Synthesis, crystal and electronic structure of BaLi2Cd2Ge2

A new quaternary germanide has been synthesized and structurally characterized. BaLi2Cd2Ge2 adopts the rhombohedral CaCu4P2 structure type (Pearson code hR7; space group R 3 ‾ m $R‾{3}m$ , Z = 3) with unit cell parameters a = 4.5929(6) and c = 26.119(5) Å. Structure refinements from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data demonstrate that the layered crystal structure can be regarded as an ordered quaternary variant of the ternary archetype; structural parallels to layered pnictides and binary germanides can also be drawn. The layered crystal structure is characterized by the absence of direct Ge–Ge and Cd–Cd homoatomic bonds, which suggests that BaLi2Cd2Ge2 should be classified as a Zintl phase, according to the formulation (Ba2+)(Li+)2(Cd2+)2(Ge4−)2. Electronic structure calculations show that the Fermi level crosses a distinct peak in the DOS, although the presence of an electronic band gap or a dip in the electronic density of states at the Fermi level is expected based on the electron partitioning.

The layered crystal structure of bis(theophyllinium) hexachloridostannate (IV), C14H18N8O8SnCl6

C14H18N8O8SnCl6, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 8.1810(2) Å, b = 12.6195(3) Å, c = 11.3811(2) Å, β = 90.258(2)°, Z = 2, V = 1174.97(5) Å3, R gt(F) = 0.0266, wR ref = 0.0620, T = 290 K.

Orientation-Dependent Conversion of VLS-Grown Lead Iodide Nanowires into Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites

In this study, we demonstrate Sn-assisted vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of lead iodide (PbI2) nanowires with van der Waals layered crystal structure and subsequent vapor-phase conversion into methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskites. Our systematic microscopic investigations confirmed that the VLS-grown PbI2 nanowires display two major growth orientations of [0001] and [1¯21¯0], corresponding to the stacking configurations of PbI2 layers to the nanowire axis (transverse for [0001] vs. parallel for [1¯21¯0]). The resulting difference in the sidewall morphologies was correlated with the perovskite conversion, where [0001] nanowires showed strong localized conversion at top and bottom, as opposed to [1¯21¯0] nanowires with an evenly distributed degree of conversion. An ab initio energy calculation suggests that CH3NH3I preferentially diffuses and intercalates into (112¯0) sidewall facets parallel to the [1¯21¯0] nanowire axis. Our results underscore the ability to control the crystal structures of van der Waals type PbI2 in nanowire via the VLS technique, which is critical for the subsequent conversion process into perovskite nanostructures and corresponding properties.

Study of anisotropic thermal conductivity in textured thermoelectric alloys by Raman spectroscopy

Polycrystalline p-type Sb1.5Bi0.5Te3 (SBT) and n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) compounds possessing layered crystal structure show anisotropic electronic and thermal transport properties.

A facile freeze-thaw ultrasonic assisted circulation method of graphite flakes prepared by anode graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries for application in nanofluids

Graphite has been widely used as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its good conductivity, layered crystal structure, high charging-discharge potential, and other characteristics. With the rapid...

Carbon nanotubes coupled with layered graphite to support SnTe nanodots as high-rate and ultra-stable lithium-ion battery anodes

SnTe exhibits a layered crystal structure, which enables fast Li-ion diffusion and easy storage, and is considered to be a promising candidate for an advanced anode material.

Morphology and crystal structure dependent pseudocapacitor performance of hydrated WO3 nanostructures

The morphology tuning with synthesis temperature shows 2D nanosheet conversion into 3D slabs with improved crystallinity promising proton insertion into the layered crystal structure for better supercapacitor performance.