Crystal structure and luminescence properties of silver in AgM(PO3)(3) (M = Mg, Zn, Ba) polyphosphates

The relationships between the crystal structures and the luminescent proper ties of the AgM(PO3)(3) (M = Mg, Zn, Ba) polyphosphates are reported in com parison with those of AgPO3. The structure of the magnesium and zinc phosph ates is characterized by long polyphosphates chains connected to infinite c hains of [AgO6] and [MO6] polyhedra sharing faces. The basic structural pho sphate unit in AgBa(PO3)(3) is a P3O9 ring, Silver atoms are located in dis torted octahedral sites. Two types of luminescent centers have been observe d. The UV emission observed in all these materials is typical of isolated A g+ ions. The visible emission observed only in the zinc phosphate is probab ly the result of a silver-zinc association. (C) 1999 Academic Press.