Issue 3, 2020

Multi-step structural phase transitions with novel symmetry breaking and inverse symmetry breaking characteristics in a [Ag4I6]2− cluster hybrid crystal

Abstract

In this study, a multi-step phase transition hybrid composed of (Pr-dabco)2Ag4I6 clusters (Pr-dabco+ = 1-propyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-ium) has been prepared and characterized by microanalysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, TG and DSC techniques, etc. This hybrid is thermally stable up to ∼486 K with five phases in the temperature region below 486 K. The phase transition shows symmetry breaking (SB) character between phases II (space group P21/c) and III (space group Pa[3 with combining macron]), while inverse symmetry breaking (ISB) between phases II and I (space group Pbca), and it is rather exceptional for matter to exhibit simultaneously SB and ISB nature in two successive phase transitions. Most importantly, each phase transition is associated with a dielectric anomaly, and phase V appears to be a plastic crystal with extra high ac conductivity (>10−2 S cm−1). Our work opens up new avenues to find a multi-phase transition material in silver halide hybrids.

Graphical abstract: Multi-step structural phase transitions with novel symmetry breaking and inverse symmetry breaking characteristics in a [Ag4I6]2− cluster hybrid crystal

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
27 Oct 2019
Accepted
03 Dec 2019
First published
03 Dec 2019

Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 462-465

Multi-step structural phase transitions with novel symmetry breaking and inverse symmetry breaking characteristics in a [Ag4I6]2− cluster hybrid crystal

J. Zhang, W. Yao, L. Sang, X. Pan, X. Wang, W. Liu, L. Wang and X. Ren, Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 462 DOI: 10.1039/C9CC08394D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements