Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.40, No.10, 2409-2414, 2001
Synthesis and characterization of four new europium group XIV chalcogenides: K2EuTSe5 and KEuTS4 (T = Si, Ge)
Four europium group XIV chalcogenides have been synthesized using the reactive flux method: K2EuTSe5 (I, II) and KEuTS4 (III, IV) where T = Si, Ge. K2EuSiSe5, I, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with cell parameters a = 11.669(3) Angstrom, b = 9.844(2) Angstrom, c = 8.917(2) Angstrom, beta = 91.583(5)degrees and Z = 4. K2EuCeSe5, II, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with cell parameters a = 11.8056(3) Angstrom, b = 9.9630(1) Angstrom, c = 8.9456(1) Angstrom, beta = 91.195(1)degrees, and Z = 5. Both K2EuSiSe5 and K2EuGeSe5 are semiconductors with optical band-gaps of approximately 2.00 and 1.84 eV, respectively. Raman spectroscopy shows vibrations from the (TSe5)(4-) (T = Si, Ge) unit. KEuSiS4, III, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1) with cell parameters: a = 6.426(4) Angstrom, b = 6.582(5) Angstrom, c = 8.566(7) Angstrom, beta = 107.83(6)degrees, and Z = 2. KEuGeS4. IV, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1) with cell parameters a = 6.510(2) Angstrom, b = 6.649(2) Angstrom, c = 8.603(3) Angstrom, beta = 107.80(2)degrees, and Z = 2. Band-gap analysis shows that both compounds are semiconductors with optical band-gaps of 1.72 and 1.71 eV, respectively. The Raman spectrum of KEuCeS4 shows the vibrations of the (GrS(4))(4-) unit. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms the presence of Eu(III) in III and IV instead of Eu(II) as in I and II. These four crystalline products were formed under equivalent stoichiometric reaction conditions. The fact that two different products are observed can be used to understand the relationship between the oxidative and reductive potentials within these flux reactions.