Vibrational study of the unusual phase sequence in Tl3Cr(SO4)3: A compound containing [Cr(SO43−3]∞ columns

The polarized Raman spectra of small single crystals of Tl₃Cr(SO₄)₃ have been recorded using the Raman microprobe technique in the temperature range 295–660 K. The behavior of the external modes is analyzed on polycrystalline samples with conventional Raman spectrometer from 100 K to the decompositon temperature 660 K. Analysis of the spectra, in connection with dielectric measurements and X-ray data show that Tl₃Cr(SO₄)₃ undergoes the following space group phase sequence

$\text{P2}{}_1\text{c}\text{→}\text{340}\text{K}\text{R}\text{3}\text{→}\text{450}\text{K}\text{R3c}\text{→}\text{630}\text{K}\text{R}\text{3}\text{c}$

in accordance with the point group relationship

$\text{2}\text{m}\text{→}\text{3}\text{→3m→}\text{3}\text{m}$