Equilibrium langbeinite-related phosphates Cs1 + xLnxZr2 - x(PO4)3 (Ln = Sm-Lu) in the melted systems Cs2O-P2O5-LnF3-ZrF4.

Nine novel phosphates, based upon a combination of caesium, zirconium and lanthanide ions, were obtained from fluoride-containing fluxes using high-temperature crystallization. The structures of Cs(1.80)Eu(0.80)Zr(1.20)(PO(4))(3) (CsEuZrP), Cs(1.79)Gd(0.79)Zr(1.21)(PO(4))(3) (CsGdZrP), Cs(1.87)Tb(0.87)Zr(1.13)(PO(4))(3) (CsTbZrP), Cs(1.67)Dy(0.67)Zr(1.33)(PO(4))(3) (CsDyZrP), Cs(1.75)Ho(0.75)Zr(1.25)(PO(4))(3) (CsHoZrP), Cs(1.78)Er(0.78)Zr(1.22)(PO(4))(3) (CsErZrP), Cs(1.70)Tm(0.70)Zr(1.30)(PO(4))(3) (CsTmZrP), Cs(1.52)Yb(0.52)Zr(1.48)(PO(4))(3) (CsYbZrP) and Cs(1.63)Lu(0.63)Zr(1.37)(PO(4))(3) (CsLuZrP) were solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds are isostructural to the mineral langbeinite (cubic system, space group P2(1)3). Their framework structures originate from the cross-linking of metal octahedra [MO(6)] (M = Zr, Ln) by phosphate tetrahedra. Cs(+) cations are located in the closed cavities of the framework and preferentially occupy one of the two available sites. The principles of crystallization of the equilibrium langbeinite-related phosphates in the fluxes of the system Cs(2)O-P(2)O(5)-LnF(3)-ZrF(4) (Ln = La-Nd, Sm-Lu) are discussed based on their crystal structures.