Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, volume 8, issue 4, pages 755-764
Computational Search for Novel Hard Chromium-Based Materials
3
Department
of Geosciences and Center for Materials by Design, Institute for Advanced
Computational Science, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100, United States
|
Publication type: Journal Article
Publication date: 2017-01-31
Quartile SCImago
Q1
Quartile WOS
Q1
SJR: 1.586
CiteScore: 9.6
Impact factor: 4.8
ISSN: 19487185
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
General Materials Science
Abstract
Nitrides, carbides, and borides of transition metals are an attractive class of hard materials. Our recent preliminary explorations of the binary chemical compounds indicated that chromium-based materials are among the hardest transition metal compounds. Motivated by this, here we explore in detail the binary Cr-B, Cr-C, and Cr-N systems using global optimization techniques. Calculated enthalpy of formation and hardness of predicted materials were used for Pareto optimization to define the hardest materials with the lowest energy. Our calculations recover all numerous known stable compounds (except Cr23C6 with its large unit cell) and discover a novel stable phase Pmn21-Cr2C. We resolve the structure of Cr2N and find it to be of anti-CaCl2 type (space group Pnnm). Many of these phases possess remarkable hardness, but only CrB4 is superhard (Vickers hardness 48 GPa). Among chromium compounds, borides generally possess the highest hardnesses and greatest stability. Under pressure, we predict stabilization of a layered TMDC-like phase of Cr2N, a WC-type phase of CrN, and a new compound CrN4. Nitrogen-rich chromium nitride CrN4 is a high-energy-density material featuring polymeric nitrogen chains. In the presence of metal atoms (e.g., Cr), polymerization of nitrogen takes place at much lower pressures; CrN4 becomes stable at ∼15 GPa (cf. 110 GPa for synthesis of pure polymeric nitrogen).
Novel Potassium Polynitrides at High Pressures
Steele B.A., Oleynik I.I.
Polynitrogen compounds have attracted great interest due to their potential applications as high energy density materials. Most recently, a rich variety of alkali polynitrogens (R_{x}N_{y}; R=Li, Na, and Cs) have been predicted to be stable at high pressures and one of them, CsN_{5} has been recently synthesized. In this work, various potassium polynitrides are investigated using first-principles crystal structure search methods. Several novel molecular crystals consisting of N_{4} chains, N_{5} rings, and N_{6} rings stable at high pressures are discovered. In addition, an unusual nitrogen-rich metallic crystal with stoichiometry K_{2}N_{16} consisting of a planar two-dimensional extended network of nitrogen atoms arranged in fused eighteen atom rings is found to be stable above 70 GPa. An appreciable electron transfer from K to N atoms is responsible for the appearance of unexpected chemical bonding in these crystals. The thermodynamic stability and high pressure phase diagram is constructed. The electronic and vibrational properties of the layered polynitrogen K_{2}N_{16} compound are investigated, and the pressure-dependent IR-spectrum is obtained to assist in experimental discovery of this new high-nitrogen content material.
A series of energetic metal pentazolate hydrates
Xu Y., Wang Q., Shen C., Lin Q., Wang P., Lu M.
Metal complexes of the pentazole anion exhibit multiple coordination modes, through ionic, covalent and hydrogen-bonding interactions, and good thermal stability with onset decomposition temperatures greater than 100 °C. Polynitrogen compounds can decompose to N2 with an extraordinarily large energy release, which makes them promising candidate materials for explosives but difficult to produce in a stable form. Compounds containing five-membered all-nitrogen rings have attracted particular interest in the search for a stable polynitrogen molecule. Yuangang Xu et al. report five metal complexes containing the pentazole anion, cyclo--N5−, four of which exhibit good thermal stability and a range of different bonding interactions for stabilization. Given their energetic properties and stability, and the adaptability of the cyclo-N5− species in terms of its bonding interactions, these complexes might lead to the development of a new class of high-energy-density materials and of other unusual polynitrogen complexes. Singly or doubly bonded polynitrogen compounds can decompose to dinitrogen (N2) with an extremely large energy release. This makes them attractive as potential explosives or propellants1,2,3, but also challenging to produce in a stable form. Polynitrogen materials containing nitrogen as the only element exist in the form of high-pressure polymeric phases4,5,6, but under ambient conditions even metastability is realized only in the presence of other elements that provide stabilization. An early example is the molecule phenylpentazole, with a five-membered all-nitrogen ring, which was first reported in the 1900s7 and characterized in the 1950s8,9. Salts containing the azide anion (N3−)10,11,12 or pentazenium cation (N5+)13 are also known, with compounds containing the pentazole anion, cyclo-N5−, a more recent addition14,15,16. Very recently, a bulk material containing this species was reported17 and then used to prepare the first example of a solid-state metal–N5 complex18. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of five metal pentazolate hydrate complexes [Na(H2O)(N5)]·2H2O, [M(H2O)4(N5)2]·4H2O (M = Mn, Fe and Co) and [Mg(H2O)6(N5)2]·4H2O that, with the exception of the Co complex, exhibit good thermal stability with onset decomposition temperatures greater than 100 °C. For this series we find that the N5− ion can coordinate to the metal cation through either ionic or covalent interactions, and is stabilized through hydrogen-bonding interactions with water. Given their energetic properties and stability, pentazole–metal complexes might potentially serve as a new class of high-energy density materials19 or enable the development of such materials containing only nitrogen20,21,22,23. We also anticipate that the adaptability of the N5− ion in terms of its bonding interactions will enable the exploration of inorganic nitrogen analogues of metallocenes24 and other unusual polynitrogen complexes.
A Symmetric Co(N5 )2 (H2 O)4 ⋅4 H2 O High-Nitrogen Compound Formed by Cobalt(II) Cation Trapping of a Cyclo-N5 − Anion
Zhang C., Yang C., Hu B., Yu C., Zheng Z., Sun C.
The reactions of (N5 )6 (H3 O)3 (NH4 )4 Cl with Co(NO3 )2 ⋅6 H2 O at room temperature yielded Co(N5 )2 (H2 O)4 ⋅4 H2 O as an air-stable orange metal complex. The structure, as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, has two planar cyclo-N5- rings and four bound water molecules symmetrically positioned around the central metal ion. Thermal analysis demonstrated the explosive properties of the material.
Pentazole and Ammonium Pentazolate: Crystalline Hydro-Nitrogens at High Pressure
Steele B.A., Oleynik I.I.
Two new crystalline compounds, pentazole (N_{5}H) and ammonium pentazolate (NH_{4})(N_{5}), both featuring cyclo-{\rm N_{5}^{-}} are discovered using first principles evolutionary search of the nitrogen-rich portion of the hydro-nitrogen binary phase diagram (N_{x}H_{y}, x\geqy) at high pressures. Both crystals consist of the pentazolate N_{5}^{-} anion and ammonium NH_{4}^{+} or hydrogen H^{+} cations. These two crystals are predicted to be thermodynamically stable at pressures above 30 GPa for (NH_{4})(N_{5}) and 50 GPa for pentazole N_{5}H. The chemical transformation of ammonium azide (NH_{4})(N_{3}) mixed with di-nitrogen (N_{2}) to ammonium pentazolate (NH_{4})(N_{5}) is predicted to become energetically favorable above 12.5 GPa. To assist in identification of newly synthesized compounds in future experiments, the Raman spectra of both crystals are calculated and mode assignments are made as a function of pressure up to 75 GPa.
Synthesis and characterization of the pentazolate anion cyclo -N 5 ˉ in (N 5 ) 6 (H 3 O) 3 (NH 4 ) 4 Cl
Zhang C., Sun C., Hu B., Yu C., Lu M.
A salty route to an all-nitrogen ring
The flip side of the robust stability of N
2
is the instability of any larger molecules composed exclusively of nitrogen. These molecules nonetheless remain enticing targets for explosive and propellant applications. Zhang
et al.
successfully prepared the pentazolate ion, a negatively charged ring of five nitrogens, by oxidative cleavage of a C–N bond in an aryl-substituted precursor (see the Perspective by Christe). The molecule was stabilized and isolated in the solid state as a hydrated ammonium chloride salt. Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization confirmed the ring's planar geometry.
Science
, this issue p.
374
; see also p.
351
High-Pressure Synthesis of a Pentazolate Salt
Steele B.A., Stavrou E., Crowhurst J.C., Zaug J.M., Prakapenka V.B., Oleynik I.I.
The pentazolates, the last all-nitrogen members of the azole series, have been notoriously elusive for the last hundred years despite enormous efforts to make these compounds in either gas or condensed phases. Here, we report a successful synthesis of a solid state compound consisting of isolated pentazolate anions N5–, which is achieved by compressing and laser heating cesium azide (CsN3) mixed with N2 cryogenic liquid in a diamond anvil cell. The experiment was guided by theory, which predicted the transformation of the mixture at high pressures to a new compound, cesium pentazolate salt (CsN5). Electron transfer from Cs atoms to N5 rings enables both aromaticity in the pentazolates as well as ionic bonding in the CsN5 crystal. This work provides critical insight into the role of extreme conditions in exploring unusual bonding routes that ultimately lead to the formation of novel high nitrogen content species.
Detection of Cyclo-N5 − in THF Solution
Bazanov B., Geiger U., Carmieli R., Grinstein D., Welner S., Haas Y.
Compelling evidence has been found for the formation and direct detection of the cyclopentazole anion (cyclo-N5- ) in solution. The anion was prepared from phenylpentazole in two steps: reduction by an alkali metal to form the phenylpentazole radical anion, followed by thermal dissociation to yield cyclo-N5- . The reaction solution was analyzed by HPLC coupled with negative mode mass spectrometry. A signal with m/z 70 was eluted about 2.1 min after injection of the sample. Its identification as N5 was supported by single and double labeling with 15 N, which yielded signals at m/z=71 and 72, respectively, with identical retention times in the HPLC column. MS/MS analysis of the m/z=70 signal revealed a dissociation product with m/z=42, which can be assigned to N3- . To our knowledge this is the first preparation of cyclo-N5- in the bulk. The compound is indefinitely stable at temperatures below -40 °C, and has a half-life of a few minutes at room temperature.
Sodium pentazolate: A nitrogen rich high energy density material
Steele B.A., Oleynik I.I.
Sodium pentazolates NaN5 andNa2N5, new high energy density materials, are discovered during first principles crystal structure search for the compounds of varying amounts of elemental sodium and nitrogen. The pentazole anion N5- is stabilized in the condensed phase by sodium Na+ cations at pressures exceeding 20 GPa, and becomes metastable upon release of pressure. The sodium azide (NaN3) precursor is predicted to undergo a chemical transformation above 50 GPa into sodium pentazolates NaN5 and Na2N5. The calculated Raman spectrum of NaN5 is in agreement with the experimental Raman spectrum of a previously unidentified substance appearing upon compression and heating of NaN3.
Exotic stable cesium polynitrides at high pressure
Peng F., Han Y., Liu H., Yao Y.
New polynitrides containing metastable forms of nitrogen are actively investigated as potential high-energy-density materials. Using a structure search method based on the CALYPSO methodology, we investigated the stable stoichiometries and structures of cesium polynitrides at high pressures. Along with the CsN3, we identified five new stoichiometric compounds (Cs3N, Cs2N, CsN, CsN2 and CsN5) with interesting structures that may be experimentally synthesizable at modest pressures (i.e., less than 50 GPa). Nitrogen species in the predicted structures have various structural forms ranging from single atom (N) to highly endothermic molecules (N2, N3, N4, N5, N6) and chains (N∞). Polymeric chains of nitrogen were found in the high-pressure C2/c phase of CsN2. This structure contains a substantially high content of single N-N bonds that exceeds the previously known nitrogen chains in pure forms and also exhibit metastability at ambient conditions. We also identified a very interesting CsN crystal that contains novel N44− anion. To our best knowledge, this is the first time a charged N4 species being reported. Results of the present study suggest that it is possible to obtain energetic polynitrogens in main-group nitrides under high pressure.
Layered polymeric nitrogen in RbN3 at high pressures
Wang X., Li J., Xu N., Zhu H., Hu Z., Chen L.
The structural evolutionary behaviors of nitrogen in RbN3 have been studied up to 300 GPa using a particle swarm optimization structure searching method combined with density functional calculations. Three stable new phases with P-1, P6/mmm and C2/m structure at pressure of 30, 50 and 200 GPa are identified for the first time. The analysis of the crystal structures of three new predicated phases reveals that the transition of N3− ions goes from linear molecules to polymeric chains, benzene-like rings and then to polymeric layers induced by pressure. The electronic structures of three predicted phases reveal that the structural changes are accompanied and driven by the change of orbital hybridization of N atoms from sp to sp2 and finally to partial sp3. Most interestingly, the Rb atoms show obvious transition metal-like properties through the occupation of 4d orbitals in high-pressure phases. Moreover, the Rb atoms are characterized by strong hybridization between 4d orbitals of Rb and 2p orbitals of N in C2/m structure. Our studies complete the structural evolution of RbN3 under pressure and reveal for the first time that the Rb atoms in rubidium nitride possess transition element-like properties under pressure.
Novel lithium-nitrogen compounds at ambient and high pressures
Shen Y., Oganov A.R., Qian G., Zhang J., Dong H., Zhu Q., Zhou Z.
AbstractUsing ab initio evolutionary simulations, we predict the existence of five novel stable Li-N compounds at pressures from 0 to 100 GPa (Li13N, Li5N, Li3N2, LiN2 and LiN5). Structures of these compounds contain isolated N atoms, N2 dimers, polyacetylene-like N chains and N5 rings, respectively. The structure of Li13N consists of Li atoms and Li12N icosahedra (with N atom in the center of the Li12 icosahedron) – such icosahedra are not described by Wade-Jemmis electron counting rules and are unique. Electronic structure of Li-N compounds is found to dramatically depend on composition and pressure, making this system ideal for studying metal-insulator transitions. For example, the sequence of lowest-enthalpy structures of LiN3 shows peculiar electronic structure changes with increasing pressure: metal-insulator-metal-insulator. This work also resolves the previous controversies of theory and experiment on Li2N2.
High-Pressure Studies of Rubidium Azide by Raman and Infrared Spectroscopies
Li D., Li F., Li Y., Wu X., Fu G., Liu Z., Wang X., Cui Q., Zhu H.
We report the high-pressure studies of RbN3 by Raman and IR spectral measurements at room temperature with the pressure up to 28.5 and 30.2 GPa, respectively. All the fundamental vibrational modes were resolved by combination of experiment and calculation. Detailed spectroscopic analyses reveal two phase transitions at ∼6.5 and ∼16.0 GPa, respectively. Upon compression, the shearing distortion of the unit cell induced the displacive structural transition of phase α → γ. Further analyses of the mid-IR spectra indicate the evolution of N3– with the arrangement sequence of orthogonal → parallel → orthogonal during the phase transition of phase α → γ → δ. Additionally, the pressure-induced nonlinear/asymmetric existence of N═N═N and the two crystallographically nonequivalent sites of N3– were observed in phase δ.
Pressure-Induced Symmetry-Lowering Transition in Dense Nitrogen to Layered Polymeric Nitrogen (LP-N) with Colossal Raman Intensity
Tomasino D., Kim M., Smith J., Yoo C.
We present the discovery of a novel nitrogen phase synthesized using laser-heated diamond anvil cells at pressures between 120--180 GPa well above the stability field of cubic gauche $(cg)\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{N}$. This new phase is characterized by its singly bonded, layered polymeric (LP) structure similar to the predicted Pba2 and two colossal Raman bands (at $\ensuremath{\sim}1000$ and $1300\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at 150 GPa), arising from two groups of highly polarized nitrogen atoms in the bulk and surface of the layer, respectively. The present result also provides a new constraint for the nitrogen phase diagram, highlighting an unusual symmetry-lowering 3D $cg\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{N}$ to 2D LP-N transition and thereby the enhanced electrostatic contribution to the stabilization of this densely packed LP-N ($\ensuremath{\rho}=4.85\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{g}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ at 120 GPa).
Pressure-induced phase transitions in rubidium azide: Studied by in-situ x-ray diffraction
Li D., Wu X., Jiang J., Wang X., Zhang J., Cui Q., Zhu H.
We present the in-situ X-ray diffraction studies of RbN3 up to 42.0 GPa at room temperature to supplement the high pressure exploration of alkali azides. Two pressure-induced phase transitions of α-RbN3 → γ-RbN3 → δ-RbN3 were revealed at 6.5 and 16.0 GPa, respectively. During the phase transition of α-RbN3 → γ-RbN3, lattice symmetry decreases from a fourfold to a twofold axis accompanied by a rearrangement of azide anions. The γ-RbN3 was identified to be a monoclinic structure with C2/m space group. Upon further compression, an orthogonal arrangement of azide anions becomes energetically favorable for δ-RbN3. The compressibility of α-RbN3 is anisotropic due to the orientation of azide anions. The bulk modulus of α-RbN3 is 18.4 GPa, quite close to those of KN3 and CsN3. By comparing the phase transition pressures of alkali azides, their ionic character is found to play a key role in pressure-induced phase transitions.
Green Energetic Materials
2014
,
citations by CoLab: 92
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