Crystal structures of lanthanide and zirconium phosphates with general formula Ln0.33Zr2(PO4)3, where Ln=Ce, Eu, Yb

Crystal structures of synthetic phosphates Ce0.33Zr2(PO4)3, Eu0.33Zr2(PO4)3 and Yb0.33Zr2(PO4)3 have been refined by Rietveld method using powder diffraction data. Unit cell parameters: a=8.7419 (4), c=23.128 (2) Å; a=8.7659 (1), c=22.822 (1) Å; a=8.8078 (4), c=22.485 (3) Å, respectively; Z=6. Values of final R-factors in isotropic approximation: Rwp=4.00, Rwp=3.33, Rwp=4.12%, respectively. New space group P3¯c has been established for the compounds with general formula Ln0.33Zr2(PO4)3, where Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y. It has been confirmed that the synthetic phosphates with general formula Ln0.33Zr2(PO4)3 belong to the NZP (sodium zirconium phosphate) structure type.

Graphical abstractFragment of structure of synthetic phosphate Eu0.33Zr2(PO4)3.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide