Palladium-Doped Cs2AgBiBr6 with 1300 nm Near-Infrared Photoresponse.

Lead-free halide double perovskite (HDP) Cs2AgBiBr6 has set a benchmark for research in HDP photoelectric applications due to its attractive optoelectronic properties. However, its narrow absorption range is a key limitation of this material. Herein, a novel dopant, palladium (Pd), is doped into Cs2AgBiBr6 and significantly extends the absorption to ≈1400 nm. Pd2+ ions are partially doped in the host lattice, most probably replacing Ag atoms and introducing a sub-bandgap state within the host bandgap, as indicated by the combination of spectroscopical measurements and theoretical calculations. Importantly, this sub-bandgap state extends the photoresponse of Cs2AgBiBr6 up to the NIR-II region of 1300 nm, setting a new record for HDPs. This work demonstrates a novel and efficient dopant for HDPs and highlights the effectiveness of employing a sub-bandgap to broaden the absorption of HDPs, shedding new light on tailoring large bandgap HDPs for NIR optoelectronic applications.

Formation and Polymorphism of Semiconducting K2SiH6 and Strategy for Metallization.

K2SiH6, crystallizing in the cubic K2PtCl6 structure type (Fm3̅m), features unusual hypervalent SiH62- complexes. Here, the formation of K2SiH6 at high pressures is revisited by in situ synchrotron diffraction experiments, considering KSiH3 as a precursor. At the investigated pressures, 8 and 13 GPa, K2SiH6 adopts the trigonal (NH4)2SiF6 structure type (P3̅m1) upon formation. The trigonal polymorph is stable up to 725 °C at 13 GPa. At room temperature, the transition into an ambient pressure recoverable cubic form occurs below 6.7 GPa. Theory suggests the existence of an additional, hexagonal, variant in the pressure interval 3-5 GPa. According to density functional theory band structure calculations, K2SiH6 is a semiconductor with a band gap around 2 eV. Nonbonding H-dominated states are situated below and Si-H anti-bonding states are located above the Fermi level. Enthalpically feasible and dynamically stable metallic variants of K2SiH6 may be obtained when substituting Si partially by Al or P, thus inducing p- and n-type metallicity, respectively. Yet, electron-phonon coupling appears weak, and calculated superconducting transition temperatures are <1 K.

Anharmonicity and Ultralow Thermal Conductivity in Lead-Free Halide Double Perovskites.

The lead-free halide double perovskite class of materials offers a promising venue for resolving issues related to toxicity of Pb and long-term stability of the lead-containing halide perovskites. We present a first-principles study of the lattice vibrations in Cs_{2}AgBiBr_{6}, the prototypical compound in this class and show that the lattice dynamics of Cs_{2}AgBiBr_{6} is highly anharmonic, largely in regards to tilting of AgBr_{6} and BiBr_{6} octahedra. Using an energy- and temperature-dependent phonon spectral function, we then show how the experimentally observed cubic-to-tetragonal phase transformation is caused by the collapse of a soft phonon branch. We finally reveal that the softness and anharmonicity of Cs_{2}AgBiBr_{6} yield an ultralow thermal conductivity, unexpected of high-symmetry cubic structures.

Na3FeH7 and Na3CoH6: Hydrogen-Rich First-Row Transition Metal Hydrides from High Pressure Synthesis.

The formation of ternary hydrogen-rich hydrides involving the first-row transition metals TM = Fe and Co in high oxidation states is demonstrated from in situ synchrotron diffraction studies of reaction mixtures NaH-TM-H2 at p ≈ 10 GPa. Na3FeH7 and Na3CoH6 feature pentagonal bipyramidal FeH73- and octahedral CoH63- 18-electron complexes, respectively. At high pressure, high temperature (300 < T ≤ 470 °C) conditions, metal atoms are arranged as in the face-centered cubic Heusler structure, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the complexes undergo reorientational dynamics. Upon cooling, subtle changes in the diffraction patterns evidence reversible and rapid phase transitions associated with ordering of the complexes. During decompression, Na3FeH7 and Na3CoH6 transform to tetragonal and orthorhombic low pressure forms, respectively, which can be retained at ambient pressure. The discovery of Na3FeH7 and Na3CoH6 establishes a consecutive series of homoleptic hydrogen-rich complexes for first-row transition metals from Cr to Ni.

Lead-Free Halide Double Perovskite Cs2 AgBiBr6 with Decreased Band Gap.

Environmentally friendly halide double perovskites with improved stability are regarded as a promising alternative to lead halide perovskites. The benchmark double perovskite, Cs2 AgBiBr6 , shows attractive optical and electronic features, making it promising for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices. However, the large band gap limits its further applications, especially for photovoltaics. Herein, we develop a novel crystal-engineering strategy to significantly decrease the band gap by approximately 0.26 eV, reaching the smallest reported band gap of 1.72 eV for Cs2 AgBiBr6 under ambient conditions. The band-gap narrowing is confirmed by both absorption and photoluminescence measurements. Our first-principles calculations indicate that enhanced Ag-Bi disorder has a large impact on the band structure and decreases the band gap, providing a possible explanation of the observed band-gap narrowing effect. This work provides new insights for achieving lead-free double perovskites with suitable band gaps for optoelectronic applications.

Exploring the Mg-Cr-H System at High Pressure and Temperature via in Situ Synchrotron Diffraction.

The complex transition metal hydride Mg3CrH8 has been previously synthesized using high pressure conditions. It contains the first group 6 homoleptic hydrido complex, [Cr(II)H7]5-. Here, we investigated the formation of Mg3CrH8 by in situ studies of reaction mixtures of 3MgH2-Cr-H2 at 5 GPa. The formation of the known orthorhombic form (o-Mg3CrH8) was noticed at temperatures above 635 °C, albeit at a relatively slow rate. At temperatures around 750 °C a high temperature phase formed rapidly, which upon slow cooling converted into o-Mg3CrH8. The phase transition at high pressures occurred reversibly at ∼735 °C upon heating and at ∼675 °C upon slow cooling. Upon rapid cooling, a monoclinic polymorph (m-Mg3CrH8) was afforded which could be subsequently recovered and analyzed at ambient pressure. m-Mg3CrH8 was found to crystallize in P21/n space group (a = 5.128 Å, b = 16.482 Å, c = 4.805 Å, ß = 90.27°). Its structure elucidation from high resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data was aided by first-principles DFT calculations. Like the orthorhombic polymorph, m-Mg3CrH8 contains pentagonal bipyramidal complexes [CrH7]5- and interstitial H-. The arrangement of metal atoms and interstitial H- resembles closely that of the high pressure orthorhombic form of Mg3MnH7. This suggests similar principles of formation and stabilization of hydrido complexes at high pressure and temperature conditions in the Mg-Cr-H and Mg-Mn-H systems. Calculated enthalpy versus pressure relations predict o-Mg3CrH8 being more stable than m-Mg3CrH8 by 6.5 kJ/mol at ambient pressure and by 13 kJ/mol at 5 GPa. The electronic structure of m-Mg3CrH8 is very similar to that of o-Mg3CrH8. The stable 18-electron complex [CrH7]5- is mirrored in the occupied states, and calculated band gaps are around 1.5 eV.

Synthesis of Ti3AuC2, Ti3Au2C2 and Ti3IrC2 by noble metal substitution reaction in Ti3SiC2 for high-temperature-stable Ohmic contacts to SiC.

The large class of layered ceramics encompasses both van der Waals (vdW) and non-vdW solids. While intercalation of noble metals in vdW solids is known, formation of compounds by incorporation of noble-metal layers in non-vdW layered solids is largely unexplored. Here, we show formation of Ti3AuC2 and Ti3Au2C2 phases with up to 31% lattice swelling by a substitutional solid-state reaction of Au into Ti3SiC2 single-crystal thin films with simultaneous out-diffusion of Si. Ti3IrC2 is subsequently produced by a substitution reaction of Ir for Au in Ti3Au2C2. These phases form Ohmic electrical contacts to SiC and remain stable after 1,000 h of ageing at 600 °C in air. The present results, by combined analytical electron microscopy and ab initio calculations, open avenues for processing of noble-metal-containing layered ceramics that have not been synthesized from elemental sources, along with tunable properties such as stable electrical contacts for high-temperature power electronics or gas sensors.

Phase Stability of Dynamically Disordered Solids from First Principles.

Theoretical studies of phase stability in solid materials with dynamic disorder are challenging due to the failure of the standard picture of atoms vibrating around fixed equilibrium positions. Dynamically disordered solid materials show immense potential in applications. In particular, superionic conductors, where the disorder results in exceptionally high ionic conductivity, are very promising as solid state electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells. The biggest obstacle in living up to this potential is the limited stability of the dynamically disordered phases. Here, we outline a method to obtain the free energy of a dynamically disordered solid. It is based on a stress-strain thermodynamic integration on a deformation path between a mechanically stable ordered variant of the disordered phase, and the dynamically disordered phase itself. We show that the large entropy contribution associated with the dynamic disorder is captured in the behavior of the stress along the deformation path. We apply the method to Bi_{2}O_{3}, whose superionic δ phase is the fastest known solid oxide ion conductor. We accurately reproduce the experimental transition enthalpy and the critical temperature of the phase transition from the low temperature ground state α phase to the superionic δ phase. The method can be used for a first-principles description of the phase stability of superionic conductors and other materials with dynamic disorder, when the disordered phase can be connected to a stable phase through a continuous deformation path.

Unraveling Hidden Mg-Mn-H Phase Relations at High Pressures and Temperatures by in Situ Synchrotron Diffraction.

The Mg-Mn-H system was investigated by in situ high pressure studies of reaction mixtures MgH2-Mn-H2. The formation conditions of two complex hydrides with composition Mg3MnH7 were established. Previously known hexagonal Mg3MnH7 (h-Mg3MnH7) formed at pressures 1.5-2 GPa and temperatures between 480 and 500 °C, whereas an orthorhombic form (o-Mg3MnH7) was obtained at pressures above 5 GPa and temperatures above 600 °C. The crystal structures of the polymorphs feature octahedral [Mn(I)H6]5- complexes and interstitial H-. Interstitial H- is located in trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal interstices formed by Mg2+ ions in h- and o-Mg3MnH7, respectively. The hexagonal form can be retained at ambient pressure, whereas the orthorhombic form upon decompression undergoes a distortion to monoclinic Mg3MnH7 (m-Mg3MnH7). The structure elucidation of o- and m-Mg3MnH7 was aided by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Calculated enthalpy versus pressure relations predict m- and o-Mg3MnH7 to be more stable than h-Mg3MnH7 above 4.3 GPa. Phonon calculations revealed o-Mg3MnH7 to be dynamically unstable at pressures below 5 GPa, which explains its phase transition to m-Mg3MnH7 on decompression. The electronic structure of the quenchable polymorphs h- and m-Mg3MnH7 is very similar. The stable 18-electron complex [MnH6]5- is mirrored in the occupied states, and calculated band gaps are around 1.5 eV. The study underlines the significance of in situ investigations for mapping reaction conditions and understanding phase relations for hydrogen-rich complex transition metal hydrides.

Oxygen diffusion in ceria doped with rare-earth elements.

We examine the effects of the dopant type and the dopant distribution on the ion diffusion in ceria doped with rare-earth elements (Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, and Gd). Diffusion is simulated by means of a Kinetic Monte Carlo method using input transition rates derived from diffusion barriers calculated in the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Based on diffusion simulations, we discuss the characteristics of the dopants in terms of the diffusion barriers, and study oxygen ion trajectories for different dopants and distributions. Our simulations show a trend of increasing ion diffusivity with increasing atomic number for all distributions.

Highly Efficient Free Energy Calculations of the Fe Equation of State Using Temperature-Dependent Effective Potential Method.

Free energy calculations at finite temperature based on ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations have become possible, but they are still highly computationally demanding. Besides, achieving simultaneously high accuracy of the calculated results and efficiency of the computational algorithm is still a challenge. In this work we describe an efficient algorithm to determine accurate free energies of solids in simulations using the recently proposed temperature-dependent effective potential method (TDEP). We provide a detailed analysis of numerical approximations employed in the TDEP algorithm. We show that for a model system considered in this work, hcp Fe, the obtained thermal equation of state at 2000 K is in excellent agreement with the results of standard calculations within the quasiharmonic approximation.

Understanding Antiferromagnetic Coupling in Lead-Free Halide Double Perovskite Semiconductors.

Solution-processable semiconductors with antiferromagnetic (AFM) order are attractive for future spintronics and information storage technology. Halide perovskites containing magnetic ions have emerged as multifunctional materials, demonstrating a cross-link between structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. However, stable optoelectronic halide perovskites that are antiferromagnetic remain sparse, and the critical design rules to optimize magnetic coupling still must be developed. Here, we combine the complementary magnetometry and electron-spin-resonance experiments, together with first-principles calculations to study the antiferromagnetic coupling in stable Cs2(Ag:Na)FeCl6 bulk semiconductor alloys grown by the hydrothermal method. We show the importance of nonmagnetic monovalence ions at the BI site (Na/Ag) in facilitating the superexchange interaction via orbital hybridization, offering the tunability of the Curie-Weiss parameters between -27 and -210 K, with a potential to promote magnetic frustration via alloying the nonmagnetic BI site (Ag:Na ratio). Combining our experimental evidence with first-principles calculations, we draw a cohesive picture of the material design for B-site-ordered antiferromagnetic halide double perovskites.

Pressure-induced hydrogen bond symmetrization in iron oxyhydroxide.

Under high pressures the hydrogen bonds were predicted to transform from a highly asymmetric soft O-H···O to a symmetric rigid configuration in which the proton lies midway between the two oxygen atoms. Despite four decades of research on hydroxyl containing compounds, pressure induced hydrogen bond symmetrization remains elusive. Following single crystal x-ray diffraction, Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopy measurements supported by ab initio calculations, we report the H-bonds symmetrization in iron oxyhydroxide, FeOOH, resulting from the Fe(3+) high-to-low spin crossover at above 45 GPa.

Hemispherical anisotropic patterns of the Earth's inner core.

It has been shown that the Earth's inner core has an axisymmetric anisotropic structure with seismic waves traveling approximately 3% faster along polar paths than along equatorial directions. Hemispherical anisotropic patterns of the solid Earth's core are rather complex, and the commonly used hexagonal-close-packed iron phase might be insufficient to account for seismological observations. We show that the data we collected are in good agreement with the presence of two anisotropically specular east and west core hemispheres. The detected travel-time anomalies can only be disclosed by a lattice-preferred orientation of a body-centered-cubic iron aggregate, having a fraction of their [111] crystal axes parallel to the Earth's rotation axis. This is compelling evidence for the presence of a body-centered-cubic Fe phase at the top of the Earth's inner core.

Hypervalent hydridosilicate in the Na-Si-H system.

Hydrogenation reactions at gigapascal pressures can yield hydrogen-rich materials with properties relating to superconductivity, ion conductivity, and hydrogen storage. Here, we investigated the ternary Na-Si-H system by computational structure prediction and in situ synchrotron diffraction studies of reaction mixtures NaH-Si-H2 at 5-10 GPa. Structure prediction indicated the existence of various hypervalent hydridosilicate phases with compositions NamSiH(4+m) (m = 1-3) at comparatively low pressures, 0-20 GPa. These ternary Na-Si-H phases share, as a common structural feature, octahedral SiH6 2- complexes which are condensed into chains for m = 1 and occur as isolated species for m = 2, 3. In situ studies demonstrated the formation of the double salt Na3[SiH6]H (Na3SiH7, m = 3) containing both octahedral SiH6 2- moieties and hydridic H-. Upon formation at elevated temperatures (>500°C), Na3SiH7 attains a tetragonal structure (P4/mbm, Z = 2) which, during cooling, transforms to an orthorhombic polymorph (Pbam, Z = 4). Upon decompression, Pbam-Na3SiH7 was retained to approx. 4.5 GPa, below which a further transition into a yet unknown polymorph occurred. Na3SiH7 is a new representative of yet elusive hydridosilicate compounds. Its double salt nature and polymorphism are strongly reminiscent of fluorosilicates and germanates.

Lattice Dynamics and Electron-Phonon Coupling in Double Perovskite Cs2NaFeCl6.

Phonon-phonon and electron/exciton-phonon coupling play a vitally important role in thermal, electronic, as well as optical properties of metal halide perovskites. In this work, we evaluate phonon anharmonicity and coupling between electronic and vibrational excitations in novel double perovskite Cs2NaFeCl6 single crystals. By employing comprehensive Raman measurements combined with first-principles theoretical calculations, we identify four Raman-active vibrational modes. Polarization properties of these modes imply Fm3̅m symmetry of the lattice, indicative for on average an ordered distribution of Fe and Na atoms in the lattice. We further show that temperature dependence of the Raman modes, such as changes in the phonon line width and their energies, suggests high phonon anharmonicity, typical for double perovskite materials. Resonant multiphonon Raman scattering reveals the presence of high-lying band states that mediate strong electron-phonon coupling and give rise to intense nA 1g overtones up to the fifth order. Strong electron-phonon coupling in Cs2NaFeCl6 is also concluded based on the Urbach tail analysis of the absorption coefficient and the calculated Fröhlich coupling constant. Our results, therefore, suggest significant impacts of phonon-phonon and electron-phonon interactions on electronic properties of Cs2NaFeCl6, important for potential applications of this novel material.

Localized versus itinerant character of 4f-states in cerium oxides.

The electronic structure of cerium oxide is investigated here using a combination of ab initio one-electron theory and elements from many-body physics, with emphasis on the nature of the 4f electron shell of cerium ions. We propose to use the hybridization function as a convenient measure for the degree of localization of the 4f shell of this material, and observe that changing the oxidation state is related to distinct changes in the hybridization between the 4f shell and ligand states. The theory reveals that CeO2 has essentially itinerant 4f states, and that in the least oxidized form of ceria, Ce2O3, the 4f states are almost (but not fully) localized. This conclusion is supported by additional calculations based on a combination of density functional theory and dynamical mean field theory. Most importantly, our model points to the fact that diffusion of oxygen vacancies in cerium oxide may be seen as polaron hopping, involving a correlated 4f electron cloud, which is located primarily on Ce ions of several atomic shells surrounding the vacancy.

Layered Zinc Hydroxide Dihydrate, Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, from Hydrothermal Conversion of ε-Zn(OH)2 at Gigapascal Pressures and its Transformation to Nanocrystalline ZnO.

Layered zinc hydroxides (LZHs) with the general formula (Zn2+) x (OH-)2x-my (A m-) y ·nH2O (A m- = Cl-, NO3 -, ac-, SO4 2-, etc) are considered as useful precursors for the fabrication of functional ZnO nanostructures. Here, we report the synthesis and structure characterization of the hitherto unknown "binary" representative of the LZH compound family, Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, with A m- = OH-, x = 5, y = 2, and n = 2. Zn5(OH)10·2H2O was afforded quantitatively by pressurizing mixtures of ε-Zn(OH)2 (wulfingite) and water to 1-2 GPa and applying slightly elevated temperatures, 100-200 °C. The monoclinic crystal structure was characterized from powder X-ray diffraction data (space group C2/c, a = 15.342(7) Å, b = 6.244(6) Å, c = 10.989(7) Å, ß = 100.86(1)°). It features neutral zinc hydroxide layers, composed of octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Zn ions with a 3:2 ratio, in which H2O is intercalated. The interlayer d(200) distance is 7.53 Å. The H-bond structure of Zn5(OH)10·2H2O was analyzed by a combination of infrared/Raman spectroscopy, computational modeling, and neutron powder diffraction. Interlayer H2O molecules are strongly H-bonded to five surrounding OH groups and appear orientationally disordered. The decomposition of Zn5(OH)10·2H2O, which occurs thermally between 70 and 100 °C, was followed in an in situ transmission electron microscopy study and ex situ annealing experiments. It yields initially 5-15 nm sized hexagonal w-ZnO crystals, which, depending on the conditions, may intergrow to several hundred nm-large two-dimensional, flakelike crystals within the boundary of original Zn5(OH)10·2H2O particles.

Na-Ni-H Phase Formation at High Pressures and High Temperatures: Hydrido Complexes [NiH5]3- Versus the Perovskite NaNiH3.

The Na-Ni-H system was investigated by in situ synchrotron diffraction studies of reaction mixtures NaH-Ni-H2 at around 5, 10, and 12 GPa. The existence of ternary hydrogen-rich hydrides with compositions Na3NiH5 and NaNiH3, where Ni attains the oxidation state II, is demonstrated. Upon heating at ∼5 GPa, face-centered cubic (fcc) Na3NiH5 forms above 430 °C. Upon cooling, it undergoes a rapid and reversible phase transition at 330 °C to an orthorhombic (Cmcm) form. Upon pressure release, Na3NiH5 further transforms into its recoverable Pnma form whose structure was elucidated from synchrotron powder diffraction data, aided by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Na3NiH5 features previously unknown square pyramidal 18-electron complexes NiH5 3-. In the high temperature fcc form, metal atoms are arranged as in the Heusler structure, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the complexes are dynamically disordered. The Heusler-type metal partial structure is essentially maintained in the low temperature Cmcm form, in which NiH5 3- complexes are ordered. It is considerably rearranged in the low pressure Pnma form. Experiments at 10 GPa showed an initial formation of fcc Na3NiH5 followed by the addition of the perovskite hydride NaNiH3, in which Ni(II) attains an octahedral environment by H atoms. NaNiH3 is recoverable at ambient pressures and represents the sole product of 12 GPa experiments. DFT calculations show that the decomposition of Na3NiH5 = NaNiH3 + 2 NaH is enthalpically favored at all pressures, suggesting that Na3NiH5 is metastable and its formation is kinetically favored. Ni-H bonding in metallic NaNiH3 is considered covalent, as in electron precise Na3NiH5, but delocalized in the polyanion [NiH3]-.

Low viscosity of the Earth's inner core.

The Earth's solid inner core is a highly attenuating medium. It consists mainly of iron. The high attenuation of sound wave propagation in the inner core is at odds with the widely accepted paradigm of hexagonal close-packed phase stability under inner core conditions, because sound waves propagate through the hexagonal iron without energy dissipation. Here we show by first-principles molecular dynamics that the body-centered cubic phase of iron, recently demonstrated to be thermodynamically stable under the inner core conditions, is considerably less elastic than the hexagonal phase. Being a crystalline phase, the body-centered cubic phase of iron possesses the viscosity close to that of a liquid iron. The high attenuation of sound in the inner core is due to the unique diffusion characteristic of the body-centered cubic phase. The low viscosity of iron in the inner core enables the convection and resolves a number of controversies.