Evidence for Mixed Mg Coordination Environments in Silicate Glasses: Results from 25Mg NMR Spectroscopy at 35.2 T

The Mg-O coordination environment of silicate glasses of composition CaMgSi2O6, Na2MgSi3O8, and K2MgSi5O12 is probed using ultrahigh-field (35.2 T) 25Mg magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) and triple-quantum MAS NMR spectroscopy. These spectra clearly reveal the coexistence of 4-fold- (MgIV) and 6-fold- (MgVI) coordinated Mg in all glasses. The MgIV/MgVI ratio implies an average Mg-O coordination number of ∼5 for CaMgSi2O6 glass, bringing NMR results for the first time in good agreement with those reported in previous studies based on diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, thus resolving a decade-long controversy regarding Mg coordination in alkaline-earth silicate glasses. The Mg-O coordination number decreases to ∼4.5 in the alkali-Mg silicate glasses, indicating that Mg competes effectively with the low field strength alkali cations for the nonbridging oxygen in the structure to attain tetrahedral coordination. This work illustrates the promise of ultrahigh-field NMR spectroscopy in structural studies involving nuclides with low gyromagnetic ratio.

Unraveling Sodium-Ion Dynamics in Honeycomb-Layered Na2MgxZn2-xTeO6 Solid Electrolytes with Solid-State NMR

All-solid-state sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have the potential to offer large-scale, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable energy storage solutions by supplementing the industry-leading lithium-ion batteries. However, for the enhanced bulk properties of SIB components (e.g., solid electrolytes), a comprehensive understanding of their atomic-scale structure and the dynamic behavior of sodium (Na) ions is essential. Here, we utilize a robust multinuclear (23Na, 125Te, 25Mg, and 67Zn) magnetic resonance approach to explore a novel Mg/Zn homogeneously mixed-cation honeycomb-layered oxide Na2MgxZn2-xTeO6 solid solution series. These new intermediate compounds exhibit tailorable bulk Na-ion conductivity (σ) with the highest σ = 0.14 × 10-4 S cm-1 for Na2MgZnTeO6 at room temperature suitable for SIB solid electrolyte applications as observed by powder electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A combination of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveals highly crystalline phase-pure compounds in the P6322 space group. We show that the Mg/Zn disorder is random within the honeycomb layers using 125Te nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and resolve multiple Na sites using two-dimensional (triple-quantum magic-angle spinning (3QMAS)) 23Na NMR. The medium-range disorder in the honeycomb layer is revealed through the combination of 25Mg and 67Zn NMR, complemented by electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, we expose very fast local Na-ion hopping processes (hopping rate, 1/τNMR = 0.83 × 109 Hz) by using a laser to achieve variable high-temperature (∼860 K) 23Na NMR, which are sensitive to different Mg/Zn ratios. The Na2MgZnTeO6 with maximum Mg/Zn disorder displays the highest short-range Na-ion dynamics among all of the solid solution members.

Recent progress in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance of half-integer spin low-γ quadrupolar nuclei applied to inorganic materials

An overview is presented of recent progress in the solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) observation of low-γ nuclei, with a focus on applications to inorganic materials. The technological and methodological advances in the last 20 years, which have underpinned the increased accessibility of low-γ nuclei for study by solid-state NMR techniques, are summarised, including improvements in hardware, pulse sequences and associated computational methods (e.g., first principles calculations and spectral simulation). Some of the key initial observations from inorganic materials of these nuclei are highlighted along with some recent (most within the last 10 years) illustrations of their application to such materials. A summary of other recent reviews of the study of low-γ nuclei by solid-state NMR is provided so that a comprehensive understanding of what has been achieved to date is available.

Computation of NMR Shielding Constants for Solids Using an Embedded Cluster Approach with DFT, Double-Hybrid DFT, and MP2

In this work, we explore the accuracy of post-Hartree–Fock (HF) methods and double-hybrid density functional theory (DFT) for the computation of solid-state NMR chemical shifts. We apply an embedded cluster approach and investigate the convergence with cluster size and embedding for a series of inorganic solids with long-range electrostatic interactions. In a systematic study, we discuss the cluster design, the embedding procedure, and basis set convergence using gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) NMR calculations at the DFT and MP2 levels of theory. We demonstrate that the accuracy obtained for the prediction of NMR chemical shifts, which can be achieved for molecular systems, can be carried over to solid systems. An appropriate embedded cluster approach allows one to apply methods beyond standard DFT even for systems for which long-range electrostatic effects are important. We find that an embedded cluster should include at least one sphere of explicit neighbors around the nuclei of interest, given that a sufficiently large point charge and boundary effective potential embedding is applied. Using the pcSseg-3 basis set and GIAOs for the computation of nuclear shielding constants, accuracies of 1.6 ppm for ⁷Li, 1.5 ppm for ²³Na, and 5.1 ppm for ³⁹K as well as 9.3 ppm for ¹⁹F, 6.5 ppm for ³⁵Cl, 7.4 ppm for ⁷⁹Br, and 7.5 ppm for ²⁵Mg as well as 3.8 ppm for ⁶⁷Zn can be achieved with MP2. Comparing various DFT functionals with HF and MP2, we report the superior quality of results for methods that include post-HF correlation like MP2 and double-hybrid DFT.

A Combined 25 Mg Solid-State NMR and Ab Initio DFT Approach to Probe the Local Structural Differences in Magnesium Acetate Phases Mg(CH3 COO)2 ⋅ nH2 O (n=0, 1, 4)

Multinuclear (¹ H, ¹³ C, ²⁵ Mg) solid-state NMR data is reported for a series of magnesium acetate phases Mg(CH₃ COO)₂  ⋅ nH₂ O (n=0 (two polymorphs), 1, 4). The central focus here is ²⁵ Mg as this set of compounds provides an expanded range of local magnesium coordinations compared to what has previously been reported in the literature using NMR. These four compounds provide 10 distinct magnesium sites with varying NMR interaction parameters. One of the anhydrous crystal structures (α) has an MgO₇ site which is reported, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time. For those phases with a single crystal structure, a combination of magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR at high magnetic field (20 T) and first principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrates the value of including ²⁵ Mg in NMR crystallography approaches. For the second anhydrate phase (β), where no single crystal structure exists, the multinuclear NMR data clearly show the multiplicity of sites for the different elements, with ²⁵ Mg satellite transition (ST) MAS NMR revealing four inequivalent magnesium environments, which is new information constraining future refinement of the structure. This study highlights the sensitivity of ²⁵ Mg NMR to the local environment, an observation important for several sub-disciplines of chemistry where the structural chemistry of magnesium is likely to be crucial.

Insight into the local environment of magnesium and calcium in low-coordination-number organo-complexes using 25Mg and 43Ca solid-state NMR: a DFT study

With the increasing number of organocalcium and organomagnesium complexes under development, there is a real need to be able to characterize in detail their local environment in order to fully rationalize their reactivity. For crystalline structures, in cases when diffraction techniques are insufficient, additional local spectroscopies like ²⁵Mg and ⁴³Ca solid-state NMR may provide valuable information to help fully establish the local environment of the metal ions. In this current work, a prospective DFT investigation on crystalline magnesium and calcium complexes involving low-coordination numbers and N-bearing organic ligands was carried out, in which the ²⁵Mg and ⁴³Ca NMR parameters [isotropic chemical shift, chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and quadrupolar parameters] were calculated for each structure. The analysis of the calculated parameters in relation to the local environment of the metal ions revealed that they are highly sensitive to very small changes in geometry/distances, and hence that they could be used to assist in the refinement of crystal structures. Moreover, such calculations provide a guideline as to how the NMR measurements will need to be performed, revealing that these will be very challenging.

Ab initio crystal structure prediction of magnesium (poly)sulfides and calculation of their NMR parameters

Ab initio prediction of sensible crystal structures can be regarded as a crucial task in the quickly-developing methodology of NMR crystallography. In this contribution, an evolutionary algorithm was used for the prediction of magnesium (poly)sulfide crystal structures with various compositions. The employed approach successfully identified all three experimentally detected forms of MgS, i.e. the stable rocksalt form and the metastable wurtzite and zincblende forms. Among magnesium polysulfides with a higher content of sulfur, the most probable structure with the lowest formation energy was found to be MgS2, exhibiting a modified rocksalt structure, in which S2− anions were replaced by S2 2− dianions. Magnesium polysulfides with even larger fractions of sulfur were not predicted to be stable. For the lowest-energy structures, 25Mg quadrupolar coupling constants and chemical shift parameters were calculated using the density functional theory approach. The calculated NMR parameters could be well rationalized by the symmetries of the local magnesium environments, by the coordination of magnesium cations and by the nature of the surrounding anions. In the future, these parameters could serve as a reference for the experimentally determined 25Mg NMR parameters of magnesium sulfide species.

Temperature dependence of X-ray absorption and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra: probing quantum vibrations of light elements in oxides

Probing the quantum thermal fluctuations of nuclei in light-element oxides using XANES and NMR spectroscopies.

A systematic study of 25Mg NMR in paramagnetic transition metal oxides: applications to Mg-ion battery materials

Solid-state ²⁵Mg paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were studied both experimentally and with density functional theory calculations.

Structure and properties of binder gels formed in the system Mg(OH)2–SiO2–H2O for immobilisation of Magnox sludge

Magnesium silicate hydrate gels, synthesised for nuclear waste immobilisation, are shown by NMR spectroscopy to be structurally similar to lizardite.

Structural and luminescence studies of the new nitridomagnesoaluminate CaMg2AlN3

The luminescent nitridomagnesoaluminate, CaMg₂AlN₃, was synthesized in a closed system by solid-state reaction from binary nitrides. Structure solution was aided by ultrahigh-field solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Recent NMR developments applied to organic-inorganic materials

In this contribution, the latest developments in solid state NMR are presented in the field of organic-inorganic (O/I) materials (or hybrid materials). Such materials involve mineral and organic (including polymeric and biological) components, and can exhibit complex O/I interfaces. Hybrids are currently a major topic of research in nanoscience, and solid state NMR is obviously a pertinent spectroscopic tool of investigation. Its versatility allows the detailed description of the structure and texture of such complex materials. The article is divided in two main parts: in the first one, recent NMR methodological/instrumental developments are presented in connection with hybrid materials. In the second part, an exhaustive overview of the major classes of O/I materials and their NMR characterization is presented.

Resolving multiple non-equivalent metal sites in magnesium-containing metal-organic frameworks by natural abundance (25)Mg solid-state NMR spectroscopy

In a spin: Directly differentiating multiple Mg sites in Mg-containing MOFs by (25)Mg solid-state NMR spectroscopy is very challenging at natural abundance. By performing (25)Mg two-dimensional triple-quantum magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR experiments at a magnetic field of 21.1 T at natural abundance, four non-equivalent Mg sites with very similar local environments in α-Mg(3)(HCOO)(6) were unambiguously resolved (see figure).

(25)Mg Solid-State NMR: A Sensitive Probe of Adsorbing Guest Molecules on a Metal Center in Metal-Organic Framework CPO-27-Mg

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have excellent adsorption capability. To understand their adsorptive properties requires detailed information on the host-guest interaction. The information on MOF desolvation (or activation) is also crucial because the very first step of many applications requires removal of the solvent molecules occluded inside of the pores. Unfortunately, such information is not always available from powder XRD data. Solid-state NMR is an excellent complementary technique to XRD. CPO-27-Mg is a MOF with unusual adsorption ability. The adsorption involves a direct interaction between Mg and guest species. Herein, we present, for the first time, a natural abundance (25)Mg solid-state NMR study of CPO-27-Mg at an ultrahigh magnetic field of 21.1 T. The results provide new physical insights into the effects of dehydration/rehydration and adsorption of guest species on the Mg local environment.

High-field multinuclear solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and first principle calculations in MgSO4 polymorphs

A combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and first principles calculations was applied to obtain 17O, 25Mg, and 33S NMR parameters for two polymorphs of anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Working at the very high magnetic field of 21.14 T results in a dramatic improvement of resolution through a reduction of the effects of quadrupolar interactions and significant improvement in sensitivity. Experimental 25Mg and 33S spectra are dominated by quadrupolar interactions with quadrupolar parameters unique for each polymorph. In the case of 17O, there is a substantial contribution of the chemical shift anisotropy. The use of multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning (MQMAS) experiments allows the resolution of distinct oxygen species and assignment of signals in the experimental 17O spectrum. Chemical shielding constants and quadrupolar parameters for all three nuclei were calculated using plane wave pseudopotential density functional theory as implemented in the CASTEP computational package. The calculated NMR parameters are in very good agreement with the experimental results and help in signal assignment of the 17O spectrum. The results suggest applicability of such a combined computational and experimental solid-state NMR approach for the refinement of crystallographic data.

Observation of "hidden" magnesium: first-principles calculations and 25Mg solid-state NMR of enstatite

(25)Mg NMR parameters have been determined for two polymorphs of enstatite (MgSiO(3)), an important magnesium silicate phase present as a major component of the Earth's upper mantle. The crystal structures of both polymorphs contain two crystallographically distinct magnesium sites; however, only a single resonance is observed in (25)Mg MAS NMR spectra recorded at 14.1 and 20.0 T. First-principles calculations performed on geometry-optimised crystal structures reveal that the quadrupolar interaction for the second site is expected to be very large, resulting in extensive broadening of the spectral resonance, explaining its apparent absence in the NMR spectrum. (25)Mg QCPMG NMR experiments employing variable offset cumulative spectroscopy (VOCS) are used to observe the broadened site and enable measurement of NMR parameters. The large difference in quadrupolar interaction between the two crystallographic magnesium sites is rationalised qualitatively in terms of the distortion of the local coordination environment as well as longer-range effects using a simple point charge model.

A natural abundance solid-state 25Mg NMR study of layered magnesium phosphates

Natural abundance 25Mg solid-state magic-angle spinning and static NMR spectra of several representative layered magnesium phosphates were acquired at 21.1 and 9.4 T by using quadrupolar echo and double-frequency sweep quadrupolar Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill pulse sequences. The spectra were dominated by the second-order quadrupolar interaction. The electric field gradient tensor parameters were extracted from the spectra via spectral simulations. These parameters, such as the quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ), appear to be sensitive to some parameters describing the distortion of the MgO6 octahedron in the layer. The empirical relationships between CQ and several structural parameters were established and used to obtain partial information on the Mg environment in a layered material (MgHPO4·1.2H2O) with unknown structure. Theoretical calculations suggest that the CQ values of the Mg sites are affected not only by the oxygen atoms in the first coordination sphere, but also by the spatial arrangements of the atoms in the second and third coordination spheres and beyond.

The PAW/GIPAW approach for computing NMR parameters: a new dimension added to NMR study of solids

In 2001, Mauri and Pickard introduced the gauge including projected augmented wave (GIPAW) method that enabled for the first time the calculation of all-electron NMR parameters in solids, i.e. accounting for periodic boundary conditions. The GIPAW method roots in the plane wave pseudopotential formalism of the density functional theory (DFT), and avoids the use of the cluster approximation. This method has undoubtedly revitalized the interest in quantum chemical calculations in the solid-state NMR community. It has quickly evolved and improved so that the calculation of the key components of NMR interactions, namely the shielding and electric field gradient tensors, has now become a routine for most of the common nuclei studied in NMR. Availability of reliable implementations in several software packages (CASTEP, Quantum Espresso, PARATEC) make its usage more and more increasingly popular, maybe indispensable in near future for all material NMR studies. The majority of nuclei of the periodic table have already been investigated by GIPAW, and because of its high accuracy it is quickly becoming an essential tool for interpreting and understanding experimental NMR spectra, providing reliable assignments of the observed resonances to crystallographic sites or enabling a priori prediction of NMR data. The continuous increase of computing power makes ever larger (and thus more realistic) systems amenable to first-principles analysis. In the near future perspectives, as the incorporation of dynamical effects and/or disorder are still at their early developments, these areas will certainly be the prime target.

A computational investigation of J couplings involving ²⁷Al, ¹⁷O, and ³¹P

Indirect nuclear spin-spin (J) couplings between (31)P, (27)Al, and (17)O are computed for Cl(3)POAlCl(3), Ph(3)PO, Ph(3)PAlCl(3), Al(H(2)O)(6)(3+), an aluminophosphate model system, and grossite model systems, using the B3LYP hybrid functional and the pcJ-n and aug-pcJ-n basis sets. The results provide computational corroboration of the existence of J coupling constants between (31)P, (17)O, and (27)Al of suitable magnitude for INEPT-style experiments in which connectivity is established as a result of magnetization transfer using these couplings. Potentially useful correlations between structure (bond lengths, angles, dihedrals) and the coupling constants (1)J((27)Al, (17)O), (1)J((31)P, (17)O), and (2)J((31)P, (27)Al) are presented. Calculated values of near zero for both (1)J((27)Al, (17)O) and (2)J((31)P, (27)Al), depending on the molecule and the geometry, suggest that some structurally important correlations could be absent in NMR spectra which rely on magnetization transfers solely based on these isotropic coupling constants.

Recent technique developments and applications of solid state NMR in characterising inorganic materials

A broad overview is given of some key recent developments in solid state NMR techniques that have driven enhanced applications to inorganic materials science. Reference is made to advances in hardware, pulse sequences and associated computational methods (e.g. first principles calculations, spectral simulation), along with their combination to provide more information about solid phases. The resulting methodology has allowed more nuclei to be observed and more structural information to be extracted. Cross referencing between experimental parameters and their calculation from the structure has given an added dimension to NMR as a characterisation probe of materials. Emphasis is placed on the progress made in the last decade especially from those nuclei that were little studied previously. The general points about technique development and the increased range of nuclei observed are illustrated through some specific exemplars from inorganic materials science.