The title compound was identified as the major phase in a corrosion deposit by indexing its powder pattern, and locating an isostructural vanadium(II) compound in the NIST Crystal Data Identification File. The identity of the compound was confirmed by a Rietveld refinement. Hexaaquairon(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m, with a=18.6415(14), b=6.9291(5), c=6.5938(5) Å, β=104.742(6)°, V=823.68(10) Å3, and Z=2. The structure consists of alternating layers of octahedral hexaaquairon(II) cations and triflate anions. The cations and anions are linked into layers parallel to the bc plane by hydrogen bonds. Each water molecule donates two protons to sulfonate oxygens, and each sulfonate oxygen acts as an acceptor of two protons. A reference powder diffraction pattern is reported.

Three computer programs for Rietveld analysis DBWS-9411, HILL-93.06, and FULLPROF-3.1 have been tested and compared using data for two samples of different complexity, spinel, and anglesite. The investigation shows that results are “program dependent.” The obtained R indices for spinel are in the ranges 10.60%–13.26%(Rwp) and 3.15%–5.25%(RB). Similarly, the ranges for anglesite are 9.76%–14.06%(Rwp) and 2.15%–5.06%(RB). Some atom and displacement parameters are significantly different, too. In attempt to define the standard procedure for Rietveld analysis, three parameters, n, BKPOS, and RLIM were examined. It was found that the most appropriate values for them are: n=8–10, BKPOS=90°, and RLIM=40° 2θ. Using Fourier filtering for background modeling, significantly lower R indices were obtained in comparison to polynomial and interpolated background. At the same time the great numbers of atom and cell parameters agree within ±3σmax and e.s.d.'s were identical or lower than those achieved for polynomial and interpolated background. It was found that the function given by Bérar and Baldinozzi (1993) (J. Appl. Crystallogr. 26, 128–129) much better described asymmetric peak profiles at low 2θ angles. This function and Fourier filtering were implemented only in FULLPROF, which has more possibilities and some advantages over the other two programs. In addition, the peak shift parameters (sample displacement and transparency) were tested. It was shown that under present circumstances these parameters do not have much effect on atom parameters and R indices. However, differences in unit cell parameters were considerable greater, most probably because of the large correlation between zero-point, lattice, and peak shift parameters.

The structures of the solid solution series (Sr4−δCaδ)PtO6, with δ=0, 0.85(1), 2, and 3, have been investigated using the Rietveld refinement technique with laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data. A complete solid solution between Sr and Ca was confirmed to exist. These compounds crystallize in the rhombohedral space group R3¯c. The cell parameters of the series range from a of 9.4780(3) to 9.7477(1) Å, and c from 11.3301(4) to 11.8791(1) Å for δ from 3 to 0, respectively. The structure consists of chains of alternating trigonal prismatic (Sr, Ca)O6 and octahedral PtO6 units running parallel to the c axis. These chains are connected to each other via a second type of (Sr, Ca) ions, which are surrounded by eight oxygens, in a distorted square antiprismatic geometry. As Ca replaced Sr in Sr4PtO6, it was found to substitute preferentially in the smaller octahedral (Sr, Ca)1 site (6a) rather than at the eight-coordinate (Sr, Ca)2 site (18e). There appears to be an anomaly of cell parameters a and c at the compound Sr3.15Ca0.85PtO6. Their dependence on Ca content changes at δ≈1.00, where the Ca has fully replaced Sr in the 6a site. The substitution of Sr by Ca reduced the average (Sr, Ca)1–O length from 2.411 to 2.311 Å and (Sr, Ca)2–O from 2.659 to 2.570 Å as the composition varied from Sr4PtO6 to SrCa3PtO6. Reference X-ray powder diffraction patterns were prepared from the Rietveld refinement results for these members of the solid solution series. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of three of the samples (δ=0, 0.85, 2) show electronic transitions at low temperatures.

The crystal structure of the natural zeolite garronite from Goble, Oregon has been refined using high resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Garronite has the same tetrahedral aluminosilicate framework as gismondine [GIS], and earlier structural models indicated a strong tetragonal pseudosymmetry. Proposed models in the literature were based on the I4¯m2 and I41/a space groups, on account of symmetry lowering from the topological I41/amd space due to partial cation/water molecule order in the zeolitic cavities. Test structure analysis has been performed in all possible space subgroups including monoclinic space groups, and the refinement has been successfully carried out in space group I2/a (C2/c). The resulting monoclinic structure model is to be preferred over the tetragonal ones on the basis of: (1) lower agreement indices of the refinement; (2) a chemically sound framework geometry; and (3) a more satisfactory interpretation of the Ca atoms coordination in the extraframework cages.

Phases of general formula (RE, A)2M3O7 (RE=lanthanide, A=Ca, Sr, Ba; M=Ga, Al) are of interest for their nonlinear optical properties and have potential as solid state lasers. Their structures have been refined using X-ray and neutron diffraction data and are related to gehlenite, Ca2Al2SiO7, with M cations occupying Al and Si sites and RE and A cations sharing the Ca site with no evidence for ordering, although they occur in the ratio 1:1 because of stoichiometry; the M cations are tetrahedrally coordinated. (RE, Ba)2M3O7 compounds cannot be synthesized for M=Al or for RE cations smaller than Sm; this limitation is believed to be due to size mismatch between cations within the structure.

A mathematical model for interpreting the anisotropical broadening of the powder diffraction lines by an average crystallite in the form of a triaxial ellipsoid is developed. The model covers satisfactorily a broad range of averaged crystallite shapes in polycrystalline samples of all crystal symmetries and provides simple formulas for use in powder pattern fitting routines. When ra, rb, rc are the principal ellipsoid radii, and ca, cb, cc direction cosines of diffraction vector related to the principal axes of ellipsoid, the average dimension of crystallites along the diffraction vector (Dhkl) is: Dhkl=K/ca2/ra2+cb2/rb2+cc2/rc2. The coefficient K has the value 3/2 if Dhkl is the volume average dimension of crystallites along the diffraction vector, or 4/3 in the case of the surface average dimension. The appropriate expression for use in whole pattern fitting routines is: b11h2+b22k2+b33l2+2b12hk+2b13hl+2b23kl=K2/Lhkl2dhkl2, where bij are the elements of a second-rank symmetric tensor. Finding eigenvalues and vectors of tensor b gives dimensions and orientations of the principal ellipsoid radii in reciprocal lattice values.

The subject of the paper is the old and well-known linear least squares method for determining the lattice dimension of a crystalline phase from the peak locations of a powder diffraction pattern. Approximations, limits, and extensions of the method are discussed with reference to the assignment of hkl indices to an experimental multiphase pattern.

Indexed X-ray powder diffraction data are reported for the homologous compound (ZnO)5(In1−xYx)2O3. The structures of (ZnO)5In2O3 and of (ZnO)5(In1−xYx)2O3 were refined by the Rietveld technique on the basis of the space group R3¯m. Refined unit cell dimensions are a=3.3285(1) Å, c=58.127(2) Å, V=557.71(3) Å3, Dx=6.11 g/cm3, Rwp=10.52, RB=8.56 for (ZnO)5In2O3, and a=3.3505(1) Å, c=57.863(1) Å, V=562.53(2) Å3, Dx=5.97 g/cm3, Rwp=9.05, RB=6.94 for (ZnO)5(In0.8Y0.2)2O3. The structure of (ZnO)5In2O3 was shown to be isostructural with (ZnO)5LuFeO3. Y3+ ions were determined to be arranged at the 3a-metal sites substituting for In3+ ions.

The crystal structure of disilver(1+) pentacyanonitrosylferrate(2−) was studied by X-ray powder diffraction. IR and Mössbauer spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and density measurements were also carried out. This compound is monoclinic, and its lattice parameters are: a=10.986(3) Å, b=6.4080(10) Å, c=7.4545(19) Å, α=δ=90°, β=102.54°(2).

Two new arsenates with general formula AII(ZnAsO4)2 (A=Sr, Ba) were synthetized by solid state reaction. Furthermore, a high pressure form of Ba(ZnPO4)2 was obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Indexing of their X-ray diffractograms was carried out with a monoclinic unit-cell and space group P21/c. These compounds are isostructural with Sr(ZnPO4)2 and the paracelsian form of Ba(AlSiO4)2.

(Na0.6H0.4)(Ta0.7Nb0.3)O3 was synthesized by heating a tantalum/niobium scale containing two sodium tantalate/niobate phases :Na14(Ta0.7Nb0.3)12O37·31H2O and NaH2Ta0.7Nb0.3O4. Powder X-ray diffraction data for (Na0.6H0.4)(Ta0.7Nb0.3)O3 indicated it to be a cubic perovskite (ABO3/ReO3 type structure) with unit cell a0=3.894 Å. The compound is analogous to the mineral lueshite (NaNbO3), and to the high temperature forms of NaTaO3 and NaNbO3. Powder diffraction data for (Na0.6H0.4)(Ta0.7Nb0.3)O3 will be useful in the analysis of synthetic tantalum/niobium concentrates.

Precise X-ray powder diffraction patterns of two isostructural triborates, CsB3O5(CBO) and TlB3O5(TBO), have been collected on a D5000 diffractometer with a primary monochromated beam (λ CuKα1=1.5406 Å). Refinement of indexed reflections in the space group P212121 led to: a=6.201(1) Å, b=8.514(2) Å, c=9.176(2) Å, Z=4, Dx=3.363 for CBO and a=5.2156(4) Å, b=8.2659(6) Å, c=10.2240(9) Å, Z=4, Dx=4.773 for TBO. The Smith–Snyder figures of merit are F30=53.0 (0.0101, 56) for CBO and F30=112.9 (0.0074, 36) for TBO. These values are much better than the previous ones published in Powder Diffraction File.

Precise X-ray powder diffraction patterns of hydrated and anhydrous thallium pentaborates have been collected on a D5000 diffractometer with a primary monochromated beam (λ Cu Kα1=1.5406 Å). Refinement of indexed reflections led to the following unit cell parameters: a=11.279(1)Å, b=7.1507(6)Å, c=13.953(1)Å, β=94.164(7)° in the P21/c space group with Z=4, Dx=2.713 gcm−3, Dm=2.6 gcm−3 for Tl[B5O6(OH)4]·2H2O and a=7.5698(5)Å, b=11.9509(6)Å, c=14.759(1)Å in the Pbca space group with Z=8, Dx=3.844 gcm−3, Dm=3.6 gcm−3 for TlB5O8. Very good Smith and Snyder figures of merit have been obtained: F30=139.7 (0.0043, 50) for Tl[B5O6(OH)4]·2H2O and F30=139.3 (0.0054, 40) for TlB5O8.