Ion exchange properties of β-eucryptite (LiAlSiO4): EPR investigation on copper-doped single crystals

Investigation of the ion exchange properties of β-eucryptite (LiAlSiO₄) single crystals indicates that it is impossible to substitute Li⁺ by other bigger univalent cations such as Na⁺, K⁺, or Ag⁺. On the contrary, Li⁺ exchange by bivalent cations, Cu²⁺ or Mn²⁺, is very easy. For a general orientation of the crystal with respect to the magnetic field, the EPR spectrum of Cu²⁺ ions in β-eucryptite consists of 12 sharp lines partially superimposed on a broad line. The sharp lines are attributed to isolated copper ions in the conducting channels. Cu²⁺ lies in sixfold coordinated Li″ sites, but not in the fourfold coordinated Li″ sites. The corresponding spin Hamiltonian parameters at T = 140 K are found to be: g_x = 2.362, g_y = 2.340, g_z = 1.990; ∥A_x∥ = 85 × 10^?4cm^?1, ∥A_y∥ = 71 × 10^?4cm^?1, ∥A_z∥ = 203 × 10^?4 cm^?1. The broad line is attributed to clusters of Cu²⁺ located in neighboring Li″ sites.