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Related Concept Videos

Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Bonding in Metals02:32

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer02:48

Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer

Ions are atoms or molecules bearing an electrical charge. A cation (a positive ion) forms when a neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell, and an anion (a negative ion) forms when a neutral atom gains one or more electrons in its valence shell. Compounds composed of ions are called ionic compounds (or salts), and their constituent ions are held together by ionic bonds: electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged cations and anions.
Alkali Metals03:06

Alkali Metals

Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions01:24

Metal-Semiconductor Junctions

The contact of metal and semiconductor can lead to the formation of a junction with either Schottky or Ohmic behavior.
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...

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Ultrasound Velocity Measurement in a Liquid Metal Electrode
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(Barely) solid Li(NH3)4: the electronics of an expanded metal.

Eva Zurek1, Xiao-Dong Wen, Roald Hoffmann

  • 1Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, 331 Natural Sciences Complex, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States. ezurek@buffalo.edu

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 24, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Lithium(0)tetraamine, an electride, exhibits a unique tetrahedral structure and electronic properties. Theoretical studies reveal its stability under pressure and distinct band structure, offering insights into novel materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Solid-state chemistry
  • Materials science
  • Computational physics

Background:

  • Lithium(0)tetraamine is an electride formed from lithium and ammonia solutions.
  • Its complex electronic structure and properties are not fully understood.
  • Crystallization occurs at low temperatures (90 K).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To theoretically investigate the Phase II, Z = 8, I43d structure of lithium(0)tetraamine.
  • To elucidate the electronic structure and stability of this material.
  • To explain the observed band structure and relate it to material properties.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical studies employing computational physics methods.
  • Analysis of the I43d crystal structure and its stability.
  • Examination of electronic band structure and electron density distributions.

Main Results:

  • The molecular building block is an almost ideal tetrahedron, consistent with experiments.
  • The I43d structure is more stable than bcc and Cs-IV configurations under pressure.
  • Six narrow bands, four occupied, were identified, linked to electron density pockets between ammonia molecules.

Conclusions:

  • Lithium(0)tetraamine's electride nature and unique band structure are confirmed.
  • The Jortner-type model explains the band structure by considering pseudoatoms in electron density holes.
  • This material is unique due to its low melting point and distinct electronic properties.