The structure of SrTiOGeO4 and its solid solution with CaTiOGeO4

Solid solubility and structural phase transitions in (Ca _x Sr_1-x )TiOGeO₄have been studied by means of in situ high temperature X-ray powder diffraction. The displacive A2/a–P2₁/a phase transition analogous to titanite has been followed across the solid solution. Strain analysis indicates a transition temperature of T _c=594 ± 10 K for SrTiOGeO₄ and the additional occurrence of an isosymmetric anomaly at T _i =800 ± 25 K, in analogy to the isomorphous compound CaTiOGeO₄. Lattice parameters as a function of temperature and composition have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction between room temperature and a maximum temperature of 1123 K. The e ₁₁ and e ₁₃ components dominate the strain tensor. All compositions across the solid solution exhibit close to tricritical phase transitions P2₁/a–A2/a. The critical temperature remains almost unaffected by substitution of Sr for Ca, but the magnitude of the spontaneous strain drops significantly with even small amounts of Sr present.