No abstract

No abstract

Polar intermetallics are an intriguing class of compounds with complex relationships between composition and structure that are not fully understood. This work reports a systematic study of the underexplored ternary composition space RE−Au−Tt (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd; Tt = Ge, Pb) to expand our knowledge of the intriguing chemistry and diversity achievable with these metallic constituents. These composition spaces are particularly interesting because of the potential to find Au-bearing, highly polar intermetallic compounds. The elements were first reacted through arc welding under an inert atmosphere, followed by annealing at 850 °C. X-ray diffraction of the products identified seven unreported compounds ranging from the simple NaTl-type compounds La 1.5 Au 2 Pb 0.5 and Nd 2−x Au 2 Pb x to the more structurally complex La 5 AuPb 3 in the Hf 5 CuSn 3 -type structure and Pu 3 Pd 4 -type RE 3 Au 3 Ge (RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd). Firstprinciples electronic structure calculations investigate the combination of Fermi surface−Brillouin zone interactions, electrostatic interactions, and delocalized metallic bonding that contributes to the formation of these phases. These calculations show that a mixture of electrostatic and metallic bonding plays a dominant role in these phases. The RE−Au−Tt composition space remains full of potential for discovering materials with relevant magnetic and quantum properties, provided the crystal chemistry can be comprehended.

Facile synthesis of cobalt, nickel, and copper sponges and their catalytic properties for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, methyl orange, and methylene blue.