Phase Transitions,Prominent Dielectric Anomalies,and Negative Thermal Expansion in Three High Thermally Stable Ammonium Magnesium–Formate Frameworks

We present three Mg–formate frameworks, incorporating three different ammoniums: [NH₄][Mg(HCOO)₃] ( 1 ), [CH₃CH₂NH₃][Mg(HCOO)₃] ( 2 ) and [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃][Mg₂(HCOO)₆] ( 3 ). They display structural phase transitions accompanied by prominent dielectric anomalies and anisotropic and negative thermal expansion. The temperature‐dependent structures, covering the whole temperature region in which the phase transitions occur, reveal detailed structural changes, and structure–property relationships are established. Compound 1 is a chiral Mg–formate framework with the NH₄⁺ cations located in the channels. Above 255 K, the NH₄⁺ cation vibrates quickly between two positions of shallow energy minima. Below 255 K, the cations undergo two steps of freezing of their vibrations, caused by the different inner profiles of the channels, producing non‐compensated antipolarization. These lead to significant negative thermal expansion and a relaxor‐like dielectric response. In perovskite 2 , the orthorhombic phase below 374 K possesses ordered CH₃CH₂NH₃⁺ cations in the cubic cavities of the Mg–formate framework. Above 374 K, the structure becomes trigonal, with trigonally disordered cations, and above 426 K, another phase transition occurs and the cation changes to a two‐fold disordered state. The two transitions are accompanied by prominent dielectric anomalies and negative and positive thermal expansion, contributing to the large regulation of the framework coupled the order–disorder transition of CH₃CH₂NH₃⁺. For niccolite 3 , the gradually enhanced flipping movement of the middle ethylene of [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃]²⁺ in the elongated framework cavity finally leads to the phase transition with a critical temperature of 412 K, and the trigonally disordered cations and relevant framework change, providing the basis for the very strong dielectric dispersion, high dielectric constant (comparable to inorganic oxides), and large negative thermal expansion. The spontaneous polarizations for the low‐temperature polar phases are 1.15, 3.43 and 1.51 μC cm^?2 for 1 , 2 and 3 , respectively, as estimated by the shifts of the cations related to the anionic frameworks. Thermal and variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction studies confirm the phase transitions, and the materials are all found to be thermally stable up to 470 K.     

Triple Bonds Between Iron and Heavier Group 15 Elements in AFe(CO)3− (A=As,Sb, Bi) Complexes

Heteronuclear transition‐metal–main‐group‐element carbonyl complexes of AsFe(CO)₃^?, SbFe(CO)₃^?, and BiFe(CO)₃^? were produced by a laser vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase, and were studied by mass‐selected IR photodissociation spectroscopy and advanced quantum chemistry methods. These complexes have C_3v structures with all of the carbonyl ligands bonded on the iron center, and feature covalent triple bonds between bare Group 15 elements and Fe(CO)₃^?. Chemical bonding analyses on the whole series of AFe(CO)₃^? (A=N, P, As, Sb, Bi, Mc) complexes indicate that the valence orbitals involved in the triple bonds are hybridized 3d and 4p atomic orbitals of iron, leading to an unusual (dp–p) type of transition‐metal–main‐group‐element multiple bonding. The σ‐type three‐orbital interaction between Fe 3d/4p and Group 15 np valence orbitals plays an important role in the bonding and stability of the heavier AFe(CO)₃^? (A=As, Sb, Bi) complexes.     

Soft Phonon Modes Leading to Ultralow Thermal Conductivity and High Thermoelectric Performance in AgCuTe

Crystalline solids with intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity (κ_L) are crucial to realizing high‐performance thermoelectric (TE) materials. Herein, we show an ultralow κ_L of 0.35 Wm^?1 K^?1 in AgCuTe, which has a remarkable TE figure‐of‐merit, zT of 1.6 at 670 K when alloyed with 10 mol % Se. First‐principles DFT calculation reveals several soft phonon modes in its room‐temperature hexagonal phase, which are also evident from low‐temperature heat‐capacity measurement. These phonon modes, dominated by Ag vibrations, soften further with temperature giving a dynamic cation disorder and driving the superionic transition. Intrinsic factors cause an ultralow κ_L in the room‐temperature hexagonal phase, while the dynamic disorder of Ag/Cu cations leads to reduced phonon frequencies and mean free paths in the high‐temperature rocksalt phase. Despite the cation disorder at elevated temperatures, the crystalline conduits of the rigid anion sublattice give a high power factor.     

Quasi‐classical fluctuation–dissipation description of dielectric loss in oxides with implications for quantum information processing

One of the most important problems in developing devices for quantum computation is the coupling and dissipation of states by thermal noise. We present a study of a two‐state electric dipole in a crystal coupling to noise from a reservoir. As a realization of such an energy‐dissipating dipole, we report and analyze dielectric loss measurements in single crystal and polycrystalline Al₂O₃ over the temperature range 70–300 K. We are able to model the dielectric loss in terms of a quasi‐classical model that uses the fluctuation–dissipation theorem. Two key parameters in this model are the crystal oscillator energy and reservoir–lattice coupling constant. In polycrystalline samples, it is assumed that the main effect of structural disorder is a modification of the spectrum of the thermal phonons, so that acoustical vibrations acquire some optical mode character. The temperature dependence of the linewidth of the high dielectric strength infrared (IR) mode at 438 cm^?1 and the quasi‐degenerate Raman mode of the k = 0 (418 cm^?1) transition are also investigated and are shown to be related simply to the dielectric loss. The model reproduces the unusual temperature dependence of the dielectric loss observed experimentally. The implications for the coupling of quantum mechanical objects to noise and quantum information processing are discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Coexistence of Three Ferroic Orders in the Multiferroic Compound [(CH3)4N][Mn(N3)3] with Perovskite‐Like Structure

The perovskite azido compound [(CH₃)₄N][Mn(N₃)₃], which undergoes a first‐order phase change at T_t=310 K with an associated magnetic bistability, was revisited in the search for additional ferroic orders. The driving force for such structural transition is multifold and involves a peculiar cooperative rotation of the [MnN₆] octahedral as well as order/disorder and off‐center shifts of the [(CH₃)₄N]⁺ cations and bridging azide ligands, which also bend and change their coordination mode. According to DFT calculations the latter two give rise to the appearance of electric dipoles in the low‐temperature (LT) polymorph, the polarization of which nevertheless cancels out due to their antiparallel alignment in the crystal. The conversion of this antiferroelectric phase to the paraelectric phase could be responsible for the experimental dielectric anomaly detected at 310 K. Additionally, the structural change involves a ferroelastic phase transition, whereby the LT polymorph exhibits an unusual and anisotropic thermal behavior. Hence, [(CH₃)₄N][Mn(N₃)₃] is a singular material in which three ferroic orders coexist even above room temperature.     

Monoclinic AlPO4 tridymite at 473 and 463 K from X‐ray powder data

Upon cooling from its hexagonal high‐temperature modification, AlPO₄ (aluminium phosphate) tridymite successively transforms to several displacively distorted forms, including a normal structure–incommensurate–lock‐in phase transition sequence. The space‐group symmetries in this series are P112₁, P112₁(αβ0) and P2₁2₁2₁, respectively. The distortion pattern of the intermediate P112₁ phase can be described as alternate shifts of adjacent layers of tetrahedra coupled with tilting of the tetrahedra. The symmetry and direction of the shifts are different from the analogous SiO₂ tridymite modification. The atomic displacement parameters of the O atoms are strongly anisotropic due to thermal motions of the rigid tetrahedra. Condensation of a lattice vibration mode results in the formation of an incommensurate structural modulation below 473 K. The 3+1 superspace‐group symmetry of the modulated phase is P112₁(αβ0).     

[(18‐Crown‐6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)4]0.5[Fe(2)Cl(2)4]0.5: A Multifunctional Molecular Switch of Dielectric,Conductivity and Magnetic Properties

Multifunctional materials that exhibit different physical properties in a single phase have potential for use in multifunctional devices. Herein, we reported an organic–inorganic hybrid compound [(18‐crown‐6)K][Fe(1)Cl(1)₄]_0.5[Fe(2)Cl(2)₄]_0.5 ( 1 ) by incorporating KCl and FeCl₃ into a 18‐crown‐6 molecule, which acts as a host of the six O atoms providing a lone pair of electrons to anchor the guest potassium cation, and [FeCl₄]^? as a counterion for charge balance to construct a complex salt. This salt exhibited a one‐step reversible structural transformation giving two separate high and low temperature phases at 373 K, which was confirmed by systematic characterizations including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, variable‐temperature structural analyses, and dielectric, impedance, variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Interestingly, the structural transformation was coupled to both hysteretic dielectric phase transition, conductivity switch and magnetic‐phase transition at 373 K. This result gives an idea for designing a new type of phase‐transition materials harboring technologically important magnetic, conductivity and dielectric properties.     

An O3‐type Oxide with Low Sodium Content as the Phase‐Transition‐Free Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Layered transition metal oxides Na_xMO₂ (M=transition metal) with P2 or O3 structure have attracted attention in sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs). A universal law is found to distinguish structural competition between P2 and O3 types based on the ratio of interlayer distances of the alkali metal layer d_(O‐Na‐O) and transition‐metal layer d_(O‐M‐O). The ratio of about 1.62 can be used as an indicator. O3‐type Na_0.66Mg_0.34Ti_0.66O₂ oxide is prepared as a stable anode for NIBs, in which the low Na‐content (ca. 0.66) usually undergoes a P2‐type structure with respect to Na_xMO₂. This material delivers an available capacity of about 98 mAh g^?1 within a voltage range of 0.4–2.0 V and exhibits a better cycling stability (ca. 94.2 % of capacity retention after 128 cycles). In situ X‐ray diffraction reveals a single‐phase reaction in the discharge–charge process, which is different from the common phase transitions reported in O3‐type electrodes, ensuring long‐term cycling stability.     

Octacarbonyl Anion Complexes of Group Three Transition Metals [TM(CO)8]− (TM=Sc,Y, La) and the 18‐Electron Rule

We report the gas‐phase synthesis of stable 20‐electron carbonyl anion complexes of group 3 transition metals, TM(CO)₈^? (TM=Sc, Y, La), which are studied by mass‐selected infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy. The experimentally observed species, which are the first octacarbonyl anionic complexes of a TM, are identified by comparison of the measured and calculated IR spectra. Quantum chemical calculations show that the molecules have a cubic (O_h) equilibrium geometry and a singlet (¹A_1g) electronic ground state. The 20‐electron systems TM(CO)₈^? are energetically stable toward loss of one CO ligand, yielding the 18‐electron complexes TM(CO)₇^? in the ¹A₁ electronic ground state; these exhibit a capped octahedral structure with C_3v symmetry. Analysis of the electronic structure of TM(CO)₈^? reveals that there is one occupied valence molecular orbital with a_2u symmetry, which is formed only by ligand orbitals without a contribution from the metal atomic orbitals. The adducts of TM(CO)₈^? fulfill the 18‐electron rule when only those valence electrons that occupy metal–ligand bonding orbitals are considered.     

Electron–Proton Co‐doping‐Induced Metal–Insulator Transition in VO2 Film via Surface Self‐Assembled l‐Ascorbic Acid Molecules

Charge doping is an effective way to induce the metal–insulator transition (MIT) in correlated materials for many important utilizations, which is however practically limited by problem of low stability. An electron–proton co‐doping mechanism is used to achieve pronounced phase modulation of monoclinic vanadium dioxide (VO₂) at room temperature. Using l ‐ascorbic acid (AA) solution to treat VO₂, the ionized AA^? species donate electrons to the adsorbed VO₂ surface. Charges then electrostatically attract surrounding protons to penetrate, and eventually results in stable hydrogen‐doped metallic VO₂. The variations of electronic structures, especially the electron occupancy of V 3d/O 2p hybrid orbitals, were examined by synchrotron characterizations and first‐principle theoretical simulations. The adsorbed molecules protect hydrogen dopants from escaping out of lattice and thereby stabilize the metallic phase for VO₂.     

Pressure‐Induced Emission (PIE) and Phase Transition of a Two‐dimensional Halide Double Perovskite (BA)4AgBiBr8 (BA=CH3(CH2)3NH3+)

Two‐dimensional (2D) halide perovskites have attracted significant attention due to their compositional flexibility and electronic diversity. Understanding the structure–property relationships in 2D double perovskites is essential for their development for optoelectronic applications. In this work, we observed the emergence of pressure‐induced emission (PIE) at 2.5 GPa with a broad emission band and large Stokes shift from initially nonfluorescent (BA)₄AgBiBr₈ (BA=CH₃(CH₂)₃NH₃⁺). The emission intensity increased significantly upon further compression up to 8.2 GPa. Moreover, the band gap narrowed from the starting 2.61 eV to 2.19 eV at 25.0 GPa accompanied by a color change from light yellow to dark yellow. Analysis of combined in situ high‐pressure photoluminescence, absorption, and angle‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction data indicates that the observed PIE can be attributed to the emission from self‐trapped excitons. This coincides with [AgBr₆]^5? and [BiBr₆]^3? inter‐octahedral tilting which cause a structural phase transition. High‐pressure study on (BA)₄AgBiBr₈ sheds light on the relationship between the structure and optical properties that may improve the material's potential applications in the fields of pressure sensing, information storage and trademark security.     

Crystal Structures and Phase Sequences of Metallocenium Salts with Fluorinated Anions: Effects of Molecular Size and Symmetry on Phase Transitions to Ionic Plastic Crystals

Sandwich compounds often exhibit various phase transitions, including those to plastic phases. To elucidate the general features of the phase transitions in metallocenium salts, the thermal properties and crystal structures of [Fe(C₅Me₅)₂]X ([ 1 ]X), [Co(C₅Me₅)₂]X ([ 2 ]X), and [Fe(C₅Me₄H)₂]X ([ 3 ]X) have been investigated, where the counter anions (X) are Tf₂N (=(CF₃SO₂)₂N^?), OTf (=CF₃SO₃^?), PF₆, and BF₄. The Tf₂N salts commonly undergo phase transitions from an ordered phase at low temperatures to an anion‐disordered phase, followed by a plastic phase and finally melt at high temperatures. All these salts exhibit a phase transition to a plastic phase, and the transition temperature generally decreases with decreasing cation size and increasing anion size. The crystal structures of these salts comprise an alternating arrangement of cations and anions. About half of these salts exhibit phase transitions at low temperatures, which are mostly correlated with the order–disorder of the anion.     

Rapid Preparation of Silsesquioxane‐Based Ionic Liquids

Three new hybrid ionic liquids (ILs) based on cage silsesquioxane (SQ) were rapidly prepared in high yields from octa(mercaptopropyl)silsesquioxane and 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium salts (Br^?, BF₄^?, PF₆^?) through the photochemical thiol–ene reaction. These SQ‐based ILs exhibited low glass transition temperatures and good thermal stability. The unique amphiphilic nature of these hybrid ILs cause them to self‐assemble into perfect vesicles with “yolk–shell” structures, in which cages formed the “yolk” due to their aggregation and outer anions formed the “shell”.     

On the role of intermolecular interactions on structural and spin-crossover properties of 2D coordination networks [Fe(bbtr)3]A2 (bbtr=1,4-bis(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)butane; A=ClO4(-), BF4(-))

A series of complexes [M(bbtr)₃]A₂ (M=Fe^II, Zn^II; bbtr=1,4‐bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane; A=ClO₄^?, BF₄^?) and [Fe_xZn_1?x(bbtr)₃](ClO₄)₂ (0<x<1) dilute systems was synthesized and characterized. Earlier studies on [Fe(bbtr)₃](ClO₄)₂ ( 1?ClO₄ ), which crystallizes in space group P$\bar 3A series of complexes [M(bbtr)(3)]A(2) (M=Fe(II), Zn(II); bbtr=1,4-bis(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)butane; A=ClO(4)(-), BF(4)(-)) and [Fe(x)Zn(1-x)(bbtr)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (0相似文献   

Sodium and Manganese Stoichiometry of P2‐Type Na2/3MnO2

To realize a reversible solid‐state Mn^III/IV redox couple in layered oxides, co‐operative Jahn–Teller distortion (CJTD) of six‐coordinate Mn^III (t_2g³–e_g¹) is a key factor in terms of structural and physical properties. We develop a single‐phase synthesis route for two polymorphs, namely distorted and undistorted P2‐type Na_2/3MnO₂ having different Mn stoichiometry, and investigate how the structural and stoichiometric difference influences electrochemical reaction. The distorted Na_2/3MnO₂ delivers 216 mAh g^?1 as a 3 V class positive electrode, reaching 590 Wh (kg oxide)^?1 with excellent cycle stability in a non‐aqueous Na cell and demonstrates better electrochemical behavior compared to undistorted Na_2/3MnO₂. Furthermore, reversible phase transitions correlated with CJTD are found upon (de)sodiation for distorted Na_2/3MnO₂, providing a new insight into utilization of the Mn^III/IV redox couple for positive electrodes of Na‐ion batteries.     

Phase Coexistence in a Dynamic Phase Diagram

Metastability and phase coexistence are important concepts in colloidal science. Typically, the phase diagram of colloidal systems is considered at the equilibrium without the presence of an external field. However, several studies have reported phase transition under mechanical deformation. The reason behind phase coexistence under shear flow is not fully understood. Here, multilamellar vesicle (MLV)‐to‐sponge (L₃) and MLV‐to‐L_α transitions upon increasing temperature are detected using flow small‐angle neutron scattering techniques. Coexistence of L_α and MLV phases at 40 °C under shear flow is detected by using flow NMR spectroscopy. The unusual rheological behavior observed by studying the lamellar phase of a non‐ionic surfactant is explained using ²H NMR and diffusion flow NMR spectroscopy with the coexistence of planar lamellar–multilamellar vesicles. Moreover, a dynamic phase diagram over a wide range of temperatures is proposed.     

Reentrant Structural and Optical Properties and Large Positive Thermal Expansion in Perovskite Formamidinium Lead Iodide

The structure of the hybrid perovskite HC(NH₂)₂PbI₃ (formamidinium lead iodide) reflects competing interactions associated with molecular motion, hydrogen bonding tendencies, thermally activated soft octahedral rotations, and the propensity for the Pb²⁺ lone pair to express its stereochemistry. High‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction reveals a continuous transition from the cubic α‐phase (Pm m, #221) to a tetragonal β‐phase (P4/mbm, #127) at around 285 K, followed by a first‐order transition to a tetragonal γ‐phase (retaining P4/mbm, #127) at 140 K. An unusual reentrant pseudosymmetry in the β‐to‐γ phase transition is seen that is also reflected in the photoluminescence. Around room temperature, the coefficient of volumetric thermal expansion is among the largest for any extended crystalline solid.     

Triple Bonds Between Iron and Heavier Group 15 Elements in AFe(CO)3− (A=As,Sb, Bi) Complexes

Heteronuclear transition‐metal–main‐group‐element carbonyl complexes of AsFe(CO)₃⁻, SbFe(CO)₃⁻, and BiFe(CO)₃⁻ were produced by a laser vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase, and were studied by mass‐selected IR photodissociation spectroscopy and advanced quantum chemistry methods. These complexes have C_3v structures with all of the carbonyl ligands bonded on the iron center, and feature covalent triple bonds between bare Group 15 elements and Fe(CO)₃⁻. Chemical bonding analyses on the whole series of AFe(CO)₃⁻ (A=N, P, As, Sb, Bi, Mc) complexes indicate that the valence orbitals involved in the triple bonds are hybridized 3d and 4p atomic orbitals of iron, leading to an unusual (dp–p) type of transition‐metal–main‐group‐element multiple bonding. The σ‐type three‐orbital interaction between Fe 3d/4p and Group 15 np valence orbitals plays an important role in the bonding and stability of the heavier AFe(CO)₃⁻ (A=As, Sb, Bi) complexes.     

Structural and vibrational analysis of the OH torsional motion in difluorohydroxyborane

In this work, we present a complete structural and vibrational analysis of the OH torsional motion in difluorohydroxyborane (BF₂OH) at the HF/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, MP2(full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ theory levels. After full relaxation of the geometry, the equilibrium structure is found in a planar conformation of C_s symmetry. The difference in the two BF distances suggests the existence of a nonbonded interaction between the fluorine and oxygen atoms. The structural and energetic variation of BF₂OH as a function of the OH torsional angle is considered. The torsional barrier, at the CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level, and including the effect of the zero‐point energy of the remaining vibrations, is found 2,728 cm^?1. In addition, an anharmonic Hamiltonian for the OH torsional mode is presented and variationally solved. To simplify the treatment and to classify the energy levels, BF₂OH is classified under a G₄ nonrigid group accounting for the inversion symmetry of the molecule and the interchange of the fluorine atoms. The computed torsional energy levels exhibit a very small inversion splitting. The torsional spectrum is simulated considering the dipole moment components along the principal axes of inertia as an explicit function of the torsional coordinate. We observe three dominant bands in the spectrum formed by doublets corresponding to ν₉ = 0 → 1, 2 transitions. The fundamental is an a‐type, Franck–Condon, transition. This is the strongest and appears at 466.80 cm^?1 with relative intensity 0.4312. The ν₉ = 0 → 2 bands correspond to doublets of b‐ and c‐type, i.e., Herzberg–Teller transitions. These are two overlapping bands found at 890.92 and 890.94 cm^?1 with intensity 0.2207 for the b‐type band and 0.2193 for the c‐type band. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Structural Phase Transitions of a Molecular Metal Oxide

The structural phase of a metal oxide changes with temperature and pressure. During phase transitions, component ions move in multidimensional metal–oxygen networks. Such macroscopic structural events are robust to changes in particle size, even at scales of around 10 nm, and size effects limiting these transitions are particularly important in, for example, high-density memory applications of ferroelectrics. In this study, we examined structural transitions of the molecular metal oxide [Na@(SO₃)₂(n-BuPO₃)₄Mo^V₄Mo^VI₁₄O₄₉]⁵⁻ (Molecule 1 ) at approximately 2 nm by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Na⁺ encapsulated in the discrete metal-oxide anion exhibited a reversible order–disorder transition with distortion of the Mo–O molecular framework induced by temperature. Similar order–disorder transitions were also triggered by chemical pressure induced by removing crystalline solvent molecules in the single-crystal state or by substituting the countercation to change the molecular packing.