Exploring LiZnNbO4 as a Host for New Colored Compounds: Synthesis, Structure, and Material Properties of NbZn1‐x Mx LiO4 (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Fe) and Nb1‐ySby Zn1‐x Mx LiO4 (M=Co, Ni)

Abstract The non ‐ centrosymmetric tetragonal inverse spinel structure of LiZnNbO 4 has been explored with a view to prepare new colored compounds. The substitution of Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , and Cu 2+ ions were attempted in the place of Zn 2+ ions and Sb 5+ ions in place of Nb 5+ ions. The studies indicated that 0.75 Zn 2+ ions in LiZnNbO 4 can be replaced by Co 2+ ions and 0.5 Zn 2+ ions in LiZnNb 0.5 Sb 0.5 O 4 compound. The substitution of Co 2+ ions gives rise to different shades of blue color in Li(Zn 1‐x Co x )NbO 4 compounds and from ink blue to blue‐green color in Li(Zn 1‐x Co x )(Nb 0.5 Sb 0.5 )O 4 compounds. The different colors observed in the present study were explained by the traditional allowed d‐d transitions as well as the metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) transitions involving Nb 5+ (4 d 0 ) ions and partially filled 3 d electrons. The SHG studies indicate that the prepared compounds are SHG active. All the compounds exhibit reasonable dielectric behavior with low loss. The XPS studies confirm the oxidation states of the different substituted ions. Raman studies indicate variations in the bands due to the substitutions in the parent LiZnNbO 4 phase. Magnetic studies on the Co 2+ ions substituted compounds suggest antiferromagnetic behavior.