β-Xenophyllite-type Na4Li0.62Co5.67Al0.71(AsO4)6

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Crystallography

Background:

• Understanding the structural properties of complex inorganic compounds is crucial for materials science.
• Arsenates containing transition metals and alkali metals offer diverse structural possibilities.
• Solid-state synthesis provides a route to novel crystalline materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize tetrasodium lithium cobalt aluminium hexa-(orthoarsenate).
• To elucidate the crystal structure and cation distribution within the material.
• To compare the determined structure with related mineral structures.

Main Methods:

• Solid-state reaction synthesis.
• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural analysis.
• Comparison with crystallographic data of related minerals.

Main Results:

• The crystal structure of tetrasodium lithium cobalt aluminium hexa-(orthoarsenate) was determined.
• Cobalt ions in an octahedral site (M1) are partially substituted by aluminum ions.
• Lithium cations compensate charge by sharing a tetrahedral site (M2) with cobalt ions.
• A 3D framework with tunnels along the a-axis is formed, accommodating sodium cations with half-occupancy.

Conclusions:

• The synthesis yielded a novel hexa-(orthoarsenate) compound.
• The detailed crystal structure reveals complex cation substitutions and a unique framework architecture.
• Structural comparison provides insights into structure-property relationships in related inorganic materials.