DOE OSTI2020
Sm4Ge7 crystallizes in the orthorhombic C222_1 space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are three inequivalent Sm sites. In the first Sm site, Sm is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to nine Ge atoms. There are a spread of Sm–Ge bond distances ranging from 3.04–3.32 Å. In the second Sm site, Sm is bonded in a 10-coordinate geometry to ten Ge atoms. There are a spread of Sm–Ge bond distances ranging from 3.06–3.33 Å. In the third Sm site, Sm is bonded in a 10-coordinate geometry to ten Ge atoms. There are a spread of Sm–Ge bond distances ranging from 3.04–3.26 Å. There are four inequivalent Ge sites. In the first Ge site, Ge is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to six Sm and three Ge atoms. There are a spread of Ge–Ge bond distances ranging from 2.49–2.72 Å. In the second Ge site, Ge is bonded in a 9-coordinate geometry to six Sm and three Ge atoms. Both Ge–Ge bond lengths are 2.59 Å. In the third Ge site, Ge is bonded in a 4-coordinate geometry to four Sm and two Ge atoms. In the fourth Ge site, Ge is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to six Sm and two equivalent Ge atoms.