Rb(16)Cd(25.39(3))sb(36): an electron-deficient zintl phase containing infinite dodecahedron chains.
A novel ternary antimonide Rb(16)Cd(25.39(3))Sb(36) has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction of the appropriate amount of elements in a welded niobium tube at 530 degrees C. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Cmcm (No. 63) with a = 16.499(5) A, b = 12.391(4) A, c = 12.400(4) A, and Z = 1. The structure features a new 3D network constructed of chains of Rb(+)-centered dodecahedra running along [001]. The atomic distribution of the Cd(8)Sb(12) dodecahedron presents an energetically favored pattern without any Cd-Cd bonding. The formation of the phase and the occurrence of a very narrow phase width of Rb(16)Cd(24+x)Sb(36) [0.94(2) < or = x < or = 1.47(3)] have been studied in detail. The Fermi level of the title compound is expected to be located between those of the hypothetical models of "[Rb(16)Cd(24)Sb(36)](0)" (I, poor metallic) and "[Rb(16)Cd(24)Sb(36)] + 4e" (II, narrow-band-gap semiconductor), which agrees well with the experimental measurements. In the temperature range of 300-473 K, the as-synthesized Rb(16)Cd(25.39(3))Sb(36) exhibits p-type semiconductor behavior and shows temperature-independent thermal conductivities (around 0.49 W/m.K). The electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and figure of merit (ZT) of Rb(16)Cd(25.39(3))Sb(36) are temperature-dependent; these values are 57.4 S/cm, +81.4 microV/K, and 0.04, respectively, at 466 K.
Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, People's Republic of China.
Wu-Zui
WZ
Zheng
Peng
P
Wang
Li-Ming
LM
Wu
Yi
Y
Liu
Ling
L
Chen