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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...

Trends in Lattice Energy: Ion Size and Charge

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An ionic compound is stable because of the electrostatic attraction between its positive and negative ions. The lattice energy of a compound is a measure of the strength of this attraction. The lattice energy (ΔHlattice) of an ionic compound is defined as the energy required to separate one mole of the solid into its component gaseous ions. For the ionic solid sodium chloride, the lattice energy is the enthalpy change of the process:

Network Covalent Solids

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Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...

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Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles

Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles

Published on: October 16, 2017

Valence-free open nanoparticle superlattices.

Binay P Nayak^1,2, Wenjie Wang³, Prapti Kakkar^1,2

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.

Nature Communications

|January 17, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a new method to assemble nanoparticle superstructures without valence bonding. This approach creates diverse cubic lattices, including diamond-like structures, for advanced materials design.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Crystallography

Background:

Assembling nanoparticle superstructures with specific symmetries is crucial for advanced materials.
Creating diamond-like superstructures traditionally requires nanoparticles with directional interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a robust strategy for assembling valence-free nanoparticles into various cubic superstructures.
To enable the creation of diamond-like superlattices for photonic applications.

Main Methods:

Grafting nanoparticles with oppositely charged, end-functionalized water-soluble polymers.
Controlling electrostatic interactions and conformational constraints via polymer molecular weight.
Utilizing theoretical models and simulations to understand interactions.

Main Results:

Successfully assembled a broad array of cubic superstructures, including rock salt, CsCl, zinc-blende, diamond, and simple cubic phases.
Achieved tunable lattice constants for the resulting nanoparticle superlattices.
Demonstrated a unified approach for valence-free nanoparticle assembly.

Conclusions:

The developed strategy provides a versatile framework for engineering nanoparticle superlattices with tailored symmetries.
This method overcomes limitations of traditional approaches requiring valence-like bonding.
The findings pave the way for designing novel photonic devices and advanced materials.