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Discovery at the Interface between Known Structure Types: The Layered Y10NixCu1-xTi4O24 Family
Nataliya L Gulay1, Hai Lin1, Batoul Almoussawi1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Materials Innovation Factory, 51 Oxford Street, LiverpoolL7 3NY, U.K.
Inorganic Chemistry
|July 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers discovered a new layered monoclinic phase, Y10NiₓCu₁₋ₓTi₄O₂₄, bridging known perovskite and hexagonal structures. This new material exhibits stacking faults and was characterized for magnetic and optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Solid State Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
Background:
- Exploration of interfaces between known perovskite (Y₂NiTiO₆) and hexagonal layered (Y₂CuTiO₆) structures.
- Investigating solid solutions and new phase formation in Y-Ni-Cu-Ti-O systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover and characterize a new crystalline phase at the interface of Y₂NiTiO₆ and Y₂CuTiO₆.
- To determine the crystal structure and explore the effects of Ni-Cu substitution.
- To investigate the magnetic and optical properties of the newly discovered phase.
Main Methods:
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structure solution of Y₁₀CuTi₄O₂₄.
- High-resolution powder X-ray diffraction for structure refinement of Y₁₀NiₓCu₁₋ₓTi₄O₂₄ (x = 0, 0.5, 1).
- Magnetic and optical property characterization.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a new layered monoclinic phase, Y₁₀NiₓCu₁₋ₓTi₄O₂₄ (x = 0, 0.5, 1).
- Structure of Y₁₀CuTi₄O₂₄ solved (space group C2/m) and related to Y₅Mo₂O₁₂-type structures.
- Minor changes in lattice parameters upon Ni-Cu substitution; evidence of stacking faults from peak broadening.
Conclusions:
- The new phase Y₁₀NiₓCu₁₋ₓTi₄O₂₄ represents a novel structural type.
- Stacking faults are inherent to the layered structure, influencing its properties.
- The material's magnetic and optical properties warrant further investigation.
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