skip to main content


Title: Electronic Structure and Superconductivity of Compressed Metal Tetrahydrides
Abstract

Tetrahydrides crystallizing in the ThCr2Si2structure type have been predicted to become stable for a plethora of metals under pressure, and some have recently been synthesized. Through detailed first‐principles investigations we show that the metal atoms within thesesymmetry MH4compounds may be divalent, trivalent or tetravalent. The valence of the metal atom and its radius govern the bonding and electronic structure of these phases, and their evolution under pressure. The factors important for enhancing superconductivity include a large number of hydrogenic states at the Fermi level, and the presence of quasi‐molecular Hunits whose bonds have been stretched and weakened (but not broken) via electron transfer from the electropositive metal, and via a Kubas‐like interaction with the metal. Analysis of the microscopic mechanism of superconductivity in MgH4, ScH4and ZrH4reveals that phonon modes involving a coupled libration and stretch of the Hunits leading to the formation of more complex hydrogenic motifs are important contributors towards the electron phonon coupling mechanism. In the divalent hydride MgH4, modes associated with motions of the hydridic hydrogen atoms are also key contributors, and soften substantially at lower pressures.

 
more » « less
Award ID(s):
1827815
NSF-PAR ID:
10449536
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Chemistry – A European Journal
Volume:
27
Issue:
60
ISSN:
0947-6539
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 14858-14870
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    Raman scattering is performed on Fe3GeTe2(FGT) at temperatures from 8 to 300 K and under pressures from the ambient pressure to 9.43 GPa. Temperature‐dependent and pressure‐dependent Raman spectra are reported. The results reveal respective anomalous softening and moderate stiffening of the two Raman active modes as a result of the increase of pressure. The anomalous softening suggests anharmonic phonon dynamics and strong spin–phonon coupling. Pressure‐dependent density functional theory and phonon calculations are conducted and used to study the magnetic properties of FGT and assign the observed Raman modes,and. The calculations proved the strong spin–phonon coupling for themode. In addition, a synergistic interplay of pressure‐induced reduction of spin exchange interactions and spin–orbit coupling effect accounts for the softening of themode as pressure increases.

     
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    Aluminyl anions are low‐valent, anionic, and carbenoid aluminum species commonly found stabilized with potassium cations from the reaction of Al‐halogen precursors and alkali compounds. These systems are very reactive toward the activation ofσ‐bonds and in reactions with electrophiles. Various research groups have detected that the potassium atoms play a stabilization role via electrostatic and cationinteractions with nearby (aromatic)‐carbocyclic rings from both the ligand and from the reaction with unsaturated substrates. Since stabilizing K⋯H bonds are witnessed in the activation of this class of molecules, we aim to unveil the role of these metals in the activation of the smaller and less polarizable H2molecule, together with a comprehensive characterization of the reaction mechanism. In this work, the activation of H2utilizing a NON‐xanthene‐Al dimer, [K{Al(NON)}]2(D) and monomeric, [Al(NON)](M) complexes are studied using density functional theory and high‐level coupled‐cluster theory to reveal the potential role of K+atoms during the activation of this gas. Furthermore, we aim to reveal whetherDis more reactive thanM(or vice versa), or if complicity between the two monomer units exits within theDcomplex toward the activation of H2. The results suggest that activation energies using the dimeric and monomeric complexes were found to be very close (around 33 kcal mol−1). However, a partition of activation energies unveiled that the nature of the energy barriers for the monomeric and dimeric complexes are inherently different. The former is dominated by a more substantial distortion of the reactants (and increased interaction energies between them). Interestingly, during the oxidative addition, the distortion of the Al complex is minimal, while H2distorts the most, usually over 0.77. Overall, it is found here that electrostatic and induction energies between the complexes and H2are the main stabilizing components up to the respective transition states. The results suggest that the K+atoms act as stabilizers of the dimeric structure, and their cooperative role on the reaction mechanism may be negligible, acting as mere spectators in the activation of H2. Cooperation between the two monomers inDis lacking, and therefore the subsequent activation of H2is wholly disengaged.

     
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    Here, the combination of theoretical computations followed by rapid experimental screening and in situ diffraction studies is demonstrated as a powerful strategy for novel compounds discovery. When applied for the previously “empty” Na−Zn−Bi system, such an approach led to four novel phases. The compositional space of this system was rapidly screened via the hydride route method and the theoretically predicted NaZnBi (PbClF type,P4/nmm) and Na11Zn2Bi5(Na11Cd2Sb5type,P) phases were successfully synthesized, while other computationally generated compounds on the list were rejected. In addition, single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies of NaZnBi indicate minor deviations from the stoichiometric 1 : 1 : 1 molar ratio. As a result, two isostructural (PbClF type,P4/nmm) Zn‐deficient phases with similar compositions, but distinctly different unit cell parameters were discovered. The vacancies on Zn sites and unit cell expansion were rationalized from bonding analysis using electronic structure calculations on stoichiometric “NaZnBi”.In‐situsynchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction studies shed light on complex equilibria in the Na−Zn−Bi system at elevated temperatures. In particular, the high‐temperature polymorphHT‐Na3Bi (BiF3type,Fmm) was obtained as a product of Na11Zn2Bi5decomposition above 611 K.HT‐Na3Bi cannot be stabilized at room temperature by quenching, and this type of structure was earlier observed in the high‐pressure polymorphHP‐Na3Bi above 0.5 GPa. The aforementioned approach of predictive synthesis can be extended to other multinary systems.

     
    more » « less
  4. The electron delocalization range function EDR() (Janesko et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 141, 144104) quantifies the extent to which an electron at pointin a calculated wavefunction delocalizes over distance d. This work shows how topological analysis distills chemically useful information out of the EDR. Local maxima (attractors) in the EDR occur in regions such as atomic cores, covalent bonds, and lone pairs where the wavefunction is dominated by a single orbital lobe. The EDR characterizes each attractor in terms of a delocalization length D and a normalization, which are qualitatively consistent with the size of the orbital lobe and the number of lobes in the orbital. Attractors identify the progressively more delocalized atomic shells in heavy atoms, the interplay of delocalization and strong (nondynamical) correlation in stretched and dissociating covalent bonds, the locations of valence and weakly bound electrons in anionic water clusters, and the chemistry of different reactive sites on metal clusters. Application to ammonia dissociation over silicon illustrates how this density‐matrix‐based analysis can give insight into realistic systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    Cadmium (Cd) is a trace metal whose distribution in the ocean bears a remarkable resemblance to the nutrient phosphate (PO43−). This resemblance has led to the use of Cd as a proxy for ocean nutrient cycling in paleoceanographic applications, but the processes governing the cycling of Cd in the modern ocean remain unclear. In this study, we use previously published Cd observations and an Artificial Neural Network to produce a dissolved Cd climatology that reproduces the observed subtle deviations between the Cd anddistributions. We use the Cd andclimatologies, along with an ocean circulation inverse model, to diagnose the biogeochemical sources and sinks of dissolved Cd and. Our calculations reveal that dissolved Cd, like, is removed in the surface ocean and has a source in the subsurface, consistent with the simultaneous incorporation of Cd andinto sinking organic particles. However, there are also contrasts between the cycling of dissolved Cd andIn particular, thesurface export ratio varies 8‐fold across latitudes, reaching highest values in the iron‐limited sub‐Antarctic Southern Ocean. This depletes Cd relative toin the low‐latitude thermocline while adding excess Cd to deep waters by the regeneration of Cd‐enriched particles. Also, Cd tends to regenerate slightly deeper thanin the subsurface ocean, and theregeneration ratio reaches a maximum at 700–1,500 m. These contrasts are responsible for a slight concavity in therelationship and should be considered when interpreting paleoceanographic Cd records.

     
    more » « less