Poster Presentation The 35th Biennial Conference of the Society of Crystallographers in Australia and New Zealand 2024 (Crystal 35)

Crystal structure, polymorphism and re-entrant phase transition in NaSrPO4   (#120)

Gwilherm Nénert 1 , Olga Narygina 2
  1. Malvern Panalytical B.V., Almelo, the Netherlands
  2. Malvern Panalytical, a division of Spectris Australia Pty Ltd, Chipping Norton, NSW, Australia

The crystal chemistry of AIBIIXO4 (AI = Alkali ion, BII = alkali-earth ion, X = P, V, As) is very rich and has been widely investigated, particularly the phosphate family [1]. In recent years, we investigated the crystal structures [2,3] and magnetic properties of some compositions within the AIBIIXO4 series [4]. Besides the pure interest from a crystal chemistry point of view, the research activity related to this series of materials is driven mainly by their ferroelectric, ferroelastic properties and possible applications as phosphors for LEDs [1, 5]. Within the rich AIBIIVO4 sub-family (X = V), we have recently found a new structural type: the larnite structure with the composition NaSrVO4 [3]. In this contribution, we are investigating its counter phosphate composition. Despite its simple chemistry NaSrPO4 has never been reported so far. Here, we present the synthesis, crystal structure and phase transitions of this phosphate. Surprisingly, this material exhibits a complex structure (31 atoms in the asymmetric unit-cell, Z = 10) at room temperature characterized by a strongly under-bonded Na atom. This under-bonded atom is responsible for the complex and rich phase diagram as function of temperature. NaSrPO4 exhibits 4 phase transitions between room temperature and 750°C. In addition, we show that the sequence of phase transitions is strongly driven by the history of the sample and several phases can be quenched at room temperature. Finally, the co-existence of Na channels within the structure with weakly bounded Na atoms makes this material a likely candidate for ionic conductivity.

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