A Noncentrosymmetric Polymorph of LuRuGe.

We report a new polymorph of LuRuGe, obtained in indium flux. This phase exhibits the noncentrosymmetric ZrNiAl-type structure with the space group P6̅2m as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This polymorph can convert into another centrosymmetric polymorph (TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma) at high temperatures. We performed electrical transport, magnetization, and specific heat measurements on this new phase. It shows metallic behavior with a Hall sign change from negative at 2 K to positive at 125 K. LuRuGe exhibits Pauli paramagnetism as the ground state with no local magnetic moments from either the Ru or Lu site. The Debye temperature Θ = 348 K and electronic coefficient γe = 3.6 mJ K-2 mol-1 are extracted from the low-temperature specific heat data in LuRuGe. We also carried out first-principles density functional theory calculations to map out the electronic band structure and density of states. There are several electronic bands crossing the Fermi level, supporting a multiband scenario consistent with the Hall sign change. The density of states around the Fermi level is mainly from Ru 4d and Ge 4p electrons, indicating a strong hybridization between those atomic orbitals.

Charge Density Wave in the New Polymorphs of RE2Ru3Ge5 (RE = Pr, Sm, Dy).

A new polymorph of the RE2Ru3Ge5 (RE = Pr, Sm, Dy) compounds has been grown as single crystals via an indium flux. These compounds crystallize in tetragonal space group P4/mnc with the Sc2Fe3Si5-type structure, having lattice parameters a = 11.020(2) Šand c = 5.853(1) Šfor RE = Pr, a = 10.982(2) Šand c = 5.777(1) Šfor RE = Sm, and a = 10.927(2) Šand c = 5.697(1) Šfor RE = Dy. These materials exhibit a structural transition at low temperature, which is attributed to an apparent charge density wave (CDW). Both the high-temperature average crystal structure and the low-temperature incommensurately modulated crystal structure (for Sm2Ru3Ge5 as a representative) have been solved. The charge density wave order is manifested by periodic distortions of the one-dimensional zigzag Ge chains. From X-ray diffraction, charge transport (electrical resistivity, Hall effect, magnetoresistance), magnetic measurements, and heat capacity, the ordering temperatures (TCDW) observed in the Pr and Sm analogues are ∼200 and ∼175 K, respectively. The charge transport measurement results indicate an electronic state transition happening simultaneously with the CDW transition. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and electronic band structure results are also reported.

Local Orthorhombicity in the Magnetic C_{4} Phase of the Hole-Doped Iron-Arsenide Superconductor Sr_{1-x}Na_{x}Fe_{2}As_{2}.

We report on temperature-dependent pair distribution function measurements of Sr_{1-x}Na_{x}Fe_{2}As_{2}, an iron-based superconductor system that contains a magnetic phase with reentrant tetragonal symmetry, known as the magnetic C_{4} phase. Quantitative refinements indicate that the instantaneous local structure in the C_{4} phase comprises fluctuating orthorhombic regions with a length scale of ∼2 nm, despite the tetragonal symmetry of the average static structure. Additionally, local orthorhombic fluctuations exist on a similar length scale at temperatures well into the paramagnetic tetragonal phase. These results highlight the exceptionally large nematic susceptibility of iron-based superconductors and have significant implications for the magnetic C_{4} phase and the neighboring C_{2} and superconducting phases.

Flux Crystal Growth of the RE2Ru3Ge5 (RE = La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb) Series and Their Magnetic and Metamagnetic Transitions.

Previously synthesized only as powders, single crystals of the RE2Ru3Ge5 (RE = La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb) series of compounds have now been obtained from molten In. These materials crystallize with the U2Co3Si5-type structure in orthorhombic space group Ibam with lattice parameters a ≈ 10.00-9.77 Å (La-Tb), b ≈ 12.51-12.35 Å, and c ≈ 5.92-5.72 Å. The structure is a three-dimensional framework consisting of RuGe5 and RuGe6 units, as well as Ge-Ge zigzag chains. This structure type and those of the other five (Sc2Fe3Si5, Lu2Co3Si5, Y2Rh3Sn5, Yb2Ir3Ge5, and Yb2Pt3Sn5) to compose the RE2T3X5 phase space are discussed in depth. For the three compounds with RE = Nd, Gd, Tb, multiple magnetic transitions and metamagnetic behavior are observed. Electronic band structure calculations performed on La2Ru3Ge5 indicate that these materials have a negative band gap and are semimetallic in nature.

Metallic Borides, La2Re3B7 and La3Re2B5, Featuring Extensive Boron-Boron Bonding.

La2Re3B7 and La3Re2B5 have been synthesized in single-crystalline form from a molten La/Ni eutectic at 1000 °C in the first example of the flux crystal growth of ternary rare-earth rhenium borides. Both compounds crystallize in their own orthorhombic structure types, with La2Re3B7 (space group Pcca) having lattice parameters a = 7.657(2) Å, b = 6.755(1) Å, and c = 11.617(2) Å, and La3Re2B5 (space group Pmma) having lattice parameters a = 10.809(2) Å, b = 5.287(1) Å, and c = 5.747(1) Å. The compounds possess three-dimensional framework structures that are built up from rhenium boride polyhedra and boron-boron bonding. La3Re2B5 features fairly common B2 dumbbells, whereas La2Re3B7 has unique one-dimensional subunits composed of alternating triangular B3 and trans-B4 zigzag chain fragments. Also observed in La3Re2B5 is an unusual coordination of B by an octahedron of La atoms. Electronic band structure calculations predict that La2Re3B7 is a semimetal, which is observed in the electrical resistivity data as measured on single crystals, with behavior obeying the Bloch-Grüneisen model and a room-temperature resistivity ρ300 K of ∼375 µΩ cm. The electronic band structure calculations also suggest that La3Re2B5 is a regular metal.

Mixed-Valent NaCu4Se3: A Two-Dimensional Metal.

The new ternary copper selenide NaCu4Se3 crystallizes in the RbCd4As3 structure type with the trigonal space group R3̅m and lattice constants a = 4.0316(4) Å and c = 31.438(8) Å. Its structure is built from two-dimensional slabs of (2)/∞[Cu4Se3] separated by Na(+) cations. The compound is formally mixed-valent with Se(2-)/Se(-) atoms and exhibits metallic properties. It is a hole conductor with an electrical conductivity of ∼300 S cm(-1) at room temperature and a thermopower of ∼10 µV K(-1). Hall effect measurements indicate holes as the dominant carrier with a concentration of ∼6.12(1) × 10(21) cm(-3) at 300 K. Density functional theory electronic structure calculations indicate p-type metallic behavior for the (2)/∞[Cu4Se3] framework, which is in a good agreement with the experimental metallic conductivity and Pauli paramagnetism.

Hybridization Gap in the Semiconducting Compound SrIr4In2Ge4.

Large single crystals of SrIr4In2Ge4 were synthesized using the In flux method. This compound is a hybridization gap semiconductor with an experimental optical band gap of Eg = 0.25(3) eV. It crystallizes in the tetragonal EuIr4In2Ge4 structure type with space group I4̅2m and unit cell parameters a = 6.9004(5) Å and c = 8.7120(9) Å. The electronic structure is very similar to both EuIr4In2Ge4 and the parent structure Ca3Ir4Ge4, suggesting that these compounds comprise a new family of hybridization gap materials that exhibit indirect gap, semiconducting behavior at a valence electron count of 60 per formula unit, similar to the Heusler alloys.

Crystal Growth, Structures, and Properties of the Complex Borides, LaOs2Al2B and La2Os2AlB2.

Single crystals of two novel quaternary metal borides, LaOs2Al2B and La2Os2AlB2, have been grown from La/Ni eutectic fluxes. LaOs2Al2B crystallizes in tetragonal space group P4/mmm with the CeCr2Si2C-type structure, and lattice parameters a = 4.2075(6) Å and c = 5.634(1) Å. La2Os2AlB2 exhibits a new crystal structure in monoclinic space group C2/c with lattice parameters a = 16.629(3) Å, b = 6.048(1) Å, c = 10.393(2) Å, and ß = 113.96(3)°. Both structures are three-dimensional frameworks with unusual coordination (for solid-state compounds) of the boron atoms by transition metal atoms. The boron atom is square planar in LaOs2Al2B, whereas it exhibits linear and T-shaped geometries in La2Os2AlB2. Electrical resistivity measurements reveal poor metal behavior (ρ300 K ∼ 900 µΩ cm) for La2Os2AlB2, consistent with the electronic band structure calculations, which also predict a metallic character for LaOs2Al2B.

Hybridization Gap and Dresselhaus Spin Splitting in EuIr4In2Ge4.

EuIr4In2Ge4 is a new intermetallic semiconductor that adopts a non-centrosymmetric structure in the tetragonal I4̄2m space group with unit cell parameters a=6.9016(5) Šand c=8.7153(9) Å. The compound features an indirect optical band gap E(g)=0.26(2) eV, and electronic-structure calculations show that the energy gap originates primarily from hybridization of the Ir 5d orbitals, with small contributions from the Ge 4p and In 5p orbitals. The strong spin-orbit coupling arising from the Ir atoms, and the lack of inversion symmetry leads to significant spin splitting, which is described by the Dresselhaus term, at both the conduction- and valence-band edges. The magnetic Eu(2+) ions present in the structure, which do not play a role in gap formation, order antiferromagnetically at 2.5 K.

NaCu6Se4: a layered compound with mixed valency and metallic properties.

A new ternary compound NaCu6Se4 was synthesized from the reaction of Cu in a molten sodium polyselenide flux. The compound crystallizes in trigonal space group R3̅m with a = 4.0465(3) Å and c = 41.493(5) Å. The crystal structure contains flat two-dimensional slabs of (1)/∞[Cu6Se4] with a unique structural arrangement, separated by Na cations. The compound contains mixed valency and has a high conductivity of ∼3 × 10(3) S cm(-1) at room temperature, and exhibits increasing conductivity with decreasing temperature, indicating metallic behavior. A small positive thermopower (4-11 µV K(-1) from 300 to 500 K) and Hall effect measurements indicate p-type transport with a carrier concentration of ∼2.8(3) × 10(21) cm(-3) and a hole mobility of ∼8.75 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 300 K. NaCu6Se4 exhibits temperature-independent Pauli paramagnetism.

Crystal growth and characterization of the narrow-band-gap semiconductors OsPn2 (Pn = P, As, Sb).

Using metal fluxes, crystals of the binary osmium dipnictides OsPn2 (Pn = P, As, Sb) have been grown for the first time. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms that these compounds crystallize in the marcasite structure type with orthorhombic space group Pnnm. The structure is a three-dimensional framework of corner- and edge-sharing OsPn6 octahedra, as well as [Pn2(4-)] anions. Raman spectroscopy shows the presence of P-P single bonds, consistent with the presence of [Pn2(-4)] anions and formally Os(4+) cations. Optical-band-gap and high-temperature electrical resistivity measurements indicate that these materials are narrow-band-gap semiconductors. The experimentally determined Seebeck coefficients reveal that nominally undoped OsP2 and OsSb2 are n-type semiconductors, whereas OsAs2 is p-type. Electronic band structure using density functional theory calculations shows that these compounds are indirect narrow-band-gap semiconductors. The bonding p orbitals associated with the Pn2 dimer are below the Fermi energy, and the corresponding antibonding states are above, consistent with a Pn-Pn single bond. Thermopower calculations using Boltzmann transport theory and constant relaxation time approximation show that these materials are potentially good thermoelectrics, in agreement with experiment.

Hydroflux crystal growth of platinum group metal hydroxides: Sr6NaPd2(OH)17, Li2Pt(OH)6, Na2Pt(OH)6, Sr2Pt(OH)8, and Ba2Pt(OH)8.

Crystals of five complex metal hydroxides containing platinum group metals were grown by a novel low-temperature hydroflux technique, a hybrid approach between the aqueous hydrothermal and the molten hydroxide flux techniques. Sr6NaPd2(OH)17 (1) crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbcn with lattice parameters a = 19.577(4) Å, b = 13.521(3) Å, and c = 6.885(1) Å. This compound has a three-dimensional framework structure with Sr(OH)n polyhedra, Na(OH)6 octahedra, and Pd(OH)4 square planes. Isostructural phases Li2Pt(OH)6 (2) and Na2Pt(OH)6 (3) crystallize in trigonal space group P-3 with lattice parameters of a = 5.3406(8) Å and c = 4.5684(9) Å and a = 5.7984(8) Å and c = 4.6755(9) Å, respectively. Structures of these materials consist of layers of A(OH)6 (A = Li (2), Na (3)) and Pt(OH)6 octahedra. Sr2Pt(OH)8 (4) crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with lattice parameters a = 5.9717(6) Å, b = 10.997(1) Å, c = 6.0158(6) Å, and ß = 113.155(2)°, while Ba2Pt(OH)8 (5) crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca with lattice parameters a = 8.574(2) Å, b = 8.673(2) Å, and c = 10.276(2) Å. Both of these compounds have three-dimensional structures composed of Pt(OH)6 octahedra surrounded by either Sr(OH)8 or Ba(OH)9 polyhedra. Decomposition of these materials into condensed metal oxides, which is of importance to possible catalytic applications, was monitored via thermogravimetric analysis. For example, Na2Pt(OH)6 (3) converts cleanly via dehydration into α-Na2PtO3.

Crystal growth of new hexahydroxometallates using a hydroflux.

A series of seven compounds, Sr2Mn(OH)6, Ba2Mn(OH)6, Sr2Co(OH)6, Ba2Co(OH)6, Sr2Ni(OH)6, Ba2Ni(OH)6, and Ba2Cu(OH)6, were synthesized using a low-melting hydroflux, a hybrid approach between aqueous hydrothermal and molten hydroxide flux techniques. Crystals of the hexahydroxometallates were obtained by dissolving appropriate amounts of alkaline-earth nitrates or hydroxides and transition-metal oxides, acetates, or chlorides in the hydroflux and reacting at 180-230 °C. The isostructural compounds all crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1/n). The monoclinic structure consists of isolated transition-metal octahedra within a three-dimensional framework of corner- and edge-shared eight-coordinate, alkaline-earth polyhedra. Magnetic susceptibility data show that all compounds are simple paramagnets. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that these hydroxides lose water between 215 and 350 °C and transform into oxide products, the identity of which depends on the metal cations present in the parent hexahydroxometallates.

Unveiling structure-property relationships in Sr2Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(6-δ), an electrode material for symmetric solid oxide fuel cells.

We characterize experimentally and theoretically the promising new solid oxide fuel cell electrode material Sr(2)Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(6-δ) (SFMO). Rietveld refinement of powder neutron diffraction data has determined that the crystal structure of this material is distorted from the ideal cubic simple perovskite, instead belonging to the orthorhombic space group Pnma. The refinement revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies in the as-synthesized material, resulting in a composition of Sr(2)Fe(1.5)Mo(0.5)O(5.90(2)) (δ = 0.10(2)). DFT+U theory predicts essentially the same concentration of oxygen vacancies. Theoretical analysis of the electronic structure allows us to elucidate the origin of this nonstoichiometry and the attendant mixed ion-electron conductor character so important for intermediate temperature fuel cell operation. The ease with which SFMO forms oxygen vacancies and allows for facile bulk oxide ion diffusivity is directly related to a strong hybridization of the Fe d and O p states, which is also responsible for its impressive electronic conductivity.

Ba8Hg3U3S18: a complex uranium(+4)/uranium(+5) sulfide.

The compound Ba(8)Hg(3)U(3)S(18) was obtained from the solid-state reaction at 1123 K of U, HgS, BaS, and S, with BaBr(2)/KBr or BaCl(2) as a flux. This material crystallizes in a new structure type in space group P6 of the hexagonal system with three formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 27.08(1) Å, c = 4.208(2) Å, and V = 2673(2) Å(3). The structure contains infinite chains of US(6) octahedra and nearly linear [S-Hg-S](2-) dithiomercurate anions, separated by Ba(2+) cations. In the temperature range 100-300 K, the paramagnetic behavior of Ba(8)Hg(3)U(3)S(18) can be fit to the Curie-Weiss law, resulting in µ(eff) = 5.40(4) µ(B), or 3.12(2) µ(B)/U. The compound displays an antiferromagnetic transition at T(N) = 59 K. Although the formal oxidation states of Ba, Hg, and S can be assigned as +2, +2, and -2, the oxidation state of U is less certain. On the basis of interatomic distance arguments and the magnetic susceptibility data, the compound is proposed to contain U in both +4 and +5 formal oxidation states.

Li3Al(MoO4)3, a lyonsite molybdate.

Trilithium aluminium trimolybdate(VI), Li(3)Al(MoO(4))(3), has been grown as single crystals from α-Al(2)O(3) and MoO(3) in an Li(2)MoO(4) flux at 998 K. This compound is an example of the well known lyonsite structure type, the general formula of which can be written as A(16)B(12)O(48). Because this structure can accomodate cationic mixing as well as cationic vacancies, a wide range of chemical compositions can adopt this structure type. This has led to instances in the literature where membership in the lyonsite family has been overlooked when assigning the structure type to novel compounds. In the title compound, there are two octahedral sites with substitutional disorder between Li(+) and Al(3+), as well as a trigonal prismatic site fully occupied by Li(+). The (Li,Al)O(6) octahedra and LiO(6) trigonal prisms are linked to form hexagonal tunnels along the [100] axis. These polyhedra are connected by isolated MoO(4) tetrahedra. Infinite chains of face-sharing (Li,Al)O(6) octahedra extend through the centers of the tunnels. A mixed Li/Al site, an Li, an Mo, and two O atoms are located on mirror planes.

Materials discovery by flux crystal growth: quaternary and higher order oxides.

This Review highlights the application of high-temperature solutions for exploratory crystal growth and materials discovery of novel complex oxides. It provides an overview of the method of flux crystal growth of complex oxides and can function as a "how to" guide for those interested in oxide crystal growth. The most commonly used fluxes are discussed in terms of their applicability for dissolving specific elements and the typical reaction conditions are compiled. A large variety of recent quaternary and higher oxides that have been grown as crystals from fluxes are used to illustrate the power of the flux method to grow oxide crystals containing specific elements.

Pentavalent and tetravalent uranium selenides, Tl3Cu4USe6 and Tl2Ag2USe4: syntheses, characterization, and structural comparison to other layered actinide chalcogenide compounds.

The compounds Tl(3)Cu(4)USe(6) and Tl(2)Ag(2)USe(4) were synthesized by the reaction of the elements in excess TlCl at 1123 K. Both compounds crystallize in new structure types, in space groups P2(1)/c and C2/m, respectively, of the monoclinic system. Each compound contains layers of USe(6) octahedra and MSe(4) (M = Cu, Ag) tetrahedra, separated by Tl(+) cations. The packing of the octahedra and the tetrahedra within the layers is compared to the packing arrangements found in other layered actinide chalcogenides. Tl(3)Cu(4)USe(6) displays peaks in its magnetic susceptibility at 5 and 70 K. It exhibits modified Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior with an effective magnetic moment of 1.58(1) µ(B) in the temperature range 72-300 K, whereas Tl(2)Ag(2)USe(4) exhibits modified Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior with µ(eff) = 3.4(1) µ(B) in the temperature range 100-300 K. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) results from scanning transmission X-ray spectromicroscopy confirm that Tl(3)Cu(4)USe(6) has Se bonding characteristic of discrete Se(2-) units, Cu bonding generally representative of Cu(+), and U bonding consistent with a U(4+) or U(5+) species. On the basis of these measurements, as well as bonding arguments, the formal oxidation states for U may be assigned as +5 in Tl(3)Cu(4)USe(6) and +4 in Tl(2)Ag(2)USe(4).

La2U2Se9: an ordered lanthanide/actinide chalcogenide with a novel structure type.

The compound La(2)U(2)Se(9) was obtained in high yield from the stoichiometric reaction of the elements in an Sb(2)Se(3) flux at 1123 K. The compound, which crystallizes in a new structure type in space group Pmma of the orthorhombic system, has a three-dimensional structure with alternating U/Se and La/Se layers attached via three independent, infinite polyselenide chains. The U atom has a monocapped square antiprismatic coordination of Se atoms, whereas one La atom is bicapped square prismatic and the other La atom is trigonal prismatic. La(2)U(2)Se(9) displays an antiferromagnetic transition at T(N) = 5 K; above 50 K, the paramagnetic behavior can be fit to the Curie-Weiss law, yielding a mu(eff) of 3.10(1) mu(B)/U. The low-temperature specific heat of La(2)U(2)Se(9) exhibits no anomalous behavior near the Neel temperature that might indicate long-range magnetic ordering or a phase transition. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra have confirmed the assignment of formal oxidation states of +III for lanthanum and +IV for uranium in La(2)U(2)Se(9).

Dichalcogenide bonding in seven alkali-metal actinide chalcogenides of the KTh2Se6 structure type.

The solid-state compounds CsTh(2)Se(6), Rb(0.85)U(1.74)S(6), RbU(2)Se(6), TlU(2)Se(6), Cs(0.88)(La(0.68)U(1.32))Se(6), KNp(2)Se(6), and CsNp(2)Se(6) of the AAn(2)Q(6) family (A = alkali metal or Tl; An = Th, U, Np; Q = S, Se, Te) have been synthesized by high-temperature techniques. All seven crystallize in space group Immm of the orthorhombic system in the KTh(2)Se(6) structure type. Evidence of long-range order and modulation were found in the X-ray diffraction patterns of TlU(2)Se(6) and CsNp(2)Se(6). A 4a × 4b supercell was found for TlU(2)Se(6) whereas a 5a × 5b × 5c supercell was found for CsNp(2)Se(6). All seven compounds exhibit Q-Q interactions and, depending on the radius ratio R(An)/R(A), disorder of the A cation over two sites. The electrical conductivity of RbU(2)Se(6), measured along [100], is 6 × 10(-5) S cm(-1) at 298 K. The interatomic distances, including those in the modulated structure of TlU(2)Se(6), and physical properties suggest the compounds may be formulated as containing tetravalent Th or U, but the formal oxidation state of Np in the modulated structure of CsNp(2)Se(6) is less certain. The actinide contraction from Th to U to Np is apparent in the interatomic distances.