Synthesis and structure of new pyrochlore-type oxides Ln2ScNbO7 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy)

We report the synthesis and structural study of mixed oxides in the Ln(2)ScNbO(7) series. New phases with Ln = Pr, Eu, Gd and Dy are obtained. All crystallize in the cubic pyrochlore structure type, space group F-d3m, with no Sc-Nb ordering on the B site. The structures are determined by Rietveld refinement. The evolution of cell parameters, interatomic distances and angles as a function of lanthanide cation size is discussed. Magnetic measurements show the absence of ordering down to 2 K, in agreement with the presence of strong geometric frustration in the lanthanide sublattice. The europium phase shows a peculiar magnetic behaviour; its magnetic susceptibility becomes constant below ca 50 K. This feature confirms the behaviour observed previously on Eu2Ti2O7 and is ascribed to crystal field effects. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.