ABSTRACT
The phosphate KCoCr(PO4)2 and iron-substituted variants KCoCr1-xFex(PO4)2 (x = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) were synthesized by a solid-state reaction route, while a high substitution level of Fe was achieved. Their structures were refined using powder X-ray diffraction and indexed in a monoclinic system with a P21/n space group. A 3D framework with six-sided tunnels parallel to the [101] direction was formed in which the K atoms are located. Mössbauer spectroscopy confirms the exclusive presence of octahedral paramagnetic Fe3+ ions, with isomer shifts increasing slightly with x substitution. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of paramagnetic Cr3+ ions. The activation energy, determined by dielectric measurements, shows that the iron-containing samples present higher ionic activity. Relative to the electrochemical activity of K, these materials could be good candidates for positive and/or negative electrode materials for energy storage applications.
ABSTRACT
An electron and joint neutron and X-ray diffraction study of the synthetic copper/chromium phosphate NaCuCr2(PO4)3 (NaCuP) is reported. A noncentrosymmetric Imm2 space group belonging to the well-known α-CrPO4 type is observed contrary to what is reported in NaMCr2(PO4)3 (M = Co and Ni) phosphates. The structural model is validated by bond valence sum analysis and charge-distribution (CHARDI) calculations and supported by complementary infrared and Raman spectroscopy investigations. Both Raman spectroscopy and theoretical study by deformation density approach further suggest the presence of Cu2+ (3d9) and Cr2+ (3d4) Jahn-Teller polaron effects as a key factor to the centro Imma to noncentrosymmetric Imm2 phase change.
ABSTRACT
We describe the synthesis and the crystallographic and magnetic properties of a novel NaCoCr2(PO4)3 phosphate. A conventional solid-state reaction was used to obtain single-phase powders. A Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data proposes an orthorhombic symmetry similar to α-CrPO4-type structure in space group Imma with the following unit cell parameters: a = 10.413(1) Å; b = 13.027(1) Å; c = 6.372(1) Å. The framework consists of PO4 tetrahedra, M(1)O6 (M(1) = Cr) octahedra, and M(2)2O10 (M(2) = 0.5Cr+0.5Co) binuclear unit of edge-sharing MO6 octahedra. It can be described in terms of two building blocks: sheets consisting of corner-sharing M(2)2O10 units with PO4 tetrahedra found parallel to the (b,c) plane, and chains made by corner-sharing CrO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra running along the b axis. From the interconnection of the sheets and chains, a 3D rigid skeleton is formed, exhibiting two kinds of intersecting tunnel channels containing the Na(+) ions. The proposed structure derives from the α-CrPO4-type structure considering a positive charge balance according to the equation Cr(3+) â Co(2+) + Na(+), resulting in sodium countercation introduction within the unoccupied channels shown in the α-CrPO4 framework. Temperature-dependent DC and AC magnetic susceptibility is indicative of a long-range magnetic ordering occurring at 32 K. Further, spin-flop transition sheds light on a chromium-based phosphate for the first time.
