Phase formation in the systems Ag2MoO4-MO-MoO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Mn) and crystal structures of Ag2M2(MoO4)3 (M=Co, Mn)

Phase equilibria in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni, Co, Mn) and subsolidus phase relations in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MO-MoO₃ (M=Ca, Pb, Cd, Mn, Co, Ni) were investigated using XRD and thermal analysis. The systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Ni) belong to the simple eutectic type whereas in the systems Ag₂MoO₄-MMoO₄ (M=Co, Mn) incongruently melting Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Co, Mn) were formed. In the ternary oxide systems studied no other compounds were found. Low-temperature LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ reversibly converts into the high-temperature form of a similar structure at 450-500°C. The single crystals of Ag₂Co₂(MoO₄)₃ and LT-Ag₂Mn₂(MoO₄)₃ were grown and their structures determined (space group , Z=2; lattice parameters are a=6.989(1) Å, b=8.738(2) Å, c=10.295(2) Å, α=107.67(2)°, β=105.28(2)°, γ=103.87(2)° and a=7.093(1) Å, b=8.878(2) Å, c=10.415(2) Å, α=106.86(2)°, β=105.84(2)°, γ=103.77(2)°, respectively) and refined to R(F)=0.0313 and 0.0368, respectively. The both compounds are isotypical to Ag₂Zn₂(MoO₄)₃ and contain mixed frameworks of MoO₄ tetrahedra and pairs of M²⁺O₆ octahedra sharing common edges. The Ag⁺ ions are disordered and located in the voids forming infinite channels running along the a direction. The peculiarities of the silver disorder in the structures of Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Zn, Mg, Co, Mn) are discussed as well as their relations with analogous sodium-containing compounds of the structural family of Na₂Mg₅(MoO₄)₆. The phase transitions in Ag₂M₂(MoO₄)₃ (M=Mg, Mn) of distortive or order-disorder type are suggested to have superionic character.