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Title: Clathrate XI K 58 Zn 122 Sb 207 : A New Branch on the Clathrate Family Tree
Abstract

The compositional screening of K‐Zn‐Sb ternary system aided by machine learning, rapid exploratory synthesis using KH salt‐like precursor and in situ powder X‐ray diffraction yielded a novel clathrate type XI K58Zn122Sb207. This clathrate consists of a 3D Zn‐Sb framework hosting K+ions inside polyhedral cages, some of which are reminiscent of known clathrate types while others are unique to this structure type. The complex non‐centrosymmetric structure in the tetragonal space groupwas solved by means of single crystal X‐ray diffraction as a 6‐component twin due to pseudocubic symmetry and further confirmed by high‐resolution synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction and state‐of‐the‐art scanning transmission electron microscopy. The electron‐precise composition of this clathrate yields narrow‐gapp‐type semiconductor with extraordinarily low thermal conductivity due to displacement or “rattling” of K cations inside oversized cages and as well as to twinning, stacking faults and antiphase boundary defects.

 
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Award ID(s):
1944551
NSF-PAR ID:
10237022
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Volume:
60
Issue:
1
ISSN:
1433-7851
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 415-423
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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