Thinking Like a Chemist: Intuition in Thermoelectric Materials

The coupled transport properties required to create an efficient thermoelectric material necessitates a thorough understanding of the relationship between the chemistry and physics in a solid. We approach thermoelectric material design using the chemical intuition provided by molecular orbital diagrams, tight binding theory, and a classic understanding of bond strength. Concepts such as electronegativity, band width, orbital overlap, bond energy, and bond length are used to explain trends in electronic properties such as the magnitude and temperature dependence of band gap, carrier effective mass, and band degeneracy and convergence. The lattice thermal conductivity is discussed in relation to the crystal structure and bond strength, with emphasis on the importance of bond length. We provide an overview of how symmetry and bonding strength affect electron and phonon transport in solids, and how altering these properties may be used in strategies to improve thermoelectric performance.     

"Non-VSEPR" Structures and Bonding in d(0) Systems

Under certain circumstances, metal complexes with a formal d(0) electronic configuration may exhibit structures that violate the traditional structure models, such as the VSEPR concept or simple ionic pictures. Some examples of such behavior, such as the bent gas-phase structures of some alkaline earth dihalides, or the trigonal prismatic coordination of some early transition metal chalcogenides or pnictides, have been known for a long time. However, the number of molecular examples for "non-VSEPR" structures has increased dramatically during the past decade, in particular in the realm of organometallic chemistry. At the same time, various theoretical models have been discussed, sometimes controversially, to explain the observed, unusual structures. Many d(0) systems are important in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, biocatalysis (e.g. molybdenum or tungsten enzymes), or materials science (e.g. ferroelectric perovskites or zirconia). Moreover, their electronic structure without formally nonbonding d orbitals makes them unique starting points for a general understanding of structure, bonding, and reactivity of transition metal compounds. Here we attempt to provide a comprehensive view, both of the types of deviations of d(0) and related complexes from regular coordination arrangements, and of the theoretical framework that allows their rationalization. Many computational and experimental examples are provided, with an emphasis on homoleptic mononuclear complexes. Then the factors that control the structures are discussed in detail. They are a) metal d orbital participation in sigma bonding, b) polarization of the outermost core shells, c) ligand repulsion, and d) pi bonding. Suggestions are made as to which of the factors are the dominant ones in certain situations. In heteroleptic complexes, the competition of sigma and pi bonding of the various ligands controls the structures in a complicated fashion. Some guidelines are provided that should help to better understand the interrelations. Bent's rule is of only very limited use in these types of systems, because of the paramount influence of pi bonding. Finally, computed and measured structures of multinuclear complexes are discussed, including possible consequences for the properties of bulk solids.     

Crystal Engineering: An Outlook for the Future

Crystal Engineering has traditionally dealt with molecular crystals. It is the understanding of intermolecular interactions in the context of crystal packing and in the utilization of such understanding in the design of new solids with desired physical and chemical properties. We outline here five areas which come under the umbrella of Crystal Engineering and where we feel that a proper planning of research efforts could lead to higher dividends for science together with greater returns for humankind. We touch on themes and domains where science funding and translation efforts could be directed in the current climate of a society that increasingly expects applications and utility products from science and technology. The five topics are: 1) pharmaceutical solids; 2) industrial solid state reactions; 3) mechanical properties with practical applications; 4) MOFs and COFs framework solids; 5) new materials for solar energy harvesting and advanced polymers.     

A perspective on the electronic structure calculations for properties of battery electrode materials

Electronic structure calculations are widely and increasingly utilized for understanding, designing, screening, and analyzing the material properties in various applications. Especially, for the last two decades, researches on the rechargeable battery have grown rapidly with the help of computational materials science. In this perspective, we briefly overview the current status of such progresses in the battery electrode. In particular, the configuration problem to determine the ground structure for estimating thermodynamic properties such as voltage and intermediate phase is discussed, followed by theoretical interpretations on the phase behavior and phase boundary migration. Some future challenges are commented. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hard X-ray Spectroscopic Nano-Imaging of Hierarchical Functional Materials at Work

Heterogeneous catalysts often consist of an active metal (oxide) in close contact with a support material and various promoter elements. Although macroscopic properties, such as activity, selectivity and stability, can be assessed with catalyst performance testing, the development of relevant, preferably quantitative structure–performance relationships require the use of advanced characterisation methods. Spectroscopic imaging in the hard X-ray region with nanometer-scale resolution has very recently emerged as a powerful approach to elucidate the hierarchical structure and related chemistry of catalytic solids in action under realistic reaction conditions. This X-ray-based chemical imaging method benefits from the combination of high resolution (∼30 nm) with large X-ray penetration and depth of focus, and the possibility for probing large areas with mosaic imaging. These capabilities make it possible to obtain spatial and temporal information on chemical changes in catalytic solids as well as a wide variety of other functional materials, such as fuel cells and batteries, in their full complexity and integrity. In this concept article we provide details on the method and setup of full-field hard X-ray spectroscopic imaging, illustrate its potential for spatiotemporal chemical imaging by making use of recent showcases, outline the pros and cons of this experimental approach and discuss some future directions for hierarchical functional materials research.     

Thermal analysis as a tool for investigations in metal oxide chemistry

Applications of thermoanalytical methods for the controlled preparation of metal oxides from various initial compounds (‘precursors’) as well as for investigations of physical properties and the chemical behaviour of oxidic phases as function of temperature and atmosphere are presented. Studies elucidating the course of such processes yield important contributions to the understanding of the reactivity of solids in general. Moreover, they are, e.g. in the field of heterogeneous catalysis, of practical relevance. It is shown, however, that the capability of mere thermal analysis suffers from limitations which have to be overcome by using additional, independent methods such as X-ray diffraction as well as light and electron microscopy.     

Electron-conducting quantum dot solids: novel materials based on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals

We review the optical and electrical properties of solids that are composed of semiconductor nanocrystals. Crystals, with dimensions in the nanometre range, of II-VI, IV-VI and III-V compound semiconductors, can be prepared by wet-chemical methods with a remarkable control of their size and shape, and surface chemistry. In the uncharged ground state, such nanocrystals are insulators. Electrons can be added, one by one, to the conduction orbitals, forming artificial atoms strongly confined in the nanocrystal. Semiconductor nanocrystals form the building blocks for larger architectures, which self-assemble due to van der Waals interactions. The electronic structure of the quantum dot solids prepared in such a way is determined by the orbital set of the nanocrystal building blocks and the electronic coupling between them. The opto-electronic properties are dramatically altered by electron injection into the orbitals. We discuss the optical and electrical properties of quantum dot solids in which the electron occupation of the orbitals is controlled by the electrochemical potential.     

The modulation of Jahn-Teller coupling by elastic and binding strain perturbations-a novel view on an old phenomenon and examples from solid-state chemistry

Cations in 6-coordination with orbitally degenerate E(g) ground states, such as Cu(2+) and low-spin Co(2+), play an important role in coordination chemistry-in particular, in modern complex biochemistry. The stereochemistry and the binding properties within the basic polyhedra are the subject of pronounced modifications due to vibronic coupling in such cases, but may be also significantly influenced by what is usually called an imposed strain. The latter effect makes allowance for the general observation that the host sites into which the Jahn-Teller unstable centers are substituted are seldom of O(h) symmetry and built from six equal ligands. Hence, the finally observed molecular and binding structure of the pseudo-octahedral complex is the result of the combined action of vibronic coupling and strain. The closer analysis of host-site strain effects demands to distinguish between elastic strain components, which modify the force constant of the vibronically active (here, ε(g)) vibration, and binding strain perturbations, which take account of possibly present ligands with different binding properties. A symmetry-met semiempirical strain model on such a basis is presented and a corresponding formulation within the vibronic coupling formalism is given, on the molecular level. Well-established model examples of Cu(2+) in octahedral fluoride coordination in various host solids, where a great variety of experimental results is available, are given. The derived parameters allow a detailed characterization of the structural and energy qualities of the Jahn-Teller centers, and might help to steer these properties in cases where synthesis strategies are needed. The proposed strain concept is more complex than that of Ham [F. S. Ham, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance; Plenum Press: New York, 1972; F. S. Ham, Phys. Rev. 1965, A138, 1727]; the advantage is that it is directly tied to the structure and energy of the Jahn-Teller complex in focus, although more data (experimental and possibly computed) are needed in such a model.     

Understanding and Manipulating Inorganic Materials with Scanning Probe Microscopes

Scanning probe microscopies, such as scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy, are uniquely powerful tools for probing the microscopic properties of surfaces. If these microscopies are used to study low-dimensional materials, from two-dimensional solids such as graphite to zero-dimensional nanostructures, it is possible to elucidate atomic-scale structural and electronic properties characteristic of the bulk of a material and not simply the surface. By combining such measurements with chemical synthesis or direct manipulation it is further possible to elucidate relationships between composition, structure, and physical properties, thus promoting an understanding of the chemical basis of material properties. This article illustrates that the combination of scanning probe microscopies and chemical synthesis has advanced our understanding of charge density waves, high-temperature superconductivity, and nanofabrication in low-dimensional materials. This new approach to studying materials has directly contributed to our knowledge of how metal dopants interact with charge density waves and elucidated the local crystal chemistry of complex copper oxides, microscopic details of the superconducting states in materials with a high superconducting transition I_c, and new approaches to the fabrication of multi-component nanostructures. Coupling scanning probe microscopy measurement and manipulation with chemical synthesis should provide an approach to understanding material properties and creating complex nanostructures in general.     

Theory and computer simulation of perfect and defective solids

Crystalline solids have become a subject of growing interest for both experimentalists and theorists. In particular their defect properties are of fundamental importance in modern and future technical applications. The efficiency of fuel cells and batteries strongly depends on the mobility of ions in the lattice which is affected by various kinds of point defects and the local crystal structure. Fundamental understanding of processes involved in ion migration at atomic scale can be achieved by combined spectroscopical and theoretical investigation. During the last decades theoretical methods have become an indispensable tool for studying solid state materials. A broad variety of methods and models are available, all of them with peculiar benefits. In this review article an overview of some state-of-the-art methods and model types is given with a focus on their applicability to studies of defects and ion mobility.     

Control of the Electronic Structure of Organic Conductors as Exemplified by [NMP][TCNQ] Charge-Transfer Complexes

Through replacement of cations with neutral molecules of similar shape and polarizability in a highly conducting “metal-like” change-transfer organic conductor, the deliberate control of the electronic structure from a quarter to a half-filled band is possible. This goal has been achieved with the N-methylphenazinium (NMP) salt of the tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) anion by partial replacement of the cation with phenazine. A detailed study of the optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of these conducting molecular solids has lead to the evolution of a broad understanding of the physics of one-dimensional organic conductors and a reinterpretation of the mechanism of electron transport in such solids. Phenomena such as switching from a low coulomb repulsion two-chain conductor to a high coulomb repulsion one-chain conductor as well as soliton-assisted electron transport are observed.     

Effects of Intermolecular Interactions on Luminescence Property in Organic Molecules

The organic solid-state lightemitting materials have attracted more and more attention owing to their promising applications in displays, lasers and optical communications. In contrast to isolated molecule, there are various weak intermolecular interactions in organic solids that sometimes have a large impact on the excited-state properties and energy dissipation pathways, resulting in strong fluorescence/phosphorescence. It is increasingly necessary to reveal the luminescence mechanism of organic solids. Here, we briefly review how intermolecular interactions induce strong normal fluorescence, thermally activate delayed fluorescence and room-temperature phosphorescence in organic solids by examining changes in geometry, electronic structures, electron-vibration coupling and energy dissipation dynamics of the excited states from isolated to aggregated molecules. We hope that the review will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the excited state properties of organic solids and to the design of excellent solid-state light-emitting materials.     

Solid- and liquid-state studies of a wide range of chemicals by isothermal and scanning dielectric thermal analysis

We have observed unique variations in AC electrical conductivity of solids when studied with respect to temperature, time, and frequency. A wide range of solids were examined for this study e.g., organics, polymers, carbohydrates, active pharmacy ingredients (APIs), and amino acids. The observed dielectric analysis conductivity for this great number of organic materials follows an Arrhenius plot of log polar ionic conductivity which is linearly related to reciprocal temperature and the correlation of coefficient is 0.992–0.999. These experimental observations support the polaron hopping conduction model. Experimental results clearly show novel dielectric behavior of a linear increase in a log ionic conductivity versus temperature in the pre-melt/solid-state transition regions. We have differentiated the solids which show the conductivity variations in pre-melt from those which do not. Isothermal dielectric analysis was used to study the cause of this variation in solids which yielded the measure of behavior, i.e., the polarization time property. We have also studied the effect of various experimental factors (e.g., moisture and purity) on the results. Correlating dielectric with calorimetric analyses gave us a better understanding of solid-state properties. Calorimetric analysis was used to assure that the observed variations in the solid-state properties are not due to moisture or impurities present in the sample. The ASTM E698 “purity method” was employed to verify the purity of the chemicals. Activation energies were calculated based on Arrhenius behavior to better interpret the solid-state properties. As the different chemicals were heat–cool cycled they were more amorphous, as evidenced by the decreasing activation energy for charge transfer with an increasing amorphous content.     

Design of Advanced Functional Materials Using Nanoporous Single‐Site Photocatalysts

Nanoporous silica solids can offer opportunities for hosting photocatalytic components such as various tetra‐coordinated transition metal ions to form systems referred to as “single‐site photocatalysts”. Under UV/visible‐light irradiation, they form charge transfer excited states, which exhibit a localized charge separation and thus behave differently from those of bulk semiconductor photocatalysts exemplified by TiO₂. This account presents an overview of the design of advanced functional materials based on the unique photo‐excited mechanisms of single‐site photocatalysts. Firstly, the incorporation of single‐site photocatalysts within transparent porous silica films will be introduced, which exhibit not only unique photocatalytic properties, but also high surface hydrophilicity with self‐cleaning and antifogging applications. Secondary, photo‐assisted deposition (PAD) of metal precursors on single‐site photocatalysts opens up a new route to prepare nanoparticles. Thirdly, visible light sensitive photocatalysts with single and/or binary oxides moieties can be prepared so as to use solar light, the ideal energy source.     

Deformation and fracture mechanisms in filled polymers

As fillers are traditionally designated those finely divided solids which are added to a polymer matrix in relativly large amounts to modify its properties and/or to reduce the price of the resulting compound. Generally a filler material is stiffer than the matrix and depending on their origin, shape and treatment fillers are reinforcing or not. In this presentation the authors will briefly review the characteristic mechanical effects on small strain behaviour, structure and time‐dependent properties of filled polymers stemming from the addition of more or less “spherical” fillers such as calcium carbonate, quartz flour, silica or glass spheres. The effect of such fillers on yield deformation, the nature of possible damage proceeding fracture and their effect on the toughness of particulate filled thermoplastics and thermosets will be discussed in more detail.     

Aqueous and gaseous adsorption from montmorillonite-carbon composites and from derived carbons

Clay-carbon composites and the carbons derived from demineralization of the clay template were examined for their aqueous adsorption properties (2,4,6-trichlorophenol and methylene blue) and for their gas adsorption/separation abilities regarding CO(2), CH(4), and N(2) gases. The sorption results are discussed in relation with their structural properties (surface area, pore width and volume, and surface chemistry). It was found that the properties of the adsorbents depend highly on the synthetic route, for instance, on the use of clay or H(2)SO(4) as structure mediating and activating agents, respectively. Particularly, the simultaneous use of clay and H(2)SO(4) leads to a synergistic action, which imparts to the final solids the highest sorption capacity and the best potential for separation of CO(2) from gaseous mixtures of CH(4) and N(2).     

Subcritical solvothermal synthesis of condensed inorganic materials

The solvothermal method has recently been extended from zeolite synthesis to the formation of condensed inorganic solids, which find uses in diverse areas due to properties such as ionic-conductivity, solid-state magnetism, giant magnetoresistance, low thermal expansion and ferroelectricity. This offers specific advantages over the traditional ceramic synthetic routes to inorganic solids and these are highlighted with examples from the recent literature, and the efforts focussed on determining the formation mechanism of solids from the heterogeneous mixtures used in solvothermal procedures are discussed.     

Structures, Properties and Potential Applications of Ormosils

Ormosils are organic-inorganic hybrid solids in which the organic component may be chemically bonded to a silica matrix. Somewhat similar to inorganic silicate glasses, the structure of the silica network can be modified by the presence of organic groups. The resulting properties of the Ormosils are then governed by the type and concentration of organics used. Examples are presented in which the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of selected Ormosils can be influenced by organic groups. For instance, small amounts of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) added to a solution of TEOS will give an Ormosil about ten times harder than the hardest organic polymer. Larger amounts of PDMS (20%) will now yield an Ormosil which is as rubbery as organic rubber. Ormosils in which the organic and inorganic constituents are covalently bound to each other are the focus of this critical review. The potential applications of such Ormosils are discussed.     

Icosahedral B12, macropolyhedral boranes, β-rhombohedral boron and boron-rich solids

The preference for icosahedral B₁₂ amongst polyhedral boranes and elemental boron is explained based on an optimization of overlap model. The ingenious ways in which elemental boron and boron-rich solids achieve icosahedron-related structures are explained by a fragment approach. The Jemmis mno rules are used to get the electron requirements. The extra occupancies and vacancies in β-rhombohedral structures are shown to be inevitable results of electron requirements. The detailed understanding of the structure suggests ways of doping β-rhombohedral boron with metals for desired properties. Theoretical studies of model β-rhombohedral solids with metal dopings provide support for the analysis.     

Invited review solvatochromic shifts: The influence of the medium on the energy of electronic states

The displacement of electronic absorption and luminescence spectra (solvatochromic shifts) are related to the solute—medium interactions. These interactions can be non-specific (dielectric interactions) when they depend only on multiple and polarizability properties of the solute and solvent molecules; but specific associations such as hydrogen bonding can also be important.

A number of examples of solvatochromic shifts are shown and discussed according to the various solute—medium interactions. The properties of solvent mixtures and those of rigid media are considered, as well as the “thermochromic shifts” which result from the change in the temperature of the medium.

The use of solvatochromic shifts for the determination of the dipole moment and of the polarizability of electronically excited molecules has been important for an understanding of electron distribution changes in such states; examples of such determinations are given, together with references to the original literature.

In the final section some limitations of the theories of solvent shifts and possible improvements are discussed.