Stabilization of the rhombohedral phase in LiZr2(PO4)3 by thermal quenching

Abstract Two LiZr2(PO4)3 samples, which show rhombohedral and monoclinic symmetries, have been studied by powder XRD and MAS-NMR (31P and 7Li) techniques. In the monoclinic sample phosphorus occupies three crystallographic sites and lithium is preferentially placed in M2 environment. When the samples are subjected to successive heating-quenching treatments, the rhombohedral phase is not appreciably modified while the monoclinic phase is transformed into the rhombohedral one. In the quenched samples only one site for phosphorus has been detected and occupancy of lithium in the more symmetric M1 site is favoured. After the thermal treatments, when the samples are stored at room temperature fo…