Synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of new rare earth ion-doped picromerite-type Tutton’s salts

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of K 2– x Mg 1− x Ln x (SO 4 ) 2 ·6H 2 O Tutton’s salts doped with lanthanide elements (Ln = Eu 3+ , Dy 3+ , Nd 3+ , Pr 3+ ) are reported. These double salts crystallize in the monoclinic system, with the space group P 2 1 / a ( Z = 2). The lattice parameters were refined with “Affma” software. The study by infrared absorption spectroscopy shows the characteristic bands of vibration of the sulfate groups and water molecules. Thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction at high temperature show that the complete dehydration of these compounds was done between 323 and 453 K. The formed intermediate compound was identified and compared to those in the ICDD database.