V18P9C2: a complex phosphide carbide

Abstract

Abstract V18P9C2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmma with the lattice parameters a = 17.044(3), b = 3.2219(7), and c = 13.030(2) Å, Z = 2. The crystal structure is composed of 19 symmetry-independent atoms. The crystal structure is considered as a network formed by the transition metal atoms exhibiting cubic, trigonal prismatic, and octahedral voids centered by V, P, and C atoms, respectively. Vice versa, the V and P atoms form a three-dimensional network. The two CV6 octahedra are edge- and corner-connected to chains running parallel to [010]. The five unique P atoms are trigonal prismatically coordinated by V atoms with one to three faces capped again by a V atom. The V atoms have mainly cubic environments formed solely by V or by V and P atoms. V18P9C2 exhibits some structural relations to other compounds of the ternary system V–P–C as well as to other intermetallic phases. Despite the low carbon content, V18P9C2 is considered as a ternary compound rather than an interstitially stabilized (binary) phosphide in view of its special structural features.