Abstract

Chirality, i.e., handedness, pervades much of modern science from elementary particles, DNA-based biology to molecular chemistry; however, most of the chirality-relevant materials have been based on complex molecules. Here, we report inorganic single-crystalline Ni3TeO6, forming in a corundum-related R3 structure with both chirality and polarity. These chiral Ni3TeO6 single crystals exhibit a large optical specific rotation (α)—1355° dm−1 cm3 g−1. We demonstrate, for the first time, that in Ni3TeO6, chiral and polar domains form an intriguing domain pattern, resembling a radiation warning sign, which stems from interlocked chiral and polar domain walls through lowering of the wall energy.

Highlights

  • Chirality, i.e., handedness, pervades much of modern science from elementary particles, DNA-based biology to molecular chemistry; most of the chiralityrelevant materials have been based on complex molecules

  • These non-centrosymmetric materials naturally accompany domains and domain walls that result from symmetry breaking away from centrosymmetry

  • The most well studied chiral domains in inorganic materials are those in chiral quartz (SiO2; trigonal space group P3221 or P3121) — the so-called Dauphine twins.[4,5]

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Summary

Introduction

I.e., handedness, pervades much of modern science from elementary particles, DNA-based biology to molecular chemistry; most of the chiralityrelevant materials have been based on complex molecules. Interlocked chiral/polar domain walls and large optical rotation in Ni3TeO6 We report inorganic single-crystalline Ni3TeO6, forming in a corundum-related R3 structure with both chirality and polarity.

Results
Conclusion

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