A Re-investigation of the Crystal Structure of the Perovskite PbZrO₃ by X-ray and Neutron Diffraction

The crystal structure of the perovskite lead zirconate PbZrO₃ has been redetermined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71069 Å). Single-crystal data at 100 K: space group. Pbam, a = 5.884 (1), b = 11.787 (3), c = 8.231 (2) Å, V = 570.85 ų with Z = 8, μ = 612.6 cm⁻¹, D_x = 8.06 Mg m⁻³, F(000) = 1168, final R = 0.033, wR = 0.061 over 555 reflections with I > 2σ(I). An investigation is made into previous contradicting reports of a possible disorder in the O atoms and their origin by examining the crystal pseudo-symmetry. Information distinguishing an ordered and disordered oxygen substructure is shown to reside in weak l odd reflections. Because of their extremely low intensities these reflections have not contributed sufficiently in previous X-ray structure investigations and hence, to date, conclusive evidence differentiating between ordered and disordered models has not been possible. By collecting single-crystal X-ray data at low temperature and by using exceptionally long scans on selected hkl, l odd, reflections, a new accurate structure determination is presented and discussed, showing the true ordered oxygen positions. Because of the large difference in scattering factors between lead and oxygen when using X-rays, a neutron diffraction Rietveld refinement using polycrystalline samples (D1A instrument, ILL, λ = 1.90788 Å) is also reported as further evidence to support the true ordered oxygen structure revealed by the low-temperature X-ray analysis.

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