Dimensional Reduction From 2D Layer to 1D Band for Germanophosphates Induced by the "Tailor Effect" of Fluoride

Syntheses, crystal structures and optical properties of two one-dimensional germanophosphates: HRb3Ge2(HPO4)6 and CsGe(HPO4)2(OH)

Germanophosphates, as a young class of metal phosphates, have been less reported but might possess more diverse structural types and potential applications. Here, two one-dimensional (1D) alkali-metal germanophosphates (GePOs), namely, hydrogen hexakis(μ-hydrogen phosphato)digermaniumtrirubidium, HRb₃Ge₂(HPO₄)₆ (1), and caesium bis(μ-hydrogen phosphato)(μ-hydroxido)germanium, CsGe(HPO₄)₂(OH) (2), have been prepared by the solvothermal method. Compound 1 shows 1D [Ge(HPO₄)₆]_∞ chains along the c axis formed by GeO₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra, with Rb⁺ cations dissociated between the chains. Compound 2 also exhibits 1D [Ge(HPO₄)₄(OH)₂]_∞ chains constructed from adjacent Ge(HPO₄)₄(OH)₂ octahedra, with Cs⁺ cations dissociated between the chains. XRD, TGA, IR and UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectra are presented and discussed for both compounds.

Structural diversities induced by cation sizes in a series of fluorogermanophosphates: A2[GeF2(HPO4)2] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH4, and Cs)

Germanophosphates, in comparison with other metal phosphates, have been less studied but potentially exhibit more diverse structural chemistry with wide applications. Herein we applied a hydro-/solvo-fluorothermal route to make use of both the "tailor effect" of fluoride for the formation of low dimensional anionic clusters and the presence of alkali cations of different sizes to align the anionic clusters to control the overall crystal symmetries of germanophosphates. The synergetic effects of fluoride and alkali cations led to structural changes from chain-like structures to layered structures in a series of five novel fluorogermanophosphates: A₂[GeF₂(HPO₄)₂] (A = Na, K, Rb, NH₄, and Cs, denoted as Na, K, Rb, NH4, and Cs). Although these fluorogermanophosphates have stoichiometrically equivalent formulas, they feature different anionic clusters, diverse structural dimensionalities, and contrasting crystal symmetries. Chain-like structures were observed for the compounds with the smaller sized alkali ions (Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺), whereas layered structures were found for those containing the larger sized cations ((NH₄)⁺ and Cs⁺). Specifically, monoclinic space groups were observed for the Na, K, Rb, and NH4 compounds, whereas a tetragonal space group P4/mbm was found for the Cs compound. These compounds provide new insights into the effects of cation sizes on the anionic clusters built from GeO₄F₂ octahedra and HPO₄ tetrahedra as well as their influences on the overall structural symmetries in germanophosphates. Further characterization including IR spectroscopy and thermal analyses for all five compounds is also presented.

Multiple Fluorine-Substituted Phosphate Germanium Fluorides and Their Thermal Stabilities

Anhydrous compounds are crucially important for many technological applications, such as achieving high performance in lithium/sodium cells, but are often challenging to synthesize under hydrothermal conditions. Herein we report that a modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method with fluoride-rich and water-deficient condition is highly effective for synthesizing anhydrous compounds by the replacement of hydroxyl groups and water molecules with fluorine. Two anhydrous phosphate germanium fluorides, namely, Na₃[GeF₄(PO₄)] and K₄[Ge₂F₉(PO₄)], with chainlike structures involving multiple fluorine substitutions, were synthesized using the modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method. The crystal structure of Na₃[GeF₄(PO₄)] is constructed by the common single chains _∞¹{[GeF₄(PO₄)]^3-} built from alternating GeO₂F₄ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra. For K₄[Ge₂F₉(PO₄)], it takes the same single chain in Na₃[GeF₄(PO₄)] as the backbone but has additional flanking GeOF₅ octahedra via an O-corner of the PO₄ groups, resulting in a dendrite zigzag single chain _∞¹{[Ge₂F₉(PO₄)]^4-}. The multiple fluorine substitutions in these compounds not only force them to adopt the low-dimensional structures because of the "tailor effect" but also improve their thermal stabilities. The thermal behavior of Na₃[GeF₄(PO₄)] was investigated by an in situ powder X-ray diffraction experiment from room temperature to 700 °C. The modified solvo-/hydro-fluorothermal method is also shown to be effective in producing the most germanium-rich compounds in the germanophosphate system.

Cs3W3PO13: A Tungsten Phosphate with One-Dimensional Zigzag Tunnels Exhibiting Strongly Anisotropic Thermal Expansion

A new tungsten phosphate, Cs3W3PO13, is synthesized using the high-temperature flux method. Cs3W3PO13 crystallizes in the space group Pnma and contains one-dimensional zigzag tunnels, which are found for the first time in tungsten phosphate. This highly anisotropic structural feature results in a very strong anisotropic thermal expansion, with thermal expansion coefficients of 14.15 ± 1.11 and 0.72 ± 0.22 M K(-1) along the a and b axes, respectively, over the temperature range from 13 to 270 K. In addition, thermal analysis, UV-vis-near-IR diffuse reflectance, and first-principles electronic structure calculations on Cs3W3PO13 are performed.