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Colors and Magnetism

Colors and Magnetism

Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...

Bonding in Metals

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.

Properties of Transition Metals

Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.

Valence Bond Theory

Valence 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...

Structural Isomerism

Structural Isomerism

Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly,...

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2025

Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth of Mg3N2 and Zn3N2 Thin Films

Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy Growth of Mg3N2 and Zn3N2 Thin Films

Published on: May 11, 2019

Transition-Metal Nitrides for High-Temperature Structural Colors.

Peifen Lyu¹, Tzu-Yu Peng^2,3, Declan Kopper¹

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California─Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|May 9, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Transition-metal nitrides (TMNs) offer tunable optical properties for high-temperature applications. Oxidation creates structural color, while aluminum oxide coatings preserve performance up to 830 °C.

Keywords:

HfN TiN ZrN high temperature oxidation refractory metals structural colors transition-metal nitrides

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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses

Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses

Published on: June 7, 2018

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Photonics and Plasmonics

Background:

Transition-metal nitrides (TMNs) exhibit plasmonic properties and thermal stability.
Nanoscale TMNs' optical behavior under high-temperature oxidation is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate TMN optical property changes during high-temperature oxidation.
Explore protective coatings for enhanced thermal stability.

Main Methods:

In situ optical characterization and ex situ surface analysis at 600 °C with oxygen exposure.
Testing of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) coatings up to 830 °C.

Main Results:

Oxidation induces gradual color transitions in TMNs, enabling structural color applications.
Al2O3 coatings effectively prevent oxidation and preserve optical properties at high temperatures.

Conclusions:

TMNs are promising for high-temperature photonic devices due to tunable optical properties and stability.
Oxidation control and protective coatings are key for advanced applications in demanding environments.