Two Noncentrosymmetric Bismuth Phosphates: Rational Design Synthesis and Optical Properties.

Developing strategies to rational design noncentrosymmetric structure still attract much interest for their applications in nonlinear optical and piezoelectric materials. Two noncentrosymmetric (NCS) alkaline earth metal bismuth phosphates have been successfully achieved via partial replacement of Bi3+ with Ca2+ or Sr2+ ions. BiCa(H0.5PO4)2 (designated as CaBiPO) and BiSr(H0.5PO4)2 (designated as SrBiPO), together with their solid solution Bi(Sr1-xCax)(H0.5PO4)2 (0 < x ≤ 0.5), crystallize in the NCS space group C2. Both CaBiPO and SrBiPO exhibit ultraviolet nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and their second-harmonic generation effects belong to type-II phase matching. Meanwhile, they could also act as photoluminescence hosts in which the Eu3+-doping samples SrBiPO:xEu3+ (x = 0.02-0.2) emit orange light. The effect of different radius ions on the derivative structures and the structure-NLO property relationship has also been discussed in detail.

Strategy for a Rational Design of Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials from Zeolites.

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play a crucial role in cutting-edge laser technology. In order to solve the serious layered growth tendency of the sole commercial DUV NLO crystal KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF), developing alternative systems of compounds with bulk crystal habits has become an urgent task for practical applications. Herein, a novel strategy was developed by applying non-centrosymmetric (NCS) cancrinite (CAN)-type zincophosphates {Na6(OH)2(H2O)2}Cs2[ZnPO4]6 with bulk-crystal habits as the prototype to design new DUV NLO crystals. Two new anhydrous alkali zincophosphates, namely, {(Li6 -xNaxO)A2}[(ZnPO4)6] (A = Cs, Rb; x = 2-3) crystallizing in the NCS hexagonal space group P63 (no. 173) with a CAN-type framework, were successfully synthesized via a modified fluoro-solvo-hydrothermal method by applying triethylamine (TEA) and concentrated NaF solution as a co-solvent. Interestingly, the rigidity of the NCS CAN-type framework acting as the host ensures the non-centrosymmetry of the resulting new compounds. Meanwhile, the replacement of water molecules by guest cationic species in the channels or cages can greatly improve the thermal stability of the resultant crystal and tune its NLO properties. The synergetic effect of the host framework and the guest species makes the two compounds transparent down to the DUV region (<200 nm) and exhibit SHG effects. Therefore, the proposed rational design strategy of applying the known zeotype NCS frameworks as prototypes together with the modified fluoro-solvo-hydrothermal method opens a great avenue for highly effectively exploring new DUV NLO materials.

Rational Design and Synthesis of a Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Fluorinated Orthophosphate: BaZn(PO4)F.

Rational design and tailored synthesis of noncentrosymmetric compounds with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, especially in the deep-ultraviolet (deep-UV) region, remains a great challenge. Herein, we report on the development of a modified fluoro-solvo-hydrothermal method with two additive reagents (trimethylamine and NaF solution) as the solvents, using BaFe(PO4)(OH) ( P212121) as the prototype, for the rational design and tailored synthesis of the first deep-UV fluorinated orthophosphate, BaZn(PO4)F. It crystallizes in the polar space group Pna21 and exhibits transparency down to deep-UV region (<190 nm) with SHG effect at 0.26 × KH2(PO4). Its structure is built from strictly alternating ZnO4F trigonal bipyramids and PO4 tetrahedra, resulting in a four-connected ABW-type zeolite framework. First-principles calculations confirm the deep-UV absorption edge and reveal that ZnO4F plays an essential role in the NLO properties. The synergetic effect of Zn and F atoms leads to its more polar crystal structure, much deeper absorption edge, and better SHG effect than the prototype.

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.

(11)B MAS NMR and First-Principles Study of the [OBO3] Pyramids in Borates.

Borates are built from the [Bϕ3] planar triangles and the [Bϕ4] tetrahedral groups, where ϕ denotes O or OH. However, the [Bϕ4] groups in some borates are highly distorted to include three normal B-O bonds and one anomalously long B-O bond and, therefore, are best described as the [OBO3] pyramids. Four synthetic borates of the boracite-type structures (Mg3B7O13Br, Cu3B7O13Br, Zn3B7O13Cl, and Mg3B7O13Cl) containing a range of [OBO3] pyramids were investigated by multifield (7.05, 14.1, and 21.1 T) (11)B magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), triple quantum (3Q) MAS NMR experiments, as well as density functional theory calculations. The high-resolution (11)B MAS NMR spectra supported by theoretical predictions show that the [OBO3] pyramids are characterized by isotropic chemical shifts δiso((11)B) from 1.4(1) to 4.9(1) ppm and nuclear quadrupole parameters CQ((11)B) up to 1.3(1) MHz, both significantly different from those of the [BO4] and [BO3] groups in borates. These δiso((11)B) and CQ((11)B) values indicate that the [OBO3] pyramids represent an intermediate state between the [BO4] tetrahedra and [BO3] triangles and demonstrate that the (11)B NMR parameters of four-coordinate boron oxyanions are sensitive to local structural environments. The orientation of the calculated unique electronic field gradient tensor element Vzz of the [OBO3] pyramids is aligned approximately along the direction of the anomalously long B-O bond, corresponding to B-2pz with the lowest electron density.

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

The "tailor effect" of fluoride, exclusively as a terminal rather than a bridge, was applied successfully to design low-dimensional structures in the system of transition metal germanophosphates for the first time. Two series of new compounds with low-dimensional structures are reported herein. K[M(II)Ge(OH)2(H0.5PO4)2] (M = Fe, Co) possess flat layered structures built from single chains of edge-sharing M(II)O6 and GeO6 octahedra interconnected by HPO4 tetrahedra. Their fluorinated derivatives, K4[M(II)Ge2F2(OH)2(PO4)2(HPO4)2]·2H2O (M = Fe, Co), exhibit band structures of two four-membered ring germanium phosphate single chains sandwiched by M(II)O6 octahedra via corner-sharing. Both of these structures contain anionic chains of the condensation of four-membered rings built from alternating GeO4Φ2 (Φ = F, OH) octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra via sharing common GeO4Φ2 (Φ = F, OH) octahedra, the topology of which is the same as that of the mineral kröhnkite [Na2Cu(SO4)2·2H2O]. Note that the switch from the two-dimensional layered structure to the one-dimensional band structure was performed simply by the addition of a small amount of KF·2H2O to the reaction mixture. This structural alteration arises from the incorporation of one terminal F atom to the coordination sphere of Ge, which breaks the linkage between the transition metal and germanium octahedra in the layer to form the band structure.

Structural assembly from phosphate to germanophosphate by applying germanate as a binder.

Structural assembly from phosphate to germanophosphate by applying germanate as a binder has been achieved. Two isotypic porous compounds, K3[M(II)4(HPO4)2][Ge2O(OH)(PO4)4]·xH2O (M(II) = Fe, Cd; x = 2 for Fe and 3 for Cd, denoted as KFeGePO-1 and KCdGePO-1, respectively), contain a known transition-metal phosphate (TMPO) layer, (∞)(2){[M2(HPO4)3]2­}, which is built from chains of trans-edge-sharing MO6 octahedra bridged by MO5 trigonal bipyramids that were further linked and decorated by phosphate tetrahedra. The layers are bound by infinite chains of GeO5(OH) octahedra, resulting in a 3D open-framework structure with 1D 12-ring channels that are occupied by K+ ions and water molecules. The curvature of the TMPO layers and shape of the 12-ring windows can be tuned by the transition metals because of their Jahn­Teller effect.

Industrial-scale extraction of high value-added kaolin from excavation waste: Demonstration from Xiamen, China.

Excavation waste from the construction of subways and other underground infrastructures is mainly composed of gravel, sand and clay of minimal economic value, which commonly ends up in landfills. Although the coarse sand and gravel of the excavation waste are typically recycled on site, a large amount of the fine-grained residue must be disposed of due to the prohibition of marine land reclamation in Xiamen, China, leading to an increasingly severe shortage of landfills. In this contribution, a new strategy was successfully developed for industrial-scale extraction of high value-added kaolin from the excavation waste of Xiamen. This strategy can overcome the challenges of complex and variable chemical compositions, high iron contents, low industrial grade, and organic contaminants in the raw materials. Characterization using chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy showed that the Xiamen excavation waste originated from granite weathering is mainly composed of kaolinite and quartz, along with high Fe contents and other impurities. The excavation waste was subjected to an intensive process of blunging, grinding, sieving, and classifying, as well as successive iron removal by magnetic separation. Subsequently, the extracted products meet commercial requirements, including those for high-quality kaolin with whiteness and plasticity larger than 90° and 17%, respectively. Moreover, an industrial-scale green production line with an annual treatment capacity of one million tonnes of excavation waste at the utilization rate of 100% was implemented. Hence, this work presents an effective approach for exploiting similar excavation waste around the world to promote sustainable development.

Two isotypic transition metal germanophosphates M(II)4(H2O)4[Ge(OH)2(HPO4)2(PO4)2] (M(II) = Fe, Co): synthesis, structure, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic properties.

Synthetic, structural, thermogravimetric, Mössbauer spectroscopic, and magnetic studies were performed on two new isotypic germanophosphates, M(II)(4)(H(2)O)(4)[Ge(OH)(2)(HPO(4))(2)(PO(4))(2)] (M(II) = Fe, Co), which have been prepared under hydro-/solvo-thermal conditions. Their crystal structures, determined from single crystal data, are built from zigzag chains of M(II)O(6)-octahedra sharing either trans or skew edges interconnected by [GeP(4)O(14)(OH)(4)](8-) germanophosphate pentamers to form three-dimensional neutral framework structure. The edge-sharing M(II)O(6)-octahedral chains lead to interesting magnetic properties. These two germanophosphates exhibit a paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at low temperatures. Additionally, two antiferromagnetic ordering transitions at around 8 and 6 K were observed for cobalt compound while only one at 19 K for the iron compound. Low-dimensional magnetic correlations within the octahedral chains are also observed. The divalent state of Fe in the iron compound determined from the Mössbauer study and the isothermal magnetization as well as thermal analyses are discussed.

Cerium(III) dihydroxidohexa-oxidotetra-borate chloride.

The crystal structure of the title compound, Ce[B(4)O(6)(OH)(2)]Cl, is built from polyborate sheets parallel to the (001) plane. These sheets stack along the [001] direction and are linked by Ce atoms exhibiting an CeO(8)Cl(2) coordination sphere. O-H⋯O and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds additionally stabilize the structural set-up. The polyborate sheet is made up of zigzag borate chains running along the [[Formula: see text]10] direction. These zigzag chains are inter-connected by shared O-vertices, resulting in a two-dimensional layer with nine-membered rings. All B and O atoms (except for the terminal OH atoms) lie in the nearly planar sheets of polyborates, leading to their isotropic atomic displacement parameters being significantly smaller than usual. This may be attributed to the fact that the atomic displacement parameters correlate not only with their atomic masses but with their coordination environments also.

Redetermination of Ce[B(5)O(8)(OH)(H(2)O)]NO(3)·2H(2)O.

The crystal structure of Ce[B(5)O(8)(OH)(H(2)O)]NO(3)·2H(2)O, cerium(III) aqua-hydroxidoocta-oxidopenta-borate nitrate dihydrate, has been redetermined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In contrast to the previous determination [Li et al. (2003 ▶). Chem. Mater.15, 2253-2260], the present study reveals the location of all H atoms, slightly different fundamental building blocks (FBBs) of the polyborate anions, more reasonable displacement ellipsoids for all non-H atoms, as well as a model without disorder of the nitrate anion. The crystal structure is built from corrugated polyborate layers parallel to (010). These layers, consisting of [B(5)O(8)(OH)(H(2)O)](2-) anions as FBBs, stack along [010] and are linked by Ce(3+) ions, which exhibit a distorted CeO(10) coordination sphere. The layers are additionally stabilized via O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between water mol-ecules and nitrate anions, located at the inter-layer space. The [BO(3)(H(2)O)]-group shows a [3 + 1] coordination and is considerably distorted from a tetra-hedral configuration. Bond-valence-sum calculation shows that the valence sum of boron is only 2.63 valence units (v.u.) when the contribution of the water mol-ecule (0.49 v.u.) is neglected.

Tetra-aqua-tetra-manganese(II) catena-[germanodihydroxidodi(hydrogen-phosphate)diphosphate].

The title compound, Mn(4)(H(2)O)(4)[Ge(OH)(2)(HPO(4))(2)(PO(4))(2)], was synthesized by the solvothermal method. Its crystal structure is isotypic with the iron and cobalt analogues [Huang et al. (2012 ▶). Inorg. Chem.51, 3316-3323]. In the crystal structure, the framework is built from undulating manganese phosphate sheets parallel to (010) inter-connected by GeO(6) octa-hedra (at the inversion center), resulting in a three-dimensional network with eight-membered ring channels into which all the protons point. The undulating manganese phosphate sheet consists of zigzag manganese octa-hedral chains along [10-1], built from MnO(4)(OH)(OH(2)) octa-hedra and MnO(5)(OH(2)) octa-hedra by sharing their trans or skew edges, which are inter-connected by PO(3)(OH) and PO(4) tetra-hedra via corner-sharing. The crystal structure features extensive O-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions.

MnBa(2)(HPO(4))(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2).

Crystals of manganese(II) dibarium bis-(hydrogenphosphate) bis-(dihydrogenphosphate), MnBa(2)(HPO(4))(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2), were obtained by hydro-thermal synthesis. The title compound is isotypic with its Cd(II) and Ca(II) analogues. The structure is built up of an infinite {[Mn(HPO(4))(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2)](4-)}(n) chain running along [100], which consists of alternate MnO(6) octa-hedra and [PO(4)] tetra-hedra, in which the centrosymmetric MnO(6) octa-hedra share their four equatorial O-atom corners with tetra-hedral [PO(3)(OH)] groups and their two axial apices with tetra-hedral [PO(2)(OH)(2)] groups. These chains are held together by BaO(9) coordination polyhedra, developing into a three-dimensional structure. The O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds additionally stabilize the structural set-up. Due to the ionic radius of Mn(2+) being much smaller than those of Ca(2+) and Cd(2+), this may imply that their adopted structure type has a great tolerance for incorporating various ions and the exploitation of more diverse compounds in the future is encouraged.

Facile synthesis of rose-like composites of zeolites and layered double hydroxides: Growth mechanism and enhanced properties.

Excellent performances of various materials often depend on high specific surface areas. Therefore, increase of specific surface areas is one of the most important means to improve the properties and performances of materials. Herein, we report a facile strategy to prepare novel composite materials of zeolites and hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides, with high specific surface areas. The composites with a rose-like morphology were synthesized hydrothermally by adding synthetic zeolites to the raw materials used for the formation of hydrotalcite. The resultant composites were shown to contain two distinct layered double hydroxides with different Mg/Al molar ratios. Nitrogen (N2) adsorption-desorption measurements showed that the specific surface areas and the pore volumes of these composites increased by an order of magnitude in comparison with hydrotalcite. The new composites were shown to be capable of effectively removing Cr(VI), Cu(II) and methylene blue from aqueous environments and had better performances for the latter two contaminants than hydrotalcite. Moreover, this strategy potentially opens up the synthesis of new composite materials with tunable compositions and enhanced properties for environmental and other applications.

A sodium calcium arsenate, NaCa(AsO(4)).

The title compound, NaCa(AsO(4)), was synthesized using a hydro-thermal method at 633-643 K. It has a dense structure composed of alternating layers of distorted [CaO(6)] octa-hedra and layers of [AsO(4)] tetra-hedra and distorted [NaO(6)] octa-hedra, stacked along the a axis. The As, Ca and two O atoms lie on the mirror plane at y = 1/4 (i.e. 4c), while the Na atom lies on an inversion centre (1/2, 1/2, 0) (i.e. 4b). Each distorted [CaO(6)] octa-hedron shares four equatorial common O vertices with four neighboring octa-hedra, forming a layer parallel to (100), whereas each distorted [NaO(6)] octa-hedron shares two opposite edges with two neighboring ones, forming a chain running along [010]. Each isolated [AsO(4)] tetra-hedron shares two edges with two different [NaO(6)] octa-hedra in one [NaO(6)] chain and a vertex with another chain. Simultaneously the above [AsO(4)] tetra-hedron located in a four-membered [CaO(6)] ring shares one edge of its base facet with one [CaO(6)] octa-hedron and three corners with three other [CaO(6)] octa-hedra of one [CaO(6)] layer, and the remaining apex is shared with another [CaO(6)] layer. [NaO(6)] octa-hedra and [CaO(6)] octa-hedra are linked to each other by sharing edges and vertices.

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the magnetically isolated zigzag chain in KGaCu(PO4)2.

Magnetism of any material depends on its crystal structure. However, two isostructural compounds such as MCuMoO4(OH) (M = Na, K) can have markedly different magnetic properties. Herein, we introduce a new method to describe the linkages between the O-atoms and their bridged Cu2+ ions in order to clearly illustrate the structure-magnetic property relationships. This new method can account for magnetic differences between the two isostructural MCuMoO4(OH) and is further confirmed by the rational design and development of a new compound KGaCu(PO4)2 with different linkages. The title compound crystalized in a space group of P21/c adopts a one-dimensional (1D) magnetically isolated S = 1/2 zigzag chain composed of elongated [CuO6] octahedra via sharing alternately equatorial and skew edges. O atoms at the skew edges bridge the equatorial and axial orbitals of neighbouring Cu2+ ions (denoted EOA), while those at the equatorial edges bridge the equatorial orbitals of Cu2+ ions (EOE). The nearest-neighbour (NN) magnetic coupling of Cu2+ ions with the EOA linkage at 2.821 Å in the title compound is negligible, whereas the NN magnetic coupling of Cu2+ ions with the EOE linkage at 2.974 Å is essential. Therefore, the zigzag chain containing alternating spin-exchange dimers and no-spin-exchange ones is similar in electronic configuration to the dimerization of the quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet. Magnetic investigation of analogous compounds with a 'trans-cis-trans-cis' configuration observed in the title compound may shed light on structural evolutions associated with spin-Peierls (SP) transition.

(Ga(0.71)B(0.29))PO(4) with a high-cristobalite-type structure refined from powder data.

Gallium boron phosphate, (Ga(0.71)B(0.29))PO(4), was synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure is isostructural with the tetra-gonal high-cristobalite structure with space group P which is built from alternating Ga(B)O(4) and PO(4) tetra-hedra inter-connected by sharing the common O-atom vertices, resulting in a three-dimensional structure with two-dimensional six-membered-ring tunnels running along the a and b axes.

Lithium manganese(II) diaqua-boro-phosphate monohydrate.

The title compound, LiMn(H(2)O)(2)[BP(2)O(8)]·H(2)O, is built up of an open framework of helical borophosphate ribbons inter-connected by MnO(4)(H(2)O)(2) octa-hedra, forming one-dimensional channels along [001] occupied by Li(+) cations and disordered H(2)O mol-ecules (site occupancy 0.5). The Li cations reside in two partially occupied sites [occupancies = 0.42 (3) and 0.289 (13)] near the helices.

Ammonium iron(III) phosphate(V) fluoride, (NH(4))(0.5)[(NH(4))(0.375)K(0.125)]FePO(4)F, with ammonium partially substituted by potassium.

The title compound, ammonium potassium iron(III) phosphate fluoride, (NH(4))(0.875)K(0.125)FePO(4)F, is built from zigzag chains (∞) (1){[FeO(4)F(2)](7-)}, with Fe(3+) in a distorted octahedral coordination, extending along both the [011] and [01] directions. These chains are made up of alternating trans-[FeO(4)F(2)] and cis-[FeO(4)F(2)] octa-hedra via shared F-atom corners, and are linked by PO(4) tetra-hedra, resulting in an open-framework structure with channels along the [010] and [100] directions. There are two crystallographically independent ammonium sites: one in the [010] channels and the other, partially substituted by K(+) ions, in the [100] channels. The ammonium in the [010] channels is fixed to the framework via eight hydrogen bonds (six N-H⋯O and two N-H⋯F).

Strong spin frustration and negative magnetization in LnCu3(OH)6Cl3 (Ln = Nd and Sm) with triangular lattices: the effects of lanthanides.

Herbertsmithite- and kapellasite-type compounds with triangular lattices (i.e. Kagomé) as the most promising candidates for realizing the exotic quantum spin liquid (QSL) state have recently attracted significant attention in condensed matter physics and materials science but are often adversely affected by dimensional imperfections arising from significant cation mixing. Also, interaction mechanisms between the Kagomé lattices and ionic impurities remain unclear. Herein we report on the synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of a new class of kapellasite-type compounds LnCu3(OH)6Cl3 (Ln = Nd and Sm) with two overlapped triangular lattices. These compounds are characterized by the triangular lattices of Cu2+ superimposed by another triangular lattice of paramagnetic Ln3+. The magnetic properties of LnCu3(OH)6Cl3 feature strong spin frustrations as well as antisymmetrical Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions resulting in canted antiferromagnetic ordering with the Néel temperature (TN) of ∼20 K and ∼18 K for NdCu3(OH)6Cl3 and SmCu3(OH)6Cl3, respectively. Moreover, negative magnetization at low temperatures was firstly observed in Kagomé lattice compounds, arising from geometrical spin frustration and competing interactions within two overlapped triangular lattices.