Synthesis and structure of Ba4CaCu2.24O6.96(CO3)0.5, a perovskite containing carbonate anions, and related phases

Abstract

Calcination of appropriate mixtures of BaCO₃, CaCO₃ and CuO has been shown to result in a tetragonal [P4/mmm; a= 5.799(2)Å, c= 7.992(3)Å] perovskite-related phase containing CO₃ ^2– anions. The unit-cell composition is Ba₄CaCu_2.24O_6.96(CO₃)_0.5, and powder neutron diffraction has demonstrated that the octahedral sites are occupied by Ca, Cu and C in an ordered fashion. The structure is compared with the cubic phase Ba₄CaCu₃O_8.61. Related phases in which the Ca ions are replaced by other cations are also reported.