A. Guelylah et al., X-ray diffraction study of the phase transition of K2Mn2(BeF4)(3): a new type of low-temperature structure for langbeinites, ACT CRYST B, 57, 2001, pp. 221-230
The potassium manganese tetrafluoroberyllate langbeinite compound has been
studied in the temperature range 100-300 K. Using DSC measurements, a phase
transition has been detected at 213 K. The space group of the low-temperat
ure phase was determined to be P112(1) using X-ray diffraction experiments
and optical observations of the domain structure. The b axis is doubled wit
h respect to the prototypic P2(1)3 cubic phase. Lattice parameters were det
ermined by powder diffraction data [a = 10.0690 (8), b = 20.136 (2), c = 10
.0329 (4) Angstrom = 90.01 (1)degrees]. A precise analysis of the BeF4 tetr
ahedra in the low-temperature phase shows that two independent tetrahedra r
otate in opposite directions along the doubled crystallographic axis. A sym
metry mode analysis of the monoclinic distortion is also reported. This is
the first report of the existence of such a phase transition in K-2 Mn-2(Be
F4)(3) and also of a new type of low-temperature structure for langbeinite
compounds.