Stabilizing the associated non-autonomous phase upon thermal expansion of Zn2V2O7

The previously unknown effect of emergence of an associated non-autonomous phase upon heating of zinc pyrovanadate Zn 2 V 2 O 7 within the region of negative volume expansion is detected. Comparison of the data of high-temperature X-ray diffraction of the Zn 2 V 2 O 7 samples synthesized via solution and solid-phase routes shows that the grain size affects the stabilization of the non-autonomous phase. The presence of a non-autonomous phase results in self-dispersion of the substance upon phase transition in heating–cooling cycles.