Systematic and Controllable Negative, Zero, and Positive Thermal Expansion in Cubic Zr_(1-x)Sn_xMo_2O_8

摘要

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a family of materials, Zr_(1-x)Sn_xMo_2O_8(0 ＜ x ＜1), whose isotropic thermal expansion coefficient can be systematically varied from negative to zero to positive values. These materials allow tunable expansion in a single phase as opposed to using a composite system. Linear thermal expansion coefficients, a_v ranging from -7.9(2) × 10~(-6) to +5.9(2) × 10~(-6) K~(-1) (12-500 K) can be achieved across the series; contraction and expansion limits are of the same order of magnitude as the expansion of typical ceramics. We also report the various structures and thermal expansion of "cubic" SnMo_2O_8, and we use time- and temperature-dependent diffraction studies to describe a series of phase transitions between different ordered and disordered states of this material.