Structure of β-SrRh2O4 from X-ray and neutron powder diffraction

Abstract

β-SrRh₂O₄, a novel high temperature phase, is prepared as black powder by solid state reaction of SrCO₃ with Rh in air. The compound crystallises in the space group P63c, Z = 1, with a = 3.0626(2) Å and c = 11.3996(7) Å. The structure consists of Cd1₂-type layers of edge sharing RhO₆ octahedra with an AABB oxygen layer sequence. Strontium is found in partial occupation of both available interlayer sites, in trigonal prismatic coordination.