NaGaS₂ : An Elusive Layered Compound with Dynamic Water Absorption and Wide-Ranging Ion-Exchange Properties

Most ternary sulfides belonging to the MGaS₂ structure-type have been known for many years and are well-characterized. Surprisingly, there have been no reports of the NaGaS₂ composition, which contains Na, a monovalent cation slightly larger in size than Li, found in LiGaS₂ , a compound known for its non-linear optical properties. Now it is demonstrated for the first time that the unique reversible water absorption in NaGaS₂ has resulted in its absence from previous reports owing to difficulties encountered when characterizing this compound by SC XRD. The layered structure of this compound coupled with uniquely easy migration of water molecules between the layers allows for ion exchange with 3d and 5f metal cations. Some cations, for example, Ni²⁺ , facilitate exfoliation of the layers, providing a facile synthetic route to a new class of 2D chalcogenide materials and furthermore demonstrating that NaGaS₂ can readily uptake uranyl species from aqueous solutions.