Negative Thermal Expansion in the Polymorphic Modification of Double Sulfate ß-AEu(SO4)2 (A-Rb+, Cs+).

New polymorphic modifications of double sulfates ß-AEu(SO4)2 (A-Rb+, Cs+) were obtained by the hydrothermal method, the structure of which differs significantly from the monoclinic modifications obtained earlier by solid-state methods. According to single-crystal diffraction data, it was found that the compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic system, space group Pnna, with parameters ß-RbEu(SO4)2: a = 9.4667(4) Å, b = 13.0786(5) Å, c = 5.3760(2) Å, V = 665.61(5) Å3; ß-CsEu(SO4)2: a = 9.5278(5) Å, b = 13.8385(7) Å, c = 5.3783(3) Å, V = 709.13(7) Å3. The asymmetric part of the unit cell contains one-half Rb+/Cs+ ion, one-half Eu3+ ion, both in special sites, and one SO42- ion. Both compounds exhibit nonlinear negative thermal expansion. According to the X-ray structural analysis and theoretical calculations, the polarizing effect of the alkali metal ion has a decisive influence on the demonstration of this phenomenon. Experimental indirect band gaps of ß-Rb and ß-Cs are 4.05 and 4.11 eV, respectively, while the direct band gaps are 4.48 and 4.54 eV, respectively. The best agreement with theoretical calculations is obtained using the ABINIT package employing PAW pseudopotentials with hybrid PBE0 functional, while norm-conserving pseudopotentials used in the frame of CASTEP code and LCAO approach in the Crystal package gave worse agreement. The properties of alkali ions also significantly affect the luminescent properties of the compounds, which leads to a strong temperature dependence of the intensity of the 5D0 → 7F4 transition in ß-CsEu(SO4)2 in contrast to much weaker dependence of this kind in ß-RbEu(SO4)2.

Single Crystals of EuScCuSe3: Synthesis, Experimental and DFT Investigations.

EuScCuSe3 was synthesized from the elements for the first time by the method of cesium-iodide flux. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic system (Cmcm) with the unit cell parameters a = 3.9883(3) Å, b = 13.2776(9) Å, c = 10.1728(7) Å, V = 538.70(7) Å3. Density functional (DFT) methods were used to study the crystal structure stability of EuScCuSe3 in the experimentally obtained Cmcm and the previously proposed Pnma space groups. It was shown that analysis of elastic properties as Raman and infrared spectroscopy are powerless for this particular task. The instability of EuScCuSe3 in space group Pnma space group is shown on the basis of phonon dispersion curve simulation. The EuScCuSe3 can be assigned to indirect wide-band gap semiconductors. It exhibits the properties of a soft ferromagnet at temperatures below 2 K.

Halogen-Doped Chevrel Phase Janus Monolayers for Photocatalytic Water Splitting.

Chevrel non-van der Waals crystals are promising candidates for the fabrication of novel 2D materials due to their versatile crystal structure formed by covalently bonded (Mo6X8) clusters (X-chalcogen atom). Here, we present a comprehensive theoretical study of the stability and properties of Mo-based Janus 2D structures with Chevrel structures consisting of chalcogen and halogen atoms via density functional theory calculations. Based on the analysis performed, we determined that the S2Mo3I2 monolayer is the most promising structure for overall photocatalytic water-splitting application due to its appropriate band alignment and its ability to absorb visible light. The modulated Raman spectra for the representative structures can serve as a blueprint for future experimental verification of the proposed structures.

Exploration of the Crystal Structure and Thermal and Spectroscopic Properties of Monoclinic Praseodymium Sulfate Pr2(SO4)3.

Praseodymium sulfate was obtained by the precipitation method and the crystal structure was determined by Rietveld analysis. Pr2(SO4)3 is crystallized in the monoclinic structure, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 21.6052 (4), b = 6.7237 (1) and c = 6.9777 (1) Å, ß = 107.9148 (7)°, Z = 4, V = 964.48 (3) Å3 (T = 150 °C). The thermal expansion of Pr2(SO4)3 is strongly anisotropic. As was obtained by XRD measurements, all cell parameters are increased on heating. However, due to a strong increase of the monoclinic angle ß, there is a direction of negative thermal expansion. In the argon atmosphere, Pr2(SO4)3 is stable in the temperature range of T = 30-870 °C. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition process of praseodymium sulfate octahydrate Pr2(SO4)3·8H2O was studied as well. The vibrational properties of Pr2(SO4)3 were examined by Raman and Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy methods. The band gap structure of Pr2(SO4)3 was evaluated by ab initio calculations, and it was found that the valence band top is dominated by the p electrons of oxygen ions, while the conduction band bottom is formed by the d electrons of Pr3+ ions. The exact position of ZPL is determined via PL and PLE spectra at 77 K to be at 481 nm, and that enabled a correct assignment of luminescent bands. The maximum luminescent band in Pr2(SO4)3 belongs to the 3P0 → 3F2 transition at 640 nm.

Raman Spectroscopy of Janus MoSSe Monolayer Polymorph Modifications Using Density Functional Theory.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with Janus structures are attracting increasing attention due to their emerging superior properties in breaking vertical mirror symmetry when compared to conventional TMDs, which can be beneficial in fields such as piezoelectricity and photocatalysis. The structural investigations of such materials, along with other 2D materials, can be successfully carried out using the Raman spectroscopy method. One of the key elements in such research is the theoretical spectrum, which may assist in the interpretation of experimental data. In this work, the simulated Raman spectrum of 1H-MoSSe and the predicted Raman spectra for 1T, 1T', and 1H' polymorph modifications of MoSSe monolayers were characterized in detail with DFT calculations. The interpretation of spectral profiles was made based on the analysis of the lattice dynamics and partial phonon density of states. The presented theoretical data open the possibility of an accurate study of MoSSe polymorphs, including the control of the synthesized material quality and the characterization of samples containing a mixture of polymorphs.

SI: Advances in Density Functional Theory (DFT) Studies of Solids.

This summary is a review on articles published in the Special Issue "Advances in Density Functional Theory (DFT) Studies of Solids" from the section "Materials Simulation and Design" of the MDPI journal Materials [...].

Quaternary Selenides EuLnCuSe3: Synthesis, Structures, Properties and In Silico Studies.

In this work, we report on the synthesis, in-depth crystal structure studies as well as optical and magnetic properties of newly synthesized heterometallic quaternary selenides of the Eu+2Ln+3Cu+1Se3 composition. Crystal structures of the obtained compounds were refined by the derivative difference minimization (DDM) method from the powder X-ray diffraction data. The structures are found to belong to orthorhombic space groups Pnma (structure type Ba2MnS3 for EuLaCuSe3 and structure type Eu2CuS3 for EuLnCuSe3, where Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Y) and Cmcm (structure type KZrCuS3 for EuLnCuSe3, where Ln = Tm, Yb and Lu). Space groups Pnma and Cmcm were delimited based on the tolerance factor t', and vibrational spectroscopy additionally confirmed the formation of three structural types. With a decrease in the ionic radius of Ln3+ in the reported structures, the distortion of the (LnCuSe3) layers decreases, and a gradual formation of the more symmetric structure occurs in the sequence Ba2MnS3 → Eu2CuS3 → KZrCuS3. According to magnetic studies, compounds EuLnCuSe3 (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho and Tm) each exhibit ferrimagnetic properties with transition temperatures ranging from 4.7 to 6.3 K. A negative magnetization effect is observed for compound EuHoCuSe3 at temperatures below 4.8 K. The magnetic properties of the discussed selenides and isostructural sulfides were compared. The direct optical band gaps for EuLnCuSe3, subtracted from the corresponding diffuse reflectance spectra, were found to be 1.87-2.09 eV. Deviation between experimental and calculated band gaps is ascribed to lower d states of Eu2+ in the crystal field of EuLnCuSe3, while anomalous narrowing of the band gap of EuYbCuSe3 is explained by the low-lying charge-transfer state. Ab initio calculations of the crystal structures, elastic properties and phonon spectra of the reported compounds were performed.

Structural Features of Y2O2SO4 via DFT Calculations of Electronic and Vibrational Properties.

The traditional way for determination of molecular groups structure in crystals is the X-Ray diffraction analysis and it is based on an estimation of the interatomic distances. Here, we report the analysis of structural units in Y2O2SO4 using density functional theory calculations of electronic properties, lattice dynamics and experimental vibrational spectroscopy. The Y2O2SO4 powder was successfully synthesized by decomposition of Y2(SO4)3 at high temperature. According to the electronic band structure calculations, yttrium oxysulfate is a dielectric material. The difference between the oxygen-sulfur and oxygen-yttrium bond nature in Y2O2OS4 was shown based on partial density of states calculations. Vibrational modes of sulfur ions and [Y2O22+] chains were obtained theoretically and corresponding spectral lines observed in experimental Infrared and Raman spectra.

Exploration of the Structural and Vibrational Properties of the Ternary Molybdate Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 with Isolated MoO4 Units and Tl+ Conductivity.

The phase relations in the subsolidus region of the Tl2MoO4-Bi2(MoO4)3-Hf(MoO4)2 system were studied with the "intersecting cuts" method. The formation of the novel ternary molybdate Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 is found in this ternary system. The compound has a phase transition at Tpt = 731 K (ΔH = -3.15 J/g) and melts at Tm = 871 K (ΔH = -41.71 J/g), as determined by a thermal analysis. Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 single crystals were obtained by the spontaneous nucleation method. The crystal structure of Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 was revealed by structure analysis methods. This molybdate crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3̅c with the unit cell parameters a = 10.6801(4) Å, c = 38.5518(14) Å, V = 3808.3(2) Å3, and Z = 6. The vibrational characteristics of Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 were determined by Raman spectroscopy. The Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 conductivity was measured at frequencies of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 kHz in the temperature range of 293-773 K; in this temperature range, the conductivity level was 10-12-10-7 S/cm.

Structural, Electronic and Vibrational Properties of YAl3(BO3)4.

The crystal structure of YAl3(BO3)4 is obtained by Rietveld refinement analysis in the present study. The dynamical properties are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The experimental Raman and Infrared spectra are interpreted using the results of ab initio calculations within density functional theory. The phonon band gap in the Infrared spectrum is observed in both trigonal and hypothetical monoclinic structures of YAl3(BO3)4. The electronic band structure is studied theoretically, and the value of the band gap is obtained. It was found that the YAl3(BO3)4 is an indirect band gap dielectric material.

Structure, Thermal Stability, and Spectroscopic Properties of Triclinic Double Sulfate AgEu(SO4)2 with Isolated SO4 Groups.

Silver-europium double sulfate AgEu(SO4)2 was obtained by solid-phase reaction between Ag2SO4 and Eu2(SO4)3. The crystal structure of AgEu(SO4)2 was determined by Monte Carlo method with simulated annealing, and after that, it was refined by the Rietveld method from X-ray powder diffraction data. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic symmetry, space group P1̅ ( a = 0.632929(4), b = 0.690705(4), c = 0.705467(4) nm, α = 98.9614(4), ß = 84.5501(4), γ = 88.8201(4)°, V = 0.303069(3) nm3). Two types of sulfate tetrahedra were found in the structure, which significantly affects the spectroscopic properties in the IR-range. In the temperature range of 143-703 K, the average linear thermal expansion coefficients of cell parameters a, b, and c are very similar, (1.11-1.67) × 10-5 K-1 in magnitude, and therefore, AgEu(SO4)2 expands almost isotropically. Upon heating in argon flow, AgEu(SO4)2 is stable up to 1053 K. The luminescence spectra in the region of ultranarrow 5D0-7F0 transition contain a single narrow and symmetric line at 579.5 nm that is evidence of good crystalline quality of AgEu(SO4)2 and uniform local environment of Eu3+ ions in the structure. Distribution of luminescence bands is determined by the environment of Eu3+ ions in the structure. Influence of Ag+ ions on the electron density distribution at Eu sites is detected.

Triple molybdate scheelite-type upconversion phosphor NaCaLa(MoO4)3:Er3+/Yb3+: structural and spectroscopic properties.

Triple molybdate NaCaLa(1-x-y)(MoO4)3:xEr3+,yYb3+ (x = y = 0, x = 0.05 and y = 0.45, x = 0.1 and y = 0.2, x = 0.2 and y = 0) phosphors were successfully synthesized for the first time by the microwave sol-gel method. Well-crystallized particles formed after heat treatment at 900 °C for 16 h showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 2-3 µm. The structures were refined by the Rietveld method in the space group I41/a. The optical properties were examined comparatively using photoluminescence emission and Raman spectroscopy. Under excitation at 980 nm, the NaCaLa0.7(MoO4)3:0.1Er3+,0.2Yb3+ and NaCaLa0.5(MoO4)3:0.05Er3+,0.45Yb3+ particles exhibited a strong 525 nm emission band, a weaker 550 nm emission band in the green region, and three weak 655 nm, 490 nm and 410 nm emission bands in the red, blue and violet regions. The pump power dependence and Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage chromaticity of the upconversion emission intensity were evaluated in detail.

Crystal and local structure refinement in Ca2Al3O6F explored by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

We present a combined structural analysis on the powder of the Ca2Al3O6F phase using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The crystal structure of Ca2Al3O6F has been refined in the rhombohedral system, R3[combining macron] space group, a = 17.3237(7) Å, c = 7.00017(4) Å, V = 1819.38(2) Å(3), Z = 6. The Ca2Al3O6F phase consists of almost ideal AlO4 tetrahedrons linked through corners, Ca(2+) ions in voids, and F(-) ions disordered over 6 sites around the Ca2 ion. The two different Ca sites have also been verified by the photoluminescence spectrum and decay curves using Eu(2+) as the probe ion substituted onto the Ca(2+) sites. A lattice dynamics simulation based on the simplified version of the Born-Karman potential model has been produced. Calculated Raman phonon modes agree qualitatively well with the experimental data. The calculations show that the strong line at 538 cm(-1) (Ag) corresponds to the vibrational mode of a six-membered AlO4 tetrahedrons ring, and the line at 572 cm(-1) (Ag) corresponds to the full symmetric vibration of fluorine atoms in the ab crystal plane.