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Related Concept Videos

Structures of Solids02:22

Structures of Solids

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Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
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X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

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The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
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Ionic Crystal Structures02:42

Ionic Crystal Structures

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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...
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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,...
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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...
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Lattice Centering and Coordination Number

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The structure of a crystalline solid, whether a metal or not, is best described by considering its simplest repeating unit, which is referred to as its unit cell. The unit cell consists of lattice points that represent the locations of atoms or ions. The entire structure then consists of this unit cell repeating in three dimensions. The three different types of unit cells present in the cubic lattice are illustrated in Figure 1.
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...
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Area of Science:

  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science
  • Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

  • Crystal structures are fundamental to the behavior and properties of nanoscale materials.
  • Understanding atomic arrangements, growth, and interactions is crucial for nanoscience applications.
  • A vast array of crystal structures are observed in nanoscale systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide nanoscience researchers with an overview of common crystal structures in nanoscale materials.
  • To introduce tools and concepts for deriving, describing, and visualizing structural features.
  • To highlight relationships between simple and complex structures for better material design.

Main Methods:

  • Review of commonly observed crystal structures in elemental and compound nanoscale materials.
  • Discussion of close-packed and non-close-packed structures.
  • Application of structural visualization tools to ordered, disordered, and complex materials.

Main Results:

  • Highlights key crystal structures like rocksalt, zincblende, wurtzite, perovskites, MXenes, and transition metal dichalcogenides.
  • Demonstrates how complex structures can be derived from simpler building blocks.
  • Illustrates structural similarities and interrelationships among diverse material classes.

Conclusions:

  • Appreciating structural relationships enables deconstruction of complex nanoscale materials into simpler components.
  • This understanding is vital for the rational design, comprehension, and application of nanoscale materials.
  • The tutorial equips researchers with foundational knowledge for advanced nanoscience research.