New phosphate-sulfates with NZP structure

NaZr2–xBx(PO4)3–2x(SO4)2x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, B = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), and NaZr2– xRx(PO4)3–x(SO4)x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.25, R = Al, Fe) phosphate-sulfates series have been prepared by a sol–gel process. These compounds belong to the NaZr2(PO4)3 (NZP) structure family and crystallize in hexagonal crystal system, space group R c. Limited solid solution series were found to exist; their formation temperatures and thermal stability limits were determined. Particle sizes as determined by microstructure observation were 50–200 nm, and for Cu- and Zn-containing samples, 200–500 nm. The thermal expansion of phosphate-sulfate NaZr1.25Cu0.75(PO4)1.5(SO4)1.5 was studied in the range 25–700°C. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal expansion anisotropy were found to be αa = –5.40 × 10–6 °C–1, αс = 18.88 × 10–6 °C–1, αavg = 2.69 × 10–6 °C–1, and Δα = 24.28 × 10–6 °C–1