Synthesis, band structure, and optical properties of Ba2ZnV2O8

A novel compound Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ has been synthesized in high temperature solution reaction and its crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It crystallizes in monoclinic system and belongs to space group P2₁/c with a=7.9050(16), b=16.149(3), , β=90.49(3). It builds up from 1-D branchy chains of [ZnV₂O₈⁴⁻]_∞, and the Ba²⁺ cations are located in the space among these chains. The IR spectrum, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection integral spectrum and fluorescent spectra of this compound have been investigated. The calculated results of energy band structure by the density functional theory method show that the solid-state compound of Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ is an insulator with direct band gap of 3.48 eV. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from the mixings of O-2p, V-3d, and Zn-3d states and low conduction bands mostly originate from unoccupied antibonding states between the V-3d and O-2p states. The V-O bonds are mostly covalence characters and Zn-O bonds are mostly ionic interactions, and the ionic interaction strength is stronger between the Ba-O than between the Zn-O. The refractive index of n_x, n_y, and n_z is estimated to be 1.7453, 1.7469, and 1.7126, respectively, at wavelength of 1060 nm for Ba₂ZnV₂O₈ crystal.     

Structure, energy band, and optical properties of NaLa(PO3)4 crystal

An alkali metal-rare earth phosphate crystal of NaLa(PO₃)₄ has been synthesized by high temperature solid-state reactions and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, for the first time. It crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/n space group with lattice parameters: a=7.2655(3), b=13.1952(5), , β=90.382°(1), , Z=4. It is composed of LaO₈ polyhedra and [(PO₃)₄]⁴⁻ chains sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional framework, delimiting intersecting tunnels in which the sodium ions are located. The IR spectrum, absorption spectrum, and emission spectrum of the compound have been investigated. The absorption edge is located at 340 nm (3.60 eV). The calculated total and partial densities of states indicate that the top of valence bands is mainly built upon O-2p states which interact with P-3p states via σ (P-O) interactions, and the low conduction bands mostly originates from unoccupied La-5d states. The P-O bond is mostly covalent in character, and the ionic character of the Na-O bond is larger than that in the La-O bond.     

Crystal structure and energy band and optical properties of phosphate Sr3P4O13

A single crystal of the compound Sr₃P₄O₁₃ has been found and the crystal structure has been characterized by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in triclinic system and belongs to space group . It builds up from SrO₇ polyhedra and P₄O₁₃⁻⁶ anions and has a layered structure, and the Sr atoms are located in the interlayer space. The absorption and luminescence spectrum of Sr₃P₄O₁₃ microcrystals have been measured. The calculated results of crystal energy band structure by the DFT show that the solid state of Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is an isolator with direct band gap. The calculated total and partial density of states indicate that the top valence bands are contributions from P 3p and O 2p states and low conduction bands mostly originate from Sr atomic states. The calculated optical response functions expect that the Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is a low refractive index, and it is possible that the Sr₃P₄O₁₃ is used to make transparent material between the UV and FR light zone.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of an indium phosphate K3In3P4O16

An alkali-metal indium phosphate crystal, K₃In₃P₄O₁₆, has been synthesized by a high-temperature solution reaction and exhibits a new structure in the family of the alkali-metal indium phosphates system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows the structure to be monoclinic with space group P2₁/n, and the following cell parameters: a=9.7003(18), b=9.8065(18), c=15.855(3) Å, β=90.346(3)°, V=1508.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=0.0254. It possesses three-dimensional anionic frameworks with tunnels occupied by K⁺ cations running along the a-axis. The emission and absorption spectra of the compound have been investigated. Additionally, the calculations of energy band structure, density of states, dielectric constants and refractive indexes have been performed with the density functional theory method. Also, the two-photon absorption spectrum is simulated by two-band model. The obtained results tend to support the experimental data.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of new chain cuprates, Na3Cu2O4 and Na8Cu5O10

Na₃Cu₂O₄ and Na₈Cu₅O₁₀ were prepared via the azide/nitrate route from stoichiometric mixtures of the precursors CuO, NaN₃ and NaNO₃. Single crystals have been grown by subsequent annealing of the as prepared powders at 500 °C for 2000 h in silver crucibles, which were sealed in glass ampoules under dried Ar. According to the X-ray analysis of the crystal structures (Na₃Cu₂O₄: P2₁/n, Z=4, a=5.7046(2), b=11.0591(4), c=8.0261(3) Å, β=108.389(1)°, 2516 independent reflections, R₁(all)=0.0813, wR₂ (all)=0.1223; Na₈Cu₅O₁₀: Cm, Z=2, a=8.228(1), b=13.929(2), , β=111.718(2)°, 2949 independent reflections, R₁(all)=0.0349, wR₂ (all)=0.0850), the main feature of both crystal structures are CuO₂ chains built up from planar, edge-sharing CuO₄ squares. From the analysis of the Cu-O bond lengths, the valence states of either +2 or +3 can be unambiguously assigned to each copper atom. In Na₃Cu₂O₄ these ions alternate in the chains, in Na₈Cu₅O₁₀ the periodically repeated part consists of five atoms according to Cu^II-Cu^II-Cu^III-Cu^II-Cu^III. The magnetic susceptibilities show the dominance of antiferromagnetic interactions. At high temperatures the compounds exhibit Curie-Weiss behaviour (Na₃Cu₂O₄: , , Na₈Cu₅O₁₀: , , magnetic moments per divalent copper ion). Antiferromagmetic ordering is observed to occur in these compounds below 13 K (Na₃Cu₂O₄) and 24 K (Na₈Cu₅O₁₀).     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and nonlinear optical properties of Bi2Cu5B4O14

Bi₂Cu₅B₄O₁₄ crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric triclinic space group P1 (No. 1) with cell parameters a=10.1381(11) Å, b=9.3917(11) Å, c=3.4566(4) Å, α=105.570(2)°, β=92.275(2)°, γ=107.783(2)°, Z=1 and R₁=0.0401 and wR₂=0.0980. It is a layered structure that is built up from sheets of rectangular CuO₄ and trigonal BO₃ groups. The sheets are connected by infinite chains of edge shared BiO₆ polyhedra that intersect the bc plane at an angle slightly greater than 90°. The second-harmonic generation efficiency of Bi₂Cu₅B₄O₁₄, using 1064 nm radiation, is about one half times that of KH₂PO₄.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of BiMgVO5

The new vanadate BiMgVO₅ has been prepared and its structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction: space group P2₁/n, , , , β=107.38(5)°, wR₂=0.0447, R=0.0255. The structure consists of [Mg₂O₁₀] and [Bi₂O₁₀] dimers sharing their corners with [VO₄] tetrahedra. The ranges of bond lengths are 2.129-2.814 Å for Bi-O; 2.035-2.167 Å for Mg-O and 1.684-1.745 Å for V-O. V-O bond lengths determined from Raman band wavenumbers are between 1.679 and 1.747 Å. An emission band overlapping the entire visible region with a maximum around 650 nm is observed.     

Synthesis and crystal structure determination of yttrium ultraphosphate YP5O14

The crystal structure of monoclinic YP₅O₁₄ (space group C2/c, a=12.919(2) Å, b=12.796(4) Å, c=12.457(2) Å, β=91.30(1)°, Z=8) has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Full-matrix least-squares refinement on F² using 2249 independent reflections for 183 refinable parameters results in a final R value of 0.027 (ωR=0.069). The structure is isotypic with HoP₅O₁₄. This structure is built up from infinite layers of PO₄ tetrahedra linked through isolated YO₈ polyhedra. The three-dimensional cohesion of the framework results from Y-O-P bridges. This crystal structure refinement leads to the calculated X-ray diffraction powder pattern of this monoclinic polymorph, which has been the starting point of a thorough study of the solid-state synthesis of this ultraphosphate. This investigation further leads to a better outstanding of features observed during the synthesis of powdered samples. The thermal behavior of this ultraphosphate has been studied by DTA and TGA analyses. The infrared and Raman spectroscopic characterizations have been carried out on polycrystalline samples. The luminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ ion incorporated in the monoclinic C2/c polymorph of YP₅O₁₄ as local structural probe show that in YP₅O₁₄: 5% Eu³⁺ sample, the Eu³⁺ ions are distributed over the two Y³⁺ crystallographic sites of C₂ symmetry of this structure.     

Synthesis, crystal and band structures, and optical properties of a new lanthanide-alkaline earth tellurium(IV) oxide: La2Ba(Te3O8)(TeO3)2

A new quaternary lanthanide alkaline-earth tellurium(IV) oxide, La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂, has been prepared by the solid-state reaction and structurally characterized. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/c with a=19.119(3), b=5.9923(5), c=13.2970(19) Å, β=107.646(8)°, V=1451.7(3) Å³ and Z=4. La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂ features a 3D network structure in which the cationic [La₂Ba(TeO₃)₂]⁴⁺ layers are cross-linked by Te₃O₈⁴⁻ anions. Both band structure calculation by the DFT method and optical diffuse reflectance spectrum measurements indicate that La₂Ba(Te₃O₈)(TeO₃)₂ is a wide band-gap semiconductor.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of Na6Co2O6

Na₆Co₂O₆ was synthesized via the azide/nitrate route by reaction between NaN₃, NaNO₃ and Co₃O₄. Stoichiometric mixtures of the starting materials were heated in a special regime up to 500°C and annealed at this temperature for 50 h in silver crucibles. Single crystals have been grown by subsequent annealing of the reaction product at 500°C for 500 h in silver crucibles, which were sealed in glass ampoules under dried Ar. According to the X-ray analysis of the crystal structure (, Z=1, a=5.7345(3), b=5.8903(3), c=6.3503(3) Å, α=64.538(2), β=89.279(2), γ=85.233(2)°, 1006 independent reflections, R₁=8.34% (all data)), cobalt is tetrahedrally coordinated by oxygen. Each two CoO₄ tetrahedra are linked through a common edge forming Co₂O₆^6- anions. Cobalt ions within the dimers, being in a high spin state (S=2), are ferromagnetically coupled (J=17 cm^-1). An intercluster spin exchange (zJ′=−4.8 cm^-1) plays a significant role below 150 K and leads to an antiferromagnetically ordered state below 30 K. Heat capacity exhibits a λ-type anomaly at this temperature and yields a value of 19.5 J/mol K for the transition entropy, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value calculated for the ordering of the ferromagnetic-coupled dimers. In order to construct a model for the spin interactions in Na₆Co₂O₆, the magnetic properties of Na₅CoO₄ have been measured. This compound features isolated CoO₄ tetrahedra and shows a Curie-Weiss behavior (μ=5.14 μ_B, Θ=−20 K) down to 15 K. An antiferromagmetic ordering is observed in this compound below 10 K.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the palladium oxides NaPd3O4, Na2PdO3 and K3Pd2O4

NaPd₃O₄, Na₂PdO₃ and K₃Pd₂O₄ have been prepared by solid-state reaction of Na₂O₂ or KO₂ and PdO in sealed silica tubes. Crystal structures of the synthesized phases were refined by the Rietveld method from X-ray powder diffraction data. NaPd₃O₄ (space group Pm3¯n, a=5.64979(6) Å, Z=2) is isostructural to NaPt₃O₄. It consists of NaO₈ cubes and PdO₄ squares, corner linked into a three-dimensional framework where the planes of neighboring PdO₄ squares are perpendicular to each other. Na₂PdO₃ (space group C2/c, a=5.3857(1) Å, b=9.3297(1) Å, c=10.8136(2) Å, β=99.437(2)°, Z=8) belongs to the Li₂RuO₃-structure type, being the layered variant of the NaCl structure, where the layers of octahedral interstices filled with Na⁺ and Pd⁴⁺ cations alternate with Na₃ layers along the c-axis. Na₂PdO₃ exhibits a stacking disorder, detected by electron diffraction and Rietveld refinement. K₃Pd₂O₄, prepared for the first time, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm (a=6.1751(6) Å, b=9.1772(12) Å, c=11.3402(12) Å, Z=4). Its structure is composed of planar PdO₄ units connected via common edges to form parallel staggered PdO₂ strips, where potassium atoms are located between them. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of K₃Pd₂O₄ reveal a Curie-Weiss behavior in the temperature range above 80 K.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of a novel sodium lead pentaborate, NaPbB5O9

A novel sodium lead pentaborate, NaPbB₅O₉, has been successfully synthesized by standard solid-state reaction. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis showed that NaPbB₅O₉ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=6.5324(10) Å, b=13.0234(2) Å, c=8.5838(10) Å, β=104.971(10)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure is composed of double ring [B₅O₉]³⁻ units, [PbO₇] and [NaO₇] polyhedra. [B₅O₉]³⁻ groups connect with each other forming two-dimensional infinite _∞[B₅O₉]³⁻ layers, while [PbO₇] and [NaO₇] polyhedra are located between the layers. [PbO₇] polyhedra linked together via corner-sharing O atom forming novel infinite _∞[PbO₆] chains along the c axis. The thermal behavior, IR spectrum and the optical diffuse reflectance spectrum of NaPbB₅O₉ were reported.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and optical properties of the first strontium selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) oxychlorides: Sr3(SeO3)(Se2O5)Cl2 and Sr4(Te3O8)Cl4

Two new quaternary strontium selenium(IV) and tellurium(IV) oxychlorides, namely, Sr₃(SeO₃)(Se₂O₅)Cl₂ and Sr₄(Te₃O₈)Cl₄, have been prepared by solid-state reaction. Sr₃(SeO₃)(Se₂O₅)Cl₂ features a three-dimensional (3D) network structure constructed from strontium(II) interconnected by Cl⁻, SeO₃²⁻ as well as Se₂O₅²⁻ anions. The structure of Sr₄(Te₃O₈)Cl₄ features a 3D network in which the strontium tellurium oxide slabs are interconnected by bridging Cl⁻ anions. The diffuse reflectance spectrum measurements and results of the electronic band structure calculations indicate that both compounds are wide band-gap semiconductors.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new cerium rhodium oxides: Ce2/3−xRh2O4 (x∼0.12) with Ce mixed valency and CeRh2O5

The new compounds Ce_2/3−xRh₂O₄ (x∼0.11-0.14) and CeRh₂O₅ have been prepared. Their structures were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Electrical and magnetic properties were also evaluated. Based on the structural analysis and physical properties, oxidation states for CeRh₂O₅ can be assigned as Ce⁴⁺Rh³⁺₂O₅. A small variation in x was detected for Ce_2/3−xRh₂O₄ indicating a formula ranging from Ce^3.64+_0.55Rh³⁺₂O₄ to Ce^3.81+_0.525Rh³⁺₂O₄.     

Crystal structure, optical properties and colouring performance of karrooite MgTi2O5 ceramic pigments

Karrooite, MgTi₂O₅, is a promising ceramic pigment due to its high refractoriness and refractive indices, as well as its ability to host transition metal ions in two crystallographically distinct octahedral sites. The colouring performance was investigated combining X-ray powder diffraction with UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy on karrooite doped with V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co or Ni (M) according to the formula Mg_1−xTi_2−xM_2xO₅, with x=0.02 and 0.05. Transition metals solubility in the karrooite lattice is not complete and a second phase is always present (geikielite or rutile). Structural data proved that incorporation of different chromophore ions into the karrooite structure affects unit cell parameters, bond length distances and angles, site occupancies and therefore cation order-disorder. Optical spectra exhibit broad absorbance bands of Co(II), Cr(IV), Fe(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), Ni(II), V(IV) with distinct contributions by cations in the M₁ and M₂ sites. Karrooite pigments have colours ranging from orange to brown-tan (Cr, Fe, Mn, V) to green (Co) and yellow (Ni) that are stable in low-temperature (<1050 °C) ceramic glazes and glassy coatings.     

Low-temperature flux syntheses and characterizations of two 1-D anhydrous borophosphates: Na3B6PO13 and Na3BP2O8

Two new anhydrous sodium borophosphates with one-dimensional structure, Na₃B₆PO₁₃(1) and Na₃BP₂O₈(2), were synthesized by low-temperature molten salts techniques using boric acid and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as flux, respectively. The crystal structures were solved by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (1, orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), , , , Z=4; 2 , monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), , , , β=92.492(5)°, Z=8). Compound 1 is characterized by an infinite chain of containing eight-membered rings in which all vertexes of borate groups contribute to interconnection. Compound 2 reveals an infinite straight chain built of vertex-sharing four-membered rings, and chains in neighboring layers arranged along different orientations. The relations between structures and the synthetic conditions with only traced water are discussed.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and preliminary study of luminescent properties of InTbGe2O7

A new indium terbium germanate InTbGe₂O₇, which is a member of the thortveitite family, was prepared as a polycrystalline powder material by high-temperature solid-state reaction. This new compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c (No. 15), with unit cell parameters a=6.8818(2) Å, b=8.8774(3) Å, c=9.7892(4) Å, β=101.401(1)°, V=586.25(4) ų and Z=4. Its structure was characterized by Rietveld refinement of powder laboratory X-ray diffraction data. It consists of octahedral sheets that are held together by sheets of isolated Ge₂O₇ diorthogroups composed of two tetrahedra sharing a common vertex. It contains only one octahedral site occupied by In³⁺ and Tb⁺³ cations. The characteristic mirror plane in the thortveitite (Sc₂Si₂O₇) space group (C2/m, No. 12) is not present in this new compound. Besides, in InTbGe₂O₇, the Ge–O–Ge angle bridging two diorthogroups is 156.8(2)° as compared to the one in thortveitite, which is 180°. On the other hand, luminescent properties were observed when it is excited with 376.5 nm wavelength. The luminescence spectrum shows typical transitions from the ⁵D₄ multiplet belonging to the trivalent terbium ion.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of new layered hexagonal perovskite Ba8Ta4Ru8/3Co2/3O24

A new hexagonal perovskite-type oxide Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ was synthesized by the solid-state method at 1573 K and characterized by electron diffraction (ED), time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility. Structure parameters of Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ were refined by the Rietveld method from the TOF neutron powder diffraction data on the basis of space group P6₃/mcm and lattice parameters a=10.0075(1) Å and c=18.9248(2) Å as obtained from the ED data (Z=3). The crystal structure of Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3Co_2/3O₂₄ consists of 8-layered (cchc)₂ close-packed stacking of BaO₃ layers along the c-axis. Corner-shared octahedra are filled by Ta only and face-shared octahedra are statistically occupied by Ru, Co, and vacancies. Similar compounds Ba₈Ta₄Ru_8/3M_2/3O₂₄ with M=Ni and Zn were also prepared. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed no magnetic ordering down to 5 K.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the open framework compound Co3Te2O2(PO4)2(OH)4

The new compound Co₃Te₂O₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₄ was synthesized using hydrothermal techniques. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with the unit cell a=19.4317(10) Å, b=6.0249(3) Å, c=4.7788(2) Å, β=103.139(5)°. The crystal structure is an open framework having chains of edge sharing [Co(1)O₆] octahedra. Other building blocks are [TeO₃(OH)₂], [PO₄] and [Co(₂)O₂(OH)₄] connected mainly via corner sharing. The –OH groups protrude into channels in the structure. The magnetic susceptibility measured from 2 to 300 K shows two broad anomalies at around 21 K and 4 K, respectively. The peak at ∼20 K is ascribed to a two-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering of linear [Co(1)O₆] chains coupled by interchain interaction via [PO₄] groups in the Co(1) sheets. The second transition at 4 K is ascribed to a second antiferromagnetic ordering of the moments of the Co(2) entities via super–super exchange involving [PO₄] and [TeO₃(OH)₂] groups. This assignment is strongly supported by low-temperature heat capacity measurements indicating an entropy removal within the high-temperature transition of about twice the magnitude of the low-temperature transition.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical limiting properties of some W---Se---Cu clusters

A nest-shaped cluster [(C₄H₉)₄N]₂[WOSe₃Cu₃Br_1.67Cl_1.33] (1) and a cage-shaped cluster [(C₄H₉)₄N]₃[WSe₄Cu₃Br₂Cl₂] (2) were synthesized and their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It was found that cluster 1 showed better optical limiting properties under an 8 ns pulsed laser at 532 nm but poorer optical limiting properties under a 35 ps pulsed laser compared with its analogue [(C₄H₉)₄N]₂[MoOS₃Cu₃BrCl₂]. The influence of the peripheral ligands of the cluster to the optical limiting properties was also discussed.