Flux growth of Yb(6.6)Ir(6)Sn(16) having mixed-valent ytterbium

Anisotropic Near-Zero Thermal Expansion in REAg xGa4- x ( RE = La-Nd, Sm, Eu, and Yb) Induced by Structural Reorganization

In this work, we have discovered the anisotropic near-zero thermal expansion (NZTE) behavior in a family of compounds REAg _xGa_{4- x} ( RE = La-Nd, Sm, Eu, and Yb). The compounds adopt the CeAl₂Ga₂ structure type and were obtained as single crystals in high yield by metal flux growth technique using gallium as active flux. Temperature-dependent single crystal X-ray diffraction suggests that all the compounds exhibit near zero thermal expansion along c direction in the temperature range of 100-450 K. Temperature-dependent X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopic study confirmed ZTE behavior is due to the geometrical features associated within the crystal structure. The anisotropic NZTE behavior was further established by anisotropic magnetic measurements on selected single crystals. The atomic displacement parameters, apparent bond lengths, bond angles, and structural distortion with respect to the temperature reveal that geometric features associated with the structural distortion cause the anisotropic NZTE along c-direction. The preliminary magnetic studies suggest all the compounds are paramagnetic at room temperature except LaAgGa₃. Electrical resistivity study reveals that compounds from this series are metallic in nature.

Mercouri G. Kanatzidis: Excellence and Innovations in Inorganic and Solid-State Chemistry

Over the last 3-4 decades, solid-state chemistry has emerged as the forefront of materials design and development. The field has revolutionized into a multidisciplinary subject and matured with a scope of new synthetic strategies, new challenges, and opportunities. Understanding the structure is very crucial in the design of appropriate materials for desired applications. Professor Mercouri G. Kanatzidis has encountered both challenges and opportunities during the course of the discovery of many novel materials. Throughout his scientific career, Mercouri and his group discovered several inorganic compounds and pioneered structure-property relationships. We, a few Ph.D. and postdoctoral students, celebrate his 60th birthday by providing a Viewpoint summarizing his contributions to inorganic solid-state chemistry. The topics discussed here are of significant interest to various scientific communities ranging from condensed matter to green energy production.

Synthetically tuned structural variations in CePdxGe2−x(x = 0.21, 0.32, 0.69) towards diverse physical properties

Three structural variations of CePd_xGe_2−xwith versatile properties were synthesized by varying the Pd : Ge ratio.

Metal Flux Growth, Structural Relations, and Physical Properties of EuCu2Ge2 and Eu3T2In9 (T = Cu and Ag)

Single crystals (SCs) of the compounds Eu₃Ag₂In₉ and EuCu₂Ge₂ were synthesized through the reactions run in liquid indium. Eu₃Ag₂In₉ crystallizes in the La₃Al₁₁ structure type [orthorhombic space group (SG) Immm] with the lattice parameters: a = 4.8370(1) Å, b = 10.6078(3) Å, and c = 13.9195(4) Å. EuCu₂Ge₂ crystallizes in the tetragonal ThCr₂Si₂ structure type (SG I4/mmm) with the lattice parameters: a = b = 4.2218(1) Å, and c = 10.3394(5) Å. The crystal structure of Eu₃Ag₂In₉ is comprised of edge-shared hexagonal rings consisting of indium. The one-dimensional chains of In₆ rings are shared through the edges, which are further interconnected with other six-membered rings forming a three-dimensional (3D) stable crystal structure along the bc plane. The crystal structure of EuCu₂Ge₂ can be explained as the complex [CuGe]^(2+δ)- polyanionic network embedded with Eu ions. These polyanionic networks present in the crystal structure of EuCu₂Ge₂ are shared through the edges of the 011 plane containing Cu and Ge atoms, resulting in a 3D network. The structural relationship between Eu₃T₂In₉ and EuCu₂Ge₂ has been discussed in detail, and we conclude that Eu₃T₂In₉ is the metal deficient variant of EuCu₂Ge₂. The magnetic susceptibilities of Eu₃T₂In₉ (T = Cu and Ag) and EuCu₂Ge₂ were measured between 2 and 300 K. In all cases, magnetic susceptibility data followed Curie-Weiss law above 150 K. Magnetic moment values obtained from the measurements indicate the probable mixed/intermediate valent behavior of the europium atoms, which was further confirmed by X-ray absorption studies and bond distances around the Eu atoms. Electrical resistivity measurements suggest that Eu₃T₂In₉ and EuCu₂Ge₂ are metallic in nature.