DOE OSTI2020
VMn(Co2Si)2 crystallizes in the trigonal R-3m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. V2+ is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to eight Co1+ and six equivalent Si4- atoms. There are two shorter (2.44 Å) and six longer (2.45 Å) V–Co bond lengths. All V–Si bond lengths are 2.83 Å. Mn2+ is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to eight Co1+ and six equivalent Si4- atoms. There are two shorter (2.44 Å) and six longer (2.45 Å) Mn–Co bond lengths. All Mn–Si bond lengths are 2.82 Å. There are three inequivalent Co1+ sites. In the first Co1+ site, Co1+ is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to one V2+, three equivalent Mn2+, and four equivalent Si4- atoms. All Co–Si bond lengths are 2.45 Å. In the second Co1+ site, Co1+ is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to three equivalent V2+, one Mn2+, and four equivalent Si4- atoms. All Co–Si bond lengths are 2.45 Å. In the third Co1+ site, Co1+ is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to one V2+, three equivalent Mn2+, and four equivalent Si4- atoms. All Co–Mn bond lengths are 2.45 Å. All Co–Si bond lengths are 2.45 Å. Si4- is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to three equivalent V2+, three equivalent Mn2+, and eight Co1+ atoms.