Crystal structure and fast ionic conduction of TIZrF5

TlZrF₅ crystallizes in the monoclinic system with unit cell dimensions a = 8.112(1) Å, b = 7.927(3) Å, c = 7.929(1) Å, β = 123.99(1)° and space group P2₁/c (n^o 14); Z = 4. The structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to a conventional R of 0.057 (R_ω = 0.063). The structure consists of sheets of (ZrF₅)^? that may be described as edge-shared and corner-shared bicapped trigonal prisms (ZrF₈). The sheets run parallel to the y0z plan and are bonded together by the Tl ions which are surrounded by 12 F^? ions. The ionic conductivity of TlZrF₅ and TlHfF₅ has been investigated by complex impedance measurements and the relationships between structure and fast-ionic conduction are discussed.