Framework flexibility of sodium zirconium phosphate: role of disorder, and polyhedral distortions from Monte Carlo investigation

A detailed Monte Carlo investigation of the structural changes of the framework of sodium zirconium phosphate, [Zr₂P₃O₁₂]⁻,—NASICON (acronym for Na-SuperIonic CONductor)—accommodating alkali ions of varying sizes (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) is carried out over a range of temperatures. Simulation results are critically compared with the structural models proposed earlier and available experimental results. Anisotropic changes of the rhombohedral cell parameters—a contracts while c expands with the size of the alkali ion substituted—is observed in good agreement with previous experimental results. The mechanism of anisotropic variation of lattice parameters involves dominantly, coupled rotations of the polyhedra as proposed by Alamo and co-workers. It is, however, observed that the distortions of the PO₄ tetrahedra and ZrO₆ octahedra are significant, and accounts for nearly one-third of the total change in a and c—parameters as the size of the alkali ion increases. This suggests that ‘rigid’ polyhedral models, permitting only angular distortions of the polyhedra, are of limited quantitative applicability in these solids. The same mechanism is found to be responsible for the low/anisotropic thermal expansion of these solids. Evidence that the polyhedral rotations are dynamic, opposed to a static-frozen-in disorder, is provided.     

Synthesis,crystallographic characterization and ionic conductivity of iron substituted sodium zirconium phosphate Na<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Sodium zirconium phosphate NaZr₂P₃O₁₂ (hereafter NZP) crystallizes in rhombohedral (hexagonal) symmetry with the space group R-3c. The NZP-related phase of synthetic iron substituted NZP has been prepared by partial substitution on zirconium site by Fe(III). The material has been synthesized by sintering the finely powdered oxide mixture in a muffle furnace at 1,050 °C. The polycrystalline phase of Na_1.2Zr_1.8Fe_0.2(PO₄)₃ has been characterized by its typical powder diffraction pattern. The powder diffraction data of 3,000 points have been subjected to general structural analysis system (GSAS) software to arrive at a satisfactory structural fit with R _p = 0.0623 and R _wp = 0.0915. The following unit cell parameters have been calculated: a = b = 8.83498(18) ?, c = 22.7821(8) ? and α = β = 90.0° γ = 120.0°. The structure of NZP consists of ZrO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra linked by the corners to form a three-dimensional network. Each phosphate group is on a two-fold rotation axis and is linked to four ZrO₆ octahedra. Each zirconium octahedron lies on a threefold rotation axis and is connected to six PO₄ tetrahedra. AC conductivity of the solid solution has been measured between 303 and 773 K. The material exhibits temperature-dependent enhancement of ionic conduction by ≈400 times at elevated temperatures. The activation energies show significant change in slope at 1,000/T = 2.23(448 K).     

Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic activity of regularly shaped Cu2O nanowire polyhedra

A series of unique nanowire superstructures, Cu2O nanowire polyhedra, have been synthesized through a cost-effective hydrothermal route. Three types of nanowire polyhedra, namely octahedra, concave octahedra, and hexapods, were formed in high morphological yields (90%) by reducing cupric acetate with o-anisidine or o-phenetidine in the presence of carboxylic acids. The architectures of these Cu₂O nanowire polyhedra were examined by electron microscopy, which revealed ordered, highly aligned Cu₂O nanowires within the polyhedral outlines. The growth of the Cu₂O nanowire polyhedra is controlled by the orientation and growth rates of the nanowire branches which are adjusted by addition of carboxylic acids. Compared to the Cu₂O samples reported in the recent literature, the Cu₂O nanowire octahedra exhibit notably enhanced photocatalytic activities for dye degradation in the presence of H₂O₂ under visible light, probably due to the high-density charge carriers photoexcited from the branched nanowires with their special structures. Additionally, the discussion in the recent literature of the photocatalytic activity of Cu₂O in the absence of H₂O₂ for direct photodegradation of dyes seems questionable.     

Erbium zirconium phosphate Er<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> of the NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> family. Structure contraction on heating

Erbium zirconium phosphate Er_0.33Zr₂(PO₄)₃, a member of the family of structural analogs of NaZr₂(PO₄)₃ (NZP), was prepared by the sol-gel process and studied by X-ray phase analysis, IR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The behavior of erbium zirconium phosphate on heating in the temperature interval from 25 to 625°C was studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Expansion and contraction along different crystallographic directions and contraction of the structure as a whole were found. The overall contraction is due to higher contribution of the negative axial thermal expansion coefficients α _a and α _b to α_av and hence to the volume expansion of the phosphate. On heating to 900°C, the NZP structure is preserved.     

Synthesis of amorphous supermicroporous zirconium phosphate materials by nonionic surfactant templating

Supermicroporous zirconium phosphate materials possessing wormhole-like pores in the size range 1.3-1.8 nm were synthesized by using nonionic poly(ethylene oxide) surfactant (e.g., C₁₆H₃₃(EO)₁₀, C₁₈H₃₅(EO)₁₀) as a structure directing agent. The textural and structural properties were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption analysis, differential thermal analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, ³¹P MAS NMR and infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized materials are amorphous, exhibiting high surface areas, narrow pore size distributions, excellent thermal stabilities (over 800 °C) and acidic properties. The supermicropore size of the synthesized zirconium phosphate may be tunable by the variation of alkyl chain length of the surfactant.     

Thermal expansion of ZrP2O7 and related solid solutions

The effect of solute ions on the thermal expansion of ZrP₂O₇ solid solutions was studied. The abrupt thermal expansion at the high-low inversion can be interpreted as due to the rotation of the polyhedra from the low-temperature form in the partially collapsed state to the high-temperature form in the fully expanded state. The replacement of zirconium ions by larger ions and/or the stuffing of cations into the cavities of the framework stabilized the expanded structure, and then depressed the abruptness of the expansion. Consequently the thermal expansion was reduced in Ce _x Zr_1-x P₂O₇ or (Li, Y) _x Zr_1-x P₂O₇ solid solutions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structural characterization and thermal, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of the inorganic-organic hybrid phosphate, [(C2N2H9)VF(PO4)]

The [(C₂N₂H₉)VF(PO₄)] compound has been synthesized by hydrothermal techniques under autogeneous pressure at 170°C. The compound was characterized from X-ray powder diffraction data with the Rietveld method. Its crystal structure consists of sheets linked by the ethylenediammonium cations and constructed by chains of VO₃F₂N octahedra. The thermal study indicates that the compound is stable up to 290°C. In the IR spectrum the bands of both the ethylenediammonium and phosphate ions are observed. From the reflectance diffuse spectrum the Dq and Racah parameters have been calculated. The magnetic measurements indicate the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Thermal expansion studies on the Sodium Zirconium Phosphate family of compounds A1/2M2 (PO4)3: effect of interstitial and framework cations

Thermal expansion of the sodium zirconium phosphate (NZP) family of compounds A_1/2M₂(PO₄)₃ (A = Ca or Sr; M = Ti, Zr, Hf or Sn) has been measured in the temperature range 298–1273 K by high-temperature X-ray powder diffractometry. Some of the compounds in the series (calcium zirconium phosphate and calcium hafnium phosphate) display the typical thermal expansion behaviour of NZP compounds, namely expansion along the hexagonal c axis and contraction along the a axis. The other compounds, depending on their interstitial and framework composition, behave differently. The observed axial thermal expansion and contraction behaviour is explained on the basis of the crystal chemistry of the compounds. Low-expansion compounds in this series are identified and their expansion anisotropy examined. Infared spectra of the compounds are reported. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements on the tin compounds indicate the occurrence of a diffuse phase transformation at high temperatures.     

Effects of firing temperature on morphology and crystal structure of zirconiumbis(monohydrogen phosphate) and its alkali salts

In zirconiumbis(monohydrogen phosphate)monohydrate, the stability of water of crystallization and of the crystal form was strongly influenced by its crystal size. The water of crystallization of a smaller crystal was completely released on heating to 200° C while a part of this water was held at 300° C in a larger crystal with a diameter of several micrometres. While a smaller crystal was decomposed by heating to 900° C and cubic zirconium pyrophosphate was formed, for a larger crystal,-layered zirconium pyrophosphate was formed instead of cubic zirconium pyrophosphate and a layered structure was held. For the Na₂-, K₂- and Rb₂-forms, good layer structure was retained even by heating to 1000° C. For the Li₂-form, the layer structure was decomposed on heating at or above 900° C. The thermal stability of the layered structure increased with increasing crystal size and ionic radii of the alkali cation.     

Investigation of phases and stability of solid electrolytes in the NASICON system

In order to study the phase change and stability of the NASICON structure, sodium, lithium and magnesium ions were chosen to substitute the zirconium ion at octahedral sites in the NASICON network. It was found that the zirconium ion can not be replaced by these ions. All the synthesized products are Na_1+xZr₂Si_xP_3?xO₁₂ and phosphate salts. NASICON immersed in liquid sodium at 300°C also results phosphate salt and ZrO₂. It was found that an appropriate excess of sodium phosphate in NASICON will improve the chemical stability, corrosion against sodium and mechanical properties.     

First-principles calculations of mechanical and thermodynamic properties of YAlO3

First-principles calculations are performed to investigate the crystal structure, electronic properties, the elastic properties, hardness and thermodynamic properties of YAlO₃. The calculated ground-state quantities such as lattice parameter, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative, the band structure and densities of states were in favorable agreement with previous works and the existing experimental data. The elastic constants C_ij, the aggregate elastic moduli (B, G, E), the Poisson’s ratio, and the elastic anisotropy have been investigated. YAlO₃ exhibits a slight elastic anisotropy according to the universal elastic anisotropy index A^U = 0.24. The estimated hardness for YAlO₃ is consistent with the experimental value, and Al–O bond in AlO₆ octahedra plays an important role in the high hardness. The Y–O bonds in YO₁₂ polyhedra exhibit different characteristic. Using the quasi-harmonic Debye model considering the phonon effects, the temperature and pressure dependencies of bulk modulus, heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient are investigated systematically in the ranges of 0–20 GPa and 0–1300 K.     

Synthesis of high-surface-area complex zirconium phosphates via mechanochemical activation route

 High-power ball mill activation of the mixture of hydrated zirconium and lanthanum salts (oxonitrates, oxochlorides) with ammonium phosphate followed by hydrothermal treatment at temperatures not exceeding 200°C and a nearly neutral pH was found to yield crystalline dispersed phase of a cubic NH₄Zr₂(PO₄)₃ type along with admixtures of disordered orthorhombic compounds of a zirconium orthophosphate type. In the same conditions and at the same Zr/P ratio, hydrothermal treatment of gels obtained by reacting mixed zirconium and lanthanum nitrates solutions with ammonium phosphates yields no crystalline products, and only treatment in acid media generates a phase of the α-ZrPO₄(OH) type coexisting with the NH₄Zr₂(PO₄)₃ phase if polyethylene oxide is present. X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ³¹MAS-NMR, FTIRS and thermal analysis were applied to elucidate factors affecting crystallization of complex zirconium phosphates in the hydrothermal conditions. The most essential factor appears to be generation of some nuclei of zirconium phosphates under high pressures developed in the course of mixed solids mechanical activation. These nuclei are embedded into matrix of such well-crystallized solid products as ammonium nitrate or chloride. Hence, metastable cubic or orthorhombic structure of the phases obtained via mechanical activation route can be assigned to the nuclei-matrix orientation relationship. Due to easily scaled-up synthesis procedure, these results appear to be very promising for manufacturing of dispersed framework zirconium phosphates as acid catalysts or fast proton conductors. Received: 18 November 1998 / Reviewed and accepted: 2 December 1998     

Structure cristalline d'une phase cubique desordonnee de type ReO3 excedentaire en anions : ZrF2,67O0,67

The crystal structure of cubic disordered anion-excess ReO₃-related ZrF_2.67O_0.67 (space group Pm3m, $\text{a}\text{= 3.997(2)}\text{A}\text{?}$) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques and refined to a R = 0.038-value. Two different kinds of anions are found, one X(1) slightly displaced (by 0.27 Å) from the ideal ReO₃-anionic site, the other X(2) more considerably (by 1.16 Å). As previously proposed (8,14) the anion-excess over the parent ReO₃-type structure, is accomodated by the formation of interstitial X(2)-X(2) pairs across a vacant X(1) site.The most likely anionic arrangements around zirconium atoms are assessed and on those basis, the structure is described as a disordered three-dimensional framework of edge sharing ZrX(1)₅X(2)₂ pentagonal bipyramids and corner sharing ZrX(1)₅X(2) distorted octahedra.     

Coordination state of Nb5+ ions in silicate and gallate glasses as studied by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectra of K₂O-Nb₂O₅-SiO₂ glasses are measured in order to compare the coordination state of Nb⁵⁺ ions in gallate glasses with that in silicate glasses. It is found that less-distorted NbO₆ octahedra with no non-bridging oxygens as well as NbO₆ octahedra with non-bridging oxygens and/or with much distortion are present in the K₂O-Nb₂O₅-SiO₂ glasses. The Raman band in the 800 to 900 cm^–1 region is attributed to the NbO₆ octahedra with non-bridging oxygens and/or with much distortion. The broad bands in the 600 to 800 cm^–1 region are attributed to less-distorted NbO₆ octahedra with no non-bridging oxygens. An increase in the molar ratio Nb₂O₅/K₂O leads to an increase in the oxygens shared by more than two polyhedra and/or a decrease in non-bridging oxygens for the NbO₆ octahedra which possess non-bridging oxygens, or to an increase of distortion for much-distorted NbO₆ octahedra. At the same time, an increase in the molar ratio Nb₂O₅/K₂O increases the less-distorted NbO₆ octahedra with no non-bridging oxygens. In short, GaO₄ tetrahedra and NbO₆ octahedra compete to attract alkali ions in gallate glasses but such competition is not found in silicate glasses.     

Effect of high-intensity light on the properties and structure of ceramic Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

This paper examines the effect of exposure to high-intensity light on the structure, thermal expansion, mechanical properties, and Raman spectrum of ceramic Nb₂O₅. We demonstrate that such exposure creates fractal micro- and nanostructures in ceramic Nb₂O₅, has a significant effect on its thermal expansion, increases its elastic moduli and the anisotropy in its mechanical properties, and produces isolated polyhedra in its crystal structure.     

Phase investigations in the system PbSIn2S3 and the crystal structures of PbIn2S4 and Pb6In10S21

The system PbS-In₂S₃ was examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), chemical vapour transport (CVT), and X-ray diffraction. Five new phases of compositions closely related to the 1:1 ratio were found and prepared as needle-shaped single-crystals; their crystal data are reported. The structures of PbIn₂S₄ (orthorhombic, Pnma, a=11.688(1), b=3.8528(1), $\text{c}\text{=13.763(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$, Z=4) and Pb₆In₁₀S₂₁ (monoclinic, C2/m, a=27.629(3), b=3.8630(5), $\text{c}\text{=15.705(2)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β=95.9°, Z=2 were solved from 808 resp. 3554 independent reflexions and refined to R=0.116 resp. 0.068. In both structures the In-S coordination polyhedra are distorted octahedra, the Pb-S polyhedra are distorted bicapped trigonal prisms.     

Effects of organic chain length of layered zirconium phosphonate on the structure and properties of castor oil-based polyurethane nanocomposites

Three novel organic–inorganic hybrid molecules, layered zirconium phosphates or phosphonates, were synthesized. To study the effects of organic chain length of them on the structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites, the polyurethane/α-zirconium phosphate (PU/ZrP), polyurethane/zirconium 2-aminoethylphosphonate (PU/ZrAEP) and polyurethane/zirconium 2-(2-(2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino)ethylamino) ethylphosphonate (PU/Zr(AE)₄P) nanocomposites were prepared, and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile testing. It was revealed that morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites were strongly dependent on the organic chain length of the layered zirconium phosphonates. The results showed that the fillers with longer chain length exhibited better dispersion in the PU matrix. As expected, the mechanical properties and water resistance were improved with the increasing of organic chain length of fillers, which attributed to better interfacial adhesion between fillers and PU matrix.     

Phase transitions and ionic mobility in hydrogen zirconium phosphates with the NASICON structure, H1±XZr2−XMX(PO4)3·H2O, M = Nb, Y

Phase transitions and the mobility of proton-containing groups in hydrogen zirconium phosphate HZr₂(PO₄)₃·nH₂O with the NASICON structure were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, ¹H, ³¹P NMR, IR spectroscopy and TG analysis. Heating HZr₂(PO₄)₃·H₂O above 420 K results in dehydration and in a rhombohedral-triclinic phase transition. Continued heating to about 490 K results in the thermal activation of cation disordering and phase transition of HZr₂(PO₄)₃ from triclinic to rhombohedral phase. Parameter “a” of HZr₂(PO₄)₃ lattice decreases during the heating. It is shown that oxonium ions in HZr₂(PO₄)₃·H₂O are characterized by high rotation and translation mobility. Rotation mobility of oxonium ions can be increased by the substitution of zirconium by yttrium or niobium.     

Thermal expansion behaviour of sodium zirconium phosphate structure type phosphates containing tin

Thermal expansion behaviour of sodium zirconium phosphate structure type phosphates of the formula AM³⁺SnP₃O₁₂ (A=Ca, Sr and Ba; M³⁺=Cr and Fe) was studied by high temperature X-ray diffraction and dilatometry in the temperature range 298-1073 K. The variation in the hexagonal lattice parameters of the Ca-containing compounds is in line with the ‘sodium zirconium phosphate behaviour’. However, the strontium- and barium-containing compounds display an altogether different behaviour of axial expansion. The results are explained based on the crystal chemistry of these compounds.     

Synthesis and structure of dodecamolybdates of tetravalent cerium,thorium, uranium,neptunium, and plutonium

A series of isostructural compounds of the composition Na₇H[EMo₁₂O₄₂]·12H₂O, where E(IV) = Ce, Th, U, Np, or Pu, were synthesized and structurally characterized. In the [EMo₁₂O₄₂]^8– heteropolyanion (HPA), the central E(IV) atom is surrounded by six Mo₂O₉ groups, each constituted by two octahedra sharing a common face. The coordination polyhedron (CP) of the central atom is a weakly distorted icosahedron with the mean E(IV)–О bond lengths of 2.498, 2.529, 2.500, 2.490, and 2.488 Å for Ce, Th, U, Np, and Pu, respectively. In the structure of the compounds Na₇H[EMo₁₂O₄₂]·12H₂O, there are two crystallographically independent sodium atoms: Na(1) and Na(2). The oxygen surrounding of the Na(1) atom is formed by the terminal oxygen atoms of two heteropolyanions adjacent along [001], and its coordination polyhedron is an octahedron. The surrounding of the Na(2) atom (a six-vertex polyhedron) is formed by three terminal oxygen atoms of three Mo₂O₉ groups belonging to the same HPA and by three water molecules. The coordination polyhedra of the Na(2) atoms are linked with each other via common oxygen atoms of O_w(2) water molecules to form a chain “winding” around the 3₁ screw axis. The heteropolyanions and Na⁺ cations in the crystal form a framework constructed in a fashion characteristic of Dexter–Silverton type anions, with the coordination via three terminal oxygen atoms of three Mo₂O₉ groups. Excess negative charge of HPA is compensated by the proton localized on one of the six bridging O atoms. In the Mo₂O₉ doubled octahedra, the Mo–O bonds with the О atoms bonded to E(IV) and forming the edge of the common face are sensitive to the kind of the central atom.