Hong-Young Chang

Polar or Nonpolar? A+ Cation Polarity Control in A2Ti(IO3)6(A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl)

We have synthesized a series of new alkali-metal or Tl(+) titanium iodates, A(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl). Interestingly the Li and Na phases are noncentrosymmetric (NCS) and polar, whereas the K, Rb, Cs, and Tl analogues are centrosymmetric (CS) and nonpolar. We are able to explain the change from NCS polar to CS nonpolar using cation-size arguments, coordination requirements, and bond valence concepts. The six materials are topologically similar, consisting of TiO(6) octahedra, each of which is bonded to six IO(3) polyhedra. These polyhedral groups are separated by the A(+) cations. Our calculations on Na(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) indicate that polarization reversal is energetically very unfavorable, rendering the material polar but not ferroelectric. For all of the materials, synthesis, structural characterization, electronic structure analysis, infrared spectra, UV-vis and thermogravimetric measurements, and ion-exchange reactions are reported. For the polar materials, second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and polarization measurements were performed. Crystal data: Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): hexagonal, space group P6(3) (No. 173), a = b = 9.3834(11) A, c = 5.1183(6) A, Z = 1. Na(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): hexagonal, space group P6(3) (No. 173), a = b = 9.649(3) A, c = 5.198(3) A, Z = 1. K(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.2703(6) A, c = 11.3514(11) A, Z = 3. Rb(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.3757(16) A, c = 11.426(3) A, Z = 3. Cs(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.6726(5) A, c = 11.6399(10) A, Z = 3. Tl(2)Ti(IO(3))(6): trigonal, space group R3 (No. 148), a = b = 11.4167(6) A, c = 11.3953(11) A, Z = 3.

Alignment of lone pairs in a new polar material: synthesis, characterization, and functional properties of Li2Ti(IO3)6.

A new polar noncentrosymmetric material, Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6), has been synthesized and characterized. The material is built up from a TiO(6) octahedron that is linked to six IO(3) polyhedra. These polyhedral groups are separated by Li(+) cations. The Ti(4+) and I(5+) cations are in asymmetric polar coordination environments attributable to second-order Jahn-Teller effects. The distortion associated with the Ti(4+) cation is negligible, since the TiO(6) octahedra are completely surrounded by IO(3) polyhedra. The I(5+) cation is in a highly polar asymmetric coordination environment attributable to its stereoactive lone pair, which was qualitatively described by pseudopotential calculations of the electron localization function. The macroscopic polarity of Li(2)Ti(IO(3))(6) may be attributed to parallel alignment of the stereoactive lone pairs on the I(5+) cations. This parallel alignment profoundly influences the materials functional properties: second-harmonic generation, piezoelectricity, and pyroelectricity. The material is, however, not ferroelectric, as the polarization associated with I(5+) is not switchable.

New noncentrosymmetric tellurite phosphate material: synthesis, characterization, and calculations of Te2O(PO4)2.

A new noncentrosymmetric polar ternary tellurium(IV) oxide phosphate, Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), has been synthesized by a standard solid-state reaction, and the structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The material shows a three-dimensional framework structure that is composed of slightly distorted TeO(5) square pyramids and PO(4) tetrahedra. Within the framework three-, four-, and seven-membered ring channels are observed along the [100] direction. In addition to structural characterization, second-harmonic generation (SHG) and piezoelectric measurements were performed. Powder SHG measurement on the Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), using 1064 nm radiation, indicated the material has a SHG efficiency of approximately 50 x alpha-SiO(2). Converse piezoelectric measurements revealed a d(33) value of 20 pm V(-1). Thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance, and infrared spectroscopy were also performed, as were electronic structure calculations. Crystal data: Te(2)O(PO(4))(2), monoclinic, space group Cc (No. 9), with a = 5.3819(7) A, b = 13.6990(19) A, c = 9.5866(12) A, V = 686.73(16) A(3), and Z = 4.

New Noncentrosymmetric Material - [N(CH3)4]ZnCl3: Polar Chains of Aligned ZnCl4 Tetrahedra

A new organically templated noncentrosymmetric polar zinc chloride, [N(CH(3))(4)]ZnCl(3), has been synthesized hydrothermally, and the structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The reported material exhibits a unidimensional crystal structure consisting of chains of anionic ZnCl(4) tetrahedra that are separated by [N(CH(3))(4)](+) cations. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurement on the noncentrosymmetric [N(CH(3))(4)]ZnCl(3), using 1064 nm radiation, indicate the material has a SHG efficiency of approximately 15 x alpha-SiO(2). Additional SHG measurements indicate the material is nonphase-matchable (type 1). In addition, converse piezoelectric measurements revealed d(33) values of 10 pm/V. Thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis diffuse reflectance, and infrared spectroscopy were also performed, as were electronic structure calculations. Crystal data: [N(CH(3))(4)]ZnCl(3), orthorhombic, space group Pmc2(1) (No. 26), with a = 7.2350(14) A, b = 8.8210(18) A, c = 15.303(3) A, V = 976.6(3) A(3), and Z = 4.

Calamitic smectic liquid crystalline supramolecular architecture from octaalkoxy-substituted PdII–η1-benzylideneaniline complexes

Octaalkoxy substituted PdII–η1-benzylideneaniline complexes with a more disc-like shape can give rise to a calamitic smectic phase and low melting transition temperatures comparable to those of the corresponding free ligands.