research communications
Diadochic single crystal of an erbium–neodymium nitrate complex
aSavannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC, USA
*Correspondence e-mail: [email protected]
The synthesis and characterization of a single-crystal of tetraaquatrinitratoerbium/neodymium(0.359/0.641) dihydrate, Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4·2H2O, is reported herein. X-ray diffraction highlighted a crystal with structural features, including a network of water molecules and extensive hydrogen bonding between layers, that are isomorphous with other light lanthanide crystal structures. Single-crystal XRD and SEM-EDS indicated the substitutional behavior of a heavy lanthanide, Er, into the lattice site of a light lanthanide, Nd. The diadochic nature of the lanthanides within a nitrate-containing structure culminated in a 1:0.95 ratio of Er:Nd.
Keywords: neodymium; erbium; single-crystal; substitution.
CCDC reference: 2551502
1. Chemical context
Since their discovery, lanthanides have become increasingly prominent in numerous fields of research, including biomedical (Martinez-Gomez et al., 2016
; Cotruvo, 2019
; Eliseeva & Bünzli, 2010
), energy (Zepf et al., 2014
; De Jesus et al., 2021
), and other modern technological fields (Tessitore et al., 2023
). Advances in these fields have increased global demand for lanthanides (Dutta et al., 2016
). Though global reserves indicate rare-earth elements, which include lanthanides, are abundant, major natural sources are limited to few geographical locations with fewer commercial suppliers. Since the majority of rare-earth metals are processed in China, a disruption in supply chains could significantly impact research and production (Tukker, 2014
). Technologies to improve the separation, purification, and recovery of lanthanides could help alleviate future supply bottlenecks and dependency on near-monopolistic suppliers (Sinha et al., 2016
; Omodara et al., 2019
; Izatt et al., 2014
). Aqueous processing in nitric acid media is the conventional route for the large-scale separation of lanthanides (Xie et al., 2014
). The behavior of lanthanides, particularly during crystallization or precipitation, is of key interest during their recovery and processing (Yatsenko et al., 2021
; Li et al., 2024
). For mixtures containing impurities or multiple lanthanides, similarly sized elements can substitute for one another within a crystal structure. These substitutional impurities can result in diadochic crystals, or substituted crystals. Isomorphic structures typically observed with light lanthanides could incorporate with heavy lanthanides (Leskelä et al., 1986
). Identifying these diadochic structures enhances lanthanide recovery processes through a better understanding of their coprecipitation behavior and analytical signatures. Herein, we report the characterization of an Er (heavy lanthanide) substitution into an Nd (light lanthanide) nitrate crystal with water ligands, [(Er/Nd)(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O.
2. Structural commentary
Single-crystal X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a triclinic cell with P, density of 2.370 g cm−3, and an empirical formula of Er0.359Nd0.641H12N3O15 (Fig. 1
). Presuming an Er/Nd substitution, the formula could be arranged as [Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O.
| Figure 1 Visual representation (50% ellipsoids) of the local environment around the central metal atom. |
The refined suggests that the structure is diadochic in nature, with the central metal atom, M, being either Er or Nd. Coordinated to this central Er or Nd center are ten oxygen atoms. Four of these oxygen atoms belong to water molecules while the remaining six oxygen atoms belong to three bidentate nitrate ligands. The bond lengths between the metal center and the chelating oxygen atoms (O2, O3, O5, O6, O7, O8) of the nitrate ligands range between 2.488 (2)–2.765 (3) Å (Fig. 1
). Several of these M—O bond lengths [2.555 (2), 2.577 (13), and 2.765 (3) Å] are rather elongated and are outside the estimated sum of the covalent radii of Er—O (2.55 Å) or Nd—O (2.67 Å) radii (Cordero et al., 2008
). The chemical formula indicates that a total of six water molecules are part of the crystal structure. Of these six water molecules, four equivalents of water (O1W, O2W, O3W, O4W) are coordinated to the metal center with M—O bond distances ranging from 2.375 (2)–2.412 (2) Å. Two water molecules (O5W and O6W) are not coordinated to the metal centers, but belong to the crystal structure as part of a network of hydrogen bonds (Table 1
, Fig. 2
). The O5W water molecule bridges the O1W and O2W water molecules while the O6W water molecule bridges the O1W and O4W water molecules. This structure is isomorphous with other light lanthanide structures (Decadt et al., 2012
; Gshneider & Eyring, 1986
; Kawashima et al., 2000
; Rogers et al., 1983
; Shi & Wang, 1991
; Stumpf & Bolte, 2001
).
|
| Figure 2 Visual representation viewed along the b-axis direction. |
3. Supramolecular features
When viewed along crystallographic a-axis direction, the crystal appears to have layers that are far enough apart to suggest there are no distinct chemical bonds between the layers (Figs. 3
and 4
). However, the interface between each layer contains nitrate anions and water molecules, and the distances between the water molecules and nitrate oxygen atoms are below 3 Å (Table 1
), which is within the range for hydrogen bonding between the layers (Shen et al., 1990
). Extensive networks of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and nitrate ions have been documented for lanthanide compounds (Yatsenko et al., 2021
). Greater degrees of hydrogen bonding support charge transfer between the water molecules, lanthanide, and nitrate anions that increases the overall stability (Yatsenko et al., 2021
). The phase purity and crystal quality of [Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O were confirmed at room temperature using Rietveld refinement (see Fig. 5
).
| Figure 3 Visual representation viewed along the a-axis direction. |
| Figure 4 Visual representation (polyhedral) viewed along the a-axis direction. |
| Figure 5 Profile matching of powder XRD of the title compound at room temperature using FullProf (Rodríguez-Carvajal, 1993 |
4. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy
To assess the partial substitution of Er into the Nd site, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken and analyzed with energy dispersive (EDS). Since crystal surfaces coated with residual Er or Nd from the recrystallization process would not be representative of the crystal composition, two types of samples were collected. Crystals were either analyzed without modification (Fig. 6
), or were polished by sanding prior to analysis (Fig. 7
). Presumably, sanding the crystals removed the surface layers of the crystals and exposed the interior. Selected cross sections of both the unpolished and polished crystals were analyzed by EDS. The Er and Nd percent compositions of the selected cross sections are tabulated in Tables 2
and 3
. The remaining elemental percentage compositions are comprised of C, O, or N, and are omitted for clarity. Variations in sample morphology or matrices rendered the SEM-EDS analysis as qualitative. Comparing the Er and Nd composition of both the unpolished crystal and sanded crystals revealed an average Er:Nd ratio of 1.89 (37) and 0.95 (58), respectively. The error was calculated by determining the standard deviation of the measured SEM-EDS values. The average values indicated the unpolished crystal surfaces had approximately twice the Er content than the interior of the crystals, with minimal overlap between the ratios when accounting for standard deviation. A comparison of these two ratios suggested the surface layer of the crystal was coated in precipitates with elemental compositions that did not accurately represent that of the crystal structure.
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| | Figure 6 SEM-EDS images of an unpolished crystal. |
| Figure 7 SEM-EDS images of a crystal polished by sanding. |
5. Database survey
A search of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD Version 6.00, updated May 2025) yielded two notable Er and Nd crystal structures containing both nitrate anions and water molecules. The first structure was published by Klein and has the chemical formula, H10ErN3O14 or [Er(NO3)3(H2O)4]·H2O (Klein, 2022
). Though this structure has one equivalent of water fewer than the structure reported herein, Klein's structure also contains three bidentate nitrate ligands and four water molecules coordinated to the central Er atom. The fifth and final water molecule is not bound to Er. Furthermore, the geometry of Klein's structure differs from the structure reported herein. The coordinated nitrate ions in Klein's structure could be loosely described as ‘pseudo-meridional', with a plane drawn between the nitrogen atoms roughly bisecting an imagined sphere about the metal center. In contrast, the nitrate ligands on the reported [Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O crystal structure are oriented towards one face of an envisioned polygon drawn from the metal's coordination sphere.
Crystal structures, reported by Rogers, Shi and co-workers, have been identified with the empirical formula, H12N3NdO15 or [Nd(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O (Rogers et al., 1983
; Shi & Wang, 1991
). Accounting for cell settings, lattice constants from Shi (a = 6.7768, b = 9.195, c = 11.726 Å) and Rogers (a = 9.307, b = 11.747, c = 6.776 Å) resemble our reported structure, viz. a = 6.7423 (1), b = 9.1281 (2), c = 11.6431 (2) Å. Furthermore, the Nd atom is coordinated to the same number of water molecules and nitrate ligands, which have a similar and geometry about the metal center. The lattice parameters of [Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4]·2H2O are slightly smaller than those of Nd(NO3)3·H2O. Isomorphous structures have been reported with other lanthanides (Wickleder, 2002
), but an equivalent structure has not been reported with Er.
Refinement of our reported crystal, with Er and Nd refined separately, presents an opportunity for comparison with other isomorphic structures. The average bond lengths between various lanthanide centers and their coordinating atoms illustrate the lanthanide contraction effect, with heavier lanthanides having relatively contracted bond distances (Decadt et al., 2012
; Kawashima et al., 2000
; Shi & Wang, 1991
; Stumpf & Bolte, 2001
; Taha et al., 2012
) are listed in Table 4
. When comparing the average Nd bond lengths of reported structures with our refined Nd structure, the average bond length of our reported structure is shorter. Presumably, substitution with Er, a heavier lanthanide, perturbed the structure towards one with shorter lanthanide bond lengths.
|
6. Synthesis and crystallization
Er(NO3)3·5H2O (99.9%) and Nd(NO3)3·6H2O (99.9%) were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. A 0.723 g (1.65 mmol) sample of Nd from Nd(NO3)3·6H2O and a 0.818 g (1.85 mmol) sample of Er from Er(NO3)3·5H2O was dissolved in 7.41 mL of 8 M nitric acid. The solution was agitated to ensure complete dissolution of the solids and then diluted to 25 mL with deionized water. The solution was then air-sparged to dryness. Purple single crystals were collected, and rapidly encased in epoxy, to determine their room-temperature It was later found that the crystals deliquesce at room temperature, illustrated in Figs. S1 and S2. Powder XRD data were obtained using the powder diffraction option of the single-crystal XRD instrument and utilizing the FullProf program (Rodríguez-Carvajal, 1993
). SEM-EDS data collection was conducted on a Carl Zeiss Microscopy LLC Sigma VP field emission SEM with secondary electron, backscattered electron, and in-lens secondary electron detectors. This instrument has the variable pressure option, which allows a variable pressure up to 133 Pa of nitrogen gas to reduce or eliminate charging for uncoated samples. EDS was performed using an Oxford Instruments X-Max 20 silicon drift detector to detect elements.
7. Refinement
Crystal data, data collection and structure details are summarized in Table 5
. H atoms were refined with Uiso(H) = 1.5Ueq(O).
|
Supporting information
CCDC reference: 2551502
contains datablock I. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989026004615/ev2024sup1.cif
Structure factors: contains datablock I. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989026004615/ev2024Isup3.hkl
Supplemental Figure S1. Microscope image of deliquescent solids. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989026004615/ev2024sup4.jpg
Microscope image of deliquesced sample. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989026004615/ev2024sup5.jpg
Supplementary with Er-Nd refined. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989026004615/ev2024sup6.txt
| Er0.359Nd0.641(NO3)3(H2O)4·2H2O | Z = 2 |
| Mr = 446.65 | F(000) = 432 |
| Triclinic, P1 | Dx = 2.370 Mg m−3 |
| a = 6.7423 (1) Å | Mo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å |
| b = 9.1281 (2) Å | Cell parameters from 10752 reflections |
| c = 11.6431 (2) Å | θ = 2.5–30.8° |
| α = 70.197 (2)° | µ = 5.16 mm−1 |
| β = 88.881 (1)° | T = 298 K |
| γ = 69.165 (2)° | Irregular, purple |
| V = 625.94 (2) Å3 | 0.26 × 0.20 × 0.17 mm |
| XtaLab Synergy diffractometer | 3861 independent reflections |
| Radiation source: micro-focus sealed X-ray tube | 3468 reflections with I > 2σ(I) |
| Detector resolution: 10 pixels mm-1 | Rint = 0.042 |
| ω scans | θmax = 31.0°, θmin = 2.6° |
| Absorption correction: multi-scan (CrysAlis Pro; Rigaku OD, 2023) | h = −9→9 |
| Tmin = 0.935, Tmax = 1.000 | k = −12→13 |
| 16864 measured reflections | l = −16→16 |
| Refinement on F2 | Hydrogen site location: difference Fourier map |
| Least-squares matrix: full | H-atom parameters constrained |
| R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.028 | w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.0238P)2] where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3 |
| wR(F2) = 0.060 | (Δ/σ)max = 0.001 |
| S = 1.04 | Δρmax = 0.78 e Å−3 |
| 3861 reflections | Δρmin = −0.85 e Å−3 |
| 184 parameters | Extinction correction: SHELXL2018/3 (Sheldrick 2015b), Fc*=kFc[1+0.001xFc2λ3/sin(2θ)]-1/4 |
| 0 restraints | Extinction coefficient: 0.0066 (6) |
Experimental. The XRD data collection was done using a Rigaku XtaLAB Synergy-S X-ray diffractometer equipped with a HyPix 3000-pixel array detector and a microfocus sealed tube (Mo—Kα radiation at a wavelength of 0.71073 Å, operating at 50 kV and 1 mA). To ensure completeness and desired redundancy, the CrysAlisPro program was used for data collection strategy, data collection, and processing (CrysAlis Pro, 2023). The crystal structure was solved using intrinsic phasing methods with ShelXT and refined with ShelXL through the Olex2 graphical user interface (Sheldrick, 2015a; Sheldrick, 2015b; Dolomanov et al., 2009). |
Geometry. All esds (except the esd in the dihedral angle between two l.s. planes) are estimated using the full covariance matrix. The cell esds are taken into account individually in the estimation of esds in distances, angles and torsion angles; correlations between esds in cell parameters are only used when they are defined by crystal symmetry. An approximate (isotropic) treatment of cell esds is used for estimating esds involving l.s. planes. |
| x | y | z | Uiso*/Ueq | Occ. (<1) | |
| Nd1 | 0.69801 (2) | 0.40409 (2) | 0.27428 (2) | 0.02539 (7) | 0.641 (11) |
| Er1 | 0.69801 (2) | 0.40409 (2) | 0.27428 (2) | 0.02539 (7) | 0.359 (11) |
| N1 | 0.3256 (5) | 0.7230 (4) | 0.1870 (3) | 0.0389 (7) | |
| N2 | 0.5844 (5) | 0.1654 (4) | 0.5018 (3) | 0.0356 (7) | |
| N3 | 0.5830 (5) | 0.1757 (4) | 0.1798 (3) | 0.0423 (7) | |
| O1 | 0.1723 (4) | 0.8548 (3) | 0.1533 (3) | 0.0557 (8) | |
| O2 | 0.3986 (4) | 0.6435 (3) | 0.2986 (2) | 0.0534 (8) | |
| O3 | 0.4228 (4) | 0.6552 (3) | 0.1132 (2) | 0.0551 (8) | |
| O4 | 0.5212 (5) | 0.0817 (3) | 0.5901 (2) | 0.0549 (8) | |
| O5 | 0.7736 (4) | 0.1198 (3) | 0.4805 (3) | 0.0542 (8) | |
| O6 | 0.4558 (4) | 0.3043 (3) | 0.4277 (2) | 0.0431 (6) | |
| O7 | 0.7620 (4) | 0.1371 (3) | 0.2344 (3) | 0.0549 (8) | |
| O8 | 0.4450 (4) | 0.3185 (3) | 0.1707 (2) | 0.0470 (7) | |
| O9 | 0.5414 (5) | 0.0818 (4) | 0.1388 (3) | 0.0595 (8) | |
| O1W | 0.8666 (4) | 0.6027 (3) | 0.2219 (2) | 0.0443 (6) | |
| H1WA | 0.817420 | 0.688578 | 0.139041 | 0.066* | |
| H1WB | 0.834866 | 0.671754 | 0.269792 | 0.066* | |
| O2W | 0.7787 (4) | 0.4471 (3) | 0.4575 (2) | 0.0384 (6) | |
| H2WA | 0.913068 | 0.374744 | 0.502452 | 0.058* | |
| H2WB | 0.792410 | 0.547515 | 0.441551 | 0.058* | |
| O3W | 1.0723 (3) | 0.2377 (3) | 0.3232 (2) | 0.0430 (7) | |
| H3WA | 1.154156 | 0.105318 | 0.360449 | 0.065* | |
| H3WB | 1.194735 | 0.282579 | 0.310698 | 0.065* | |
| O4W | 0.8012 (4) | 0.4387 (3) | 0.0701 (2) | 0.0390 (6) | |
| H4WA | 0.932392 | 0.355940 | 0.070968 | 0.058* | |
| H4WB | 0.830059 | 0.536859 | 0.033308 | 0.058* | |
| O5W | 1.0906 (4) | 0.2219 (3) | 0.6361 (2) | 0.0417 (6) | |
| H5WA | 1.202430 | 0.168969 | 0.610230 | 0.063* | |
| H5WB | 1.061280 | 0.145700 | 0.690980 | 0.063* | |
| O6W | 1.1261 (4) | 0.2008 (3) | 0.0149 (3) | 0.0464 (7) | |
| H6WA | 1.249795 | 0.169831 | 0.051457 | 0.070* | |
| H6WB | 1.107965 | 0.109867 | 0.025091 | 0.070* |
| U11 | U22 | U33 | U12 | U13 | U23 | |
| Nd1 | 0.02410 (10) | 0.02550 (10) | 0.02437 (10) | −0.00855 (7) | 0.00298 (6) | −0.00691 (7) |
| Er1 | 0.02410 (10) | 0.02550 (10) | 0.02437 (10) | −0.00855 (7) | 0.00298 (6) | −0.00691 (7) |
| N1 | 0.0344 (16) | 0.0303 (16) | 0.0434 (18) | −0.0108 (13) | 0.0029 (14) | −0.0039 (14) |
| N2 | 0.0388 (16) | 0.0308 (16) | 0.0351 (16) | −0.0129 (13) | 0.0086 (13) | −0.0096 (13) |
| N3 | 0.0497 (19) | 0.0408 (19) | 0.0343 (17) | −0.0223 (16) | 0.0000 (14) | −0.0048 (14) |
| O1 | 0.0450 (16) | 0.0312 (14) | 0.065 (2) | 0.0025 (12) | 0.0022 (14) | −0.0026 (13) |
| O2 | 0.0565 (17) | 0.0453 (16) | 0.0343 (15) | 0.0001 (13) | 0.0096 (13) | −0.0054 (12) |
| O3 | 0.0570 (18) | 0.0501 (17) | 0.0421 (16) | 0.0003 (13) | −0.0021 (13) | −0.0180 (14) |
| O4 | 0.0664 (19) | 0.0427 (16) | 0.0442 (16) | −0.0208 (14) | 0.0221 (14) | −0.0018 (13) |
| O5 | 0.0377 (15) | 0.0444 (16) | 0.077 (2) | −0.0102 (12) | 0.0198 (14) | −0.0230 (15) |
| O6 | 0.0424 (14) | 0.0334 (14) | 0.0429 (15) | −0.0128 (11) | 0.0039 (12) | −0.0023 (12) |
| O7 | 0.0483 (16) | 0.0353 (14) | 0.070 (2) | −0.0129 (12) | −0.0186 (15) | −0.0061 (14) |
| O8 | 0.0399 (15) | 0.0501 (17) | 0.0497 (17) | −0.0141 (13) | 0.0000 (12) | −0.0187 (14) |
| O9 | 0.080 (2) | 0.0497 (18) | 0.0576 (19) | −0.0352 (16) | −0.0081 (16) | −0.0170 (15) |
| O1W | 0.0702 (17) | 0.0451 (16) | 0.0291 (13) | −0.0351 (14) | 0.0102 (12) | −0.0126 (12) |
| O2W | 0.0446 (14) | 0.0378 (14) | 0.0289 (13) | −0.0148 (11) | −0.0013 (10) | −0.0075 (11) |
| O3W | 0.0274 (12) | 0.0334 (14) | 0.0584 (17) | −0.0081 (10) | −0.0002 (11) | −0.0074 (12) |
| O4W | 0.0419 (14) | 0.0382 (14) | 0.0369 (14) | −0.0152 (11) | 0.0087 (11) | −0.0132 (11) |
| O5W | 0.0456 (15) | 0.0343 (14) | 0.0417 (16) | −0.0138 (12) | −0.0002 (12) | −0.0101 (12) |
| O6W | 0.0561 (17) | 0.0349 (14) | 0.0476 (17) | −0.0190 (13) | 0.0074 (14) | −0.0116 (13) |
| Nd1—N1 | 2.951 (3) | N2—O6 | 1.269 (3) |
| Nd1—N3 | 2.983 (3) | N3—O7 | 1.249 (3) |
| Nd1—O2 | 2.488 (2) | N3—O8 | 1.275 (4) |
| Nd1—O3 | 2.532 (3) | N3—O9 | 1.222 (4) |
| Nd1—O5 | 2.765 (3) | O1W—H1WA | 0.9850 |
| Nd1—O6 | 2.555 (2) | O1W—H1WB | 0.9440 |
| Nd1—O7 | 2.520 (3) | O2W—H2WA | 0.9430 |
| Nd1—O8 | 2.577 (3) | O2W—H2WB | 0.9091 |
| Nd1—O1W | 2.375 (2) | O3W—H3WA | 1.0640 |
| Nd1—O2W | 2.402 (2) | O3W—H3WB | 1.0324 |
| Nd1—O3W | 2.397 (2) | O4W—H4WA | 0.9341 |
| Nd1—O4W | 2.412 (2) | O4W—H4WB | 0.9409 |
| N1—O1 | 1.217 (3) | O5W—H5WA | 0.8502 |
| N1—O2 | 1.261 (4) | O5W—H5WB | 0.8506 |
| N1—O3 | 1.265 (4) | O6W—H6WA | 0.8490 |
| N2—O4 | 1.226 (3) | O6W—H6WB | 0.8505 |
| N2—O5 | 1.242 (3) | ||
| N1—Nd1—N3 | 104.76 (9) | O3W—Nd1—O3 | 143.50 (9) |
| O2—Nd1—N1 | 25.00 (8) | O3W—Nd1—O5 | 68.96 (8) |
| O2—Nd1—N3 | 117.13 (10) | O3W—Nd1—O6 | 115.96 (8) |
| O2—Nd1—O3 | 50.23 (9) | O3W—Nd1—O7 | 72.11 (8) |
| O2—Nd1—O5 | 109.75 (8) | O3W—Nd1—O8 | 121.14 (8) |
| O2—Nd1—O6 | 68.28 (8) | O3W—Nd1—O2W | 78.58 (9) |
| O2—Nd1—O7 | 139.95 (9) | O3W—Nd1—O4W | 79.99 (8) |
| O2—Nd1—O8 | 92.68 (9) | O4W—Nd1—N1 | 92.62 (8) |
| O3—Nd1—N1 | 25.23 (8) | O4W—Nd1—N3 | 70.53 (8) |
| O3—Nd1—N3 | 89.96 (9) | O4W—Nd1—O2 | 116.81 (8) |
| O3—Nd1—O5 | 146.85 (9) | O4W—Nd1—O3 | 68.25 (8) |
| O3—Nd1—O6 | 100.48 (9) | O4W—Nd1—O5 | 131.29 (8) |
| O3—Nd1—O8 | 68.17 (9) | O4W—Nd1—O6 | 145.08 (9) |
| O5—Nd1—N1 | 130.47 (8) | O4W—Nd1—O7 | 71.11 (9) |
| O5—Nd1—N3 | 76.42 (8) | O4W—Nd1—O8 | 74.98 (8) |
| O6—Nd1—N1 | 84.09 (8) | O1—N1—Nd1 | 178.7 (3) |
| O6—Nd1—N3 | 76.73 (8) | O1—N1—O2 | 122.2 (3) |
| O6—Nd1—O5 | 47.29 (7) | O1—N1—O3 | 122.7 (3) |
| O6—Nd1—O8 | 70.21 (8) | O2—N1—Nd1 | 56.51 (16) |
| O7—Nd1—N1 | 129.06 (8) | O2—N1—O3 | 115.0 (3) |
| O7—Nd1—N3 | 24.43 (8) | O3—N1—Nd1 | 58.54 (16) |
| O7—Nd1—O3 | 111.76 (9) | O4—N2—O5 | 122.5 (3) |
| O7—Nd1—O5 | 64.22 (8) | O4—N2—O6 | 120.4 (3) |
| O7—Nd1—O6 | 84.12 (9) | O5—N2—O6 | 117.1 (3) |
| O7—Nd1—O8 | 49.59 (8) | O7—N3—Nd1 | 56.57 (19) |
| O8—Nd1—N1 | 79.85 (8) | O7—N3—O8 | 115.8 (3) |
| O8—Nd1—N3 | 25.18 (7) | O8—N3—Nd1 | 59.31 (17) |
| O8—Nd1—O5 | 89.76 (8) | O9—N3—Nd1 | 177.9 (3) |
| O1W—Nd1—N1 | 78.62 (8) | O9—N3—O7 | 122.3 (3) |
| O1W—Nd1—N3 | 142.15 (8) | O9—N3—O8 | 121.9 (3) |
| O1W—Nd1—O2 | 81.93 (9) | N1—O2—Nd1 | 98.50 (19) |
| O1W—Nd1—O3 | 77.75 (9) | N1—O3—Nd1 | 96.23 (19) |
| O1W—Nd1—O5 | 130.37 (8) | N2—O5—Nd1 | 93.0 (2) |
| O1W—Nd1—O6 | 140.38 (8) | N2—O6—Nd1 | 102.56 (19) |
| O1W—Nd1—O7 | 133.88 (9) | N3—O7—Nd1 | 99.0 (2) |
| O1W—Nd1—O8 | 139.03 (8) | N3—O8—Nd1 | 95.5 (2) |
| O1W—Nd1—O2W | 71.50 (8) | Nd1—O1W—H1WA | 114.3 |
| O1W—Nd1—O3W | 75.49 (8) | Nd1—O1W—H1WB | 113.8 |
| O1W—Nd1—O4W | 71.66 (8) | H1WA—O1W—H1WB | 100.2 |
| O2W—Nd1—N1 | 92.63 (9) | Nd1—O2W—H2WA | 115.7 |
| O2W—Nd1—N3 | 144.04 (8) | Nd1—O2W—H2WB | 112.7 |
| O2W—Nd1—O2 | 70.02 (9) | H2WA—O2W—H2WB | 99.7 |
| O2W—Nd1—O3 | 115.48 (9) | Nd1—O3W—H3WA | 130.7 |
| O2W—Nd1—O5 | 68.45 (8) | Nd1—O3W—H3WB | 126.0 |
| O2W—Nd1—O6 | 74.03 (8) | H3WA—O3W—H3WB | 103.3 |
| O2W—Nd1—O7 | 130.56 (8) | Nd1—O4W—H4WA | 111.7 |
| O2W—Nd1—O8 | 143.99 (8) | Nd1—O4W—H4WB | 113.3 |
| O2W—Nd1—O4W | 140.89 (8) | H4WA—O4W—H4WB | 101.4 |
| O3W—Nd1—N1 | 154.10 (9) | H5WA—O5W—H5WB | 104.5 |
| O3W—Nd1—N3 | 96.17 (9) | H6WA—O6W—H6WB | 104.5 |
| O3W—Nd1—O2 | 145.82 (10) | ||
| O1—N1—O2—Nd1 | −179.6 (3) | O5—N2—O6—Nd1 | −0.9 (3) |
| O1—N1—O3—Nd1 | 179.6 (3) | O6—N2—O5—Nd1 | 0.8 (3) |
| O2—N1—O3—Nd1 | −0.6 (3) | O7—N3—O8—Nd1 | 2.9 (3) |
| O3—N1—O2—Nd1 | 0.7 (3) | O8—N3—O7—Nd1 | −3.0 (3) |
| O4—N2—O5—Nd1 | −179.3 (3) | O9—N3—O7—Nd1 | 177.9 (3) |
| O4—N2—O6—Nd1 | 179.2 (3) | O9—N3—O8—Nd1 | −178.0 (3) |
| D—H···A | D—H | H···A | D···A | D—H···A |
| O1W—H1WA···O6Wi | 0.99 | 1.84 | 2.744 (4) | 150 |
| O1W—H1WB···O5Wii | 0.94 | 1.87 | 2.743 (4) | 153 |
| O2W—H2WA···O5W | 0.94 | 1.79 | 2.678 (4) | 155 |
| O2W—H2WB···O5Wii | 0.91 | 2.39 | 3.274 (4) | 163 |
| O2W—H2WB···O6iii | 0.91 | 2.58 | 2.976 (4) | 107 |
| O3W—H3WA···O4iv | 1.06 | 2.18 | 3.076 (4) | 140 |
| O3W—H3WA···O5iv | 1.06 | 2.15 | 3.095 (4) | 146 |
| O3W—H3WB···O6v | 1.03 | 2.35 | 3.206 (4) | 140 |
| O3W—H3WB···O8v | 1.03 | 2.35 | 3.204 (4) | 139 |
| O4W—H4WA···O6W | 0.93 | 1.85 | 2.727 (4) | 156 |
| O4W—H4WB···O6Wi | 0.94 | 2.39 | 3.312 (4) | 166 |
| O5W—H5WA···O4v | 0.85 | 2.05 | 2.849 (4) | 156 |
| O5W—H5WB···O1iii | 0.85 | 2.38 | 3.032 (4) | 134 |
| O5W—H5WB···O7iv | 0.85 | 2.27 | 2.897 (4) | 130 |
| O6W—H6WA···O9v | 0.85 | 1.99 | 2.834 (5) | 176 |
| O6W—H6WB···O1vi | 0.85 | 2.19 | 2.922 (4) | 144 |
| Symmetry codes: (i) −x+2, −y+1, −z; (ii) −x+2, −y+1, −z+1; (iii) −x+1, −y+1, −z+1; (iv) −x+2, −y, −z+1; (v) x+1, y, z; (vi) x+1, y−1, z. |
| SEM image No. | Cross section No. | %Nd | %Er | Er:Nd ratio |
| 9638 | 1 | 17.62 | 28.65 | 1.63 |
| 9638 | 2 | 18.84 | 29.96 | 1.59 |
| 9638 | 3 | 15.99 | 30.12 | 1.88 |
| 9638 | 4 | 18.19 | 26.04 | 1.43 |
| 9638 | 5 | 17.89 | 31.15 | 1.74 |
| 9640 | 21 | 5.79 | 14.44 | 2.49 |
| 9640 | 22 | 14.45 | 32.52 | 2.25 |
| 9640 | 23 | 16.44 | 35.08 | 2.13 |
| Average | 1.89 |
| SEM image No. | Cross section No./description | %Nd | %Er | Er:Nd ratio |
| 9642 | 1 | 21.09 | 24.62 | 1.17 |
| 9642 | 2 | 16.88 | 24.69 | 2.14 |
| 9644 | 1 | 35.04 | 35.86 | 1.02 |
| 9644 | 2 | 21.81 | 21.53 | 0.99 |
| 9645 | 1 | 29.72 | 37.39 | 1.26 |
| 9645 | 2 | 31.07 | 37.71 | 1.21 |
| 9645 | 3 | 17.18 | 32.42 | 1.89 |
| 9647 | 31 | 24.75 | 7.28 | 0.29 |
| 9647 | 32 | 23.65 | 7.02 | 0.30 |
| 9648 | 1 | 19.23 | 23.46 | 1.22 |
| 9648 | 2 | 23.83 | 10.10 | 0.42 |
| 9648 | 3 | 16.10 | 22.67 | 1.41 |
| 9649 | Flat area 1 | 25.33 | 7.00 | 0.28 |
| 9649 | Flat area 2 | 16.10 | 22.67 | 1.41 |
| 9649 | Bright spot | 3.35 | 2.40 | 0.72 |
| 9649 | Spongy area | 37.16 | 21.42 | 0.58 |
| Average | 0.95 |
| Atom | Erb | Ndb | Pr | Nd | Sm | Eu | Gd |
| O2 | 2.5168 | 2.4716 | 2.5677 | 2.5492 | 2.5473 | 2.5104 | 2.5282 |
| O3 | 2.6170 | 2.4776 | 2.5790 | 2.5609 | 2.5155 | 2.5367 | 2.4940 |
| O5 | 2.7170 | 2.7977 | 2.7306 | 2.7125 | 2.5383 | 2.7405 | 2.5177 |
| O6 | 2.5659 | 2.5503 | 2.6155 | 2.6008 | 2.6003 | 2.5673 | 2.5783 |
| O7 | 2.5536 | 2.5005 | 2.5999 | 2.5688 | 2.7061 | 2.5393 | 2.7537 |
| O8 | 2.6730 | 2.5136 | 2.6346 | 2.6155 | 2.5785 | 2.5889 | 2.5517 |
| O1W | 2.3368 | 2.4055 | 2.4289 | 2.4432 | 2.3962 | 2.3788 | 2.3639 |
| O2W | 2.3137 | 2.4613 | 2.4470 | 2.4496 | 2.4330 | 2.4027 | 2.3977 |
| O3W | 2.3234 | 2.4543 | 2.4580 | 2.4577 | 2.4275 | 2.4062 | 2.3919 |
| O4W | 2.4615 | 2.3823 | 2.4556 | 2.4615 | 2.4233 | 2.4118 | 2.3891 |
| Average | 2.5079 | 2.5015 | 2.5517 | 2.5420 | 2.5166 | 2.5083 | 2.4966 |
| Notes: (a) (Decadt et al., 2012; Kawashima et al., 2000; Shi & Wang, 1991; Stumpf & Bolte, 2001; Taha et al., 2012); (b) values obtained from reported structures with Er and Nd refined separately. |
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Tucker Koenig for his assistance collecting SEM-EDS data. This manuscript has been authored by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC under Contract No. 89303321CEM000080 with the US Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purpose. Work was supported by DOE Office of Nuclear Energy.
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