The lead-zirconium system: binary phases and a series of interstitial compounds of the host Zr₅Pb₃

The Pb-Zr system contains the phases Zr_∼5.8Pb (Cr₃Si-type), Zr₅Pb₃ (Mn₅Si₃) and Zr₅Pb₄ (Ti₅Ga₄). Zr₅Pb₄ has a substoichiometric region above approximately 800°C, extending to about Zr₅Pb_3.65 at 1000°C. Reactive powder sintering in sealed Ta containers at 1000-1350°C is the most effective route for the synthesis of pure phases of both the binaries and the interstitial derivatives Zr₅Pb₃Z. Twenty examples of the latter were obtained with Z - Al, Si, P, S, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Gc, As, Sc, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, (Pb), (second period Z were not investigated). Single crystals for Z - Al, Cd, Zb, Pb_0.87, Pb_0.94 were obtained by metal flux or vapor phase transport reactions, and the last three were quantified by X-ray crystallography. Volume trends as a function of group and period follow metal/covalent radii trends for Z fairly well.