The Adaptable Lyonsite Structure

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 12; no. 23; pp. 5944 - 5953
• Main Authors: Smit, Jared P., Stair, Peter C., Poeppelmeier, Kenneth R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 07.08.2006; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: cations; ceramics; solid-state reactions; solid-state structures; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.200600294

Crystal frameworks that can accommodate a wide range of elements, oxidation states, and stoichiometries are an important component of solid‐state chemistry. These frameworks allow for unique comparisons of different metal‐cation compositions with identical atomic arrangements. The mineral Lyonsite, α‐Cu3Fe4(VO4)6, is emerging as the archetypal framework structure for a large class of materials, similar to known frameworks such as perovskite, garnet, apatite, and spinel. The new lyonsite‐type oxides Li2.82Hf0.795Mo3O12 and Li3.35Ta0.53Mo3O12, in which hafnium and tantalum retain their highest oxidation states, are presented to advance the concept of the lyonsite structure as an adaptable framework. The mineral lyonsite is emerging as the archetypal structure for a large and growing class of oxides. This Concept paper examines the relationship between the wide range of elements, oxidation states, and stoichiometries that are contained in this adaptive structure (an example of which is shown here).