Structure Elucidation of Complex Endotaxially Intergrown Lanthanum Barium Oxonitridosilicate Oxides by Combination of Microfocused Synchrotron Radiation and Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Single-crystalline domains in intergrown microcrystalline material of the new compounds Ba 22.5 + x La 55 À x -[Si 129 N 240 À x O x ]O 3 :Ce 3 + and Ba 25.5 + x La 77 À x [Si 170 N 312 À x O 9 + x ]O 4 :Ce 3 + were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Precise diffraction data from these domains were collected with microfocused synchrotron radiation so that crystal structure elucidation of the complex disordered networks became possible. They are composed of two different interconnected slabs of which one is similar in both compounds, which explains their notorious intergrowth. The distribution of Ba and La is indicated by the analysis of bondvalence sums and by comparison with isostructural Sr 28.5 +x La 75 À x [Si 170 N 312 À x O 9 + x ]O 4 . Ce 3 + doping leads to yellow luminescence. This is a showcase that highlights the discovery and accurate characterization of new compounds relevant for luminescence applications from heterogeneous microcrystalline samples by exploiting the capability of the combination of TEM and diffraction using the latest focusing techniques for synchrotron radiation.