Crystal structure of Ga<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>In<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solution

A solid solution of the GaIn₃Se₆ (2Ga_0.5In_1.5Se₃) composition with a hexagonal lattice (a = 7.051(3) Å, c = 19.148(2) Å, sp. gr. P6₁, z = 6, V = 824.4332(4) ų, ρ = 5.379(2) g/cm³) has been synthesized as a result of alloying Ga, In, and Se elements with a metal ratio of 1: 3. It was established that six out of nine In atoms in the lattice are located in a trigonal bipyramid, while the other three In atoms and three Ga atoms have a tetrahedral coordination.     

Crystal structure and microtwinning of monoclinic La<Subscript>3</Subscript>SbZn<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystals of the langasite family

The crystal structure of monoclinic La₃SbZn₃Ge₂O₁₄ crystals from the langasite family is determined by X-ray diffraction analysis [a = 5.202(1) Å, b = 8.312(1) Å, c = 14.394(2) Å, β = 90.02(1)°, sp. gr. A2, Z = 2, and R/R _w = (5.2/4.6)%]. The structure is a derivative of the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄-type structure (a = 8.069 Å, c = 4.967 Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1). The crystal studied is a polysynthetic twin with the twin index n = 2, whose monoclinic components are related by pseudomerohedry by a threefold rotation axis of the supergroup P321.     

Structural study of new compound Bi<Subscript>2.53</Subscript>Li<Subscript>0.29</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> by the powder neutron diffraction method

A new compound of composition Bi_2.53Li_0.29Nb₂O₉ was synthesized in the course of the search for new materials with high ionic conductivity. Its crystal structure was determined from the neutron diffraction data. The new compound Bi_2.53Li_0.29Nb₂O₉ is crystallized in the orthorhombic system, sp. gr. Cmc2₁, and unit-cell parameters a = 24.849(1) Å, b = 5.4536(3) Å, and c = 5.4619(2) Å at T = 290 K (a = 24.843(2) Å, b = 5.4456(5) Å, and c = 5.4546(5) Å at T = 10 K). Within the temperature range 10–870 K, no structural phase transitions were revealed. The atomic coordinates and the thermal factors in the isotropic approximation were refined by the Rietveld method at 290 and 10 K. The data obtained were analyzed based on the calculated local balance of bond strengths.     

Crystal structure refinement of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript>

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ (STGS) crystal (a = 8.3023(10) Å, c = 5.0853(2) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.59/0.52%, 4004 independent reflections) is performed. The use of two independent data sets obtained on diffractometers with point and 2D detectors made it possible to determine the model structure characterized by the best reproducibility of parameters. The ordered distribution of atoms over crystallographic positions and the anharmonic character of displacements of all cations and one oxygen atom are established.     

Accurate Refinement of the Crystal Structure of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> from Langasite Family and Analysis of Structural Transformations Due to Isomorphous Cation Substitutions

An accurate structure analysis of a Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal from langasite family was performed using four X-ray diffraction data sets collected on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, sinθ/λ ≤ 1.35 Å^–1; at 295 K a = 8.516(1) Å, c = 5.1910(6) Å, R/wR = 0.58/0.56%, Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.73/0.42 e/ų, 4414 independent reflections; at 106 K a = 8.5109(9) Å, c = 5.1861(9) Å, R/wR = 0.75/0.86%, Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.81/1.06 e/ų, 4382 reflections). The distinguishing feature of the Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ structure is a strong disorder of the Ga atom at the 3f site. Structural transformations in the series of Сa₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Sr₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Ba₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄–Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ crystals were analyzed.     

X-Ray Structure Investigation of Sr<Subscript>3</Subscript>NbGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> Langasite Family Crystal

An accurate structure analysis of Sr₃NbGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystals, belonging to the langasite family, has been performed. Two datasets are obtained on an Xcalibur S diffractometer equipped with a CCD detector. The structure is been refined using an averaged dataset: sp. gr. P 321, Z = 1, 295 K, sin θ/λ ≤ 1.35 Å^–1, a = 8.2797(3) Å, c = 5.0774(5) Å; the agreement factors between the model and experiment are found to be R/wR = 0.76/0.64% and Δρ_min/Δρ_max =–0.21/0.17 e/ų for 3820 independent ref lections. The Sr₃NbGa₃Si₂O₁₄ and Sr₃NbFe₃Si₂O₁₄ structures are compared, and the role of magnetic ions in the predicted P321 → P3 phase transition is analyzed.     

Crystalline structure of Cu<Subscript>4</Subscript>SSe

Ternary compound Cu₄SSe has been first synthesized by alloying the Cu, S, and Se elements taken in stoichiometric ratios. An X-ray diffraction study of polycrystalline samples has revealed the synthesized material to be crystallized into the trigonal system with unit-cell parameters а = 4.021(1) Å, с = 6.838(1) Å, and V = 95.75(4) ų; sp. gr. P\(\bar 3\)m1; Z = 1; D_x = 6.333(3) g/cm³. The crystal structure has been solved and refined to the reliability factor R_Bragg = 0.40%.     

Crystal structures of oxalate-bearing cancrinite with an unusual arrangement of CO<Subscript>3</Subscript> groups and sulfate-rich davyne

The crystal structures of two unusual varieties of cancrinite-group minerals—oxalate-bearing cancrinite from the Kovdor massif (Kola Peninsula) and the sulfate end member of the davyne series from the Sar-e Sang mine (Badakhshan, Afghanistan)—were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The unit-cell parameters of the hexagonal cells are a = 12.688(4) Å, c = 5.189(1) Å and a = 12.773(1) Å, c = 5.334(1) Å, sp. gr. P6₃; the R factors are 0.034 and 0.035, respectively. The presence of oxalate groups in cancrinite as admixtures is one of the factors responsible for the shift of CO₃ groups in wide channels.     

New multicell model for describing the atomic structure of La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>14</Subscript> piezoelectric crystal: Unit cells of different compositions in the same single crystal

Accurate X-ray diffraction study of langasite (La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄) single crystal has been performed using the data obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector at 295 and 90.5 K. Within the known La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ model, Ga and Si cations jointly occupy the 2d site. A new model of a “multicell” consisting of two different unit cells is proposed. Gallium atoms occupy the 2d site in one of these cells, and silicon atoms occupy this site in the other cell; all other atoms correspondingly coordinate these cations. This structure implements various physical properties exhibited by langasite family crystals. The conclusions are based on processing four data sets obtained with a high resolution (sin θ/λ ≤ 1.35 Å^–1), the results reproduced in repeated experiments, and the high relative precision of the study (sp. gr. P321, Z = 1; at 295 K, a = 8.1652(6) Å, c = 5.0958(5) Å, R/wR = 0.68/0.68%, 3927 independent reflections; at 90.5 K, a = 8.1559(4) Å, c = 5.0913(6) Å, R/wR = 0.92/0.93%, 3928 reflections).     

Crystallographic analysis of the structure of livingstonite HgSb<Subscript>4</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript> from refined data

An X-ray diffraction study of mineral livingstonite (HgSb₄S₈) from Khaydarkan (Kyrgyzstan) has been performed on a Bruker Nonius X8Apex diffractometer with a 4K CCD detector (R = 0.031). The unit-cell parameters were found to be a = 30.1543(10) Å, b = 3.9953(2) Å, c = 21.4262(13) Å, β = 104.265(1)°, V = 2501.7(2) ų, Z = 8, d _calcd = 5.013 g/cm³, and sp. gr. A2/a. It was confirmed that livingstonite belongs to rod-layers structures. In one type of layer, two double Sb₂S₄ chains are bound by disulfide groups [S₂]^2? (S-S 2.078(2) Å); in the other type, these chains are bound via Hg²⁺ cations. A crystallographic analysis confirmed the existence of independent pseudotranslational ordering in the cation and anion matrices, which is characteristic of the lozenge-like structures of sulfides and sulfosalts.     

Growth and structure of La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>Si<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystals

The complete X-ray structure determination of Czochralski grown La₃Zr_0.5Ga₅Si_0.5O₁₄ single crystals with the Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ structure is performed (sp. gr. P321, a = 8.226(1) Å, c = 5.1374(6) Å, Z = 1, Mo K_α1 radiation, 1920 crystallographically independent reflections, R = 0.0166, R_w = 0.0192). The absolute structure is determined. It is shown that possible transition of some of La atoms (～1.2%) from the 3e to 6g position may give rise to the formation of structural defects.     

Refinement of the crystal structure of rhombohedral KU<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> as a representative of orthophosphates with the NaZr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> structure

The crystal structure of the high-temperature β modification of synthetic orthophosphate KU₂(PO₄)₃ was refined from powder X-ray diffraction data by the Rietveld method: sp. gr. \(R\bar 3c\), the unit-cell parameters a= 9.113(1) Å and c= 24.997(1) Å. The isotropic refinement converged to R _wp = 6.15, R _B = 2.14, R _F = 3.52, and S = 0.42. It was confirmed that β-KU₂(PO₄)₃ belongs to the structure type of sodium zirconium phosphate containing an actinide atom in a sixfold (octahedral) coordination formed by oxygen atoms, which is unusual for orthophosphates. The principal interatomic distances and bond angles in the structure are reported.     

Polymorphism of the borophosphate anion in K(Fe,Al)[BP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>(OH)] and Rb(Al,Fe)[BP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>(OH)] crystal structures

The crystal structure of two borophosphates, Rb(Al,Fe)[BP₂O₈(OH)] (a = 9.381(6), b = 8.398(5), c = 9.579(6) Å, β = 102.605(10)°, sp. gr. P2₁/c) and K(Fe,Al)[BP₂O₈(OH)] (a = 5.139(2), b = 8.065(4), c = 8.290(4)Å, α = 86.841(8)°, β = 80.346(8)°, γ = 86.622(8)°, sp. gr. P \(\bar 1\)), obtained by hydrothermal synthesis in the AlCl₃: FeCl₃: K₃PO₄(Rb₃PO₄): B₂O₃: H₂O system has been established using X-ray diffraction (Bruker Smart diffractometer, T = 100 K). Hydrogen atoms are located and their coordinates and thermal parameters are refined. It is shown that the polymorphism of the [BP₂O₈(OH)]^4? borophosphate anion has a morphotropic nature and is related to the substitutions both in the cationic part of the structure and in the octahedral position of the anionic mixed framework. The synthesis of new isotypic triclinic compounds under hydrothermal conditions is predicted.     

Accurate structural study of langasite-family Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaGa<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystal

An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets obtained on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector (a = 8.1056(2) Å, c = 4.9800(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1, R/wR = 0.486/0.488%). A model structure is determined which is characterized by a high degree of reproducibility of structural parameters. Each site in Ca₃TaGa₃Si₂O₁₄ is occupied by atoms of only one type. Nevertheless, its structural feature is asymmetric disordering of sites of Ca, Ta, Ga, and two out of three oxygen atoms occupying special and general sites. A transition of some part of Ca atoms (~3%) from 3e sites on the twofold symmetry axis to general 6g sites is revealed.     

Neutron diffraction study of the atomic structure of cubic sodium-tungsten bronze (Na<Subscript>0.69</Subscript>WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>) single crystal

The atomic structure of a single crystal of one of four Na_0.69WO₃ phases, which exist below 293 K, has been refined from neutron diffraction data (WWR-c reactor at the Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry, Obninsk Branch; λ = 1.168 Å; λ/2 contribution < 0.8%; sinθ/λ ≤ 0.810; T = 288 K; crystal sphere ? = 4.4 mm; cubic unit cell with a = 7.672 Å, sp. gr. Im3, z = 8, μ = 1.9 mm^?1). The Na_0.69WO₃ atomic structure has been refined (198 independent reflections) taking into account the anisotropy of thermal vibrations (R _w = 4.0%). The stoichiometric coefficient Na(0.69) is also refined. A structural distortion is revealed, which is characterized by the displacement of oxygen atoms (0, 0.2609(2), 0.2391(2)) from the ideal perovskite positions (0, 1/4, 1/4); this displacement doubles the ideal perovskite lattice period. The oxygen displacements can be described as rotations of oxygen octahedra by 3.58° around the [111] direction. The structure remains cubic because the octahedra rotations with respect to all three perovskite cubic axes are identical.     

Growth and crystal structure of binary molybdate CsFe(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

CsFe(MoO₄)₂ single crystals have been grown by solution-melt crystallization with a charge-to-solvent ratio of 1: 3 (with Cs₂Mo₃O₁₀ used as a solvent). The crystal structure of this compound has been refined by X-ray diffraction (X8 APEX automatic diffractometer, MoK _α radiation, 356 F(hkl), R = 0.0178). The trigonal unit cell has the following parameters: a = b = 5.6051(2) Å, c = 8.0118(4) Å, V = 217.985(15) ų, Z = 1, ρ_calc = 3.875 g/cm³, and sp. gr. P \(\bar 3\) m1. The structure is composed of alternating layers of FeO₆ octahedra (with MoO₄ tetrahedra attached by sharing vertices) and CsO₁₂ icosahedra.     

Crystal structure of the new radical cation salt (<Emphasis Type="Italic">DOET</Emphasis>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>[Fe(CN)<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO]<Subscript>1.25</Subscript>(C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cl)<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>

A new radical cation salt based on 4,5-(1,4-dioxanediyl-2,3-dithio)-4′,5′-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene (DOET) with the photochromic anion [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2?, namely, (DOET)₄[Fe(CN)₅ NO]_1.25(C₆H₅Cl)_0.75, is synthesized. Single crystals of this salt are studied using X-ray diffraction [a = 10.398(2) Å, b = 11.168(2) Å, c = 18.499(4) Å, α = 103.14(3)°, β = 92.80(3)°, γ = 106.02(3)°, V = 1996.3(7) ų, space group \(P\bar 1\), and Z = 1]. In the structure, radical cation layers alternate with anion layers along the c axis. The centrosymmetric dimers are formed by DOET radical cations in the donor layer with packing of the β type. Like the vast majority of DOET-based salts, the new salt possesses semiconductor properties.     

High-pressure synthesis and magnetic properties of Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>D<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> = Pb,Ba) solid solutions

Perovskites Bi_0.5D_0.5MnO₃(D = Pb, Ba) were prepared under high pressure (4 GPa) at 1200–1300°C. According to the X-ray diffraction data, crystalline Bi_0.5Pb_0.5MnO₃ has a tetragonal unit cell with the parameters a = 3.940 Å and c = 3.800 Å, whereas Bi_0.5Ba_0.5MnO₃ crystals are cubic with a = 3.940 Å. It is concluded from magnetic studies that lead-containing manganite is an antiferromagnet with T_N = 120 K, whereas Bi_0.5Ba_0.5MnO₃ is a spin glass with spin-freezing temperature T _f = 38 K. Both compounds are decomposed upon heating in air at temperatures above 500°C. With the use of synthesis in air, Bi_0.5Ca_{0.5 ? x}D _x MnO₃ solid solutions with x as high as 0.25 were obtained.     

The Influence of Cation Substitution on the Kinetics of Phase Transitions in Crystals of (K,NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>H(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> Solid Solutions

The structure of (K_0.967(NH₄)_0.033)₃H(SO₄)₂ crystals, belonging to the K₃H(SO₄)₂–(NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂–H₂O salt system, has been investigated by X-ray structural analysis. The room-temperature characteristics of the atomic structure of these crystals are found to be as follows: sp. gr. C2/c, Z = 4, a = 14.7025(4) Å, b = 5.6859(2) Å, c = 9.7885(3) Å, and R/wR = 0.021/0.030%. The thermal and optical properties of (K,NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂ and K₃H(SO₄)₂ single crystals have been investigated and compared in a temperature range of 295–500 K.     

X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of Rb<Subscript>4</Subscript>LiH<Subscript>3</Subscript>(XO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">(X</Emphasis> = S,Se) single crystals

Rb₄LiH₃(SeO₄)₄ single crystals (1) are studied by the X-ray diffraction method at 180 K and Rb₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystals (2a–2c) are studied by the neutron diffraction method at 298 K (2a and (2b) and 480 K (2c). It is established that isostructural single crystals 1 and 2 (sp. gr. P4₁) have analogous systems of hydrogen bonds: chains of four XO₄ tetrahedra linked by three H bonds with the central bond (2.49 Å) being somewhat shorter than the terminal ones (2.52–2.54 Å). In the high-temperature 2c phase, the amplitudes of atomic thermal vibrations and the degree of proton disorder in the central hydrogen bond have somewhat elevated values.