The Structure of BaSr4U3O14 and a Structural and Thermodynamic Characterization of Sr5U3O14

The structures of Sr5U3O14 and BaSr4U3O14 have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and neutron powder diffraction. Both compounds could be indexed on a pseudo-tetragonal, chiolite-type structure. Sr5U3O14 was shown to be orthorhombic and to have space group Pbca with a=11.2416(7) Å, b=11.2572(7) Å, c=11.0791(4) Å, and Z=4. BaSr4U3O14 was shown to be orthorhombic and to have space group Cmca with a=11.3647(7) Å, b=11.3770(7) Å, c=11.0203(5) Å, and Z=4. The thermodynamic properties of Sr5U3O14 at 298.15 K have been determined, and its thermal stability with respect to the neighboring strontium uranate phases are discussed.