X-ray diffraction and Raman studies on Ho: Eu2O3

In this paper the structural parameters of mixed rare earth sesquioxides (Eu1-xHox)(2)O-3 (0 <= x <= 1) is reported for the first time. The oxide samples are characterized by angle dispersive X-ray diffraction (ADXRD) and Raman scattering techniques. ADXRD measurements confirmed the formation of single phase in the cubic bixbyite structure with space group Ia-3. Complete miscibility of the two components is confirmed by the Vegard's law. A random distribution of the two cations in the two rare earth (RE) ion sites is observed. Symmetry modes are assigned for the observed 13 out of 22 expected Raman bands and the dependency of average cationic radii, R-RE, is discussed. A low frequency band shows an anomalous mode softening with decrease in Eu content. This mode disappears above x = 0.8, which coincides with a distinct slope change observed in the RE(24d) positional coordinate estimated from refined x-ray diffraction data. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.