Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
09:06
Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Published on: March 24, 2019
New structure type in the mixed-valent compound YbCu4Ga8
Udumula Subbarao1, Matthias J Gutmann, Sebastian C Peter
1New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560064, India.
Inorganic Chemistry
|February 9, 2013
Summary
A new ytterbium-copper-gallium compound, YbCu(4)Ga(8), was synthesized and characterized. Its unique crystal structure and mixed-valent ytterbium properties suggest potential for novel electronic behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Solid State Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
Background:
- The synthesis of novel intermetallic compounds is crucial for discovering materials with unique physical properties.
- Ytterbium-based compounds are of interest due to their diverse electronic and magnetic behaviors, including valence fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a new ytterbium-copper-gallium compound.
- To determine the crystal structure and investigate the physical properties of the new compound.
Main Methods:
- Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) for detailed structural analysis.
- Neutron diffraction measurements for structural model confirmation.
- Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements for physical property investigation.
Main Results:
- YbCu(4)Ga(8) was synthesized as large single crystals.
- A new crystal structure type with a tripled c-axis (a = b = 8.6529(4) Å, c = 15.465(1) Å) was determined.
- Magnetic susceptibility indicated Curie-Weiss behavior above 100 K and mixed-valent ytterbium.
- Electrical resistivity measurements revealed metallic behavior and a potential Fermi-liquid state at low temperatures.
Conclusions:
- YbCu(4)Ga(8) crystallizes in a novel structure type with a 3D network of pseudo-Frank-Kasper cages.
- The compound exhibits mixed-valent ytterbium behavior and metallic conductivity.
- The observed low-temperature behavior suggests a possible Fermi-liquid state, warranting further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
02:42Ionic Crystal Structures
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
02:57Coordination Number and Geometry
For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
02:37Metallic 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...
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
02:46Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
02:58Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...