Electronic Structure Analysis of the A10Tt2P6 System (A=Li-Cs; Tt=Si, Ge, Sn) and Synthesis of the Direct Band Gap Semiconductor K10Sn2P6

Investigating the relationship between atomic and electronic structures is a powerful tool to screen the wide variety of Zintl phases for interesting (opto-)electronic properties. To get an insight in such relations, the A10Tt2P6 system (A=Li-Cs; Tt=Si-Sn) was picked as model system to analyse the influence of structural motives, combination of elements and their properties on type and width of the band gaps. Those compounds comprise two interesting structural motives of their anions, which are either monomeric trigonal planar TtP3 5- units which are isostructural to CO3 2- or [Tt2P6]10- dimers which correspond to two edge-sharing TtP4 tetrahedra. The A10Tt2P6 compounds were structurally optimized for both polymorphs and subsequent frequency analysis, band structure as well as density of states calculations were performed. The Gibbs free energies were compared to determine temperature dependent stability, where Na10Si2P6, Na10Ge2P6 and K10Sn2P6 were found to be candidates for a high temperature phase transition between the two polymorphs. Additionally, the unknown, but predicted compound K10Sn2P6 was synthesized and characterized by single crystal and powder x-ray diffraction. It crystalizes in the monoclinic space group P 21/n and incorporates [Sn2P6]10- edge sharing double tetrahedra. It was determined to be a direct band gap semiconductor with a band gap of 2.57 eV.

Crystal structure of undecacalcium decaarsenide, Ca11As10

Ca11As10, tetragonal, I4/mmm (no. 139), a = 11.2532(1) Å, c = 16.2351(4) Å, and V = 2055.92(6) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.0347, wR ref (F 2) = 0.0931, T = 150 K.

Mg2MnGa3 – An orthorhombically distorted superstructure variant of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn2

The Laves phase Mg2MnGa3 was synthesized from the elements by arc-melting and subsequent annealing in a silica ampoule at T = 670 K. The structure of Mg2MnGa3 was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: URe2 type, Cmcm, a = 543.24(1), b = 869.59(3), c = 858.58(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0556, 273 F 2 values and 24 variables. The manganese and gallium atoms form a three-dimensional network of corner- and face-sharing MnGa3 tetrahedra that derive as a ternary ordering variant from the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn2. The structures of the distortion and coloring variants, i.e., MgZn2, URe2, Mg2Cu3Si and Mg2MnGa3 are discussed on the basis of a Bärnighausen tree. The electronic structure calculation data indicate that in addition to the metallic type of bonding an additional covalent interaction appears between the Ga–Ga and Mn–Ga atoms.

Evolving Highly Active Oxidic Iron(III) Phase from Corrosion of Intermetallic Iron Silicide to Master Efficient Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation and Selective Oxygenation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

In a green energy economy, electrocatalysis is essential for chemical energy conversion and to produce value added chemicals from regenerative resources. To be widely applicable, an electrocatalyst should comprise the Earth's crust's most abundant elements. The most abundant 3d metal, iron, with its multiple accessible redox states has been manifold applied in chemocatalytic processes. However, due to the low conductivity of Fe^III O_x H_y phases, its applicability for targeted electrocatalytic oxidation reactions such as water oxidation is still limited. Herein, it is shown that iron incorporated in conductive intermetallic iron silicide (FeSi) can be employed to meet this challenge. In contrast to silicon-poor iron-silicon alloys, intermetallic FeSi possesses an ordered structure with a peculiar bonding situation including covalent and ionic contributions together with conducting electrons. Using in situ X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopy, it could be demonstrated that, under the applied corrosive alkaline conditions, the FeSi partly forms a unique, oxidic iron(III) phase consisting of edge and corner sharing [FeO₆ ] octahedra together with oxidized silicon species. This phase is capable of driving the oxyge evolution reaction (OER) at high efficiency under ambient and industrially relevant conditions (500 mA cm^-2 at 1.50 ± 0.025 V_RHE and 65 °C) and to selectively oxygenate 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).

SmPt2In2 – a new ternary indide with a Pt–In polyanionic framework

Single crystals of a new samarium platinum indide have been synthesized in a high-frequency furnace under flowing argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of SmPt2In2 was determined from single-crystal X-ray data (R1 = 0.0416 for 1049 F values and 63 variables). It belongs to the CePt2In2 structure type with the following crystallographic parameters: P21/m, mP20, Z = 4, a = 10.0561(8), b = 4.4214(2), c = 10.1946(8) Å, β = 116.492(5)°, V = 405.68(5) Å3. Physical properties were studied and the crystal chemical discussion is supported by electronic structure calculations.

Crystalline Copper Selenide as a Reliable Non-Noble Electro(pre)catalyst for Overall Water Splitting

Electrochemical water splitting remains a frontier research topic in the quest to develop artificial photosynthetic systems by using noble metal-free and sustainable catalysts. Herein, a highly crystalline CuSe has been employed as active electrodes for overall water splitting (OWS) in alkaline media. The pure-phase klockmannite CuSe deposited on highly conducting nickel foam (NF) electrodes by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) displayed an overpotential of merely 297 mV for the reaction of oxygen evolution (OER) at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 whereas an overpotential of 162 mV was attained for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the same current density, superseding the Cu-based as well as the state-of-the-art RuO2 and IrO2 catalysts. The bifunctional behavior of the catalyst has successfully been utilized to fabricate an overall water-splitting device, which exhibits a low cell voltage (1.68 V) with long-term stability. Post-catalytic analyses of the catalyst by ex-situ microscopic, spectroscopic, and analytical methods confirm that under both OER and HER conditions, the crystalline and conductive CuSe behaves as an electro(pre)catalyst forming a highly reactive in situ crystalline Cu(OH)2 overlayer (electro(post)catalyst), which facilitates oxygen (O2 ) evolution, and an amorphous Cu(OH)2 /CuOx active surface for hydrogen (H2 ) evolution. The present study demonstrates a distinct approach to produce highly active copper-based catalysts starting from copper chalcogenides and could be used as a basis to enhance the performance in durable bifunctional overall water splitting.

La3Ni4Al2: a new layered aluminide

The new ternary compound La3Ni4Al2 has been synthesized and the crystal structure has been studied by X-ray single crystal diffraction. La3Ni4Al2 is the first aluminide, crystallizing in the La3Ni4Ga2-type. The crystal structure of La3Ni4Al2 consists of La-layers and hetero-atomic Ni/Al layers, sequentially alternating along the a axis (pseudo-hexagonal c axis). According to electronic structure calculations using the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital method in the atomic-sphere approximation (TB-LMTO-ASA), strong Al–Ni interactions have been established. The coordination polyhedra for the Al atoms are cuboctahedra, whereas the bicapped square prism and bicapped square antiprism are typical for nickel atoms. The lanthanum atoms are enclosed in pseudo Frank–Kasper polyhedra.

SrPt3In2– an orthorhombically distorted coloring variant of SrIn5

The new intermetallic phase SrPt₃In₂was synthesized by induction-melting of the elements in a sealed tantalum ampoule followed by long-term annealing for crystal growth.

Crystal and Magnetic Structures of the Chain Antiferromagnet CaFe4Al8

The crystal structure of CaFe₄Al₈ was studied by X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction as well as high-resolution neutron powder diffraction. CaFe₄Al₈ crystallizes with a tetragonal CeMn₄Al₈-type structure, an ordered variant of the ThMn₁₂-type (Pearson symbol tI26, space group I4/ mmm, a = 8.777(1), c = 5.077(1) Å). Similarly to the well-known A15-type superconductors, the structure of CaFe₄Al₈ contains one-dimensional chains of d-metal atoms, which are parallel to the crystallographic fourfold axis. CaFe₄Al₈ is paramagnetic at room temperature and exhibits long-range antiferromagnetic ordering at about 180 K, combined with a short-range ordered spin arrangement. The magnetic structure, determined by powder neutron diffraction at 4 K, shows that the magnetic moments on the Fe atoms form mirror-inverted chains along the c-direction and are slightly canted from the axis.

Equiatomic indides REIrIn (RE=La, Pr, Nd, Er–Yb) – Crystal and electronic structure

The equiatomic rare earth iridium indides REIrIn (RE=La, Pr, Nd, Er–Yb) were synthesized by reaction of the elements in induction or muffle furnaces and were characterized through X-ray powder patterns. The structures of LaIr0.86In1.14, PrIr0.89In1.11, NdIr0.94In1.06, ErIrIn (all ZrNiAl type, P6̅2m), and YbIrIn (TiNiSi type, Pnma) were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data. Refinements of the occupancy parameters revealed small degrees of solid solutions with indium substitution on the iridium sites. Chemical bonding analyses and electronic structure calculations indicate the dominance of metallic bonding in addition to partial ionic interactions between the cations and polyanions, as well as covalent contributions between the indium and iridium atoms.

First-Order Phase Transition in BaNi2Ge2 and the Influence of the Valence Electron Count on Distortion of the ThCr2Si2 Structure Type

Structural instability has a strong influence on the understanding of superconductivity in iron-containing 122 phases. Similar to the 122 iron-based high-temperature superconductors, the intermetallic compound BaNi₂Ge₂ undergoes an orthorhombic-to-tetragonal structural phase transition. The compound was prepared by arc-melting mixtures of the elements under an argon atmosphere. Single crystals were obtained by a special heat treatment in a welded tantalum ampule. The crystal structure of the compound was investigated by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Differential thermal analysis of BaNi₂Ge₂ showed a reversible phase transition at ca. 480 °C. In situ temperature-dependent synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction studies revealed that below 480 °C the crystal structure of BaNi₂Ge₂ is orthorhombic [own structure type, space group Pnma, a = 8.3852(4) Å, b = 11.3174(8) Å, and c = 4.2902(9) Å at 30 °C] and the high-temperature phase above 510 °C belongs to the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type structure [space group I4/mmm, a = 4.2664(1) Å, and c = 11.2537(3) Å at 510 °C]. The reversible first-order low-temperature ↔ high-temperature phase transition around 480 °C is associated with distortion of the [Ni₂Ge₂] layer of low-temperature modification. The anisotropy of thermal expansion of the unit cell in BaNi₂Ge₂ was analyzed. The crystal chemistry and chemical bonding are discussed in terms of linear muffin-tin orbital band structure calculations and a topological analysis using the electron localization function. In related compounds, the level of distortion of the uncollapsed tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂-type structure depends on the valence electron count (VEC).

Ca4As3 - a new binary calcium arsenide

The binary compound Ca₄As₃crystallizes in the Ba₄P₃ structure type and is thus a homologue of isotypic Sr₄As₃. The As atoms are connected by a single bond thus this calcium arsenide is a Zintl phase.

The crystal structure of the binary compound tetra­calcium triarsenide, Ca₄As₃, was investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ca₄As₃ crystallizes in the Ba₄P₃ structure type and is thus a homologue of isotypic Sr₄As₃. The unit cell contains 32 Ca²⁺ cations, 16 As³⁻ isolated anions and four centrosymmetric [As₂]^4– dumbbells. The As atoms in each of the dumbbells are connected by a single bond, thus this calcium arsenide is a Zintl phase.

'Pd20Sn13' revisited: crystal structure of Pd6.69Sn4.31

The crystal structure of the title compound, previously reported as ‘Pd₂₀Sn₁₃’ on basis of powder X-ray data, was redetermined on basis of single-crystal X-ray data, resulting in a model with higher precision and accuracy.

The crystal structure of the title compound was previously reported with composition ‘Pd₂₀Sn₁₃’ [Sarah et al. (1981 ▸). Z. Metallkd, 72, 517–520]. For the original structure model, as determined from powder X-ray data, atomic coordinates from the isostructural compound Ni₁₃Ga₃Ge₆ were transferred. The present structure determination, resulting in a composition Pd_6.69Sn_4.31, is based on single crystal X-ray data and includes anisotropic displacement parameters for all atoms as well as standard uncertainties for the atomic coordinates, leading to higher precision and accuracy for the structure model. Single crystals of the title compound were obtained via a solid-state reaction route, starting from the elements. The crystal structure can be derived from the AlB₂ type of structure after removing one eighth of the atoms at the boron positions and shifting adjacent atoms in the same layer in the direction of the voids. One atomic site is partially occupied by both elements with a Pd:Sn ratio of 0.38 (3):0.62 (3). One Sn and three Pd atoms are located on special positions with site symmetry 2. (Wyckoff letter 3a and 3b).

Fully and partially Li-stuffed diamond polytypes with Ag-Ge structures: Li2AgGe and Li2.53AgGe2

In view of the search for and understanding of new materials for energy storage, the Li-Ag-Ge phase diagram has been investigated. High-temperature syntheses of Li with reguli of premelted Ag and Ge led to the two new compounds Li(2)AgGe and Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2) (x = 0.27). The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds show diamond-polytype-like polyanionic substructures with tetrahedrally coordinated Ag and Ge atoms. The Li ions are located in the channels provided by the network. The compound Li(2)AgGe crystallizes in the space group R3̅m (No. 166) with lattice parameters of a = 4.4424(6) Å and c = 42.7104(6) Å. All atomic positions are fully occupied and ordered. Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2) crystallizes in the space group I4(1)/a (No. 88) with lattice parameters of a = 9.7606(2) Å and c = 18.4399(8) Å. The Ge substructure consists of unique (1)(∞)[Ge(10)] chains that are interconnected by Ag atoms to build a three-dimensional network. In the channels of this diamond-like network, not all of the possible positions are occupied by Li ions. Li atoms in the neighborhood of the vacancies show considerably enlarged displacement vectors. The occurrence of the vacancy is traced back to short Li-Li distances in the case of the occupation of the vacancy with Li. Both compounds are not electron-precise Zintl phases. The density of states, band structure, and crystal orbital Hamilton population analyses of Li(2.80-x)AgGe(2 )reveal metallic properties, whereas a full occupation of all Li sites leads to an electron-precise Zintl compound within a rigid-band model. Li(2)AgGe reveals metallic character in the ab plane and is a semiconductor with a small band gap along the c direction.

Sn9 4– Zintl Ions as Reactive Precursor for Neat Solids: Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Rb4[SnTe4], KxCs4–x[SnTe4], and KxCs10–x[Sn4Te12]

The reactions of Zintl ions Sn9 4− formed in ethylenediamine solutions of K2Cs2Sn9 and Rb4Sn9 with elemental tellurium have been investigated. Addition of elemental tellurium to the filtrates of these solutions leads - depending on the reaction conditions - to four different products: Compounds K0.36(1)Cs3.64(1)[SnTe4] (1) and Rb4[SnTe4] (2) contain the tetrahedral anion [SnTe4]4−, and Cs4[Sn2Te7] (3) features the anion [Te2Sn(μ-Te)(μ-Te2)SnTe2]4−, whereas a novel Zintl anion [Sn4Te12]10− is present in compound K0.44(1)Cs9.56(1)[Sn4Te12] (4). Compounds 1, 2 and 4 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction

From one to three dimensions: corrugated ∞(1)[NiGe] ribbons as a building block in alkaline earth metal Ae/Ni/Ge phases with crystal structure and chemical bonding in AeNiGe (Ae = Mg, Sr, Ba)

The new equiatomic nickel germanides MgNiGe, SrNiGe, and BaNiGe have been synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes using a high-frequency furnace. The compounds were investigated by X-ray diffraction both on powders and single crystals. MgNiGe crystallizes with TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma, Z = 4, a = 6.4742(2) Å, b = 4.0716(1) Å, c = 6.9426(2) Å, wR2 = 0.033, 305 F(2) values, 20 variable parameters. SrNiGe and BaNiGe are isotypic and crystallize with anti-SnFCl-type structure (Z = 4, Pnma) with a = 5.727(1) Å, b = 4.174(1) Å, c = 11.400(3) Å, wR2 = 0.078, 354 F(2) values, 20 variable parameters for SrNiGe, and a = 5.969(4) Å, b = 4.195(1) Å, c = 11.993(5) Å, wR2 = 0.048, 393 F(2) values, 20 variable parameters for BaNiGe. The increase of the cation size leads to a reduction of the dimensionality of the [NiGe] polyanions. In the MgNiGe structure the nickel and germanium atoms build a ∞(3)[NiGe] network with magnesium atoms in the channels. In SrNiGe and BaNiGe the ∞(1)[NiGe] ribbons are separated by strontium/barium atoms, whereas in the known CaNiGe structure the ribbons are fused to two-dimmensional atom slabs. The crystal chemistry and chemical bonding in AeNiGe (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) are discussed. The experimental results are reconciled with electronic structure calculations performed using the tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO-ASA) method.

Extreme differences in oxidation states: synthesis and structural analysis of the germanide oxometallates A10[Ge9]2[WO4] as well as A(10+x)[Ge9]2[W(1–x)Nb(x)O4] with A = K and Rb containing [Ge9]4- polyanions

Semitransparent dark-red or ruby-red moisture- and air-sensitive single crystals of A(10+x)[Ge(9)](2)[W(1-x)Nb(x)O(4)] (A = K, Rb; x = 0, 0.35) were obtained by high-temperature solid-state reactions. The crystal structure of the compounds was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. They crystallize in a new structure type (P2(1)/c, Z = 4) with a = 13.908(1) Å, b = 15.909(1) Å, c = 17.383(1) Å, and β = 90.050(6)° for K(10.35(1))[Ge(9)](2)[W(0.65(1))Nb(0.35(1))O(4)]; a = 14.361(3) Å, b = 16.356(3) Å, c = 17.839(4) Å, and β = 90.01(3)° for Rb(10.35(1))[Ge(9)](2)[W(0.65(1))Nb(0.35(1))O(4)]; a = 13.8979(2) Å, b = 15.5390(3) Å, c = 17.4007(3) Å, and β = 90.188(1)° for K(10)[Ge(9)](2)WO(4); and a = 14.3230(7) Å, b = 15.9060(9) Å, c = 17.8634(9) Å, and β = 90.078(4)° for Rb(10)[Ge(9)](2)WO(4). The compounds contain discrete Ge(9)(4-) Wade's nido clusters and WO(4)(2-) (or NbO(4)(3-)) anions, which are packed according to a hierarchical atom-to-cluster replacement of the Al(2)Cu prototype and are separated by K and Rb cations, respectively. The alkali metal atoms occupy the corresponding tetrahedral sites of the Al(2)Cu prototype. The amount of the alkali metal atoms on these diamagnetic compounds corresponds directly to the amount of W substituted by Nb. Thus, the transition metals W and Nb appear with oxidation numbers +6 and +5, respectively, in the vicinity of a [Ge(9)](4-) polyanion. The crystals of the mixed salts were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman data are in good agreement with the results from the X-ray structural analyses.

TbNb(6)Sn(6): the first ternary compound from the rare earth-niobium-tin system

The title compound, terbium hexa-niobium hexastannide, TbNb(6)Sn(6), is the first ternary compound from the rare earth-niobium-tin system. It has the HfFe(6)Ge(6) structure type, which can be analysed as an inter-growth of the Zr(4)Al(3) and CaCu(5) structures. All the atoms lie on special positions; their coordination geometries and site symmetries are: Tb (dodeca-hedron) 6/mmm; Nb (distorted icosa-hedron) 2mm; Sn (Frank-Caspar polyhedron, CN = 14-15) 6mm and m2; Sn (distorted icosa-hedron) m2. The structure contains a graphite-type Sn network, Kagome nets of Nb atoms, and Tb atoms alternating with Sn2 dumbbells in the channels.