On the Extended Series of Quaternary Zintl Phases Ca13REMnSb11 (RE = La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Dy)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Delaware 19716 Newark DE USA
Eight new compounds with a general formula Ca 14– x RE x MnSb 11 ( RE = La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Dy; x ≈ 1) were synthesized by the molten flux method and their structures were established via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The overarching goal of this study was to investigate the effect of electron doping, via substitution of RE 3+ at Ca 2+ sites, on the crystal structure and physical properties of Ca 14 MnSb 11 , which is a candidate for thermoelectric applications. All studied phases are isostructural, and crystallize in the tetragonal body‐centered space group I 4 1 / acd (Ca 14 AlSb 11 structure type, Pearson index tI 208). The structure is made up of MnSb 4 10– tetrahedra, randomly mixed Ca 2+ and RE 3+ cations, Sb 3– anions, and linear Sb 3 7– polyanions. Comprehensive structural work confirms high rare‐earth metal content with Ca 2+ / RE 3+ randomly mixed on all four cation sites, with the caveat that the larger RE atoms (La–Nd) prefer to occupy the Ca2 site, while the smaller RE atoms (Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy) preferably occupy the Ca1 site. Nearly phase‐pure polycrystalline samples have been synthesized using solid‐state reactions, and have been used for physical property measurements. The resistivities of the bulk Ca 14– x RE x MnSb 11 ( RE = La–Nd, Sm, Gd; x ≈ 1) samples reveal semiconducting behavior, consistent with the notion of electron doping in the parent p ‐type Ca 14 MnSb 11 material. Magnetic susceptibilities suggest complex magnetic ordering at temperatures below ca. 50 K, likely originating from coupling between two or more magnetic sub‐lattices.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 1400459
- Journal Information:
- European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, Journal Name: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry Vol. 2016 Journal Issue: 18; ISSN 1434-1948
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- Germany
- Language:
- English
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