Structure Change via Partial Se/Te Substitution: Crystal Structure and Physical Properties of the Telluride Ba₂Cu_4−<i>x</i>Te₅ in Contrast to the Selenide-Telluride Ba₂Cu_4−<i>x</i>Se_<i>y</i>Te_5−<i>y</i>

Abstract

The chalcogenides Ba(2)Cu(4-x)Se(y)Te(5-y) were synthesized from the elements in stoichiometric ratios at 700 degrees C, followed by annealing at 600 degrees C. The ternary telluride Ba(2)Cu(4-x)Te(5) crystallizes in a new structure type, space group C2/c, with lattice dimensions of a = 9.4428(6) A, b = 9.3289(6) A, c = 13.3028(8) A, beta = 101.635(1) degrees , V = 1147.8(1) A(3), for x = 0.75(1) (Z = 4). The corresponding selenide-telluride adopts another new, but strongly related, structure type, space group P4(1)2(1)2, with a = 6.5418(3) A, c = 25.782(2) A, V = 1103.3(1) A(3), for Ba(2)Cu(3.26(2))Se(0.729(8))Te(4.271) (Z = 4). Between 0.13 and 1.0 Te per formula unit can be replaced with Se, while the Cu content appears to vary only within 0.67 <or= x <or= 0.81 for Ba(2)Cu(4-x)Se(y)Te(5-y). Despite crystallizing in different crystal systems, the telluride and the selenide-telluride exhibit topologically equivalent structure motifs, namely, chains of Cu(Se,Te)(4) tetrahedra with a Cu atom cis/trans chain as well as an almost linear Te atom chain. All these chalcogenides, as far as measured, are p-doped semiconductors, as determined by Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity measurements.