Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Li,Cr-containing molybdates Li3Cr(MoO4)3, LiCr(MoO4)2 and Li1.8Cr1.2(MoO4)3

Single crystals of LiCr(MoO₄)₂, Li₃Cr(MoO₄)₃ and Li_1.8Cr_1.2(MoO₄)₃ were grown by a flux method during the phase study of the Li₂MoO₄-Cr₂(MoO₄)₃ system at 1023 K. LiCr(MoO₄)₂ and Li₃Cr(MoO₄)₃ single phases were synthesized by solid-state reactions. Li₃Cr(MoO₄)₃ adopts the same structure type as Li₃In(MoO₄)₃ despite the difference in ionic radii of Cr³⁺ and In³⁺ for octahedral coordination. Li₃Cr(MoO₄)₃ is paramagnetic down to 7 K and shows a weak ferromagnetic component below this temperature. LiCr(MoO₄)₂ is isostructural with LiAl(MoO₄)₂ and orders antiferromagnetically below 20 K. The magnetic structure of LiCr(MoO₄)₂ was determined from low-temperature neutron diffraction and is based on the propagation vektor . The ordered magnetic moments were refined to 2.3(1) μ_B per Cr-ion with an easy axis close to the [1 1 1¯] direction. A magnetic moment of 4.37(3) μ_B per Cr-ion was calculated from the Curie constant for the paramagnetic region.The crystal structures of the hitherto unknown Li_1.8Cr_1.2(MoO₄)₃ and LiCr(MoO₄)₂ are compared and reveal a high degree of similarity: In both structures MoO₄-tetrahedra are isolated from each other and connected with CrO₆ and LiO₅ via corners. In both modifications there are Cr₂O₁₀ fragments of edge-sharing CrO₆-octahedra.     

Sm2O3Ga2O3 and Gd2O3Ga2O3 phase diagrams

Four definite compounds exist in the Sm₂O₃Ga₂O₃ binary phase diagram, namely: Sm₃GaO₆, Sm₄Ga₂O₉, SmGaO₃, and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂. The $\text{3}\text{1}$ compound is orthorhombic (space group Pnna - Z.4) with the cell parameters: a = 11.40₀Å, b = 5.51₅Å, c = 9.07Å and belongs to the oxysel family. Sm₃GaO₆ and SmGaO₃ melt incongruently at 1715 and 1565°C; Sm₄Ga₂O₉ and Sm₃Ga₅O₁₂ have a congruent melting point at 1710 and 1655°C. With regard to the Gd₂O₃Ga₂O₃ system three definite compounds have been identified: Gd₃GaO₆, Gd₄Ga₂O₉, and Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂. Only the garnet melts congruently at 1740°C with the following composition: Gd_3.12Ga_4.88O₁₂. Gd₃GaO₆, and Gd₄Ga₂O₉ melt incongruently at 1760 and 1700°C. GdGaO₃ is only obtained by melt overheating which may yield an equilibrium or a metastable phase diagram.     

Optical properties of (Y1−xTmx)3GaO6 and subsolidus phase relation of Y2O3-Ga2O3-Tm2O3

A serial of samples in Y₂O₃-Ga₂O₃-Tm₂O₃ pseudo-ternary system are prepared by solid-state chemical reaction method. The range of solid solution in (Y_1−xTm_x)₃GaO₆ is 0<x<0.384. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that the compounds crystallize in Gd₃GaO₆ (Cmc2₁)-type structure. The solid solubilities of Y_3+xGa_5−xO₁₂ (x=0-0.77) and Tm_3+xGa_5−xO₁₂ (x=0-0.62) are 37.5-47.11 at% Y₂O₃, and 37.5-45.26 at% Tm₂O₃, respectively. PL spectra of Tm-doped Y₃GaO₆ show that there is a sharp blue emission at ∼456 nm from the ¹D₂→³F₄ transition at room temperatures with two lifetimes (∼5 and ∼15 μs) and a narrow saturation range of PL intensity for the Tm³⁺ content from x=0.005 to 0.03. The sharp emission and long lifetime of (Y_1−xTm_x)₃GaO₆ indicate that Y₃GaO₆ is a potential phosphor and laser crystal host material.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of new indium rhenium and scandium rhenium oxides, In6ReO12 and Sc6ReO12

The new complex indium rhenium and scandium rhenium oxides, In₆ReO₁₂ and Sc₆ReO₁₂, have been synthesized as single phases in sealed silica tubes and by high-pressure high-temperature syntheses, and their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.The compounds crystallize in a rhombohedral structure related to the distorted fluorite structure like Ln₆ReO₁₂ for some rare earth elements, S. G.: R-3, Z=3, a_H= 9.248(2) Å, c_H=8.720(2) Å for Sc₆ReO₁₂ and a_H=9.492(1) Å, c_H=8.933(1) Å for In₆ReO₁₂. A maximum in magnetization is observed for Sc₆ReO₁₂ at T(M_max)=1.89(2) K, whereas ferromagnetic ordering is found for In₆ReO₁₂ by a pronounced increase in the temperature dependence of magnetization at T_C=7.5(5) K. The magnetic moment per rhenium ion in In₆ReO₁₂ and Sc₆ReO₁₂ is 0.84(1) and 0.65(1) μ_B, respectively, derived from the paramagnetic regions.     

Transport coefficients of titanium-doped Sb2Te3 single crystals

Titanium-doped single crystals (c_Ti=0-2×10²⁰ atoms cm⁻³) were prepared from the elements Sb, Ti, and Te of 5 N purity by a modified Bridgman method. The obtained crystals were characterized by measurements of the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity in the temperature range of 3-300 K. It was observed that with an increasing Ti content in the samples the electrical resistivity, the Hall coefficient and the Seebeck coefficient increase. This means that the incorporation of Ti atoms into the Sb₂Te₃ crystal structure results in a decrease in the concentration of holes in the doped crystals. For the explanation of the observed effect a model of defects in the crystals is proposed. The data of the lattice thermal conductivity were fitted well assuming that phonons scatter on boundaries, point defects, charge carriers, and other phonons.     

SnSbBiTe4-2Bi2Te3 join of the SnTe-Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3 quasi-ternary system

This is the first study of the SnSbBiTe₄-2Bi₂Te₃ join of the SnTe-Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Te₃ quasi-ternary system by the methods of complex physicochemical analysis over a wide range of concentrations. A phase diagram was constructed for the title quasi-binary join. The system was found to be of the eutectic type; the eutectic coordinates are 65 mol % Bi₂Te₃ and 675 K. The starting components were shown to form solid solutions with extents of 20 mol %. Alloys with compositions lying within the Bi₂Te₃-based solid solution region were found to be n-type semiconductors.     

CrxRe1−xO2 oxides with different rutile-like structures: changes in the electronic configuration and resulting physical properties

Mixed chromium-rhenium oxides, Cr_xRe_1−xO₂ with 0.31?x?0.66, have been synthesized for the first time by high-pressure high-temperature synthesis and in evacuated quartz tubes. The crystal structures of the compounds have been determined by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Depending on synthesis conditions (pressure and temperature) these phases crystallize either in a tetragonal structure (P4₂/mnm) with statistical distribution of metal ions on one site (rutile-type), with cation ordering along c-axis (trirutile-type), or in a monoclinic rutile-like structure (C2/m) with ordering of Cr- and Re-cations and metallic Re-Re bonds. The “a” parameter of the tetragonal unit cell increases with increasing Re content whereas the “c” parameter decreases, indicating a strengthening of the Re-Re bond. The thermal stability of tetragonal Cr_xRe_1−xO₂ in Ar-atmosphere depends on the Re-content, decomposition is observed at 1241 K for x=0.34, but already at 966 K for x=0.5. The thermal expansion of Cr_xRe_1−xO₂ is anisotropic with a larger expansion coefficient in the “c” direction. Tetragonal Cr_xRe_1−xO₂ with 0.31?x<0.54 order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures with T_N depending on the Cr-content x.     

Syntheses and structures of CsHo3Te5 and Cs3Tm11Te18 and the electronic structure of CsHo3Te5

Single crystals of CsHo₃Te₅ and Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ have been grown as byproducts in the synthesis of CsLnZnTe₃ (Ln=Ho or Tm) through the reaction of Ln, Zn, and Te with a CsCl flux at 850 °C. The crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. CsHo₃Te₅ crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system whereas Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ crystallizes in the space group C2/m of the monoclinic system. Each of the compounds adopts a three-dimensional structure; each possesses tunnels built from LnTe₆ octahedra that are filled with Cs atoms. The pseudo-rectangular tunnel in CsHo₃Te₅ is large enough in cross-section to accommodate two symmetrically equivalent Cs atoms. In the Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ structure there are two different sized tunnels: the smaller one is only large enough to host one Cs atom per unit cell whereas the larger one can accommodate two Cs atoms. The electronic structure of CsHo₃Te₅ was calculated. The band gap is estimated to be about 1.2 eV, consistent with the black color of the crystals.     

Crystal structures and cation ordering of Sr2AlSbO6 and Sr2CoSbO6

The two double perovskite oxides Sr₂AlSbO₆ and Sr₂CoSbO₆ were prepared and their structures studied with the X-ray powder diffraction method. At room temperature the crystal structure of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is cubic , with . It was found that depending on the preparation conditions, the Al³⁺ and Sb⁵⁺ cations can be either entirely or partially ordered. In the case of the partially ordered Sr₂AlSbO₆ sample, the extension of cation ordering was estimated from the -dependent broadening of the diffraction peaks and the results were interpreted as evidence of the formation of anti-phase domains in the material. Low-temperature Raman spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that the cubic phase of Sr₂AlSbO₆ is stable down to 79 K.The room-temperature crystal structure of Sr₂CoSbO₆ is trigonal (space group with and . At 470 K, however, the material undergoes a continuous phase transition and its structure is converted to cubic (space group . The studied Sr₂CoSbO₆ sample was partially ordered, but unlike Sr₂AlSbO₆, no indication of the formation of anti-phase domains was observed.     

Garnet-perovskite transformations in the Sm2O3Ga2O3 and Gd2O3Ga2O3 systems

The effect of heating garnet melts to various temperatures has been investigated. The previously reported decomposition of the garnet phase due to loss of Ga₂O₃ was corroborated. However, it was also observed that when gallium oxide loss is prevented and the maximum temperature of the melt exceeds a critical value, phase separation of garnet to perovskite and β-gallium oxide occurs:

$\text{RE}{}_3\text{Ga}{}_5\text{O}{}_{12}\text{?3RE}\text{GaO}{}_3\text{+}\text{Ga}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$

.The reverse reaction will occur by reheating the two-phase mixture to the garnet melting point.     

Proprietes magnétiques et étude par spectroscopie Mössbauer des tellurites de fer Fe2Te3O9 et Fe2Te4O11: Structure magnétique de Fe2Te4O11 à 4,2 K

Magnetic study and Mössbauer resonance measurements of the tellurites Fe₂Te₃O₉ and Fe₂Te₄O₁₁ characterize antiferromagnetic ordering. The transition temperatures determined by Mössbauer resonance, are 34 and 27 K, respectively. At 295 K the values of chemical shifts, 0.35 and 0.39 mm/sec, are typical of high-spin Fe(III) in octahedral coordination. Neutron powder diffraction was used to determine the magnetic structure of Fe₂Te₄O₁₁ at 4.2 K. It shows antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe³⁺ ions belonging to [Fe₂O₁₀] groups. The magnetic space group is $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{2a}}\text{2}{}_1\text{c}$.     

Preparation of the cubic-type La2O3 phase by thermal decomposition of LaI3

Cubic lanthanum oxide was prepared by the oxidation of lanthanum iodide at 700 °C in air atmosphere. The oxide was characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The cubic La₂O₃ is most likely a single lanthanum oxide phase containing periodate hydrate and hydroxycarbonate species. The cubic lanthanum oxide is found to be chemically stable even if they are dispersed in water because of the presence of hydroxycarbonate and periodate hydrate species which inhibit the bulk hydroxylation.     

Synchrotron-radiation photoemission study of the V–VI layered compounds Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3, Sb2 Te3 and Sb2Te2Se

The valence band (VB) density of states and the binding energies of the weakly bound core levels have been measured by XUV photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation for four V–VI layered compounds. Chemical shifts of the core levels are determined which support the partial ionicity of the bonds involved. The chemical shifts of the emission from two unequivalent crystal sites were shown to differ by less than 30 meV for the compounds Bi₂Te₃, Bi₂Se₃ and Sb₂Te₃.VB and core-level photoemission spectra for the V–VI compounds Bi₂Te₃, Bi₂Se₃, Sb₂Te₃ and Se₂Te₂Se have been presented. Chemical shifts of the Te 4d, Bi 5d, Sb 4d and Se 3d levels were determined, indicating partial ionicity of the mainly covalent bonds involved. Chemical-shift differences originating from atoms at two different crystal sites are <30 meV. In a simple model this implies that similar charge transfers do occur even though completely different bond orbitals were proposed for the and the AB⁽²⁾ bonds. Finally, the fact that no surface core-level shifts were observed tends to confirm the very weak influence of the van der Waals-like bonds on the B⁽²⁾ atoms.     

Physicochemical study of SmTe-In2Te3 and SmTe-InTe systems

SmTe-In₂Te₃ and SmTe-InTe quasi-binary joins were studied using physicochemical methods. The SmTe-In₂Te₃ system forms two compounds, SmIn₂Te₄ and SmIn₄Te₇, which melt incongruently at 1075 and 960 K, respectively. An In₂Te₃-base solid solution at 400 K extends to 3 mol % SmTe. The SmTe-InTe system at the component ratio 3: 2 (mol/mol) forms the ternary compound Sm₃In₂Te₅, which melts with decomposition at 970 K. The InTe-based solubility range is 10 mol % SmTe.     

Chiolite-like Ca5Te3O14: An X-ray and neutron diffraction study

The crystal structure of Ca₅Te₃O₁₄ at room temperature was studied by the Rietveld method using combined X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the space group Cmca with the lattice parameters a=10.4268(2) Å, b=10.3908(2) Å and c=10.4702(2) Å. The structure of Ca₅Te₃O₁₄ is chiolite-like and consists of a framework of corner-linked TeO₆ octahedral layers in which a linear TeO₂ group of every fourth octahedron is substituted by a Ca atom. This type of structure was previously observed in BaSr₄U₃O₁₄. The relationship between the chiolite-like structure and the fluorite structure is discussed.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl2Te-SnTe-Bi2Te3 system

phase equilibria in the Tl₂Te-SnTe-Bi₂Te₃ system were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction, and microhardness measurements. Some polythermal sections and isothermal (at 600 and 800 K) sections of the phase diagram and a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. It was shown that the system is characterized by the formation of solid solutions with the Tl₅Te₃ structure (δ) and solid solutions based on SnTe (γ₁), Tl₂Te (α), Bi₂Te₃ (β), and two TlBiTe₂ (γ₂ and γ′₂) phases. Their homogeneity regions were determined. The liquidus surface consists of the primary crystallization fields of the β-, γ₁-, γ′₂-, and δ phases and the compounds SnBi₂Te₄ and SnBi₄Te₇. The liquidus of the α phase is degenerate. The primary crystallization fields of phases were determined, and the types and coordinates of in- and monovariant equilibria were found.     

The defect structure of anion excess CaF2

Neutron scattering and computer simulation techniques have been used to investigate the defect cluster structure of CaF₂ doped with 5% La^3?. The results strongly support the formation of small discrete clusters rather than the superstructures that have been suggested in recent studies of anion excess fluorites. The type of cluster that emerges as dominant comprises an interstitial-dopant dimer (of the 2:2:2 type) which has captured an additional F^? interstitial. The formation of such clusters is supported by recent ITC studies.     

Phase equilibria in the Ag2Te-PbTe-Bi2Te3 system

Phase equilibria in the Ag₂Te-PbTe-Bi₂Te₃ quasi-ternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and measurements of microhardness and emf of concentration circuits with an Ag₄RbI₅ solid electrolyte. Some polythermal sections and isothermal (600 and 800 K) sections of the phase diagram, and also a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. The primary crystallization fields of phases were determined, and the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria were found. The system is characterized by the formation of a wide continuous band of high-temperature solid solutions (γ phase) with a cubic structure along the PbTe-AgBiTe₂ section. With decreasing temperature (T ≤ 715 K), AgBiTe₂ and γ solid solutions, close in composition to this compound, experience solid-phase decomposition to form Bi₂Te₃, ternary tetradymite-like phases of the PbTe-Bi₂Te₃ boundary system, and the low-temperature phase of Ag₂Te.     

Phase relations in the pseudobinary system TiO2Ga2O3

Phase relations and microstructures in the TiO₂-rich part of the TiO₂Ga₂O₃ pseudobinary system have been determined at temperatures between 1373 and 1623°K using X-ray diffraction and electron and optical microscopy. The phases occurring in the system are TiO₂ (rutile), β-Ga₂O₃, a series of oxides Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 (m odd) which exist above 1463°K, and Ga₂TiO₅, which exists above 1598°K. The width of the phase region occupied by the Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 phases varies with temperature. At 1473°K it is narrow, and has limits of Ga₄Ti₂₅O₅₆ to Ga₄Ti₂₁O₄₈ while at higher temperatures it broadens to limits of from Ga₄Ti₂₇O₆₀ to Ga₄Ti₁₁O₂₈ at 1623°K. These phases are often disordered and crystals frequently contain partially ordered intergrowths of oxides with various values of m. On the TiO₂-rich side of the phase region there is a continuous change in texture from rutile to the end members of the Ga₄Ti_m?4O_2m?2 structures. The findings are summarized on a phase diagram.