On Polymorphism of Dysprosium Trichloride

Abstract

Abstract For the first time, the structure of crystalline DyCl3 over a wide temperature range from room temperature to melting point was studied by Raman spectroscopy. The phonon modes (cm–1) of dysprosium trichloride (monoclinic crystal lattice of AlCl3 type, Z=4, CN = 6) at room temperature are 257 (A1g), 201 (Eg), 112 (Eg), 88 (A1g), and 63 (Eg). The monoclinic structure of the crystalline DyCl3 C2h 3 symmetry was found to remain constant over the studied temperature range. No polymorphic transformation in the solid state was detected. Gravimetry, calorimetry, and mass spectrometry have been used in addition to support the conclusions made on the basis of Raman spectroscopic data.