Abstract
A redetermination of the crystal structure of ZnSb was undertaken to resolve the question raised by a short Zn-Zn distance found by a previous worker. (1) Our result, Zn-Zn distance = 2.81 Å, is in agreement with that found by Toman, (2) who employed a diffractometer and a powder sample. From the bond distances a calculation of the bond orders and valences by the method of Pauling for intermetallic compounds leads to the interpretation of ZnSb as an electron transfer compound with Zn −1 having a valence of three and Sb +1 having a valence of four. The transference of approximately one electron from Sb to Zn permits better binding through the increased valence of both atoms. In the case of the Zn-Zn interaction it appears likely that a repulsive force exists between the atoms, however, it is not certain whether the force is that due to the close approach of nonbonded atoms or that of a bond in compression. With this uncertainty in mind the effects of normal twinning and polytype formation are discussed as a possible explanation of reported (3) phase transformations. Using a single crystal and a modified powder camera the cell edges were determined at 28.4 ± 2°C to be a 0 = 6.202 Å, b 0 = 7.742 Å, c o = 8.100 A.
Published Version
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