Nanoscale building blocks in a novel lithium arsenotungsten bronze: Synthesis and characterization
We report on a novel compound Li{sub 3}AsW{sub 7}O{sub 25} obtained by solid-state reaction and characterized by diffraction and spectroscopic methods. The bronze-type compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with a=724.38(3) pm, b=1008.15(4) pm, c=4906.16(17) pm and Z=8. The structure is built up by chains of WO{sub 6} octahedra interconnected by AsO{sub 4} tetrahedra and WO{sub 6} octahedra forming a polyhedral arrangement as seen in intergrowth tungsten bronzes. The X-ray single crystal structure refinement allows solving the complex arsenotungstate framework. The powder neutron diffraction data analysis locates the lithium atoms. Thermal analysis showed that Li{sub 3}AsW{sub 7}O{sub 25} is stable up to its melting at 1135(3) K followed by a decomposition at 1182(5) K. The Kubelka–Munk treatment of the UV–vis spectrum revealed a wide band gap in the range of 2.84–3.40 eV depending on the presumed electron transition type. - Graphical abstract: Crystal structure of Li{sub 3}AsW{sub 7}O{sub 25} showing different schematic components. - Highlights: • A report on a novel compound Li{sub 3}AsW{sub 7}O{sub 25} obtained by solid-state reaction. • Chains and nano-blocks of WO{sub 6} octahedra and AsO{sub 4} tetrahedra formed a structure like intergrowth tungsten bronzes. • X-ray diffraction allowed solving the complex arsenotungstate framework. • Powder neutron diffraction data analysis locates the lithium atoms. • UV–vis spectrum revealed the band-gap.