Pronounced matrix effect in YbMo{sub 2}Al{sub 4}-type Ca(Au{sub x}Zn{sub 2−x})Au{sub 4} (x=0.09–0.89)

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2014.06.019· OSTI ID:22443417

Mishra, Trinath ^[1]; Lin, Qisheng ^[2]; Corbett, John D. ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 (United States)
2. Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Ames, IA 50011 (United States)

Electron-poor polar intermetallics Ca(Au{sub x}Zn{sub 2−x})Au{sub 4} have been synthesized through fusion of stoichiometric metals in sealed tantalum tubes at 800 °C and annealing at 400 °C for one week. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that this phase belongs to the YbMo{sub 2}Al{sub 4}-type structure (I4/mmm, Pearson symbol tI14), a≈6.943–7.017 Å, c≈5.278–5.286 Å, Z=2, with homogeneous composition range of x=0.09(1)–0.89(1). The structure exhibits a three-dimensional framework of (Au{sub 8}){sub 1/2} featuring square and octagonal channels extending in c, in which Ca and the infinite linear chains of [(Au,Zn){sub 2}]{sub 1/2} are located, respectively. Mulliken population analyses demonstrate that Zn prefers to form the linear chains in the whole homogeneous composition range, consistent with experimental observations. Crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analyses reveal that the channel-to-chain Au–Zn contact has strong bonding interactions regardless of its large interatomic distance (∼2.85 Å), a signature of pronounced matrix effect. The last mentioned effect in YbMo{sub 2}Al{sub 4}-type structures is expected in case the linear chains are defined by small size atoms. - Graphical abstract: Pronounced matrix effect incurred by Au–Au bonding within the gold substructure in Ca(Au{sub x}Zn{sub 2−x})Au{sub 4} results in an elongation of the channel-to-chain Au–Zn interatomic distance without weakening bonding interactions. - Highlights: • The complete solid solution of Ca(Au{sub x}Zn{sub 2−x})Au{sub 4} was accomplished. • Site preference was explained by “coloring” analyses. • Abnormally large Au–Zn distance but with strong bonding was observed. • Pronounced matrix effect incurred by Au–Au bonding in gold substructure was found.

• OSTI ID: 22443417
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 218; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
BONDING
GOLD
INTERACTIONS
INTERATOMIC DISTANCES
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
MONOCRYSTALS
SOLID SOLUTIONS
TANTALUM
TETRAGONAL LATTICES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION