Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopy properties of Na3AZr(PO4)3 (A=Mg, Ni) and Li2.6Na0.4NiZr(PO4)3 phosphates

Na3AZr(PO4)3 (A=Mg, Ni) phosphates were prepared at 750 °C by coprecipitation route. Their crystal structures have been refined at room temperature from X-ray powder diffraction data using Rietveld method. Li2.6Na0.4NiZr(PO4)3 was synthesized through ion exchange from the sodium analog. These materials belong to the Nasicon-type structure. Raman spectra of Na3AZr(PO4)3 (A=Mg, Ni) phosphates present broad peaks in favor of the statistical distribution in the sites around PO4 tetrahedra. Diffuse reflectance spectra indicate the presence of octahedrally coordinated Ni2+ ions.