Structural characterization, thermal, vibrational properties and molecular motions in perovskite-type diaminopropanetetrachlorocadmate NH3(CH2)3NH3CdCl4 crystal

• Phase transitions in layered compound has been studied by different measurements.
• Wide temperature range vibrational analyses have been done.
• Cationic contribution to the phase transition mechanism was confirmed.
• The one reversible continuous phase transition was evident.

The work presents a detailed analysis of the sequencing of the structural phase transitions in NH3(CH2)3NH3CdCl4 crystal by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray, infrared, far infrared and Raman spectroscopy. DSC studies have shown that in analyzed crystal occurring one reversible continuous phase transition at 375/374 K (on heating/cooling). Observed in Nujol and Fluorolube mulls in the wide temperature range between 296 K and 413 K spectral changes through the structural phase transition can be attributed to an onset of motion of cations. An assignment of some bands due to internal modes has been also proposed.