Synthesis, structure and thermal expansion of the phosphates M_0.5+x M′ _x Zr_2−x (PO₄)₃ (M, M′–metals in oxidation state +2)

Abstract

The phosphates M0.5+x M′x Zr2−x (PO4)3 (M–Ca, Mn, Co, Sr, Cd, Ba, Pb; M′–Mg, Mn, Co) were synthesized by sol-gel method with the following thermal treatment of reaction mixtures. X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis showed that the obtained phosphates crystallized in Sc2(WO4)3 (SW) and NaZr2(PO4)3 (NZP) structural types. Both types of crystal structures are based on a framework comprised of octahedra and tetrahedra, the difference between them is fragments orientation. Thermal expansion of the phosphates was studied in the temperature range 20–800°C. Some compounds were found to belong to low-expanding materials (αav ~2·10−6°C−1).