Dependence of Pr3+Distributions on the Composition of Pr3+–β″-Alumina

Abstract The structures of completely exchanged Na + /Pr 3+ –β″-Al 2 O 3 crystals have been investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods at room temperature. The ionic distributions within the conduction layers are correlated with the crystal compositions. A decreasing cation content in the layers increases the lattice parameter c connected with an expansion of the conduction slabs resulting in an increased Beevers–Ross (BR) site occupancy by Pr 3+ ions. Up to 52% of the lanthanide ions are found to occupy the lower coordinated BR positions.