Preparation, structure and properties of transition metal trichalcogenides

Abstract

In recent years, the transition metal trichalcogenides (TX3) of Group IVB, VB and VIB have received much more attention because of the considerable diversity in their physical properties. The most striking feature of these compounds is that the structure here may be classified into three types depending on the number of different TX3 chains present in the unit cell. Thus ZrSe3, TaSe3 and NbSe3 are the representative compounds having one, two and three types of chain based on the different bond lengths for the (X2)2− pairs in the base of the TX3 trigonal prismatic framework. A similar model is also applicable in the case of NbS3, with the addition of a 2b-superstructure associated with the formation of niobium pairs. The chain structure also facilitates the process of intercalation which has been most effectively used in secondary batteries. These compounds exhibit the superconductivity phenomena and charge density wave, etc. and also find application in photoelectrochemical cells. An attempt has been made here to review the up-to-date chemistry of transition metal trichalcogenides related with their preparation, structure and properties such as physical and chemical, thermodynamic, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, intercalation and use in the photoelectrochemical cells. 93