Synthesis of a Nitrogen-Stabilized Hexagonal Re3ZnNx Phase Using High Pressures and Temperatures

George Serghiou, C. L. Guillaume, A. Thomson, J. P. Morniroli, D. J. Frost

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

High pressure can induce profound changes in solids. A significant barrier to new alloys and ceramics, however, is that targeted starting materials may not react with each other, even with the help of pressure. We use nitrogen, in a new capacity, to incorporate two otherwise unreactive elements, Re and Zn, in the same structure when pressure alone does not suffice, without nitrogen altering the resulting backbone structure. Synthesis experiments up to 20 GPa and 1800 K show that while no Re−Zn alloy or solid solution is formed, a novel Re3ZnNx ordered solid solution is formed, at 20 GPa, with nitrogen occupying Re-coordinated cages. We put forth that unlike pure Re3Zn, our novel hexagonal Re3ZnNx structure is stabilized by nitrogen bond formation with rhenium. Pressure lifts the pronounced ambient Zn anisotropy, making it more compatible with Re and likely facilitating incorporation of the structure-stabilizing nitrogen anion. This methodology and result denote further options for removing impasses to material preparation, thus opening new avenues for synthesis. These can also be pursued with other ions including carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, in addition to nitrogen.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15170-15175
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume131
Issue number42
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2009

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