Darstellung und Kristallstruktur eines Kaliumnitridophosphats, K3P6N11

Ammonothermal Crystal Growth of Functional Nitrides for Semiconductor Devices: Status and Potential

The state-of-the-art ammonothermal method for the growth of nitrides is reviewed here, with an emphasis on binary and ternary nitrides beyond GaN. A wide range of relevant aspects are covered, from fundamental autoclave technology, to reactivity and solubility of elements, to synthesized crystalline nitride materials and their properties. Initially, the potential of emerging and novel nitrides is discussed, motivating their synthesis in single crystal form. This is followed by a summary of our current understanding of the reactivity/solubility of species and the state-of-the-art single crystal synthesis for GaN, AlN, AlGaN, BN, InN, and, more generally, ternary and higher order nitrides. Investigation of the synthesized materials is presented, with a focus on point defects (impurities, native defects including hydrogenated vacancies) based on GaN and potential pathways for their mitigation or circumvention for achieving a wide range of controllable functional and structural material properties. Lastly, recent developments in autoclave technology are reviewed, based on GaN, with a focus on advances in development of in situ technologies, including in situ temperature measurements, optical absorption via UV/Vis spectroscopy, imaging of the solution and crystals via optical (visible, X-ray), along with use of X-ray computed tomography and diffraction. While time intensive to develop, these technologies are now capable of offering unprecedented insight into the autoclave and, hence, facilitating the rapid exploration of novel nitride synthesis using the ammonothermal method.

Ammonothermal Synthesis and Solid-State NMR Study of the Imidonitridosilicate Rb3Si6N5(NH)6

The imidonitridosilicate Rb3Si6N5(NH)6, being only the second representative of this compound class, was synthesized ammonothermally at 870 K and 230 MPa. Its crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The imidonitridosilicate crystallizes isotypically with the respective potassium compound in space group P4132 with the lattice parameter a=10.9422(4) Å forming a three-dimensional imidonitridosilicate tetrahedra network with voids for the rubidium ions. The structure model and the presence of the imide groups were verified by Fourier-Transform infrared (FTIR) and magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, using cross polarization 15N{1H} and 29Si{1H} MAS NMR experiments. Rb3Si6N5(NH)6 represents a possible intermediate during the ammonothermal synthesis of nitridosilicates. The characterization of such intermediates improves the understanding of the reaction pathway from ammonothermal solutions to nitrides. Thus, the ammonothermal synthesis is an alternative approach to the well-established high-temperature synthesis leading to the compound class of nitridosilicates.

Please Mind the Gap: Highly Condensed P-N Networks in LiP4 N7 and Li3-x P6 N11-x (NH)x

Alkali nitridophosphates AP4 N7 and A3 P6 N11 (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs) have been known for decades. However, their Li homologues have remained elusive. In this work, the highly condensed lithium (imido)nitridophosphates LiP4 N7 and Li3-x P6 N11-x (NH)x (x=1.66(3)) were synthesized from LiPN2 and P3 N5 in the multianvil press at 10 GPa. They constitute the first lithium nitridophosphates with 3D networks exhibiting a degree of condensation larger than 0.5 and high thermal stability. LiP4 N7 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P21 21 21 with a=4.5846(6) Å, b=8.0094(11) Å, and c=13.252(2) Å (Z=4). Li3-x P6 N11-x (NH)x crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 - ${\mathrel{\mathop{{\rm { 1}}}\limits^{{\rm -}}}}$ with Z=2, a=4.6911(11) Å, b=7.024(2) Å, c=12.736(3) Å, α=87.726(11), β=80.279(11), and γ=70.551(12)°. Both compounds are stable against hydrolysis in air.

Synthesis of Nitride Zeolites in a Hot Isostatic Press

The recently introduced nitridophosphate synthesis in a hot isostatic press (HIP) enabled simple access to large‐scale product quantities starting from exclusively commercially available starting materials. Herein, we show that this method is suitable for the synthesis of highly condensed functional nitridophosphates, as well. Hence, the syntheses of the nitridophosphate zeolites Ba₃P₅N₁₀X (X=Cl, Br) are presented as proof of concept for this innovative access. Furthermore, samples of unprecedented Sr₃P₅N₁₀X (X=Cl, Br) were prepared and characterized to demonstrate the advantages of this synthetic approach over commonly used methods. Luminescence investigations on Eu²⁺‐doped samples of AE₃P₅N₁₀X (AE=Sr, Ba; X=Cl, Br) were carried out and characteristics of observed emission bands are discussed.

Post-Synthetic Modification: Systematic Study on a Simple Access to Nitridophosphates

Nitridophosphates are a well‐studied class of nitrides with diverse materials properties, such as luminescence or ion conductivity. Despite the growing interest in this compound class, their synthesis mostly works through direct combination of starting materials. Herein, we present a systematic study on a promising method for post‐synthetic modification by treating pre‐synthesized nitridophosphates with halides under elevated pressures and temperatures. Herein, we focus on the applicability of this approach to P/N compounds with different degrees of condensation. Accordingly, BaP₂N₄, Ba₃P₅N₁₀Br, SrH₄P₆N₁₂, CaP₈N₁₄, and Ca₂PN₃ are investigated as model compounds for framework‐, layer‐, and chain‐type nitridophosphates. The formation of structurally related, as well as, completely unrelated compounds, compared to the starting materials, shows the great potential of the approach, which increases the synthetic possibilities for nitridophosphates significantly.

HIP to be Square: Simplifying Nitridophosphate Synthesis in a Hot Isostatic Press

(Oxo)Nitridophosphates have recently been identified as a promising compound class for application in the field of solid-state lighting. Especially, the latest medium-pressure syntheses under ammonothermal conditions draw attention of the semiconductor and lighting industry on nitridophosphates. In this contribution, we introduce hot isostatic presses as a new type of medium-pressure synthetic tool, further simplifying nitridophosphate synthesis. In a second step, phosphorus nitride was replaced as starting material by red phosphorus, enabling the synthesis of Ca₂ PN₃ as model compound, starting only from readily available compounds. Moreover, first luminescence investigations on Eu²⁺ -doped samples reveal Ca₂ PN₃ :Eu²⁺ as a promising broad-band red-emitter (λ_em =650 nm; fwhm=1972 cm^-1 ). Besides simple handling, the presented synthetic method offers access to large sample volumes, and the underlying reaction conditions facilitate single-crystal growth, required for excellent optical properties.

Sr3 P3 N7 : Complementary Approach by Ammonothermal and High-Pressure Syntheses

Nitridophosphates exhibit an intriguing structural diversity with different structural motifs, for example, chains, layers or frameworks. In this contribution the novel nitridophosphate Sr3 P3 N7 with unprecedented dreier double chains is presented. Crystalline powders were synthesized using the ammonothermal method, while single crystals were obtained by a high-pressure multianvil technique. The crystal structure of Sr3 P3 N7 was solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and confirmed by powder X-ray methods. Sr3 P3 N7 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2/c. Energy-dispersive X-ray and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy were conducted to confirm the chemical composition, as well as the absence of NHx functionality. The optical band gap was estimated to be 4.4 eV using diffuse reflectance UV/Vis spectroscopy. Upon doping with Eu2+ , Sr3 P3 N7 shows a broad deep-red to infrared emission (λem =681 nm, fwhm≈3402 cm-1 ) with an internal quantum efficiency of 42 %.

Crystalline Nitridophosphates by Ammonothermal Synthesis

Nitridophosphates are a well-studied class of compounds with high structural diversity. However, their synthesis is quite challenging, particularly due to the limited thermal stability of starting materials like P₃ N₅ . Typically, it requires even high-pressure techniques (e.g. multianvil) in most cases. Herein, we establish the ammonothermal method as a versatile synthetic tool to access nitridophosphates with different degrees of condensation. α-Li₁₀ P₄ N₁₀ , β-Li₁₀ P₄ N₁₀ , Li₁₈ P₆ N₁₆ , Ca₂ PN₃ , SrP₈ N₁₄ , and LiPN₂ were synthesized in supercritical NH₃ at temperatures and pressures up to 1070 K and 200 MPa employing ammonobasic conditions. The products were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy. Moreover, we established red phosphorus as a starting material for nitridophosphate synthesis instead of commonly used and not readily available precursors, such as P₃ N₅ . This opens a promising preparative access to the emerging compound class of nitridophosphates.

Nitridophosphates: A Success Story of Nitride Synthesis

Nitridophosphates and phosphorus nitrides are thoroughly investigated classes of nitrides. During thirty years of research, the methods for their synthesis evolved from the condensation of molecular precursors at moderate temperatures and ambient pressures to state-of-the-art high-pressure and high-temperature processes. Landmark breakthroughs made in recent years led to a comprehension-based proficiency in nitridophosphate synthesis that is illustrated by the large compositional and structural diversity of the nitridophosphates known today. Herein, we review the advances made in synthesis with regard to the prevalent problem of nitride synthesis: the susceptibility of nitride ions to oxidation.

Ammonothermal Synthesis of Nitrides: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives

Nitrides represent an intriguing class of functional materials with a broad range of application fields. Within the past decade, the ammonothermal method became increasingly attractive for the synthesis and crystal growth of nitride materials. The ammonothermal approach proved to be eminently suitable for the growth of bulk III-nitride semiconductors like GaN, and furthermore provided access to numerous ternary and multinary nitrides and oxonitrides with promising optical and electronic properties. In this minireview, we will shed light on the latest research findings covering the synthesis of nitrides by this method. An overview of synthesis strategies for binary, ternary, and multinary nitrides and oxonitrides, as well as their properties and potential applications will be given. The recent development of autoclave technologies for syntheses at high temperatures and pressures, in situ methods for investigations of crystallization processes, and solubility measurements by ultrasonic velocity experiments is briefly reviewed as well. In conclusion, challenges and future perspectives regarding the synthesis and crystal growth of novel nitrides, as well as the advancement of autoclave techniques are discussed.

Ammonothermal Synthesis of Earth-Abundant Nitride Semiconductors ZnSiN2 and ZnGeN2 and Dissolution Monitoring by In Situ X-ray Imaging

In this contribution, first synthesis of semiconducting ZnSiN₂ and ZnGeN₂ from solution is reported with supercritical ammonia as solvent and KNH₂ as ammonobasic mineralizer. The reactions were conducted in custom-built high-pressure autoclaves made of nickel-based superalloy. The nitrides were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and their crystal structures were refined by the Rietveld method. ZnSiN₂ (a=5.24637(4), b=6.28025(5), c=5.02228(4) Å, Z=4, R_wp =0.0556) and isotypic ZnGeN₂ (a=5.46677(10), b=6.44640(12), c=5.19080(10) Å, Z=4, R_wp =0.0494) crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ (no. 33). The morphology and elemental composition of the nitrides were examined by electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Well-defined single crystals with a diameter up to 7 μm were grown by ammonothermal synthesis at temperatures between 870 and 1070 K and pressures up to 230 MPa. Optical properties have been analyzed with diffuse reflectance measurements. The band gaps of ZnSiN₂ and ZnGeN₂ were determined to be 3.7 and 3.2 eV at room temperature, respectively. In situ X-ray measurements were performed to exemplarily investigate the crystallization mechanism of ZnGeN₂ . Dissolution in ammonobasic supercritical ammonia between 570 and 670 K was observed which is quite promising for the crystal growth of ternary nitrides under ammonothermal conditions.

Synchrotron powder study of Na3V(PO3)3N

Polycrystalline tris­odium vanadium(III) nitridotriphosphate, Na₃V(PO₃)₃N, was prepared by thermal nitridation of a mixture of NaPO₃ and V₂O₅. The title compound is isotypic with Na₃Al(PO₃)₃N. In the crystal, the P-atom and the three O-atom sites are on general positions, whereas the Na-, V- and N-atom sites are located on threefold rotation axes. The P atom is coordinated by three O atoms and one N atom in form of a slightly distorted tetra­hedron. Three PO₃N tetra­hedra build up a nitridotriphosphate group, (PO₃)₃N, by sharing a common N atom. The V atom is coordinated by six O atoms in form of a slightly distorted octa­hedron. The Na⁺ ions occupy three crystallographically distinct sites. One Na⁺ ion is situated in an irregular polyhedral coordination environment composed of six O atoms and one N atom, while the other two Na⁺ cations are surrounded by six and nine O atoms, respectively.

SrP3N5O: a highly condensed layer phosphate structure solved from a nanocrystal by automated electron diffraction tomography

The oxonitridophosphate SrP(3)N(5)O has been synthesized by heating a multicomponent reactant mixture that consisted of phosphoryl triamide OP(NH(2))(3), thiophosphoryl triamide SP(NH(2))(3), SrS, and NH(4)Cl enclosed in evacuated and sealed silica-glass ampoules up to 750 °C. The compound was obtained as nanocrystalline powder with needle-shaped crystallites. The crystal structure was solved ab initio on the basis of electron diffraction data by means of automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) and verified by Rietveld refinement with X-ray powder diffraction data. SrP(3)N(5)O crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (no. 62) with unit-cell data of a=18.331(2), b=8.086(1), c=13.851(1) Å and Z=16. The compound is a highly condensed layer phosphate with a degree of condensation κ=½. The corrugated layers (∞)(2){(P(3)N(5)O)(2-)} consist of linked, triangular columns built up from P(O,N)(4) tetrahedra with 3-rings and triply binding nitrogen atoms. The Sr(2+) ions are located between the layers and exhibit six-, eight-, and ninefold coordination. FTIR and solid-state NMR spectra of SrP(3)N(5)O are discussed as well.

Sr3P6O6N8--a highly condensed layered phosphate

We describe the synthesis and the structure elucidation of Sr(3)P(6)O(6)N(8), a novel, highly condensed layered phosphate.