Structure of a new mini-laser material, K3NdSi2O7

Rb2Ln[Si2O6]F (Ln = Y, Eu-Lu): Flux Synthesis, Structure Determination, and DFT-Calculated Formation Enthalpies of a Series of Mixed-Anion Rare Earth Cyclosilicates

A new series of mixed-anion alkali rare earth silicate fluorides with composition Rb2Ln[Si2O6]F (Ln = Y, Eu-Lu) has been synthesized via an alkali chloride/fluoride eutectic flux synthetic route. All synthesized compositions crystallize in the tetragonal space group P42/mnm with a 3D framework consisting of LnO4F2 octahedra, tetrasilicate rings, and 1D channels containing alkali metals. A combination of powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and luminescence emission spectroscopy was performed to characterize the reaction products. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were utilized to calculate the 0 K formation enthalpies of the synthesized phases and of hypothetical trivalent actinide analogues to probe the likelihood of the successful synthesis of such trivalent transuranic containing phases, specifically Am and Cm, in the future.

Polymorphism and photoluminescence properties of K3ErSi2O7

Two polymorphs of tripotassium erbium disilicate, K₃ErSi₂O₇, were synthesized by high-temperature flux crystal growth during the exploration of the flux technique for growing new alkali rare-earth elements (REE) containing silicates. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. One of them (denoted 1) crystallizes in the space group P6₃/mmc and is isostructural with disilicates K₃LuSi₂O₇, K₃ScSi₂O₇ and K₃YSi₂O₇, while the other (denoted 2) crystallizes in the space group P6₃/mcm and is isostructural with disilicates K₃NdSi₂O₇, K₃REESi₂O₇ (REE = Gd-Yb), K₃YSi₂O₇, K₃(Y_0.9Dy_0.1)Si₂O₇ and K₃SmSi₂O₇. In the crystal structure of polymorph 1, the Er cations are in an almost perfect octahedral coordination, while in the crystal structure of polymorph 2, part of the Er cations are in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination and the other part are in an ideal trigonal prismatic coordination environment. Sharing six corners, disilicate Si₂O₇ groups in the crystal structure of polymorph 1 link six ErO₆ octahedra, forming a three-dimensional network and nine-coordinated potassium cations are located in its holes. In the crystal structure of polymorph 2, the disilicate Si₂O₇ groups connect four ErO₆ octahedra, as well as one ErO₆ trigonal prism. Three differently coordinated potassium cations are situated between them. Different site symmetries of the erbium cations in the crystal structures of polymorphs 1 and 2 affect their photoluminescence properties. Only polymorph 2 exhibits luminescence. Intense narrow lines in the emission spectrum are a result of the 4f-4f transition. The green emission line at 560 nm is the result of the Er³⁺ transition ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and the luminescence line at 690 nm is the result of a ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. The crystal morphologies of the two polymorphs are similar. Crystals of polymorph 1 are in the form of a hexagonal prism in combination with a hexagonal base, while crystals of polymorph 2 contain a dihexagonal prism in combination with a hexagonal base, although poorly developed faces of the dihexagonal pyramid can also be noticed.