Superspace Group Research Articles

Supercell refinement: a cautionary tale.

Theoretically, crystals with supercells exist at a unique crossroads where they can be considered as either a large unit cell with closely spaced reflections in reciprocal space or a higher dimensional superspace with a modulation that is commensurate with the supercell. In the latter case, the structure would be defined as an average structure with functions representing a modulation to determine the atomic location in 3D space. Here, a model protein structure and simulated diffraction data were used to investigate the possibility of solving a real incommensurately modulated protein crystal using a supercell approximation. In this way, the answer was known and the refinement method could be tested. Firstly, an average structure was solved by using the `main' reflections, which represent the subset of the reflections that belong to the subcell and in general are more intense than the `satellite' reflections. The average structure was then expanded to create a supercell and refined using all of the reflections. Surprisingly, the refined solution did not match the expected solution, even though the statistics were excellent. Interestingly, the corresponding superspace group had multiple 3D daughter supercell space groups as possibilities, and it was one of the alternate daughter space groups that the refinement locked in on. The lessons learned here will be applied to a real incommensurately modulated profilin-actin crystal that has the same superspace group.

Reply to comment on Couzi et al. (2018): a phenomenological model for structural phase transitions in incommensurate alkane/urea inclusion compounds.

In a recent paper (Couzi et al. 2018 R. Soc. open sci. 5, 180058. (doi:10.1098/rsos.180058)), we proposed a new phenomenological model to account for the I↔II↔“III” phase sequence in incommensurate n-alkane/urea inclusion compounds, which represents an alternative interpretation to that proposed in work of Toudic et al. In a Comment (Toudic et al. 2019 R. Soc. open sci. 6, 182073. (doi:10.1098/rsos.182073)), Toudic et al. have questioned our assignment of the superspace group of phase II of n-nonadecane/urea, which they have previously assigned, based on a (3 + 2)-dimensional superspace, as C2221(00γ)(10δ). In this Reply, we present new results from a comprehensive synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of n-nonadecane/urea, involving measurements as a detailed function of temperature across the I↔II↔“III” phase transition sequence. Our results demonstrate conclusively that “main reflections” (h, k, l, 0) with h+k odd are observed in phase II of n-nonadecane/urea (including temperatures in phase II that are just below the transition from phase I to phase II), in full support of our assignment of the (3+1)-dimensional superspace group P212121(00γ) to phase II. As our phenomenological model is based on phase II and phase “III” of this incommensurate material having the same (3+1)-dimensional superspace group P212121(00γ), it follows that the new X-ray diffraction results are in full support of our phenomenological model.

Stacking sequence variations in vaterite resolved by precession electron diffraction tomography using a unified superspace model

As a metastable phase, vaterite is involved in the first step of crystallization of several carbonate-forming systems including the two stable polymorphs calcite and aragonite. Its complete structural determination would consequently shed important light to understand scaling formation and biomineralization processes. While vaterite’s hexagonal substructure (a0 ~ 4.1 Å and c0 ~ 8.5 Å) and the organization of the carbonate groups within a single layer is known, conflicting interpretations regarding the stacking sequence remain and preclude the complete understanding of the structure. To resolve the ambiguities, we performed precession electron diffraction tomography (PEDT) to collect single crystal data from 100 K to the ambient temperature. The structure was solved ab initio and described over all the temperature range using a unified modulated structure model in the superspace group C12/c1(α0γ)00 with a = a0 = 4.086(3) Å, b = sqrt{{bf{3}}}a0 = 7.089(9) Å, c = c0 = 8.439(9) Å, α = β = γ = 90° and q = tfrac{{bf{2}}}{{bf{3}}}a* + γc*. At 100 K the model presents a pure 4-layer stacking sequence with γ = tfrac{{bf{1}}}{{bf{2}}} whereas at the ambient temperature, ordered stacking faults are introduced leading to γ < tfrac{{bf{1}}}{{bf{2}}}. The model was refined against PEDT data using the dynamical refinement procedure including modulation and twinning as well as against x-ray powder data by the Rietveld refinement.

Crystal Structure and Photoluminescence Properties of an Incommensurate Phase in EuO- and P2O5-Doped Ca2SiO4.

We have for the first time clarified the incommensurately modulated crystal structure as well as the photoluminescence properties of Eu2+-activated Ca2SiO4 solid solution, the chemical formula of which is (Ca1.88Eu2+0.01□0.11)(Si0.78P0.22)O4, where □ denotes vacancies in Ca sites with the replacement of Si4+ by P5+. The emission spectrum upon the 335 nm excitation showed a relatively broad band centered at ca. 490 nm and a full width at half-maximum of ca. 80 nm. The crystal structure was made up of the four types of β-Ca2SiO4-like layers with one type of interlayer. The incommensurate modulation with superspace group Pnma(0 β 0)00 s was induced by the long-range stacking order of these layers. The modulation wavevector was 0.27404(2) × b*, with the basic unit-cell dimensions being a = 0.68355(2) nm, b = 0.54227(2) nm, and c = 0.93840(3) nm ( Z = 4). The basic structure contained two nonequivalent Ca sites. One site was fully occupied by Ca2+ and free from Eu2+ in the overall incommensurate structure. The occupational modulation at the other site was so significant that the sum of site occupation factors for Ca2+ and Eu2+ as low as 0.5 was seen at the interlayer. This site was too large for accommodation of Ca2+ but was suitable for Eu2+. Thus, the Eu2+ ions would exclusively concentrate at the relevant site, which would cause the emission peak of the incommensurate phase to be shifted to the shorter wavelength ranges as compared with those of the other commensurate phases such as β and α'L.

Enhanced luminescence properties of Eu3+ activated CaGd2(WO4)4 red-emitting phosphors with Mo6+ doping

Novel CaGd2(WO4)4(1−x)(MoO4)4x:Eu3+ red phosphors were successfully prepared through a solid state method. The influence of molybdenum ions doping on the crystal structure and luminescence properties of CaGd2(WO4)4:Eu3+ were characterized in detail. Mo6+ ions are introduced into CaGd2(WO4)4 to induce the structure transformation from monoclinic scheelite with superspace group I2/b to tetragonal scheelite with superspace group I41/a. Under UV light excitation, CaGd2(WO4)4(1−x)(MoO4)4x:Eu3+ phosphors exhibit the strongest red emission dominated by the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ at 617 nm. The luminescent properties of Eu3+ are improved significantly when Mo6+ ions are introduced into the host. In the case of x = 0.1, the emission intensity of CaGd2(WO4)3.6(MoO4)0.4:Eu3+ phosphor is enhanced by 50% compared to undoped one, and the colour purity and quantum yield are calculated to be 95.3% and 53.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the as-prepared phosphor exhibited unusual temperature sensitive emission, and the thermal quenching process was explained resultantly through the configurational coordinate diagram. Furthermore, to better understand the red emission behavior, the Judd–Oflet theory was employed to analyze the radiative transition intensity parameters of CaGd2(WO4)4 phosphors.

Y3Ru2−x—A Representative of a Composite Modulated Family of Intermetallics

The compound Y3Ru2−x was synthesized from the elements and the structure was solved from single crystal synchrotron data. The high quality of the data allowed the determination of the incommensurate ordering of the compound, previously reported as disordered, with respect to the second subsystem. The compound crystallizes in the super space group X-3(00γ)0 with the q-vector axial along c*, q = 00, λ = 0.4276(7) and the centering vectors (1/3 2/3 0 1/3), (2/3 1/3 0 2/3).

Characterizing modulated structures with first-principles calculations: a unified superspace scheme of ordering in mullite.

The benefit of computational methods applying density functional theory for the description and understanding of modulated crystal structures is investigated. A method is presented which allows one to establish, improve and test superspace models including displacive and occupational modulation functions from first-principles calculations on commensurate structures. The total energies of different configurations allow one to distinguish stable and less stable structure models. The study is based on a series of geometrically optimized superstructures of mullite (Al4+2xSi2-2xO10-x) derived from the superspace group Pbam(α0½)0ss. Despite the disordered and structurally complex nature of mullite, the calculations on ordered superstructures are very useful for determining the ideal Al/Si ordering in mullite, extracting atomic modulation functions as well as understanding the SiO2-Al2O3 phase diagram. The results are compared with experimentally established models which confirm the validity and utility of the presented method.

Na3Sm(PO4)2: (3+1)-dimensional commensurately modulated structure model and photoluminescence properties

Abstract For the first time, we determined the detailed crystal structure of Na3Sm(PO4)2 using single crystal X-ray diffraction and established the commensurately modulated structure model using the superspace formalism. The structure adopts a (3+1)-dimensional superspace group Pca21(0β0)000 with the modulation vector q=1/3b*. At the same time, the photoluminescent properties of Na3Sm(PO4)2 sintered at different temperatures between 800 and 1200°C were studied. Under near-UV excitation (402 nm), Na3Sm(PO4)2 shows intense characteristic emission bands of Sm3+ (561, 596, 642 nm) with the CIE coordinate of (0.5709, 0.4282), corresponding to orange color. The excitation spectrum covers a wide range from 350 nm to 470 nm, which indicates that Na3Sm(PO4)2 can be efficiently activated by near-UV or visuable LED ship.

At the Gates: The Tantalum-Rich Phase Hf3Ta2O11 and its Commensurately Modulated Structure

Generic mixtures in the system (Zr,Hf)O2-(Nb,Ta)2O5 are employed as tunable gate materials for field-effect transistors. Whereas production processes and target compositions are well-defined, resulting crystal structures are vastly unexplored. In this study, we summarize the sparse reported findings and present the new phase Hf3Ta2O11 as synthesized via a sol-gel route. Its commensurately modulated structure represents the hitherto unknown, metal(V)-richest member of the family (Zr,Hf) x(Nb,Ta)2O2 x+5. Based on electron, neutron, and X-ray diffraction, the crystal structure is described within modern superspace [Hf1.2Ta0.8O4.4, Z = 2, a = 4.7834(13), b = 5.1782(17), c = 5.064(3) Å, q = 1/5 c*, orthorhombic, superspace group Xmcm(00γ) s00] and supercell formalisms [Hf3Ta2O11, Z = 4, a = 4.7834(13), b = 5.1782(17), c = 25.320(13) Å, orthorhombic, space group Pbnm]. Transmission electron microscopy shows the microscopic structure from film-like aggregates down to atomic resolution. Cation ordering within the different available coordination environments is possible, but no significant hint at it is found within the limits of standard diffraction techniques. Hf3Ta2O11 is an unpredicted compound in the above-mentioned oxide systems, in which stability ranges have been disputably fuzzy and established only by syntheses via solid-state routes so far.

Syntheses, modulated crystal structures of Ba6−2xU2+xAg4Se12 (x = 0 and 0.5), and crystal structure and spectroscopy of Sr4Th2.78Cu4S12

Single crystals of Ba6−2xU2+xAg4Se12 (x = 0 and 0.5) and Sr4Th2.78Cu4S12 were obtained by standard solid-state chemistry methods at 1173 K. The Ba6−2xU2+xAg4Se12 structures are modulated. They were solved and refined in the monoclinic C2(α0γ)0 super space group. The structure consists of layers formed by the connection of USe6 and AgSe4 polyhedra. The incommensurate nature of the structure arises from the disorder among Ba atoms and U atoms in the layers. The crystal structure of the Sr4Th2.78Cu4S12 was solved in space group Pmn21 of the orthorhombic system. The refinement of the structure reveals three partially occupied Th sites. The connection of ThS7 and CuS4 polyhedra form a channel structure filled by Sr atoms. From optical measurements Sr4Th2.78Cu4S12 is a semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 2.27(2) eV.

A New Material with a Composite Crystal Structure Causing Ultralow Thermal Conductivity and Outstanding Thermoelectric Properties: Tl2Ag12Te7+δ

A new state-of-the-art thermoelectric material, Tl2Ag12Te7+δ, which possesses an extremely low thermal conductivity of about 0.25 W m-1 K-1 and a high figure-of-merit of up to 1.1 at 525 K, was obtained using a conventional solid-state reaction approach. Its subcell is a variant of the Zr2Fe12P7 type, but ultimately its structure was refined as a composite structure of a Tl2Ag12Te6 framework and a linear Te atom chain running along the c axis. The super-space group of the framework was determined to be P63(00γ) s with a = b = 11.438(1) Å, c = 4.6256(5) Å, and that of the Te chain substructure has the same a and b axes, but c = 3.212(1) Å, space group P6(00γ) s. The modulation leads to the formation of Te2 and Te3 fragments in this chain and a refined formula of Tl2Ag11.5Te7.4. The structure consists of a complex network of three-dimensionally connected AgTe4 tetrahedra forming channels filled with the Tl atoms. The electronic structures of four different models comprising different Te chains, Tl2Ag12Te7, Tl2Ag12Te7.33, and 2× Tl2Ag12Te7.5, were computed using the WIEN2k package. Depending on the Te content within the chain, the models are either semiconducting or metallic. Physical property measurements revealed semiconducting properties, with an ultralow thermal conductivity, and excellent thermoelectric properties at elevated temperatures.

Adaptive modulation in the Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 magnetic shape-memory Heusler alloy

The origin of incommensurate structural modulation in Ni-Mn based Heusler type magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) is still an unresolved issue inspite of intense focus on this due to its role in the magnetic field induced ultra-high strains. In the archetypal MSMA Ni2MnGa, the observation of non-uniform displacement of atoms from their mean positions in the modulated martensite phase, premartensite phase and charge density wave as well as the presence of phason broadening of satellite peaks have been taken in support of the electronic instability model linked with a soft acoustic phonon. We present here results of a combined high resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction (SXRPD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) study on Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 using (3+1)D superspace group approach, which reveal not only uniform atomic displacements in the modulated structure of the martensite phase with physically acceptable ordered magnetic moments in the antiferromagnetic phase at low temperatures but also the absence of any premartensite phase and phason broadening of the satellite peaks. Our HRTEM studies and first principles calculations of the ground state also support uniform atomic displacements predicted by powder diffraction studies. All these observations suggest that the structural modulation in the martensite phase of Ni2Mn1.4In0.6 MSMA can be explained in terms of the adaptive phase model. The present study underlines the importance of superspace group analysis using complimentary SXRPD and NPD in understanding the physics of the origin of modulation as well as the magnetic and the modulated ground states of the Heusler type MSMAs. Our work also highlights the fact that the mechanism responsible for the origin of modulated structure in different Ni-Mn based MSMAs may not be universal and it must be investigated thoroughly in different alloy compositions.

A phenomenological model for structural phase transitions in incommensurate alkane/urea inclusion compounds

n-Alkane/urea inclusion compounds are crystalline materials in which n-alkane ‘guest’ molecules are located within parallel one-dimensional ‘host’ tunnels formed by a helical hydrogen-bonded arrangement of urea molecules. The periodic repeat distance of the guest molecules along the host tunnels is incommensurate with the periodic repeat distance of the host substructure. The structural properties of the high-temperature phase of these materials (phase I), which exist at ambient temperature, are described by a (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace. Recent publications have suggested that, in the prototypical incommensurate composite systems, n-nonadecane/urea and n-hexadecane/urea, two low-temperature phases II and ‘III’ exist and that one or both of these phases are described by a (3 + 2)-dimensional superspace. We present a phenomenological model based on symmetry considerations and developed in the frame of a pseudo-spin–phonon coupling mechanism, which accounts for the mechanisms responsible for the I ↔ II ↔ ‘III’ phase sequence. With reference to published experimental data, we demonstrate that, in all phases of these incommensurate materials, the structural properties are described by (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace groups. Around the temperature of the II ↔ ‘III’ transition, the macroscopic properties of the material are not actually associated with a phase transition, but instead represent a ‘crossover’ between two regimes involving different couplings between relevant order parameters.

The Tetrachloridoaurates(III) of Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II)

The first salt‐like compounds of dications with [AuCl4]– anions are reported. The compounds Zn[AuCl4]2·(AuCl3)1.115 (1) and Cd[AuCl4]2 (2) are obtained from reactions of MCl2 (M = Zn, Cd) and elemental gold in liquid chlorine at ambient temperature under autogenous pressure and subsequent annealing at 230 °C. The structure of 1 represents an incommensurately modulated composite [superspace group C2/c(α0γ)0s] built of two subsystems. The first subsystem contains chains of zinc(II) tetrachloridoaurate(III), which feature a slightly distorted octahedral coordination of Zn and can be described by the Niggli formula 1∞{Zn[AuCl4]1/1[AuCl4]2/2}. The second subsystem consists of Au2Cl6 molecules, which are located in channels built up by the first subsystem. The structural parameters of the hosted Au2Cl6 molecules show only small deviations from neat AuCl3. The crystal structure of Cd[AuCl4]2 (2) consists of chains built of Cd2+ ions coordinated by bridging [AuCl4]– anions and alternating Cd‐Au sequence. Cd has a distorted octahedral coordination environment.

Phase transitions in ferroelectric 4-aminopyridinium tetrachloroantimonate(III) - revisited.

New X-ray diffraction studies on the crystal structure of ferroelectric [4-NH2C5H4NH][SbCl4] indicate that in the broad temperature range from 240 to 304 K covering the three intermediate phases, the crystal structure is modulated. Phase II is incommensurately modulated with modulation vector q = βb*, β varying from 0.60 to 0.66 and monoclinic C2/c(0β0)s0 superspace group. Ferroelectric phase III is commensurate with q = 2\over 3b* and Cc(0β0)0 symmetry. Polar phase IV is incommensurately modulated with β varying from 0.66 to 0.70 and Cc(0β0)0 superspace group. In all phases only first-order satellites are observed along the b* direction. Two types of periodic deformation are present in the structure of modulated phases. The 4-aminopyridinium cations are subjected to occupation modulation whereas [SbCl4]-n chains are displacively modulated. The paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition is an example of the incommensurate-commensurate transition of the lock-in type. A new mechanism for this transformation is proposed.

Two spin-canting textures in the antiferromagnetic phase AF1 of MnWO4 based on the new polar atomistic model in P2

The low temperature antiferromagnetic (AF) phase of MnWO4 (the so-called AF1 phase) exhibits different spin-canting configurations at two Mn2+ sublattices of the (3 + 1)-dimensional magnetic structure. The suggested superspace group is a significant consequence of the polar space group 2 true for the nuclear structure of MnWO4. Density functional theory calculations showed that its ground state prefers this two spin-canting system. The structural difference between two independent atomic sites for Mn (Mna, Mnb) is too small to allow microscopically detectable electric polarisation. However, this hidden intrinsic polar character allows AF1 two commensurately modulated spin-canting textures. This is considered as the prerequisite onset of the improper ferroelectricity enhanced by the helical spin order in the multiferroic phase AF2 of MnWO4.

The incommensurately modulated crystal structure of roshchinite, Cu0.09Ag1.04Pb0.65Sb2.82As0.37S6.08

Abstract The Pb–Ag–Sb sulfide roshchinite, Cu0.09Ag1.04Pb0.65Sb2.82As0.37S6.08, is a lillianite homologue N=4 with a complex incommensurate superstructure in the 8.46 Å direction of the orthorhombic crystal lattice with a 19.0804(1) Å, b 8.4591(2) Å and c 12.9451(3) Å, superspace group Pbcn(0σ 20)00s, q=0.41458(3)b*. A structure solution and refinement in (3+1) superspace, based on 10,019 observed reflections and 437 refined parameters was terminated at Robs (wR) equal to 7.27 (8.07)% using satellites up to second order; Robs is 4.82 for main reflections only. The Pb atoms in trigonal coordination prisms on planes of unit-cell twinning are semiperiodically replaced by antimony. The marginal columns of (311)PbS slabs of the Sb–Ag based structure which is based on PbS-like topology contain Sb, Ag(Cu) and mixed Ag/Sb sites in a complicated sequence. Central portions of the slabs are occupied by Sb–S crankshaft chains, best exposed on the (100)PbS planes, which run diagonally across the slabs. In these planes, in their majority the chains display Sb3S4 form and two opposing orientations, zig-zagging along the [010] direction. Every six chains, a parallel configuration of two chains occurs, but occasionally this interval is reduced to five chains. This, together with related compositional changes in the Pb– and Ag–Sb column, explains the one-dimensionally incommensurate character of roshchinite. Modestly elevated contents of As replacing Sb are the probable reason of modulation and non-commensurability in roshchinite.

The (3+3) commensurately modulated structure of the uranyl silicate mineral swamboite-(Nd), Nd0.333[(UO2)(SiO3OH)](H2O)2.41

Abstract The uranyl mineral swamboite has been redefined to swamboite-(Nd) and its structure has been solved and refined as a commensurate structure in six-dimensional superspace. The structure is monoclinic, superspace group P21 /m(a1,b1,g1)00(−a1,b1,g1)00 (a2,0,g2)0s, cell parameters a=6.6560(3), b=6.9881(5), c=8.8059(6), c=11.3361(16) Å, β=102.591(5)°, modulation wave-vectors q 1 =1/3 1/3 0; q 2 =−1/3 1/3 0; q 3 =1/2 0 1/2. The structure was refined from 8717 reflections to a final R=0.0610. The model includes modulation both of atomic positions and displacement parameters, as well as occupancy waves. The structure is based upon uranyl-silicate sheets of uranophane topology alternating with an interlayer of partly occupied Nd3+ sites and H2O molecules. The strong (3+3) dimensional modulation of the structure originates from the distribution of the Nd-dominated sites and further accommodation of the suitable geometry within the sheets and charge distribution within the structure. The separation distances between the corresponding occupied Nd sites are rationals of the super-cell vectors corresponding to the modulation vectors of the structure. The case of swamboite-(Nd) is the first example of a modulated structure within the oxysalts of U6+.

Phase relations in the pseudo ternary system In2O3-TiO2-BO (B: Zn, Co and Ni) at 1200 °C in air

Phase relations in the pseudo ternary systems In2O3-TiO2-ZnO, In2O3-TiO2-CoO and In2O3-TiO2-NiO at 1200°C in air were determined by means of a classic quenching method. In6Ti6BO22 (B: Zn, Co and Ni) which has the monoclinic In(Fe1/4Ti3/4)O27/8-type of structure with a 4-dimensional super space group exists in a stable form. There exist homologous phases In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)m (m: natural number, 0<x ≤ 1) having the InGaO3(ZnO)m-type of the layered crystal structures such as In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO) (0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.29), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)2 (0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.50), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)3 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.84), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)4 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)5 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)6 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)7 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)8 (?<x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)9 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1), In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)10 (?<x ≤ 1), and In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xO3(ZnO)11 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1)… without an upper limit of m in the pseudo ternary system In2O3-TiO2-ZnO. All the ions are on the trigonal lattice points, the In(III) is in the octahedral coordination with the oxygen and the {Inx(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−xZnm} is in the trigonalbipyramidal coordination with oxygen in the crystal structures of each homologous compound. They have R3¯m (No. 166) for m = odd or P63/mmc (No. 194) for m = even in space group. Lattice constants for each of the homologous compounds as a hexagonal setting and In6Ti6BO22 as the monoclinic system were determined by means of the powder X-ray diffraction method at room temperature. The temperature dependence of resistivity for In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)4 (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1) showed semiconducting-like behavior for all samples examined at T(K) = 2–300. The resistivity increased systematically with decreasing x (0.7 ≤ x ≤ 1), and it was found that samples where x ≤ 0.7 became insulators. The optical band gap Eg (eV) of In1+x(Ti1/2Zn1/2)1−x(ZnO)4 has been estimated from the diffuse reflection spectra for the whole range of x (0.15 ≤ x ≤ 1). A minimum value of 2.0717eV for x = 1 and a maximum one of 3.066eV for x = 0.15 were observed. Dependence of the crystal structures of the InAO3(BO), In(Ti1/2B1/2)O3(B′O) and stability of In6Ti6BO22 upon the constituent cations in the pseudo quaternary system In2O3-TiO2-A2O3-BO (A: Fe, Ga and Cr; B, B′: Mg, Zn, Co, Ni, Ca and Sr) were discussed in terms of their ionic radii and site preference effects.

The role of hydrogen bonds in order-disorder transition of a new incommensurate low temperature phase β-[Zn-(C7H4NO4)2]·3H2O

Abstract The room temperature structure with P21/c symmetry of the zinc(II) complex of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid was published by Okabe and Oya (N. Okabe, N. Oya, Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid. Acta Crystallogr. C. 2000, 56, 305). Here we report crystal structure of the low temperature phase β-[Zn(pydcH)2]·3H2O, pydc=C7H3NO4, resulting from the phase transition around 200K. The diffraction pattern of the low temperature phase revealed satellite reflections, which could be indexed with q-vector 0.4051(10)b* corresponding to (3+1)D incommensurately modulated structure. The modulated structure was solved in the superspace group X21/c(0b0)s0, where X stands for a non-standard centring vector (½, 0, 0, ½), and compared with the room temperature phase. It is shown that hydrogen bonds are the main driving force of modulation.