Simeon Ponou

Synthesis and Characterization of Na5M2+xSn10-x (x ≈ 0.5, M = Zn, Hg)―A Doped Tetrahedral Framework Structure

Two homologous and isostructural compounds Na(5)M(2+x)Sn(10-x) (M = Zn, Hg) were obtained by direct reaction of the elements at high temperature. The crystal structures of these novel phases were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and represent a new structure type in tin chemistry. They crystallize in the space group Pbcn (No. 60, Z = 4) with a = 12.772(1), b = 10.804(1), and c = 12.777(1) A, V = 1763.1(2) A(3) for Na(5)Zn(2.28)Sn(9.72(2)) (I) and a = 12.958(1), b = 10.984(1), and c = 12.960(1) A, V = 1844.5(2) A(3) for Na(5)Hg(2.39)Sn(9.61(1)) (II). The structures consist of an anionic 3D open framework of tetrahedrally coordinated Sn and M atoms interwoven with a cationic 2D array of interconnected {NaNa(4)} tetrahedra. The framework can be partitioned into fragments of realgar-like units {Sn(8-x)M(x)}(2x-) and twice as many {Sn-M}(2-) dimers. Formally, the compounds are charge-balanced Zintl phases for x = 0.5. As the structure refinements lead to x = 0.28 and 0.39 for I and II, respectively, both structures are electron-rich and expected to be metallic. Theoretical investigations at the density functional theory level reveal a deep minimum at the Fermi level for x = 0.5. According to rigid band analyses, the electronic structure of the phases with the experimentally observed compositions corresponds to heavily doped semiconductors, thereby meeting an important requirement of thermoelectric materials.

Valence State Driven Site Preference in the Quaternary Compound Ca5MgAgGe5: An Electron-Deficient Phase with Optimized Bonding

The quaternary phase Ca5Mg0.95Ag1.05(1)Ge5 (3) was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state techniques, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal diffraction methods in the orthorhombic space group Pnma-Wyckoff sequence c(12) with a = 23.1481(4) Å, b = 4.4736(1) Å, c = 11.0128(2) Å, V = 1140.43(4) Å(3), Z = 4. The crystal structure can be described as linear intergrowths of slabs cut from the CaGe (CrB-type) and the CaMGe (TiNiSi-type; M = Mg, Ag) structures. Hence, 3 is a hettotype of the hitherto missing n = 3 member of the structure series with the general formula R(2+n)T2X(2+n), previously described with n = 1, 2, and 4. The member with n = 3 was predicted in the space group Cmcm-Wyckoff sequence f(5)c(2). The experimental space group Pnma (in the nonstandard setting Pmcn) corresponds to a klassengleiche symmetry reduction of index two of the predicted space group Cmcm. This transition originates from the switching of one Ge and one Ag position in the TiNiSi-related slab, a process that triggers an uncoupling of each of the five 8f sites in Cmcm into two 4c sites in Pnma. The Mg/Ag site preference was investigated using VASP calculations and revealed a remarkable example of an intermetallic compound for which the electrostatic valency principle is a critical structure-directing force. The compound is deficient by one valence electron according to the Zintl concept, but LMTO electronic structure calculations indicate electronic stabilization and overall bonding optimization in the polyanionic network. Other stability factors beyond the Zintl concept that may account for the electronic stabilization are discussed.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Bonding Analysis of the Hypoelectronic Cubic Phase Ca5Pd6Ge6

The title compound, Ca5Pd6Ge6, was obtained during a systematic investigation of the Ca-Pd-Ge ternary phase diagram. The crystal structure was determined and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It crystallizes in a new structure variant of the Y4PdGa12-type structure (Im3̅m, a = 8.7764(4) Å) that features an arrangement of vertex-sharing body-centered cubes of calcium, Ca@Ca8, with a hierarchical bcc network, interpenetrating a second (Pd6Ge6) network consisting of Ge2 dumbbells surrounded by Pd in a strongly flattened octahedron with Pd(μ(2)-η(2),η(4)-Ge2)-like motifs. These octahedra are condensed through the Pd to form a 3D open fcc network. Theoretical band structure calculations suggested that the compound is hypoelectronic with predominantly multicenter-type interatomic interactions involving all three elements and essentially a Hume-Rothery-like regime of electronic stabilization. The similar electronegativity between germanium and palladium atoms has a decisive impact on the bonding picture of the system.

A New Material with a Composite Crystal Structure Causing Ultralow Thermal Conductivity and Outstanding Thermoelectric Properties: Tl2Ag12Te7+δ

A new state-of-the-art thermoelectric material, Tl2Ag12Te7+δ, which possesses an extremely low thermal conductivity of about 0.25 W m-1 K-1 and a high figure-of-merit of up to 1.1 at 525 K, was obtained using a conventional solid-state reaction approach. Its subcell is a variant of the Zr2Fe12P7 type, but ultimately its structure was refined as a composite structure of a Tl2Ag12Te6 framework and a linear Te atom chain running along the c axis. The super-space group of the framework was determined to be P63(00γ) s with a = b = 11.438(1) Å, c = 4.6256(5) Å, and that of the Te chain substructure has the same a and b axes, but c = 3.212(1) Å, space group P6(00γ) s. The modulation leads to the formation of Te2 and Te3 fragments in this chain and a refined formula of Tl2Ag11.5Te7.4. The structure consists of a complex network of three-dimensionally connected AgTe4 tetrahedra forming channels filled with the Tl atoms. The electronic structures of four different models comprising different Te chains, Tl2Ag12Te7, Tl2Ag12Te7.33, and 2× Tl2Ag12Te7.5, were computed using the WIEN2k package. Depending on the Te content within the chain, the models are either semiconducting or metallic. Physical property measurements revealed semiconducting properties, with an ultralow thermal conductivity, and excellent thermoelectric properties at elevated temperatures.

News from the world of modulated intermetallics

The number of modulated structures with more than one modulation vector is small, and such structures often pose special problems in solving and refining. This talk will be concentrated on three such cases; The 3+4 dimensionally modulated cubic structure of digenite, the 3+2 dimensionally modulated structure of Cu3In2, the 3+2 dimensionally modulated structure of AuZn3 and the 3+2 dimensionally modulated structure of Se(Sn4)2K10. The three former cases are interesting because they are relatively weakly ordered structures where modelling is straight-forward, but the model itself is less than obvious to understand while the latter case appears highly ordered, but presents formal modelling difficulties. From these and previously known multi dimensional cases it would appear that higher order modulations are very prone to disorder. The image shows the hk0 layer from Se(Sn4)2K10.

Ca{sub 2}Pd{sub 3}Ge, a new fully ordered ternary Laves phase structure

The title compound, Ca2Pd3Ge, was prepared as a part of a systematic investigation of the Ca-Pd-Ge ternary phase diagram. The structure was determined and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It is a new fully ordered ternary Laves phase with the space group R-3m, Z=3, a=5.6191 (5) angstrom, c=12.1674 (7) angstrom. wR(2)=0.054 (all data) and is isostructural to Mg2Ni3Si (Noreus et al., 1985 [17]) but due to the larger size of all elements in Ca2Pd3Ge, the cell axes are approximately 10% longer. The compound may formally be considered as a Zintl compound, with [Pd3Ge](4-) forming a poly-anionic network and divalent Ca cations located in truncated tetrahedral interstices. The electronic structure and chemical bonding of Ca2Pd3Ge is discussed in terms of LMTO band structure calculations and compared with CaPd2 (MgCu2-type)

Crystal structure of calcium silver germanium, CaAg0.98Ge1.02

Ag0.98CaGe1.02, orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), a = 21.5602(5) A, b = 4.5625(2) A, c = 7.8713(2) A, V = 774.3 A3, Z = 12, Rgt(F) = 0.021, wRref(F 2) = 0.046, T=293 K.