Synthesis, Structural characterization and complex impedance analysis of a novel organic-inorganic hybrid compound based on Mercury (II) chloride

Abstract

The organic-inorganic hybrid compounds are promising materials due to their electro-optical and semiconducting properties. In this study, a single crystal of (C6H16N)2[HgCl4] has been synthesized and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction at room temperature, SEM/EDS and complex impedance spectroscopy. The crystal structure is centrosymmetric with the monoclinic system (P21/c space group). It consists of isolated tetrahedral anions [HgCl4]2− and protonated amines (C6H16N) +. SEM/EDS analyses proved the composition of the title compound. The frequency-dependent electrical and dielectric properties were analyses using complex impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 10−1 Hz – 1 MHz. The Nyquist plots (-Z’’ vs Z’) was characterized by the appearance of a single semicircle arc, indicating a non-Debye type relaxation process in the (C6H16N)2[HgCl4] material. The AC conductivity followed Jonscher law, and the variation of frequency exponent s with temperature suggested that non-overlapping small polaron tunneling (NSPT) is the dominant electrical transport mechanism. So, this work will be very beneficial to the further development of the (C6H16N)2[HgCl4] compound and its potential electrical applications.