Structure of delta1-CoZn(7.8), an example of a phason pinning-unpinning transformation?

The novel structure of the delta1 phase in the cobalt-zinc system was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure features fused double icosahedra linked by edge- and face-sharing. The delta1-CoZn(7.8) structure is incommensurately modulated along the columnar b direction. The extent of the linear pentagonal antiprismatic intergrowth is limited to a maximum of two overlapping icosahedra because of geometric demands and radii relations. Even this limited fusion of icosahedra leads to strain that is believed to be the origin of the structural modulation. The compound was synthesized using a centrifugation-aided filtration method which yielded single crystals grown on cobalt pieces in a zinc-rich melt. The (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace group is F2/m(0beta0)s0 and the modulation wavevector was determined to q = 0.234b*. The partial amorphization of the sample when subjected to mechanical grinding is an indication of a metastable structure. The incommensurability of the structure may be seen as an ordered pinning of phasons.