A combination of single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments are used to determine the electron density distribution in orthorhombic rubrene. The topology of electron density, NCI analysis and energetics of intermolecular interactions clearly demonstrate the presence of π⋯π stacking interactions in the crystalline state.

Van der Waals (vdW) solids have attracted great attention ever since the discovery of graphene, with the essential feature being the weak chemical bonding across the vdW gap. The nature of these weak interactions is decisive for many extraordinary properties, but it is a strong challenge for current theory to accurately model long-range electron correlations. Here we use synchrotron X-ray diffraction data to precisely determine the electron density in the archetypal vdW solid, TiS, and compare the results with density functional theory calculations. Quantitative agreement is observed for the chemical bonding description in the covalent TiS slabs, but significant differences are identified for the interactions across the gap, with experiment revealing more electron deformation than theory. The present data provide an experimental benchmark for testing theoretical models of weak chemical bonding.

The Mg3Sb2 structure is currently being intensely scrutinized due to its outstanding thermoelectric properties. Usually, it is described as a layered Zintl phase with a clear distinction between covalent [Mg2Sb2]2− layers and ionic Mg2+ layers. Based on the quantitative chemical bonding analysis, we unravel instead that Mg3Sb2 exhibits a nearly isotropic three-dimensional bonding network with the interlayer and intralayer bonds being mostly ionic and surprisingly similar, which results in the nearly isotropic structural and thermal properties. The isotropic three-dimensional bonding network is found to be broadly applicable to many Mg-containing compounds with the CaAl2Si2-type structure. Intriguingly, a parameter based on the electron density can be used as an indicator measuring the anisotropy of lattice thermal conductivity in Mg3Sb2-related structures. This work extends our understanding of structure and properties based on chemical bonding analysis, and it will guide the search for and design of materials with tailored anisotropic properties.

Tin selenide-based functional materials are extensively studied in the field of optoelectronic, photovoltaic and thermoelectric devices. Specifically, SnSe has been reported to have an ultrahigh thermoelectric figure of merit of 2.6 ± 0.3 in the high-temperature phase. Here we report the evolution of lattice constants, fractional coordinates, site occupancy factors and atomic displacement factors with temperature by means of high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction measured from 100 to 855 K. The structure is shown to be cation defective with a Sn content of 0.982 (4). The anisotropy of the thermal parameters of Sn becomes more pronounced approaching the high-temperature phase transition (∼ 810 K). Anharmonic Gram-Charlier parameters have been refined, but data from single-crystal diffraction appear to be needed to firmly quantify anharmonic features. Based on modelling of the atomic displacement parameters the Debye temperature is found to be 175 (4) K. Conflicting reports concerning the different coordinate system settings in the low-temperature and high-temperature phases are discussed. It is also shown that the high-temperature Cmcm phase is not pseudo-tetragonal as commonly assumed.

Thermoelectric materials can interconvert heat and electricity, and the extraordinary thermoelectric properties of lead chalcogenides (PbX, X = S, Se, Te) attract immense scientific interest. A key topic is the role of the cation in reaching a very low thermal conductivity necessary for efficient energy conversion. Here we present new structural insights about the deceptively simple rock-salt lead chalcogenides through a comparative multi-temperature synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction study. For the first time, the presence of anisotropic microstrain broadening as well as lead vacancies are quantified for all three compounds. The microstrain implies extended breakage of cubic symmetry as a sign of the incipient ferroelectric nature of PbX. The degree of microstrain is correlated to the transition pressure of a symmetry reducing phase transition, and this trend can be explained by anion mediated s-p hybridization on lead. The observed number of vacancies is greatest for PbS (4-8%), but two samples of PbS show different cation occupancy, and thus sample-dependent vacancies might be the property that unifies conflicting results reported for PbX. Gram-Charlier analysis identifies a local non-spherical distribution of Pb; however, model unbiased maximum entropy analysis indicates that any static displacement of Pb, if present, is less than 0.2 Å at 100 K.