Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
14:55
Atomic Scale Structural Studies of Macromolecular Assemblies by Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Published on: September 17, 2017
"NaB15": a new structural description based on X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, and solid-state
1Institut fur Anorganische und Analytische Chemie I, Justus-Liebig-Universitat, Giessen, Germany. barbara.albert@anorg.chemie.uni-giessen.de
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 29, 2000
Summary
This study corrects the crystal structure of a sodium boride, previously identified as NaB15. The revised structure, determined through multiple advanced techniques, reveals a new formula of NaB14.5 or Na2B29.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state chemistry
- Materials science
- Crystallography
Background:
- The precise crystal structure of boron-rich sodium borides is crucial for understanding their properties.
- Previous structural assignments for compounds like NaB15 may require revision based on new data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively reinvestigate and accurately determine the crystal structure of a boron-rich sodium boride.
- To correct the previously assigned space group and compositional formula.
Main Methods:
- X-ray single-crystal and powder diffraction
- Low-temperature neutron and electron diffraction
- High-resolution transmission electron microscopy
- 23Na solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
Main Results:
- The previously reported orthorhombic space group was found to be incorrect.
- A revised structural model was developed in the monoclinic space group I2/m.
- Experimental data confirmed an unoccupied interstitial boron site, leading to the accurate formula NaB14.5 or Na2B29.
Conclusions:
- The crystal structure of the boron-rich sodium boride has been accurately redefined.
- The corrected structural and compositional information provides a foundation for future research on sodium borides.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:18X-ray Crystallography
The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
01:10X-ray Diffraction of Biological Samples
X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal crystal...
According to Bragg's law, when X-rays strike the sample positioned on a stage, the rays are scattered by the electron clouds around the sample atoms. The X-ray diffraction or scattering is caused by constructive interference of the X-ray waves that reflect off the internal crystal...
01:28Cryo-electron Microscopy
Conventional electron microscopy (EM) involves dehydration, fixation, and staining of biological samples, which distorts the native state of biological molecules and results in several artifacts. Also, the high-energy electron beam damages the sample and makes it difficult to obtain high-resolution images. These issues can be addressed using cryo-EM, which uses frozen samples and gentler electron beams. The technique was developed by Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank, and Richard Henderson, for...
01:07Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
01:29Determination of Crystal Structures
In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...