Potassium ditin(IV) tris-[phosphate(V)], KSn(2)(PO(4))(3)

Area of Science:

• Solid-state chemistry
• Crystallography
• Materials science

Background:

• NASICON-type compounds are known for their ionic conductivity.
• Understanding the structural properties of novel phosphates is crucial for materials development.
• Potassium tin phosphates represent a potentially interesting class of materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the crystal structure of KSn(2)(PO(4))(3).
• To characterize the atomic arrangement and bonding within the NASICON-type framework.
• To identify the location of potassium ions within the structure.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the crystal structure.
• Analysis of bond distances and angles provided insights into structural regularity.
• Identification of twinning in the crystal sample.

Main Results:

• The compound KSn(2)(PO(4))(3) crystallizes in the NASICON-type structure (space group R3c).
• The structure features a robust framework of corner-sharing PO(4) tetrahedra and SnO(6) octahedra.
• Potassium (K) atoms occupy interstitial sites within the [Sn(2)(PO(4))(3)] framework.
• The crystal was identified as a merohedral twin with a specific twin law and component ratio.

Conclusions:

• The detailed crystal structure of KSn(2)(PO(4))(3) was successfully determined.
• The structural arrangement supports the classification of this compound within the NASICON-type family.
• The presence of a merohedral twin provides important crystallographic information for further studies.