Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of alluaudite-like triple molybdate Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24}

A new triple molybdate Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24} was synthesized using solid state reactions and studied with X-ray powder diffraction, second harmonic generation (SHG) technique, differential scanning calorimetry, Mössbauer and dielectric impedance spectroscopy. Single crystals of Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24} were obtained and its structure was solved (the space group P1{sup ¯}, a=12.5814(5), b=13.8989(5), c=28.4386(9) Å, α=90.108(2), β=90.064(2), γ=90.020(2)°, V=4973.0(3) Å{sup 3}, Z=2, R=0.0440). Characteristic features of the structure are polyhedral layers composed of pairs of edge-shared FeO{sub 6} and (Fe, Na)O{sub 6} octahedra, which are connected by bridging MoO{sub 4} tetrahedra. The layers share common vertices with bridging MoO{sub 4} tetrahedra to form an open 3D framework with the cavities occupied by the Cs{sup +} and Na{sup +} cations. The compound undergoes first-order phase transformation at 642 K and above this phase transition, electrical conductivity reaches 10{sup −3}–10{sup −2} S cm{sup −1}. Thus, Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24} may be considered as a promising compound for developing new materials with high ionic conductivity. - Graphical abstract: A new triple molybdate Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24} was synthesized and structurally characterized, its physicochemical properties were studied. - Highlights: • New compound Na{sub 25}Cs{sub 8}Fe{sub 5}(MoO{sub 4}){sub 24} was synthesized. • Physicochemical properties of the compound were studied. • The first-order phase transformation is observed. • Electrical conductivity above 642 K is (10{sup −2}–10{sup −3}) S cm{sup −1}. • New compound may be considered as promising object with high ionic conductivity.