Syntheses and magnetic properties of Eu3B2O6 and Sr3B2O6

Europium orthoborate and strontium orthoborate crystallize in the rhombohedral system with two formula units in a cell of dimensions $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{R}}\text{=6.697}\text{A}\text{?}$, α_R=85.17° for Eu₃B₂O₆, and $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{R}}\text{=6.695}\text{A}\text{?}$, α_R=85.00° for Sr₃B₂O₆. The equivalent hexagonal lattice parameters are $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{=9.069}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{=12.542}\text{A}\text{?}$, and $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{=9.046}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{=12.566}\text{A}\text{?}$ respectively. Eu₃B₂O₆ appears to be ferromagnetic below 7.5K.     

Structure determination of (3D) P2NbS8

Tridimensional P₂NbS₈ crystallizes in P4?n2 tetragonal space group, with $\text{a}\text{= 12.0483(4)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 7.2070(5)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{V}\text{= 1046.2(1)}\text{A}\text{?}{}^3$ and Z = 4. The structure was anisotropically refined down to R = 2.3% from 468 reflexions and 53 variables. It is built from [Nb₂S₁₂] biprismatic bicapped units (average $\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{Nb?S}}\text{= 2.571}\text{A}\text{?}$) made of S^?II and S^?II₂ anions (dianionic distance of 2.014(3) Å). The niobium atoms are found as isolated Nb^IV ? Nb^IV pairs ($\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{Nb?Nb}}\text{= 2.859(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$) in these niobium group otherwise linked to each other through (PS₄) tetrahedral units (average $\text{d}{}_{\mathrm{P?S}}\text{= 2.051}\text{A}\text{?}$) themselves constituting interbonded [P₄S₁₂] rings. The P₂NbS₈ three-dimensional network thus obtained is compared to the (2D) P₂NbS₈, layered phase already described.     

The oxygen defect perovskite BaLa4Cu5O13.4, a metallic conductor

A new oxygen defect perovskite BaLa₄Cu₅O_13.4, characterized by a mixed valence of copper has been isolated; the parameters of the tetragonal cell are closely related to that of the cubic perovskite:a = 8.644(4)$\text{A}\text{?}\text{=}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{p}}\text{5√}$ and c = 3.867(3) $\text{A}\text{?}\text{=}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$. The X-ray diffraction study shows that the atoms are displaced from their ideal positions in the cubic cell, owing to the presence of ordered oxygen vacancies. The study of conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and thermoelectric power versus temperature shows that this oxide is a very good metallic conductor.     

A series of rare earth silicates RE3+2M3+[SiO4]2 (OH)

A series of isotypic silicates of composition RE₂M[SiO₄]₂ (OH) with RE = La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, and M = Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Lattice constants of two members as determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data are: La₂Al[SiO₄]₂ (OH) (La₂Fe[SiO₄]₂ (OH)) $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 7.401 (7.346)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 5.702 (5.862)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 17.072 (97.196)}\text{A}\text{?}$, gb = 112.4 (112.5°), $\text{P}\text{2}{}_1\text{c}$, Z=4.     

Copper doped zinc oxide Y2BaZnO5: ERS and optical investigation

In copper doped Y₂BaZnO₅ oxides, copper exhibits a distorted square pyramidal coordination which is consistant with the values of g and A tensors obtained from O band ERS spectrum for a sample containing about 1 % Cu. Three values for g and A are observed, g₁ = 2.049₅, g₂ = 2.051₅, g₃ = 2.275, $\text{¦}\text{A}{}_1\text{¦ = 13 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$, $\text{¦}\text{A}{}_2\text{¦ = 10 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ and $\text{¦}\text{A}{}_3\text{¦ = 147.5 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$. Since $\text{g}{}_1\text{?}\text{g}{}_2$ an approximate C_4v point symmetry can be assumed for copper. The electronic spectrum shows three bands at 11700, 14500 and 20500 cm^?1 which can be assigned to the transitions A₁ → B₁, B₂ → B₁ and E → B₁ respectively. The orbital reduction parameters are calculated and the bonding covalency is discussed.     

Structure cristalline et proprietes physiques de Cu0.75 VS2

A new compound with composition Cu_0.75 VS₂ has been prepared. Its preparation, X-Ray structure, electrical and magnetic properties are reported. The structure is related to the CdI₂-type, as in the case of the previously described Cu_xTiS₂ (1); in Cu_0.75 VS₂, Cu atoms are ordered in tetrahedral sites between the CdI₂-type subunits, whereas in Cu_xTiS₂ Cu atoms are disordered in two independent sites. The vanadium atoms are shifted with respect to the titanium sites which leads a monoclinic distortion of the hexagonal cell. The relation between the CdI₂ unit cell and the true monoclinic cell of Cu_0.75 VS₂ is:

$\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>mono</mtext>}}\text{= 2}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>hex</mtext>}}\text{3}\text{;}\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>mono</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{4}\text{3}\text{a}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>hex</mtext>}}\text{+}\text{c}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>hex</mtext>}}\text{9}\text{;}\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>mono</mtext>}}\text{= 2}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>hex</mtext>}}$

In Cu_0.75 VS₂, vanadium atoms occupy two independent sites, three vanadium atoms forming a triangular cluster (V₂—V₃ distances are 2.91 Å and V₃—V₃ are 2.92 Å) while one vanadium atom is isolated ($\text{V}{}_1\text{?}\text{V}{}_2\text{= 3.36}\text{A}\text{?}$ and $\text{V}{}_1\text{?}\text{V}{}_3\text{= 3.37}\text{A}\text{?}$. The physical properties exhibit a transition at 50°K approximately, the magnetic susceptibility being temperature-independent above and temperature dependent below the transition (Curie-Weiss behavior). Resistivity and Hall measurements confirm the metallic nature of the compound and show the existence of the low temperature transition. The observed properties could be interpreted as a result of the low temperature localisation of the 3d electron of V₁.     

Pressure induced phase transformation in BaWO4

A new dense form of BaWO₄(BaWO₄-II) was prepared under high pressure. The phase boundary between the normal pressure form (BaWO₄-I, scheelite structure) and BaWO₄-II was determined as P(kb) = 26.₇+0.26₅T(°C), (T=600–1000 °(C). Crystallographic data were obtained from the single crystal and powder X-ray analyses. BaWO₄-II is monoclinic with 8 formula units in the unit cell. The possible space group is $\text{P}\text{2}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>n</mtext>}}$ and the cell parameters are; $\text{a}\text{= 13.159}\text{A}\text{?}\text{,}\text{b}\text{= 7.161}\text{A}\text{?}\text{,}\text{c}\text{= 7.499}\text{A}\text{?}\text{, β = 93.76°}$ and the cell $\text{volume}\text{= 705}\text{A}\text{?}{}^3$. The volume decrease upon transformation is estimated to be 12.1%.     

Macle et structure cristalline de Mn0,75Ga2,17S4

Twins of $\text{Mn}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1?</mtext><mtext>x</mtext>}}\text{Ga}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>2+</mtext><mtext>2</mtext><mtext>3</mtext><mtext>x</mtext>}}\text{S}{}_4$ were used for crystal structure determination. Twinning is explained by a reticular pseudomerihedry. Axis, plane and obliquity of the twin have been determined. Cell dimensions are: $\text{a = b}\text{= 5.456(2)}\text{A}\text{?}$; $\text{c}\text{= 10.220(4)}\text{A}\text{?}$; α = β = γ = 90°; space group 14; Z = 2. The final R value is 0.059. The material is isostructural with CdGa₂S₄.     

Ordering of interstitial nitrogen and oxygen in vanadium near to V8N and V8O

The ordered structure of the V₈N subnitride was studied by X-rays, electron diffraction and electron microscopy. V₈N exists in two different modifications (α′ and α″). The vanadium sublattice of both phases is pseudo-tetragonal, in reality triclinic, with lattice parameters: $\text{α}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{=}\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 3.114}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 2.994}\text{A}\text{?}$, α_o = β_o = 90.5^o ± 0.1^o, γ_o = 90^o. The proposed unit cell of α′-V₈N has dimensions: a = 2√2 a_o, c = 2c_o and corresponds to V₃₂N₄. Doublets of nitrogen atoms occupy two sets of octahedral cavities whose shortest axes are aligned along the x and y directions of the sublattice in an ordered fashion. The α″-V₈N phase is a periodically twinned modification of the α′-V₈N, the twin plane being of the (001) type. The V₈O suboxide has the same structure as the α″-V₈N, the sublattice parameters being: $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{=}\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 3.11}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 2.994}\text{A}\text{?}$, α_o = β_o = 90.3^o ± 0.1^o, γ_o = 90^o.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Cu4NiSi2S7

The structure of the compound Cu₄NiSi₂S₇ has been determined. It crystallizes in a new, monoclinic distorted sphalerite superlattice with the parameters: $\text{a}\text{= 11.551}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{= 5.313}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 8.165}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 98.72°, $\text{V}\text{= 495.2}\text{A}\text{?}{}^3$, Z = 2, space group C2. The analogous compound Cu₄NiGe₂S₇ is isotypic. At a Neél temperature T_N = 20.2 K, Cu₄NiSi₂S₇ becomes antiferromagnetic. The magnetic moment of the paramagnetic phase is 2.6μ_B.     

High pressure synthesis of Gd3InO6, Tb3InO6 and Lu3InO6

Three new compounds, X₃InO₆ (X = Gd, Tb, Lu) were prepared at 1–4 GPa, ～1050°C. They are monoclinic, space group $\text{P}\text{2}{}_1\text{n}$ with $\text{a}\text{? 8.9}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{? 9.8}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{? 5.9}\text{A}\text{?}$, β ～ 95° and Z = 4.     

On a new structural type of fluorine compounds : Crystal and magnetic structures of a high pressure form of PdF2

A new structural type of MF₂ fluorine compounds has been studied using neutron diffraction. The structure of the high pressure form of Pd difluoride has been shown to derive from the fluorite type by a rhombohedral distortion of the cubic environment of the cations. The coordination number of the cations is VI + II : the six nearest neighbor fluorine atoms form a distorted octahedron with $\text{M}\text{?}\text{F}{}_1\text{? 2.18}\text{A}\text{?}$, while two further anions correspond to $\text{M}\text{?}\text{F}{}_2\text{? 3.17}\text{A}\text{?}$. Distances and angles have been compared with those of other Pd compounds. The structure of the high pressure form of PdF₂ has been refined via neutron diffraction ($\text{a}\text{= 5.329}\text{A}\text{?}$, space group Pa3 or P2₁3). This phase orders antiferromagnetically below 190 ± 5 K and the magnetic structure has been determined on the basis of both collinear and noncollinear models. The magnetic data have been compared with results obtained for other d⁸ or d⁹ difluorides.     

New tetrahedrally coordinated A2CdBr4 compounds (A = Cs,CH3NH3)

(CH₃NH₃)₂CdBr₄ and Cs₂CdBr₄ are two compounds with a tetrahedral CdBr₄-coordination. Their room temperature structures are determined. (CH₃NH₃)₂CdBr₄: monoclinic, $\text{P}\text{2}{}_1\text{c}$, $\text{a}\text{= 8.1227(13)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{= 13.4355(16)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 11.4194(13)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 96.194(11) °, z = 4. Cs₂CdBr₄: orthorhombic, Pnma, $\text{a}\text{= 10.235(5)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{= 7.946(3)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 13.977(5)}\text{A}\text{?}$, z = 4.     

Neutron diffraction determination of the structure of an ordered scheelite-type : Zr3GeO8

The crystal structures of ZrGeO₄ and Zr₃GeO₈ were determined from neutron powder diffraction data.The compound Zr₃GeO₈ shows a new structural type (I4&#x0304;2m, Z = 2) closely related to the scheelite arrangement displayed by ZrGeO₄ ($\text{I}\text{4}{}_1\text{a}$, Z = 4).In both phases, germanium atoms are located at the center of tetragonally distorted tetrahedra defining isolated GeO₄ groups. As in the structure of tetragonal zirconia, two sets of four oxygen neighbours are surrounding zirconium atoms in 8-fold coordination.     

Sr2Mn2O5, an oxygen-defect perovskite with Mn(III) in square pyramidal coordination

An oxygen-defect perovskite Sr₂Mn₂O₅ was isolated by reduction of SrMnO_3?x perovskites in the presence of zirconium. Its structure, similar to that of Ca₂Mn₂O₅, has been determined by X-ray powder diffraction and HREM. The orthorhombic cell has the parameters : $\text{a}\text{= 5.523(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{= 10.761(5)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 3.811(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$. The possible space groups are Pbam and Pba2. The framework is built up from corner-sharing MnO₄ pyramids forming pseudo-hexagonal tunne$\text{l}$s running along 〈001〉 and perovskite tunnels running along 〈110〉 and 〈110〉. This oxide is antiferromagnetic with $\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{N}}\text{? 380 ± 10}\text{K}$ and $\text{θ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>P</mtext>}}\text{? 300 ± 10}\text{K}$.     

Intercroissances des structures de type perovskite et SrO deficitaires en oxygene : Les oxydes Ln2−xSr1+xCu2O6−x/2 (Ln = Sm,Eu, Gd)

New oxides Ln_2?xSr_1+xO_6?x/2 (Ln = Sm, EU, GD), corresponding to oxygen deficient intergrowths of double perovskite and SrO layers have been isolated for 0.70 ≤ x ≤ 0.90. They are characterized by an orthorhombic cell, $\text{a}\text{?}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{p}}\text{? 3.9}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b}\text{?}\text{3a}{}_{\mathrm{p}}$, and $\text{c}\text{? 20}\text{A}\text{?}$. A structural model has been obtained, showing that this structure, although closely related to that of La_2?xSr_1+xCu₂O_6?x/2+δ exhibits a different distribution of the oxygen vacancies, involving for copper several coordinations. The semi-conductive properties of these compounds, very different from the semi-metallic behaviour of La_2?xSr_1+xCu₂O_6?x/2+δ is explained by the distribution of the oxygen vacancies in the structure.     

New phase with K2NiF4 structure in the LaLiFeO system

The existence has been proved, for the first time, in the LaLiFeO system of the phase (La_1.75Li_.25) (Fe_.5Li_.5)O_4?x with tetragonal symmetry ($\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{=3.765±0.001}\text{A}\text{?}$; $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{=12.918±0.01}\text{A}\text{?}$; $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{=3.43}$) and K₂NiF₄-type structure.This phase gives probably the first example of lithium distribution in both A and B sites of A₂BO₄-type mixed oxides. The high $\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{o}}$ ratio suggests a strong elongation of FeO₆ octahedra induced by a high spin Fe(IV) d⁴ configuration. The results of structural studies and of Mössbauer analysis, confirming the above conclusions, are reported.     

New Li+ ion conductors in the system,Li4GeO4-Li3VO4

New Li⁺ ion conducting solid electrolytes have been found in the system Li₄GeO₄-Li₃VO₄. Of the compositions studied, Li_3.6Ge_0.6V_0.4O₄ has the highest conductivity with σ ～ 4 × 10^?5 ohm^?1cm^?1 at 18°C rising to ～ 10^?2 ohm^?1 cm^?1 at 190°C. The activation energy is ～0.44 eV. These conductivity values are among the highest yet found for Li⁺ ion conductors; the room temperature value is much higher than in LISICON, Li_3.5Zn_0.25GeO₄, or in Li_3.4Si_0.4P_0.6O₄ and is comparable to that in $\text{LiI/A}\text{l}{}_2\text{O}{}_3$ mixtures. These solid electrolytes are easy to synthesize, thermodynamically stable and insensitive to atmospheric attack. Structurally, they are solid solutions based on γ_II Li₃VO₄, a γ tetrahedral structure; high conductivity is due to the interstitial Li⁺ ions which are created during solid solution formation.     

Hydrogen bonding in NH4HSO4. NH4H2PO4

NH₄HSO₄·NH₄H₂PO₄ is monoclinic $\text{P}\text{2}{}_1\text{n}$ with Z = 2 and the following unit cell dimensions : a = 7.723(5), b = 7.540(5), $\text{c}\text{= 7.482(5)}\text{A}\text{?}$, β = 101.32(5)°. Crystal structure of this salt has been solved with a final R value 0.028. As in the corresponding potassium salt PO₄ and SO₄ tetrahedra are randomly distributed.A complete hydrogen bonding pattern is given.     

Ionic conductivity of Li4GeO4, Li2GeO3 and Li2Ge7O15

The ionic conductivity of polycrystalline samples of three lithium germanates: Li₄GeO₄, Li₂GeO₃, and Li₂Ge₇O₁₅, has been determined using a c techniques and complex plane analysis. Conductivities at 400°C are 8.7 × 10^?5, 1.5 × 10^?5, and $\text{1.4 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?7}}\text{(Ω·}\text{cm}\text{)}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ respectively. The conductivity of Li₄GeO₄ rises appreciably in the range 700–750°C.