Sc2In-based solid solutions in the Sc-Fe-In and Sc-Au-In systems

Phase analytical studies in the scandium-rich parts of the Sc-T-In systems (T = Fe, Au) revealed the formation of small areas of solid solutions Sc2−x Fe x In and Sc2Au x In1−x that are derived from the binary Ni2In-type phase Sc2In, space group P63/mmc. The samples were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules in an induction furnace. The structures of Sc1.88Fe0.12In (a = 498.37(6), c = 630.94(8) pm, wR2 = 0.0603, 124 F 2 values, nine variables), Sc2Au0.37In0.63 (a = 494.65(5), c = 632.42(6) pm, wR2 = 0.0639, 123 F 2 values, nine variables) and Sc2Au0.22In0.78 (a = 496.09(3), c = 628.29(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0331, 124 F 2 values, nine variables) were refined from single-crystal diffractometer data. Sc1.88Fe0.12In shows Sc/Fe mixing on Wyckoff position 2a, while gold is substituted for indium on site 2c. Analyses of the reciprocal space gave no hint for superstructure formation, and the three refinements show slightly enhanced U 33 displacement parameters for the 2d scandium sites which react on the mixed occupancies.

Scandium–copper–indides deriving from the ZrNiAl and MnCu2Al type structures

Phase analytical studies in the Sc–Cu–In system led to samples of the solid solutions ScCu1–x–y In1+x and ScCu2–x In which were studied by X-ray powder diffraction. At room temperature the compounds ScCu1–x–y In1+x crystallize with the ZrNiAl type, space group P 6 ‾ $\overline{6}$ 2m. Exemplarily, the structure of ScCu0.76In1.17 was refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data, revealing strong anisotropic displacements for the scandium atoms and a mixed occupied Cu/In site. Superstructure formation is observed at low temperatures. The ScCu0.78In1.14 and ScCu0.76In1.16 structures were refined from diffraction data recorded at 90 K. Both compounds adopt the HfRhSn type, space group P 6 ‾ $\overline{6}$ 2c, a klassengleiche subgroup of index 2; doubling of the subcell c axis. The Cu/In filled trigonal Sc6 prisms are strongly distorted in the superstructure, resulting from pairwise dislocation of the Cu/In atoms from ideal positions within an equidistant chain to shorter (311.0 pm) and longer (392.8 pm) Cu/In–Cu/In distances. Single crystal data of the Heusler phases ScCu1.95In and ScCu1.94In show small degrees of copper vacancies.

Intermetallic phases in the Sc–Ir–In system – synthesis and structure of Sc1.024Ir2In0.976 and Sc3Ir1.467In4

The intermetallic scandium compounds Sc1.024Ir2In0.976 and Sc3Ir1.467In4 were synthesized by reactions of the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules at high temperature followed by annealing for crystal growth. Both structures were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: MnCu2Al type, F m 3 ‾ m $Fm‾{3}m$ , a = 639.97(19) pm, wR2 = 0.0376, 41 F 2 values, seven variables for Sc1.024Ir2In0.976 and P 6 ‾ $P‾{6}$ , a = 769.99(5), c = 684.71(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0371, 967 F 2 values, 33 variables for Sc3Ir1.467In4. Sc1.024Ir2In0.976 is a new Heusler phase with a small homogeneity range due to Sc/In and In/Sc mixing. The structure of Sc3Ir1.467In4 is closely related to that of Sc3Rh1.594In4 and belongs to the large family of ZrNiAl superstructures. The striking structural motif is the ordered stacking of empty In6 and filled Ir@In6 prisms with Ir–In distances of 269 pm.

Scandium-rich ternary coloring variants of the cubic Ag7+xMg26–x type

Abstract

The scandium-rich intermetallic compounds Sc50T13In3(T = Ni, Ru, Pd) were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum crucibles in an induction furnace. The samples were studied through Guinier powder patterns and their structures were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data. The Sc50T13In3phases are site occupancy (coloring) variants of the aristotype Ag7+xMg26–x(Fm$$ \bar{3} $$3¯,cF264). Refinements of the occupancy parameters indicated one mixed occupied site for each crystal, leading to the refined compositions Sc50Ni13.16(1)In2.84(1), Sc49.59(1)Ru13In3.41(1), and Sc50Pd13.65(2)In2.35(2). The complex structures can be explained by a condensation of cubes (CN 8), sphenocorona (CN 10), and icosahedra (CN 12). The samples with nickel and palladium are Pauli paramagnets.

Graphic abstract

The scandium-rich indide Sc50Pt13.47In2.53

The scandium-rich indide Sc50Pt13.47In2.53 was obtained by induction melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. The structure of Sc50Pt13.47In2.53 has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Fm 3 ¯ $\overline{3}$ , a = 1774.61(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0443, 1047 F2 values and 35 variables. Sc50Pt13.47In2.53 is isopointal with the intermetallic phases Sc50Co12.5In3.5, Sc50Rh13.3In2.7, Sc50Ir13.6In2.4, Ag7+xMg26−x and Ga4.55Mg21.85Pd6.6 (Pearson code cF264 and Wyckoff sequence ih 2 fecba). Two of the eight crystallographic sites in the structure show mixed occupancies: M1 (≡Pt20.70In10.30) and M2 (≡Pt30.76In20.24). The structure contains four basic polyhedra: M2@Sc8 cubes, Pt1@Sc10 sphenocorona and slightly distorted M1@Sc12 and In3@Sc12 icosahedra. The polyhedra are condensed via common scandium corners and edges. The various Sc–Sc distances range from 302–334 pm and are indicative of substantial Sc–Sc bonding, stabilizing the Sc50Pt13.47In2.53 structure.