Synthesis and structure of Nb 3SiTe 6, a new layered ternary niobium telluride compound

Abstract

Nb 3SiTe 6, a new type of layered ternary telluride compound, has been synthesized. The structure is determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallizes in space group Pnma (No. 62) with Z=4, a=6.353(2) A ̊ , b=13.938(5) A ̊ , c=11.507(4) A ̊ , V=1018.9(6) A ̊ 3, R=4.77% and R w=4.88% . The structure contains sheets of mixed niobium and silicon with tellurium atoms capping both sides. The layered framework has an unusual coordination environment.