Synthesis and structural characterization of the vividly colored first row transition metal-containing oxyfluoride antiperovskites Sr3-xMnxMO4F and Sr3-xMnxMO4-αF1-δ (M = Al, Ga)

Abstract

Incorporation of dopant amounts of the divalent transition metal cation Mn2+ into the oxyfluoride material Sr3-xMnxMO4F (M = Al, Ga; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) yields green powders which vary in hue depending on the identity of M. Treatment of these phases with post-synthesis annealing under reducing conditions produces anion deficient phases according to Sr3-xMnxMO4-αF1-δ displaying vivid purple coloration. Intense colors are likely due to small amounts of Mn3+ on the tetrahedral M site. Full structural characterization based upon powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data are presented herein, demonstrating that the Sr3-xAxMO4F (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; M = Al, Ga) anti-perovskite structure can readily accommodate first row transition metals. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.