Ionic Conductivity of KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> Single Crystals Grown by Flux Crystallization under Different Conditions

The ionic conductivity of three KTiOPO₄ crystals grown from high-temperature solution–melts in combination with the Czochralski technique under different conditions has been investigated. The first crystal was obtained at a cooling rate V_g = 0.2–0.5 mm/day and a ratio of potassium and phosphorus concentrations in the solution–melt [K]/[P] = 2. The other two crystals were grown at a much higher velocity (V_g = 3–7 mm/day) from solution–melts with [K]/[P] = 1.5 and 1. It is shown that the crystal grown upon slow cooling at [K]/[P] = 2 has the lowest ionic conductivity: σ_||c = 1.0 × 10^–5 and 3 × 10^–11 S/cm at 573 and 293 K, respectively.     

Structural Studies of (Pyridine)<Subscript>3</Subscript>ZnFe(CO)<Subscript>4</Subscript> and (Pyridine)(Neocuproin)CdFe(CO)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Abstract  

The structure of the previously reported (py)₃ZnFe(CO)₄ (py = pyridine) has been determined, confirming the monomeric nature of this species. The complex has average Zn–N and Zn–Fe bond lengths of 2.0970(7) and 2.4017(3) ?, and features a coordination geometry about Fe which is intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and face monocapped tetrahedral. The space group is P2₁/c, with a = 8.22080(10) ?, b = 16.1668(3) ?, c = 15.4669(3) ?, β = 102.5869(11)°, V = 2006.21(6) ?³, D_calc. = 1.558 g/cm³ at 150(1) K. A monomeric cadmium analogue, (pyridine)(neocuproin)CdFe(CO)₄, has also been synthesized, and found to possess a similar geometry, with average Cd–N and Cd–Fe bond lengths of 2.352(2) and 2.5380(5) ?. The space group is P[`1] P\overline{1} with a = 10.8900(2) ?, b = 11.3042(3) ?, c = 15.5488(4) ?, α = 85.1251(10)°, β = 84.3468(14)°, γ = 72.0377(15)°, V = 1808.93(7) ?³, D_calc. = 1.478 g/cm³ at 150(1) K.     

Optical Properties and Microdefects in CaMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> Single Crystals

Optical inhomogeneities of calcium molybdate crystals in the initial state and after isothermal annealings have been investigated. The value of anomalous birefringence of the samples has been estimated by Mallard’s method; it is shown that annealing reduces this value. Scattering centers have been observed by the Tyndall method. Microscopy has revealed inclusions 2–10 μm in size in all samples. They can’t be attributed to the crucible material inclusions. Light-scattering indicatrices are plotted based on scattering spectroscopy data. Sizes of the scattering centers are estimated.     

Theory of the formation of P4<Subscript>1</Subscript>32(P4<Subscript>3</Subscript>32)-phase spinels

A group-theoretical, thermodynamic, and structural study of the formation of P4₁32(P4₃32) spinel modification has been performed. In particular, the occurrence of unique hyper-kagome atomic order is analyzed. The critical order parameter inducing a phase transition is established. It is shown that the calculated structure of the low-symmetry P4₁32(P4₃32) phase is formed as a result of displacements of atoms of all types and due to the cation and anion ordering. The problem of the occurrence of unique hyper-kagome atomic order in the structures of P4₁32(P4₃32) spinel modifications is considered theoretically. It is proven within the Landau theory of phase transitions that the P4₁32(P4₃32) phase can be formed from the high-symmetry Fd3m phase with an ideal spinel structure only as a result of first-order phase transition. Therefore, the formation of hyper-kagome sublattice in the P4₁32(P4₃32) phase is accompanied by a significant transformation of the spinel structure.     

The Influence of Cation Substitution on the Kinetics of Phase Transitions in Crystals of (K,NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>H(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> Solid Solutions

The structure of (K_0.967(NH₄)_0.033)₃H(SO₄)₂ crystals, belonging to the K₃H(SO₄)₂–(NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂–H₂O salt system, has been investigated by X-ray structural analysis. The room-temperature characteristics of the atomic structure of these crystals are found to be as follows: sp. gr. C2/c, Z = 4, a = 14.7025(4) Å, b = 5.6859(2) Å, c = 9.7885(3) Å, and R/wR = 0.021/0.030%. The thermal and optical properties of (K,NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ and K₃H(SO₄)₂ single crystals have been investigated and compared in a temperature range of 295–500 K.     

Ionic conductivity of KMgCr(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> molybdate

The ionic conductivity σ of KMgCr(MoO₄)₃ crystal has been investigated in a temperature range of 575–932 K by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of (5–5) × 10⁵ Hz. Ternary molybdate was obtained from the initial MgMoO₄ and KCr(MoO₄)₂ reagents by solid-phase technique in air at 923–973 K for 200 h. The temperature dependence σ(T) of a ceramic sample exhibits a jump of σ by a factor of about 4 at 833 ± 5 K, which is caused by the first-order phase transition. The σ value above the phase-transition temperature reaches 6 × 10^–4 S/cm (932 K) at an ion-transport activation enthalpy of 0.84 ± 0.05 eV. The most likely carriers in KMgCr(MoO₄)₃ are K⁺ cations.     

Structural Analysis of the Phase Transitions of (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>HgBr<Subscript>6</Subscript>

Abstract Single crystal diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry DSC techniques have been used to investigate the different phases of (NH₄)₄HgBr₆, tetrammonium mercury hexabromide, from room temperature to 120 K. Two anomalies in thermal behaviour were detected for this compound at 190 and 268 K, by DSC experiment. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm these anomalies. At room temperature the structure is tetragonal P4/mnc (No. 128) with lattice parameters a = b = 9.25560(8) ?; c = 8.8657(11) ?; V = 759.49(9) ?³ and Z = 2. At T = 250 K the structure is orthorhombic Pnnm with lattice parameters a = 8.8436(8) ?; b = 9.2191(8) ?; c = 9.2232(7) ?; V = 751.97(11) ?³ and Z = 2. Below approximately 200 K the structure is monoclinic P2₁/n (No. 14) with: a = 8.8080(9) ?; b = 9.1608(8) ?; c = 9.1498(8) ?; β = 90.230(7)°; V = 738.28(12) ?³ and Z = 2 (T = 120 K). The structure of (NH₄)₄HgBr₆ consists of isolated HgBr₆-octahedra in the whole temperature range which are slightly compressed in c-direction. The ammonium groups are located between the octahedra ensuring the stability of the structure by hydrogen bonding contacts: N–H···Br. The structural phase transformations are described by a rotation of the [HgBr₆]²⁻ octahedra around the c-axis, and this behaviour is attributed to an orientational disorder of ammonium groups. Index abstract Structural analysis of the phase transitions of (NH₄)₄HgBr₆; M. Loukil, A. Kabadou, I. Svoboda, A. Ben Salah and H. Fuess; The phase transformations in (NH₄)₄HgBr₆ are explained by large rotation of [HgBr₆]²⁻ octahedra around the c-axis.      

Crystal structure of the gold(I) complex [Au(tfp)Cl] with tfp = (C<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>O)<Subscript>3</Subscript>P

The Au(I) complex [Au(tfp)Cl] with tfp = (C₄H₃O)₃P has been prepared and characterised. It crystallises in the monoclinic P2₁/n space group with z = 4, a = 9.837(3), b = 12.684(4), c = 11.103(5)Å, = 91.58(2)° and V = 1384.8(2)ų. The structure of the complex consists of molecules connected in head-to-tail dimers by a metal-halogen contact as generally found in analogus complexes of lighter coinage metals. The typical feature of halogen gold compounds, the Au–Au interaction, seems prevented by the bulk of the tfp ligand.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of VO2+ in M2Zn(SeO4)2 · 6H2O(M=K,Rb) Single Crystals

The EPR spectrum of VO²⁺ has been studied in single crystals of K₂Zn(SeO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and Rb₂Zn(SeO₄)₂ ∼ 6H₂O at ∼9.45 GHz. VO²⁺ substitutes for Zn²⁺ have preferential orientations in the lattice. The V = O of the intense vanadyl center is nearly along the longest Zn H₂O direction. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated from single crystal as well as from powder spectra.     

Synthesis and structures of two chiral bis(pyrazolyl)borate complexes, [{H<Subscript>2</Subscript>B(4-Mepz)(3,5-Me<Subscript>2</Subscript>pz)}<Subscript>2</Subscript>M], M = Co,Zn

The title compounds are chiral and have similar molecular geometries. The Co complex crystallizes in space group P2₁/c with a = 8.475(4) Å, b = 7.706(8) Å, c = 35.778(9) Å, = 95.779(18) and Z = 4, while the Zn complex crystallizes in space group P2₁/n with a = 8.353(3) Å, b = 20.768(4) Å, c = 13.818(3) Å, = 100.96(2) and Z = 4. The metal atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated to two bidentate ligands with M–N distances in the ranges 1.985(2)–2.018(2) Å (Co) and 1.985(2)–2.008(2) Å (Zn), and N–M–N angles in the ranges 96.07(7)–128.23(7) (Co) and 98.50(8)–125.63(8) (Zn). No agostic bonds are formed. The molecules display C₁ symmetry; geometric considerations indicate that the formation of the other two possible conformers, with C₂ symmetry, is sterically less favorable.     

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.     

Crystal structure of (Al,V)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(P<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>, archetype of double cubic ring tetraphosphate

The crystal structure of the (Al,V)₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ solid solution, obtained in the single-crystal form by hydrothermal synthesis in the Al(OH)₃-VO₂-NaCl-H₃PO₄-H₂O system, has been solved by X-ray diffraction analysis (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, R = 0.0257): a = 13.7477(2) Å, sp. gr. I \(\bar 4\)3d, Z = 4, and ρ_calcd = 2.736 g/cm³. It is shown that the crystal structure of the parent cubic Al₄(P₄O₁₂)₃ modification can formally be considered an archetype for the formation of double isosymmetric tetraphosphates on its basis.     

Domain Structure and Orientational Ordering of NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Groups in K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ba(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> Crystals

Polarization-optical studies of the domain structure of K₂Ba(NO₂)₄ crystals and differentialscanning calorimetric measurements have been performed in the vicinity of the high-temperature phase transition. The orientational ordering of NO₂ atomic groups is analyzed and the temperature dependence of the birefringence coefficient is theoretically described.     

Polymorphism of the borophosphate anion in K(Fe,Al)[BP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>(OH)] and Rb(Al,Fe)[BP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>(OH)] crystal structures

The crystal structure of two borophosphates, Rb(Al,Fe)[BP₂O₈(OH)] (a = 9.381(6), b = 8.398(5), c = 9.579(6) Å, β = 102.605(10)°, sp. gr. P2₁/c) and K(Fe,Al)[BP₂O₈(OH)] (a = 5.139(2), b = 8.065(4), c = 8.290(4)Å, α = 86.841(8)°, β = 80.346(8)°, γ = 86.622(8)°, sp. gr. P \(\bar 1\)), obtained by hydrothermal synthesis in the AlCl₃: FeCl₃: K₃PO₄(Rb₃PO₄): B₂O₃: H₂O system has been established using X-ray diffraction (Bruker Smart diffractometer, T = 100 K). Hydrogen atoms are located and their coordinates and thermal parameters are refined. It is shown that the polymorphism of the [BP₂O₈(OH)]^4? borophosphate anion has a morphotropic nature and is related to the substitutions both in the cationic part of the structure and in the octahedral position of the anionic mixed framework. The synthesis of new isotypic triclinic compounds under hydrothermal conditions is predicted.     

X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of Rb<Subscript>4</Subscript>LiH<Subscript>3</Subscript>(XO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">(X</Emphasis> = S,Se) single crystals

Rb₄LiH₃(SeO₄)₄ single crystals (1) are studied by the X-ray diffraction method at 180 K and Rb₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystals (2a–2c) are studied by the neutron diffraction method at 298 K (2a and (2b) and 480 K (2c). It is established that isostructural single crystals 1 and 2 (sp. gr. P4₁) have analogous systems of hydrogen bonds: chains of four XO₄ tetrahedra linked by three H bonds with the central bond (2.49 Å) being somewhat shorter than the terminal ones (2.52–2.54 Å). In the high-temperature 2c phase, the amplitudes of atomic thermal vibrations and the degree of proton disorder in the central hydrogen bond have somewhat elevated values.     

Ionic conductivity of ScF<Subscript>3</Subscript> single crystals (ReO<Subscript>3</Subscript> type)

Electrical conductivity σ of ScF₃ single crystals (sp. gr. \(Pm\overline 3 m\), ReO₃ structure type) has been studied by impedance spectroscopy and compared with the electrical conductivity of rare earth HoF₃ (β-YF₃ type) and LaF₃ (tysonite type) trifluorides. ScF₃ crystals obtained by Bridgman directional solidification have ionic conductivity σ = 4 × 10^–8 S/cm at 673 K. It is smaller than the σ values for LaF₃ (sp. gr. \(P\overline 3 c1\)) and HoF₃ (sp. gr. Pnma) single crystals by a factor of 10⁴–10⁵. The low conductivity of ScF₃ crystals is due to the weak coordinating ability (coordination number CN = 6) and low electronic polarizability (α_cat = 1.1 ų) of Sc³⁺ ions. Mobile V_F⁺ vacancies and less mobile interstitial V_i^- ions (defects are formed according to the Frenkel mechanism) are involved in the ion transport. HoF₃ and LaF₃ single crystals have a high coordinating ability (CN = 9 for Ho³⁺ and CN = 11 for La³⁺) and a high electronic polarizability of cations (α_cat = 1.6–1.9 ų for Ho³⁺ and α_cat = 2.2 ų for La³⁺). Only mobile V_F⁺ vacancies (defects are formed according to the Schottky mechanism) are involved in ion transport.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(malonato)tetra (aqua)barium(II)cobalt(II): [BaCo(C<Subscript>3</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>4</Subscript>]

The title compound [BaCo(C₃H₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] was synthesized and its crystal structure was determined. The compound is orthorhombic, space group Pccn with a = 18.974(3) Å, b = 6.783(2) Å, c = 9.394(4) Å. The structure is polymeric and consists of edge-sharing BaO₈ polyhedra and CoO₆ octahedra linked together by the malonate groups. The geometry around the Ba(II) centres is a slightly distorted square-antiprism with Ba–O distances ranging from 2.789(4) to 2.843(4) Å. Around the Co(II) centres, the coordination forms a distorted octahedron with Co–O bonds between 2.040(3) and 2.238(4) Å.     

Structure of Cs<Subscript>4</Subscript>(HSO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>) single crystals

Single crystals of Cs₄(HSO₄)₃(H₂PO₄) are synthesized and studied for the first time. The new compound is found in the course of studies of the phase diagram of the CsHSO₄–CsH₂PO₄–H₂O triple system. Data on the atomic crystal structure of single-crystalline and powder specimens, as well as on structural phase transitions, are obtained.     

The orthorhombic polymorph of diammonium trichromate(VI) decaoxide, <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>–(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript>

Synthesis and crystal structure of a trichromium(VI) decaoxide compound, α–(NH₄)₂Cr₃O₁₀, is reported. The crystal structure has been determined from three dimensional X-ray data collected at low temperature, 173 K. The structure is isomorphous with its Rb and Cs trichromate analogues, orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with a = 11.2558(3), b = 9.3193(3), c = 18.9819(5) ? and Z = 8. The title compound is composed of discrete [Cr₃O₁₀]^2– chains held together by the counter ion charge and a hydrogen bonding network. The different conformations adopted by trichromate anion within its ammonium, alkali and organic salts are discussed.