Phase formation in the Li2MoO4-A2MoO4-NiMoO4 (A = K, Rb, Cs) systems, the crystal structure of Cs2Ni2(MoO4)3, and color characteristics of alkali-metal nickel molybdates

The subsolidus regions of the Li₂MoO₄-A₂⁺MoO₄-NiMoO₄ (A⁺ = K, Rb, Cs) systems at 510°C have been triangulated by the intersecting-joins method. The A₂MoO₄-Li₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃, Li₂MoO₄-A₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃, A₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃-Li₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃ (A = K, Rb, Cs), and ALiMoO₄-A₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃ (A = K, Rb) joins have been investigated. The subsolidus phase formation study has also been completed by spontaneous flux crystallization. No triple salts have been identified, but only compounds belonging to the boundary binary systems. The crystal structure of Cs₂Ni₂(MoO₄)₃ (a = 10.7538 ?, Z = 4, space group P2₁3, R = 0.0082) belonging to the langbeinite type has been determined. It is built of a three-dimensional framework of vertexsharing MoO₄ tetrahedra and NiO₆ octahedra and cesium ions occupying large out-of-framework cavities. All alkali-metal nickel molybdates are yellow. These compounds are usable as pigments, as judged from their reflection spectra and calculated color characteristics, namely, colorfulness (C), lightness (L), and hue (H).