Six-membered-ring inorganic materials: definition and prospects

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed-Matter Physics
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• The six-membered ring (SMR) is a prevalent structural motif in diverse material systems, including 2D materials like graphene and 3D materials such as beryllium and MgB2.
• Despite the prominence of SMR-containing materials, the fundamental role of the SMR unit across various compositions and structures has been underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically analyze materials based on their core six-membered ring (SMR) structural unit.
• To establish a new classification of 'SMR inorganic materials' to provide a fresh perspective on materials research and development.

Main Methods:

• Systematic analysis of material structures focusing on the six-membered ring (SMR) unit.
• Review and synthesis of existing literature on SMR-containing materials and their properties.

Main Results:

• The SMR structural unit plays a deterministic role in the emergence of significant properties, including Dirac electronic and phononic spectra, superconductivity, and topological phenomena.
• Identification and definition of a new class of materials termed 'SMR inorganic materials'.

Conclusions:

• SMR inorganic materials possess unique properties that warrant extensive investigation for materials design and discovery of new physics.
• These materials hold promise for applications in next-generation information technology, renewable energy, and space exploration.