Structural Phase Transitions and Magnetic Superexchange in M I Ag II F 3 Perovskites at High Pressure**

Pressure‐induced phase transitions of M^IAg^IIF₃ perovskites (M=K, Rb, Cs) have been predicted theoretically for the first time for pressures up to 100 GPa. The sequence of phase transitions for M=K and Rb consists of a transition from orthorhombic to monoclinic and back to orthorhombic, associated with progressive bending of infinite chains of corner‐sharing [AgF₆]⁴⁻ octahedra and their mutual approach through secondary Ag⋅⋅⋅F contacts. In stark contrast, only a single phase transition (tetragonal→triclinic) is predicted for CsAgF₃; this is associated with substantial deformation of the Jahn–Teller‐distorted first coordination sphere of Ag^II and association of the infinite [AgF₆]⁴⁻ chains into a polymeric sublattice. The phase transitions markedly decrease the coupling strength of intra‐chain antiferromagnetic superexchange in MAgF₃ hosts lattices.

Phase Transitions and Amorphization of M2AgF4 (M = Na, K, Rb) Compounds at High Pressure

We report the results of high-pressure Raman spectroscopy studies of alkali metal fluoroargentates (M2AgF4, where M = Na, K, Rb) combined with theoretical and X-ray diffraction studies for the K member of the series. Theoretical density functional calculations predict two structural phase transitions for K2AgF4: one from low-pressure monoclinic P21/c (beta) phase to intermediate-pressure tetragonal I42d structure at 6 GPa, and another to high-pressure triclinic P1 phase at 58 GPa. However, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data indicate that both polymorphic forms of K2AgF4, as well as two other fluoroargentate phases studied here, undergo amorphization at pressures as low as several GPa.

Crystal structure, lattice dynamics and superexchange in MAgF3 1D antiferromagnets (M = K, Rb, Cs) and a Rb3Ag2F7 Ruddlesden–Popper phase

With the use of lattice dynamics calculation within the hybrid HSE06 framework we were able to understand the vibrational spectra of MAgF3 (M = K, Rb, Cs) compounds.

Superexchange interactions in AgMF4 (M = Co, Ni, Cu) polymorphs

Magnetic properties of silver(II) compounds have been of interest in recent years. In covalent compounds, the main mechanism of interaction between paramagnetic sites is the superexchange via the connecting ligand. To date, little is known of magnetic interactions between Ag(II) cations and other paramagnetic centres. It is because only a few compounds bearing a Ag(II) cation and other paramagnetic transition metal cation are known from experimental work. Recently the high-pressure synthesis of ternary silver(II) fluoridometallates with 3d metal cations AgMF4 (M = Co, Ni, Cu) was predicted to be feasible. Here, we investigate the magnetic properties of these compounds in their diverse polymorphic forms. Using well-established computational methods we predict superexchange pathways in AgMF4 compounds, evaluate coupling constants and calculate the impact of the Ag(II) presence on superexchange between the other cations. The results indicate that the low-pressure form of AgCuF4, the only one composed of stacked layers like the parent AgF2, would show mainly Ag–Ag and Cu–Cu superexchange interactions. Upon compression, or with the nickel(II) cation, the Ag–M interactions in AgMF4 compounds are intensified, which is emphasized by an increase of Ag–M superexchange coupling constants and Ag–F–M angles. All the strongest Ag–M superexchange pathways are quasi-linear, leading to the formation of antiferromagnetic chains along the crystallographic directions. The impact of Ag(II) on M–M superexchange turns out to be moderate, due to factors connected to the crystal structure.

Fluorides of Silver Under Large Compression*

The silver-fluorine phase diagram has been scrutinized as a function of external pressure using theoretical methods. Our results indicate that two novel stoichiometries containing Ag⁺ and Ag²⁺ cations (Ag₃ F₄ and Ag₂ F₃ ) are thermodynamically stable at ambient and low pressure. Both are computed to be magnetic semiconductors under ambient pressure conditions. For Ag₂ F₅ , containing both Ag²⁺ and Ag³⁺ , we find that strong 1D antiferromagnetic coupling is retained throughout the pressure-induced phase transition sequence up to 65 GPa. Our calculations show that throughout the entire pressure range of their stability the mixed-valence fluorides preserve a finite band gap at the Fermi level. We also confirm the possibility of synthesizing AgF₄ as a paramagnetic compound at high pressure. Our results indicate that this compound is metallic in its thermodynamic stability region. Finally, we present general considerations on the thermodynamic stability of mixed-valence compounds of silver at high pressure.

Lattice Dynamics of KAgF3 Perovskite, Unique 1D Antiferromagnet

Theoretical DFT calculations using GGA+U and HSE06 frameworks enabled vibrational mode assignment and partial (atomic) phonon DOS determination in KAgF3 perovskite, a low-dimensional magnetic fluoroargentate(II). Twelve bands in the spectra of KAgF3 were assigned to either IR active or Raman active modes, reaching excellent correlation with experimental values (R2 > 0.997). Low-temperature Raman measurements indicate that the intriguing spin-Peierls-like phase transition at 230 K is an order–disorder transition and it does not strongly impact the vibrational structure of the material.

Materials design for new superconductors

Since the announcement in 2011 of the Materials Genome Initiative by the Obama administration, much attention has been given to the subject of materials design to accelerate the discovery of new materials that could have technological implications. Although having its biggest impact for more applied materials like batteries, there is increasing interest in applying these ideas to predict new superconductors. This is obviously a challenge, given that superconductivity is a many body phenomenon, with whole classes of known superconductors lacking a quantitative theory. Given this caveat, various efforts to formulate materials design principles for superconductors are reviewed here, with a focus on surveying the periodic table in an attempt to identify cuprate analogues.

Crystal, electronic, and magnetic structures of M2AgF4 (M = Na–Cs) phases as viewed from the DFT+U method

Theoretical analysis of various polymorphic forms of a series of four alkali metal fluoroargentates(ii), M₂AgF₄ (M = Na–Cs), helped to establish clear trends of crystal structures and magnetic properties across the alkali metal series.

Chemistry of silver(II): a cornucopia of peculiarities†

Silver is the heavier congener of copper in the Periodic Table, but the chemistry of these two elements is very different. While Cu(II) is the most common cationic form of copper, Ag(II) is rare and its compounds exhibit a broad range of peculiar physico-chemical properties. These include, but are not limited to: (i) uncommon oxidizing properties, (ii) unprecedented large mixing of metal and ligand valence orbitals, (iii) strong spin-polarization of neighbouring ligands, (iv) record large magnetic superexchange constants, (v) ease of thermal decomposition of its salts with O-, N- or C-ligands, as well as (vi) robust Jahn-Teller effect which is preserved even at high pressure. These intriguing features of the compounds of Ag(II) will be discussed here together with (vii) a possibility of electromerism (electronic tautomerism) for a certain class of Ag(II) salts.

Multiferroic magnetoelectric fluorides: why are there so many magnetic ferroelectrics?

We review work on multiferroic magnetic fluorides with an aim to correct the popular opinion that magnetic ferroelectrics are rare in nature. After a qualitative summary describing the main families of magnetic fluorides that are piezoelectric and probably ferroelectric, we discuss in detail the most popular recent groups, namely the K(3)Fe(5)F(15) and Pb(5)Cr(3)F(19) families.

Crystal and electronic structures and high-pressure behavior of AgSO4, a unique narrow band gap antiferromagnetic semiconductor: LDA(+U) picture

We demonstrate that DFT calculations performed with the local density approximation (LDA) allow for significantly better reproduction of lattice constants, the unit cell volume and the density of Ag(II)SO(4) than those done with generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The LDA+U scheme, which accounts for electronic correlation effects, enables the accurate prediction of the magnetic superexchange constant of this strongly correlated material and its band gap at the Fermi level. The character of the band gap places the compound on the borderline between a Mott insulator and a charge transfer insulator. The size of the band gap (0.82 eV) indicates that AgSO(4) is a ferrimagnetic semiconductor, and possibly an attractive material for spintronics. A bulk modulus of 27.0 GPa and a compressibility of 0.037 GPa(-1) were determined for AgSO(4) from the third-order Birch-Murnaghan isothermal equation of state up to 20 GPa. Several polymorphic types compete with the ambient pressure P-1 phase as the external pressure is increased. The P-1 phase is predicted to resist pressure-induced metallization up to at least 20 GPa.