Characterization of phase transitions of [N(CH3)4]2ZnCl2Br2 mixed crystals

The X-ray powder diffraction patterns show that at room temperature [N(CH3)(4)](2)ZnCl2Br2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with Pnma space group. Three endothermic peaks at T-1 = 251 K, T-2 = 276 K and T-3 = 283 K are observed by differential scanning calorimetry technique. In order to characterize these transitions, Raman spectra have been recorded in the wide temperature range (between 170 and 400 K) and the frequency range related to the internal and external vibrations of the cations and anions (3200-20 cm(-1)). The evolution of Raman spectra against temperature shows that the compound is homogeneous, and singularities occur in the vicinity of 283 K and especially at 251 K. The second goal of the present work was to obtain the T-c temperature transition using the dielectric measurements at different temperatures. Measurements of the dielectric constant epsilon ', epsilon '' and tan delta at several temperatures showed that this compound becomes ferroelectric below 257 K. The impedance spectra and the complex modulus show double relaxation peaks in the paraelectric phase, which suggests the presence of grains and grain boundaries in this sample. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.