Anomalous lattice parameter increase in alkali earth aluminium substituted tungsten defect pyrochlores

Abstract

The structures of the defect pyrochlores AAl(0.33)W(1.67)O(6) where A = K, Rb or Cs have been investigated using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction methods as well as the ab initio modelling program VASP The three cubic pyrochlores exhibit a non-linear increase in lattice parameter with respect to ionic radius of the A cation as a consequence of displacive disorder of the A-type cations. Solid state Al-27 MAS NMR studies of this pyrochlore system reveal shifts in the delta-21-22 ppm range that are indicative of pseudo-5 coordinate Al environments and emanate frorn distorted Al octahedral with one abnormally long Al. O bond. Solid state K-39, Rb-85, Rb-87 and Cs-133 MAS and static NMR Studies reflect the local cation disorder demonstrated in the structural Studies. © 2008, Elsevier Ltd.