Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of K2Bi(PO4)(MoO4)

A new potassium bismuth phosphate-molybdate K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄) has been synthesized by the flux method and characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopic studies. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with the space group Ibca and the cell parameters: a=19.7037(10), b=12.4752(10), c=7.0261(10). This phase exhibits an original layered structure, in which the [Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄)]_∞ layers consist of [Bi₂Mo₂O₁₈]_∞ chains linked through single PO₄ tetrahedra. The K⁺ cations interleaved between these layers exhibit a monocapped distorted cubic coordination.     

Phase relations in the system K2MoO4–KPO3–MoO3–Bi2O3: A new phosphate K3Bi5(PO4)6

Phase equilibrium in the pseudo-quaternary system K₂O–MoO₃–P₂O₅–Bi₂O₃ was studied as three-component solvent K₂MoO₄–KPO₃–MoO₃ containing 15 mol% Bi₂O₃ during slow cooling and spontaneous crystallization. The results of the investigation were shown on a composition diagram, which indicates the crystallization fields of K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄), K₅Bi(MoO₄)₄, BiPO₄ and K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆. New phosphate K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (space group C2/c, a=17.680(4), b=6.9370(14), c=18.700(4) Å, β=113.79(3)°) and FTIR spectroscopy. The possibility of lone electron pair stereoactivity of bismuth was suggested using the calculations of characteristics of the Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra for K₃Bi₅(PO₄)₆ and K₂Bi(PO₄)(MoO₄).     

Crystal structure and cation transport properties of the layered monodiphosphates Rb6Bi4(PO4)2(P2O7)3

Single crystals of the new Bi(III) phosphates, Rb₆Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃, have been isolated and their structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=9.077(1)Å, b=9.268(2)Å, c=36.418(6)Å, β=95.75(1)° and Z=8. The crystal structure is made up of BiO₅ and BiO₆ polyhedra sharing the corners with PO₄ tetrahedra and P₂O₇ diphosphate groups. The structure can be described as infinite anionic layers with composition [Bi₄(PO₄)₂(P₂O₇)₃]_∞⁶⁻ parallel to the [301] plane, connected via P-O-Bi bridges to form a three-dimensional open framework. This framework delimits tunnels running along [100] and [010] directions, where the rubidium ions reside. This compound exhibits a rubidium ion conduction but with rather low conductivity value at 640 K.     

Investigations of new binary phosphate K4Ce2P4O15

The new potassium cerium(III) phosphate of formula K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ in the system Ce₂O₃-K₂O-P₂O₅ was prepared by solid state reactions and characterized by thermal analysis (DTA, TG, DSC), powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. This compound exists only in the solid state (below 880 °C) and exhibits a polymorphic transition at 527 °C. The low-temperature form β-K₄Ce₂P₄O₁₅ of this compound crystallizes as a triclinic phase (space group P) with unit cell parameters: a=9.319(7), b=12.129(3), c=9.252(1) Å, α=106.875, β=100.086, γ=107.202°, V=916.276 Å³.     

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.     

Novel perovskite-related barium tungstate Ba11W4O23

Ba₁₁W₄O₂₃ was synthesized at 1300 °C, followed by quenching with liquid nitrogen. The crystal structure, which was known to be cryolite-related but has remained unclear, was initially determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction for the isostructural Ru-substituted compound Ba₁₁(W_3.1Ru_0.9)O_22.5, which was discovered during exploratory synthesis in the Ba-Ru-O system. The structure of Ba₁₁W₄O₂₃ was refined by a combined powder X-ray and neutron Rietveld method (Fd-3m, a=17.1823(1) Å, Z=8, R_p=3.09%, R_wp=4.25%, χ²=2.8, 23 °C). The structure is an example of A-site vacancy-ordered 4×4×4 superstructure of a simple perovskite ABO₃, and it may be written as (Ba_1.75□_0.25)BaWO_5.75□_0.25, emphasizing vacancies on both metal and anion sites. The local structure of one of two asymmetric tungsten ions is the WO₆ octahedron, typical of perovskite. The other tungsten, however, is surrounded by oxygen and anionic vacancies statistically distributed over three divided sites to form 18 partially occupied oxygen atoms (∼30% on average), represented as WO_18/3. The A-site cation-vacancies are ordered at the 8a (, , ) site in between adjoining WO_18/3 polyhedra which form 1-D arrangements along [110] and equivalent directions. In situ high-temperature XRD data have shown that the quenched Ba₁₁W₄O₂₃ at room temperature is isostructural to the high-temperature phase at 1100 °C.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of new uranyl tungstates M2(UO2)(W2O8) (M=Na, K), M2(UO2)2(WO5)O (M=K, Rb), and Na10(UO2)8(W5O20)O8

The solid-state reactions of UO₃ and WO₃ with M₂CO₃ (M=Na, K, Rb) at 650°C for 5 days result, accordingly the starting stoichiometry, in the formation of M₂(UO₂)(W₂O₈) (M=Na (1), K (2)), M₂(UO₂)₂(WO₅)O (M=K (3), Rb (4)), and Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈ (5). The crystal structures of compounds 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction using Mo(Kα) radiation and a charge-coupled device detector. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and Fourier difference techniques, and refined by a least-squares method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections. For (1), unit-cell parameters were determined from powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic data: 1, monoclinic, a=12.736(4) Å, b=7.531(3) Å, c=8.493(3) Å, β=93.96(2)°, ρ_cal=6.62(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.64(1) g/cm³, Z=4; 2, orthorhombic, space group Pmcn, a=7.5884(16) Å, b=8.6157(18) Å, c=13.946(3) Å, ρ_cal=6.15(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=6.22(1) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.029 for 80 parameters with 1069 independent reflections; 3, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.083(4) Å, b=28.724(5) Å, c=9.012(4) Å, β=102.14(1)°, ρ_cal=5.83(2) g/cm³, ρ_mes=5.90(2) g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1471 reflections; 4, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=8.234(1) Å, b=28.740(3) Å, c=9.378(1) Å, β=104.59(1)°, ρ_cal=6.13(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.037 for 171 parameters with 1452 reflections; 5, monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=24.359(5) Å, b=23.506(5) Å, c=6.8068(14) Å, β=94.85(3)°, ρ_cal=6.42(2) g/cm³,  g/cm³, Z=8, R1=0.036 for 306 parameters with 5190 independent reflections. The crystal structure of 2 contains linear one-dimensional chains formed from edge-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by two octahedra wide (W₂O₈) ribbons formed from two edge-sharing WO₆ octahedra connected together by corners. This arrangement leads to [UW₂O₁₀]²⁻ corrugated layers parallel to (001). Owing to the unit-cell parameters, compound 1 probably contains similar sheets parallel to (100). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and the structure consists of bi-dimensional networks built from the edge- and corner-sharing UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids. This arrangement creates square sites occupied by W atoms, a fifth oxygen atom completes the coordination of W atoms to form WO₅ distorted square pyramids. The interspaces between the resulting [U₂WO₁₀]²⁻ layers parallel to plane are occupied by K or Rb atoms. The crystal structure of compound 5 is particularly original. It is based upon layers formed from UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and two edge-shared octahedra units, W₂O₁₀, by the sharing of edges and corners. Two successive layers stacked along the [100] direction are pillared by WO₄ tetrahedra resulting in sheets of double layers. The sheets are separated by Na⁺ ions. The other Na⁺ ions occupy the rectangular tunnels created within the sheets. In fact complex anions W₅O₂₀¹⁰⁻ are built by the sharing of the four corners of a WO₄ tetrahedron with two W₂O₁₀ dimmers, so, the formula of compound 5 can be written Na₁₀(UO₂)₈(W₅O₂₀)O₈.     

The study of Bi3B5O12: synthesis, crystal structure and thermal expansion of oxoborate Bi3B5O12

The paper presents a new data on the crystal structure, thermal expansion and IR spectra of Bi₃B₅O₁₂. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ single crystals were grown from the melt of the same stoichiometry by Czochralski technique. The crystal structure of Bi₃B₅O₁₂ was refined in anisotropic approximation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is orthorhombic, Pnma, a=6.530(4), b=7.726(5), c=18.578(5) Å, V=937.2(5) Å³, Z=4, R=3.45%. Bi³⁺ atoms have irregular coordination polyhedra, Bi(1)O₆ (d(B-O)=2.09-2.75 Å) and Bi(2)O₇ (d(B-O)=2.108-2.804 Å). Taking into account the shortest bonds only, these polyhedra are considered here as trigonal Bi(1)O₃ (2.09-2.20 Å) and tetragonal Bi(2)O₄ (2.108-2.331 Å) irregular pyramids with Bi atoms in the tops of both pyramids. The BiO₄ polyhedra form zigzag chains along b-axis. These chains alternate with isolated anions [B₂^IVB₃^IIIO₁₁]⁷⁻ through the common oxygen atoms to form thick layers extended in ab plane. A perfect cleavage of the compound corresponds to these layers and an imperfect one is parallel to the Bi-O chains. The Bi₃B₅O₁₂ thermal expansion is sharply anisotropic (α₁₁≈α₂₂=12, α₃₃=3×10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹) likely due to a straightening of the flexible zigzag chains along b-axis and decreasing of their zigzag along c-axis. Thus the properties like cleavage and thermal expansion correlate to these chains.     

Synthesis crystal structure and ionic conductivity of Ca0.5Bi3V2O10 and Sr0.5Bi3V2O10

Two new compounds Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ have been synthesized in the ternary system: MO-Bi₂O₃-V₂O₅ system (M=M²⁺). The crystal structure of Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ has been determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group and Z=2, with cell parameters a=7.1453(3) Å, b=7.8921(3) Å, c=9.3297(3) Å, α=106.444(2)°, β=94.088(2)°, γ=112.445(2)°, V=456.72(4) Å³. Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ is isostructural with Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, with, a=7.0810(2) Å, b=7.8447(2) Å, c=9.3607(2) Å, α=106.202(1)°, β=94.572(1)°, γ=112.659(1)°, V=450.38(2) Å³ and its structure has been refined by Rietveld method using powder X-ray data. The crystal structure consists of infinite chains of (Bi₂O₂) along c-axis formed by linkage of BiO₈ and BiO₆ polyhedra interconnected by MO₈ polyhedra forming 2D layers in ac plane. The vanadate tetrahedra are sandwiched between these layers. Conductivity measurements give a maximum conductivity value of 4.54×10⁻⁵ and 3.63×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ for Ca_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀ and Sr_0.5Bi₃V₂O₁₀, respectively at 725 °C.     

K1.4P4W14O50: An odd-m member (m = 7) of the monophosphate tungsten bronze series KxP4O8(WO3)2m

The crystal structure of K_xP₄W₁₄O₅₀ (x = 1.4) has been solved by three-dimensional single crystal X-ray analysis. The refinement in the cell of symmetry $\text{A2}\text{m}$, with a = 6.660(2) Å, b = 5.3483(3) Å, c = 27.06(5) Å, and β = 97.20(2)°, Z = 1, has led to R = 0.036 and R_w = 0.039 for 2436 reflections with $\text{σ(I)}\text{I}\text{≤ 0.333}$. This structure belongs to the structural family K_xP₄O₈(WO₃)_2m, called monophosphate tungsten bronzes (MPTB), which is characterized by ReO₃-type slabs of various widths connected through PO₄ single tetrahedra. This bronze corresponds to the member m = 7 of the series and its framework is built up alternately of strands of three and four WO₆ octahedra. The structural relationships with the P₄O₈(WO₃)_2m series, called M′PTB, are described and the possibility of intergrowth between these two structures is discussed.     

Crystal chemistry and crystallography of the Aurivillius phase Bi5AgNb4O18

Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ is a new phase, which was discovered during the phase equilibrium study of the Bi₂O₃-Ag₂O-Nb₂O₅ system. Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ was prepared at 750°C and is stable in air up to its melting temperature of 1160.1±5.0°C (standard error of estimate). Results of a Rietveld refinement using neutron powder diffraction confirmed that Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ is isostructural with Bi₃TiNbO₉, Bi₅NaNb₄O₁₈, and Bi₅KNb₄O₁₈. The structure was refined in the orthorhombic space group A2₁am, Z=2, and the lattice parameters are a=5.4915(2) Å, b=5.4752(2) Å, c=24.9282(8) Å, and V=749.52(4) Å³. The structure can be described as the m=2 member of the Aurivillius family, (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ (A_m−1B_mO_3m+1)²⁻ (where A=Bi and B=Ag, Nb), which is characterized by perovskite-like (A_m−1B_mO_3m+1)²⁻ slabs regularly interleaved with (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ layers. The octahedral [NbO₆] units are distorted with Nb-O distances ranging from 1.856(4) to 2.161(2) Å and the O-Nb-O angles ranging from 82.6(3)° to 98.5(3)°. These octahedra are tilted about the a- and c-axis by about 10.3° and 12.4°, respectively. Ag was found to substitute exclusively into the Bi-site that is located in the layer between the two distorted [NbO₆] units. Although the Ag substitutes into the Bi-site with the Bi:Ag ratio of 1:1, the existence of a superlattice was not detected using electron diffraction. A comparison of (Bi₂O₂)²⁺(A_m−1Nb_mO_3m+1)²⁻ structures (where A=Ag, Na, and K) revealed a relation between the pervoskite tolerance factor, t, and structural distortion. The reference pattern for Bi₅AgNb₄O₁₈ has been submitted to the International Centre for Diffraction Data (ICDD) for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File.     

Bi2−xLnxWO6: a novel layered structure type related to the Aurivillius phases

The crystal structure of Bi_0.7Yb_1.3WO₆ (a representative of the isomorphous series Bi_2−xLn_xWO₆; 0.3<x<1.3, for most lanthanides) has been determined. Contrary to previous suggestions, this structure type (space group A2; a=8.1070(3) Å, b=3.7048(2) Å, c=15.8379(8) Å, β=103.548(4)°) contains layers of stoichiometry WO₄, containing WO₆ octahedra sharing both edges and corners. These layers alternate with fluorite-like (Bi/Yb)₂O₂ sheets; this is a novel and unexpected arrangement and contrasts dramatically with the purely corner-sharing octahedral WO₄-layer in the parent Aurivillius phase Bi₂WO₆.     

K2Mo4O13 phases prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

Hydrothermal synthesis in the K-Mo oxide system was investigated as a function of the pH of the reaction medium. Four compounds were formed, including two K₂Mo₄O₁₃ phases. One is a new low-temperature polymorph, which crystallizes in the orthorhombic, space group Pbca, with Z=8 and unit cell dimensions a=7.544(1) Å, b=15.394(2) Å, c=18.568(3) Å. The other is the known triclinic K₂Mo₄O₁₃, whose structure was re-determined from single crystal data; its cell parameters were determined as a=7.976(2) Å, b=8.345(2) Å, c=10.017(2) Å, α=107.104(3)°, β=102.885(3)°, γ=109.760(3)°, which are the standard settings of the crystal lattice. The orthorhombic phase converts endothermically into triclinic phase at ca. 730 K with a heat of transition of 8.31 kJ/mol.     

Mixed valence tungsten oxides with a tunnel structure,P4W4nO12n+8: A nonintegral member P4W10O38 (n = 2.5)

The mixed-valence oxide P₄W₁₀O₃₈, which can be considered as the nonintegral member n = 2.5 of the series P₄W_4nO_12n+8, crystallizes in the monoclinic system with unit-cell dimensions a = 6.5656(25), b = 5.2850(15), c = 20.573(15) Å, β = 96.18(4)°, and space group P2₁. The crystal structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier techniques using 2339 counter-measured reflections that obeyed the condition I > 3σ(I) and refined to an R factor of 0.074 (R_w = 0.077). Basically, the framework of the structure built up from ReO₃-type slabs connected through PO₄ tetrahedra looks like that of P₄W₈O₃₂ previously described. Unlike P₄W₈O₃₂, two successive ReO₃-type slabs have a different width corresponding to two and three WO₆ octahedra so that the structure can be considered as an intergrowth of the integral members n = 2 and n = 3 of the series P₄W_4nO_12n+8.     

Synthesis, structure characterization and optical properties of a new tripotassium cadmium pentaborate, K3CdB5O10

A new ternary borate oxide, K₃CdB₅O₁₀, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 580 °C. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.6707 (7) Å, b=19.1765 (17) Å, c=7.8784 (6) Å, β=115.6083 (49)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional infinite [CdB₅O₁₀] layer, which forms by connecting isolated double ring [B₅O₁₀] groups and CdO₄ tetrahedra. K atoms filling in the interlayer and intralayer link the layers together and balance charge. The IR spectrum has been studied and confirmed the presence of both BO₃ and BO₄ groups, and the UV-vis-IR diffuse reflectance spectrum exhibits a band gap of about 3.4 eV. The DSC analysis proves that K₃CdB₅O₁₀ is a congruent melting compound.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and electrical characterization of two new potassium uranyl molybdates K2(UO2)2(MoO4)O2 and K8(UO2)8(MoO5)3O6

Two new potassium uranyl molybdates K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆ have been obtained by solid state chemistry . The crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected with MoKα radiation and a charge coupled device (CCD) detector. Their structures were solved using direct methods and Fourier difference techniques and refined by a least square method on the basis of F² for all unique reflections, with R₁=0.046 for 136 parameters and 1412 reflections with I?2σ(I) for K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and R₁=0.055 for 257 parameters and 2585 reflections with I?2σ(I) for K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆. The first compound crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁/c with a=8.250(1) Å, b=15.337(2) Å, c=8.351(1) Å, β=104.75(1)°, ρ_mes=5.22(2) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.27(2) g/cm³ and Z=4. The second material adopts a tetragonal unit cell with a=b=23.488(3) Å, c=6.7857(11) Å, ρ_mes=5.44(3) g/cm³, ρ_cal=5.49(2) g/cm³, Z=4 and space group P4/n.In both structures, the uranium atoms adopt a UO₇ pentagonal bipyramid environment, molybdenum atoms are in a MoO₄ tetrahedral environment for K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and MoO₅ square pyramid coordination in K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆. These compounds are characterized by layered structures. The association of uranyl ions (UO₇) and molybdate oxoanions MoO₄ or MoO₅, give infinite layers [(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂]²⁻ and [(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆]⁸⁻ in K₂(UO₂)₂(MoO₄)O₂ and K₈(UO₂)₈(MoO₅)₃O₆, respectively. Conductivity properties of alkali metal within the interlayer spaces have been measured and show an Arrhenius type evolution.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of Cs6[(UO2)4(W5O21)(OH)2(H2O)2]: a new polar uranyl tungstate

The hydrothermal reaction of UO₃, WO₃, and CsIO₄ leads to the formation of Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] and UO₂(IO₃)₂(H₂O). Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] is the first example of a hydrothermally synthesized uranyl tungstate. It's structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data: tetragonal, space group I4 cm, , , Z=4, MoKα, , R(F)=2.84% for 135 parameters with 2300 reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure is comprised of two-dimensional anionic layers that are separated by Cs⁺ cations. The coordination polyhedra found in the novel layers consist of UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids, WO₆ distorted octahedra, and WO₅ square pyramids. The UO₇ polyhedra are formed from the binding of five equatorial oxygen atoms around a central uranyl, UO₂²⁺, unit. Both bridging and terminal oxo ligands are employed in forming the WO₅ square pyramidal units, while oxo, hydroxo, and aqua ligands are found in the WO₆ distorted octahedra. In the layers, four (UO₂)O₅ polyhedra corner share with equatorial oxygen atoms to form a U₄O₂₄ tetramer entity with a square site in the center; a tungsten atom populates the center of each of these sites to form a U₄WO₂₅ pentamer unit. The pentamer units that result are connected in two dimensions by edge-shared dimers of WO₆ octahedra to form the two-dimensional [(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂]^6- layers. The lack of inversion symmetry in Cs₆[(UO₂)₄(W₅O₂₁)(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] can be directly contributed to the WO₅ square pyramids found in the pentamer units. In the structure, all of these polar polyhedra align their terminal oxygens in the same orientation, along the c axis, thus resulting in a polar compound.     

Structure Study of Bi2.5Na0.5Ta2O9 and Bi2.5Nam−1.5NbmO3m+3 (m=2-4) by Neutron Powder Diffraction and Electron Microscopy

The crystal structures of Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ and Bi_2.5Na_m-1.5Nb_mO_3m+3 (m=3,4) have been investigated by the Rietveld analysis of their neutron powder diffraction patterns (λ=1.470 Å). These compounds belong to the Aurivillius phase family and are built up by (Bi₂O₂)²⁺ fluorite layers and (A_m-1B_mO_3m+1)^2- (m=2-4) pseudo-perovskite slabs. Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ (m=2) and Bi_2.5Na_2.5Nb₄O₁₅ (m=4) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group A2₁am, Z=4, with lattice constants of a=5.4763(4), b=5.4478(4), c=24.9710 (15) and a=5.5095(5), b=5.4783(5), c=40.553(3) Å, respectively. Bi_2.5Na_1.5Nb₃O₁₂ (m=3) has been refined in the orthorhombic space group B2cb, Z=4, with the unit-cell parameters a=5.5024(7), b=5.4622(7), and c=32.735(4) Å. In comparison with its isostructural Nb analogue, the structure of Bi_2.5Na_0.5Ta₂O₉ is less distorted and bond valence sum calculations indicate that the Ta-O bonds are somewhat stronger than the Nb-O bonds. The cell parameters a and b increase with increasing m for the compounds Bi_2.5Na_m-1.5Nb_mO_3m+3 (m=2-4), causing a greater strain in the structure. Electron microscopy studies verify that the intergrowth of mixed perovskite layers, caused by stacking faults, also increases with increasing m.     

Crystal structure and ionic conductivity of a new bismuth tungstate, Bi3W2O10.5

The compound Bi₃W₂O_10.5 was synthesized by the solid-state technique from Bi₂O₃ and WO₃ in stoichiometric quantities. Single crystals were grown by the melt-cooling technique and the crystal structure was solved in the tetragonalI4/m space group witha = 3.839 (1) ?,c = 16.382 (5) ?,V = 241.4 (1) ?³,Z = 4 and was refined to anR inde_x of 0.0672. The structure represents a modification of the Aurivillius phase and consists of [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ units separated by WO₈ polyhedra. a.c. impedance studies indicate oxide ion conductivity of 2.91 10⁻⁵ Scm⁻¹ at 600°C. Dedicated to Prof J Gopalakrishnan on his 62nd birthday.     

A Vanadium (V) Hydroxymonophosphate Hydrate with a “Tape-Like” structure: K3(VO2)2PO4PO3OH·H2O

A new vanadium (V) hydroxymonophosphate hydrate, K₃(VO₂)₂PO₄PO₃OH·H₂O, with a “tape-like” structure has been synthesized. This compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁/c with a=5.099(1) Å, b=29.168(3) Å, c=8.115(1) Å, β=91.65(1)°. Its structure consists of [V₂P₂O₁₁OH]_∞ ribbons built up of corner-sharing VO₅ pyramids, PO₄, and PO₃OH tetrahedra, interleaved with K⁺ ions and H₂O molecules. In spite of its unidimensional character, this structure forms pentagonal tunnels. Relationships with frameworks involving tetragonal tunnels are studied.