Polar Nitride Perovskite LaWN_3-δ with Orthorhombic Structure

Nitride perovskite LaWN₃ has been predicted to be a promising ferroelectric material with unique properties for diverse applications. However, due to the challenging sample preparation at ambient pressure, the crystal structure of this nitride remains unsolved, which results in many ambiguities in its properties. Here, the authors report a comprehensive study of LaWN₃ based on high-quality samples synthesized by a high-pressure method, leading to a definitive resolution of its crystal structure involving nitrogen deficiency. Combined with theoretical calculations, these results show that LaWN₃ adopts an orthorhombic Pna2₁ structure with a polar symmetry, possessing a unique atomic polarization along the c-axis. The associated atomic polar distortions in LaWN₃ are driven by covalent hybridization of W: 5d and N: 2p orbitals, opening a direct bandgap that explains its semiconducting behaviors. The structural stability and electronic properties of this nitride are also revealed to be closely associated with its nitrogen deficiency. The success in unraveling the structural and electronic ambiguities of LaWN₃ would provide important insights into the structures and properties of the family of nitride perovskites.