Single crystal growth of nanoporous C12A7:e- by controlling melt state

Structure Property Relationships and Cationic Doping in [Ca24Al28O64]4+ Framework: A Review

Ca12Al14O33 (C12A7, 12CaO·7Al2O3, or [ Ca 12 Al 14 O 32 ] 2 + : O 2 − ) is a material with a clathrate cage framework, positively charged and stabilized by anions occluded within 17% of the cages. The occluded anion is modular and can be elemental, polyatomic, and electronic in nature. This review focuses on the electride C12A7 ( [ Ca 24 Al 28 O 64 ] 4 + : ( 4 * ∂ ) e − ( 2 − ∂ ) O 2 − ), where O2− anions are replaced with electrons, and compliments previous structural and electronic property reviews to illuminate the structure–property relationships. Electride formation is updated with new findings in carbonaceous reduction methods. Most importantly, an extensive compilation of cationic doped C12A7 isostructural compounds is presented as motivation to study doped C12A7 electrides. Cationic dopants have profound impacts on the electronic properties due to changes in the density of states, localized electron behavior, and structural distortions.

Solvated electrons in high-temperature melts and glasses of the room-temperature stable electride [Ca₂₄Al₂₈O₆₄]⁴⁺·4e⁻

Solvated electrons in alkali metal-ammonia solutions have attracted attention as a prototype electronic conductor and chemical reducing agent for over a century. However, solvated electrons have not been realized in a high-temperature melt or glass of an oxide system to date. We demonstrated the formation of persistent solvated electrons in both a high-temperature melt and its glass by using the thermally stable electride [Ca(24)Al(28)O(64)](4+)·4e(-) (C12A7:e(-)) and controlling the partial pressure of oxygen. The electrical and structural properties of the resulting melt and glass differ from those of the conventional C12A7:O(2-) oxide, exhibiting metallic and hopping conduction, respectively, and a glass transition temperature that is ~160 kelvin lower than that of C12A7:O(2-) glass. Solvated electrons reside in cage structures in C12A7:e(-) and form a diamagnetic paired state.