Synthesis and characterization of a new Na-Ge zeolite-like framework phase, Na1-xGe3+z

INOR 863

Matt Beekman, mbeekman@cas.usf.edu1, George S. Nolas, gnolas@cas.usf.edu1, James A. Kaduk2, Qing Huang3, Winnie Wong-Ng3, and Zhi Yang3. (1) Department of Physics, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620, (2) INEOS Technologies, Naperville, IL 60566, (3) Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
Crystalline open-framework materials have long attracted the attention of chemists, physicists, and materials scientists. The intriguing structures they exhibit are often intimately related to the unique physical properties they possess. We report on the synthesis and characterization of a new open-framework phase in the Na-Ge system, Na1-xGe3+z, synthesized by thermal decomposition of the Zintl compound NaGe under vacuum. Using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction the crystal structure was solved by implementation of Monte Carlo simulated annealing techniques and subsequently refined using the Rietveld method. The structure was then confirmed and further refined using neutron powder diffraction at both room temperature and 4 K. The new Na-Ge phase crystallizes with a hexagonal (space group P6/m) zeolite-like, covalently bonded Ge framework, forming large and small infinite tunnels that run along the c-axis large enough to accommodate Na atoms. The structure, crystal chemistry, and physical properties of this new material will be discussed.
 

Solid State Chemistry
1:30 PM-5:40 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- 205B, Oral

Division of Inorganic Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007