Modeling of lattice constant and their relations with ionic radii and electronegativity of constituting ions of A2XY6 cubic crystals (A=K, Cs, Rb, Tl; X=tetravalent cation, Y=F, Cl, Br, I)

In the present paper a new empirical model is proposed to describe and predict the lattice constants for a series of cubic crystals, all of which have the A(2)XY(6) composition (A=K, Cs, Rb, Tl; X=tetravalent cation, Y=F, Cl, Br, I). The model is based on a thorough analysis of structural properties of 85 representative crystals from this group. It was shown that the lattice constant is a linear function of the ionic radii and electronegativity of the constituting ions. A simple empirical equation was obtained as a result of the performed analysis. It gives very good agreement between the experimental and modeled values of the lattice parameters, with an average error of 1.05%. The developed approach can be efficiently used for a simple, fast, and reliable prediction of lattice constants and interionic distances in isostructural materials having a similar composition. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.