Acta Crystallographica Section B welcomes three new Co-editors

The newest three members of the Editorial Board of Acta Crystallographica Section B are introduced.

Floating zone growth of high-purity MgO substrate single crystals

High-purity MgO substrate crystals grown by the optical floating zone technique are demonstrated, which can serve as a foundation for the development of novel device concepts based on epitaxially grown thin films.

CRYSP: construction and visualization of crystal shapes in natural habits and on planar substrates

CRYSP is a software tool for the construction and visualization of crystal shapes in both natural habits and on planar substrates. It also supports morphologies associated with non-crystallographic point groups.

The complex stacking disorder of Fe- and Ru-based 1,1′-(3,6-pyrazabolyl)metallocenes

The ferrocene Fc(BHpz)₂ and the ruthenocene Rc(BHpz)₂ belong to the same order–disorder (OD) polytype family and feature a complex stacking disorder, with different ordered and disordered domains in the same crystal.

Modelling the structural evolution and polytypism of micas by tetrahedral transformation and polyhedral volumes

Novel methods for the computer modelling of oxide network structures are introduced by reference to known mica structures. These permit the prediction of crystal structures at intermediate temperatures or pressures by interpolation.

Three polytypes of lapachol, a natural pigment with promising pharmacological properties

A new polymorph of lapachol differs only in the stacking of identical layers from two previously reported forms.

Thermal decom­position of ZnO₂ to ZnO: driven by peroxide bond rupture and shear-induced stacking faults

Rupture of peroxide O₂²⁻ bonds in ZnO₂ during thermal decom­position creates a local charge imbalance. This induces a shear displacement of the {111} planes, wherein the formation of stacking faults changes O-atom coordination from tri- to tetra­coordination. Their subsequence development changes the stacking sequence of the {111} planes from the ABC to the AB style, transiting to the hexa­gonal ZnO structure.

Spatial distribution of 6s² lone electron pair in Pb₄Na(PO₄)₃ and stereochemical activity of the 6s² electron cloud in lead-bearing apatites

In lacunary apatite structure-type Pb₄Na(PO₄)₃, residual density attributable to the deformed 6s² electron cloud is found in the vicinity of A2-site Pb²⁺ on regular A2 triangle normal to c. Systematic comparison on the size of the A2 triangle with other apatite-type compounds indicates limited stereochemical activity of the orbital.

Growth of sea-urchin-like platinum nanoparticles and their applications

The tunable synthesis of sea-urchin-like platinum nanoparticles via fluoride-assisted galvanic replacement is demonstrated, revealing how nanospike morphology directly influences crystallinity, surface wettability, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. By tuning the reaction time, the morphology of Pt nanoparticles can be controlled to enhance SERS and optical performance, thereby, advancing plasmonic sensing and antireflective surfaces.

Elastic and piezoelectric properties of (R)-3-quinuclinidol under pressure: a quantum crystallography study

Electron density distribution in the intermolecular space of (R)-3-quinuclidinol under external pressure is studied in relation to the deformation of hydrogen bonds, hydro­static compressibility, macroscopic elastic and piezoelectric properties.

Disappearance of peculiarly large atomic displacement in the high-temperature phase of magnetite with substitution of Fe²⁺ by Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺

Structures of Fe_2.992O₄ (magnetite), Fe_3–x–yMn_x□_yO₄ (x ≤ 0.980) and Fe_3–x–yNi_x□_yO₄ (x ≤ 0.513, □ denotes point defects) are examined at room temperature. The observed disappearance of peculiarly large mean-square displacement at the B site along the 3 axis in [111] is interpreted as a disappearance of phonons interact with electrons in the high-temperature phase of magnetite.

Phase formation of LiB₃O₅ and other lithium borates in the multicomponent system NaF–B₂O₃–Li₂O–MoO₃

The phase equilibria in the LiB₃O₅–NaF–Li₂Mo₄O₁₃ and LiB₃O₅–NaF–Li₄Mo₅O₁₇ systems were studied. The presence of NaF results in an increase in the viscosity of borate systems that contain LiB₃O₅. The weight yield percentage of LiB₃O₅ can reach up to 60%.