title: Direct solid-state synthesis at high pressures of new mixed-metal oxynitrides: RZrO(2)N (R = Pr, Nd, and Sm).
abstract: New oxynitrides of RZrO(2)N (R = Pr, Nd, and Sm) have been synthesized via a direct solid-state reaction of R(2)O(3) with Zr(2)ON(2) at 1200-1500 degrees C under 2-3 GPa pressure. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that all three phases adopt an orthorhombic Pnma perovskite superstructure [a = 5.8537(1) A, b = 8.1707(1) A, and c = 5.7093(1) A for NdZrO(2)N] and the structural distortion increases with decreasing R(3+) ionic radius. This method may enable new mixed-metal oxynitrides to be synthesized without the use of nitriding gas atmospheres.
authors.affiliation: CSEC and School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Minghui
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: Lawrence C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Middler
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oró-Solé
authors.forename: A Belén
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuertes
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Attfield