergoes a reversible phase transition accompanied by symmetry rise, A2 ? P321. Similar phase transitions, P321 ? A2, are also observed in La₃Nb_0.5Ga_5.5O₁₄ and La₃Ta_0.5Ga_5.5O₁₄ under the hydrostatic pressures 12.4(3) and 11.7(3) GPa, respectively. The mechanisms of compression and phase transition are based on the anisotropic compressibility of a layer structure. With the attainment of the critical stress level in the structure, the elevated compressibility in the (ab) plane gives rise to a phase transition accompanied by the loss of the threefold axis. Attempts to reveal low-temperature phase transitions in a number of representatives of the langasite family have failed.     

Structural transition from vacancy-ordered tetragonal perovskite to tetragonal potassium tungsten bronze by the example of Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>10</Subscript>O<Subscript>30</Subscript>

The phenomenological transition from the perovskite structure type to the potassium tungsten bronze structure type is considered. The structural motif of vacancy-ordered tetragonal perovskite (VOTP) with the space group P4/m is constructed. The atomic coordinates in the unit cell of VOTP and the Madelung energies for the unit cells of VOTP and tetragonal potassium tungsten bronze are calculated. The transition is experimentally observed in Na₄Bi₂Nb₁₀O₃₀ prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction pattern measured after the first annealing showed good agreement with the theoretical X-ray diffraction pattern calculated for VOTP Na₄Bi₂Nb₁₀O₃₀.     

Ti/Zr isomorphism in wadeite: The crystal structure of the titanium-dominant K<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Ti<Subscript>0.55</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.45</Subscript>)Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> member of the series

The crystal structure of the titanium-rich mineral wadeite K₂(Ti_0.55Zr_0.45)Si₃O₉ from rischorrites of the Khibiny Alkaline Massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia) is studied by X-ray diffraction (XCalibur-S diffractometer, R = 0.0459): a = 6.8611(6) Å and c = 10.0611(9) Å; space group P6₃/m, Z = 6, D _x = 3.03 g/cm³. It is shown that the unit-cell parameters and volume of the mineral of mixed (Ti/Zr) composition are naturally intermediate between those of the terminal members of the isomorphous wadeite-based K₂ZrSi₃O₉–K₂(Ti_0.55Zr_0.45)Si₃O₉–K₂TiSi₃O₉ series. The expected correlation is due to the ionic radii of Zr⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ which determine the lengths of Zr/Ti–O bonds in octahedra. The data of field observations and microscopic studies show that the Ti-dominant wadeite is formed on the basis of primary zirconium mineral in the course of a late imposed process under unique geochemical conditions.     

Refined crystal structure of parakeldyshite and the genetic crystal chemistry of zirconium minerals with [Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>] diorthogroups

The structure of the mineral parakeldyshite Na_1.93ZrSi₂O_6.93(OH)_0.07 is refined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The main crystallographic data are as follows: space group P \(\overline 1 \), a = 6.617(2) Å, b = 8.813(1) Å, c = 5.426(1) Å, α = 87.26(3)°, β = 85.68(3)°, γ = 71.45(3)°, and R _F = 0.0153. The initial structural model of this mineral is confirmed. Within this model, the structure of parakeldyshite is based on the heteropolyhedral framework formed by [Si₂O₇] diorthogroups, which are linked together through isolated zirconium octahedra. The fundamental difference between the structure under investigation and the initial structural model is associated with the arrangement of the extraframework cations. A comparative crystal chemical analysis of the zirconium silicates with [Si₂O₇] diorthogroups is performed.     

Microhardness and fracture toughness of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-and Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>-based nanocrystalline laser ceramics

The microhardness and fracture toughness of laser nanocrystalline ceramics based on the cubic oxides Y₂O₃ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂ are determined experimentally. It is shown by comparative measurements that the fracture toughness and microhardness of Y₂O₃ ceramics exceed the corresponding parameters of Y₂O₃ single crystals by factors of 2.5 and 1.3, respectively. The fine morphology of grains and grain boundaries in fractures is investigated. It is ascertained that changes in the mechanical properties of the nanocrystalline ceramics under study are related to both the sizes and structure of grains and the structure of grain boundaries. It is suggested that twinning processes determine the mechanisms of formation of nanocrystalline ceramics.     

Dispersion of the polarization processes in Ca<Subscript>0.32</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.68</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystals

The switching processes in calcium barium niobate crystals CaxBa_1–x Nb₂O₆ with x = 0.32 have been investigated. The dielectric hysteresis loops observed in the samples exposed to alternating fields of different frequencies and constant amplitude have been analyzed. It is shown that the loop formation is caused by the sample heating. The sample temperature increases due to the dielectric loss energy release only up to a certain frequency, above which complete switching becomes impossible.     

Crystal Growth and Structures of New Niobium and Tantalum Oxides: Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>LiNbO<Subscript>6</Subscript> and Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>LiTaO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Abstract  

Single crystals of two new niobium and tantalum oxides, Sr₃LiNbO₆ and Sr₃LiTaO₆ were grown out of a Sr(OH)₂/LiOH·H₂O/KOH flux and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The materials crystallize in the trigonal R-3c space group with a = 9.8029(14) ? (9.8111(11) ?), b = 9.8029(14) ? (9.8111(11) ?), c = 11.200(2) ? (11.2056(12) ?), α = β = 90°, γ = 120° for Sr₃LiNbO₆ (Sr₃LiTaO₆). The oxides exhibit the K₄CdCl₆ structure-type, and consist of alternating face-shared BO₆ octahedra (B = Nb⁵⁺ or Ta⁵⁺) and LiO₆ trigonal prisms.