Li Ba Al Ta N O, the First Barium Nitridoalumotantalate with BCT-Zeolite Type Structure.

Single-crystals of Li Ba Al Ta N O:Eu were synthesized from Ba N , Al O , Li N, Eu O , and lithium metal by a high-temperature solid-state reaction in a weld shut tantalum ampule. The crystal structure of Li Ba Al Ta N O was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and it crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnnm (no. 58) with the lattice parameters a=1006.71(3), b=1026.58(3), c=607.10(2) pm, and a volume of V=0.62742(3) nm . The compound is built up from AlN and TaN tetrahedra, which form a three-dimensional network corresponding to the BCT-zeolite type structure. Li Ba Al Ta N O is homeotypic to Li Sr Si N O and Li Sr Al Ta N O but, additionally, it could be successfully doped with the activator ion Eu and hence features an experimental observed overall emission at λ =565 nm (fwhm=89 nm) consisting of a superposition of two adjusted emission bands at λ =557 nm (fwhm=69 nm) and at λ =604 nm (fwhm=102 nm).