The compound was synthesized via traditional high-temperature solid-state
methods and was predicted to adopt a wurtz-stannite structure with all atoms
possessing tetrahedral environments. Initial analysis of single-crystal X-ray
diffraction data indicated crystallographic disorder that upon closer examination
violated basic chemical principles. The structure was subsequently re-evaluated
and the apparent “disorder” problem was found to be the result of pseudomerohedral
twinning. The crystal structure was finally solved in the monoclinic
space group Pn, which resulted in a chemically reasonable model. The refinement
converged with R1=1.68% (for all data). Additional characterization of the sample,
including diffuse reflectance, thermal analysis and second harmonic generation
measurements, was also performed.
Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization and Crystallographic Twinning of
Li2ZnSnS4. J.W.Lekse, B.M.Leverett, C.H.Lake, J.A.Aitken: Journal of Solid State
Chemistry, 2008, 181[12], 3217-22