Large Single Crystals Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of a new chiral metal-organic framework with spiranes

Herein we report the first homochiral IRMOF structure with chiral carbocyclic spirolinkers, basic Zn-(R)-spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-dicarboxylate, named WIG-5. First, (R)-spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid was prepared involving a HPLC separation on chiral stationary phase, then further transformed into homochiral WIG-5 by the solvothermal reaction with zinc nitrate hexahydrate in dimethyl formamide (DMF). WIG-5 crystallizes in the P212121 space group and is built of two interpenetrated networks with pcu underlying network topology. The tetranuclear secondary building units (SBUs) of WIG-5 are coordinated to two DMF molecules and six (R)-spiro[3.3]heptane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid linkers, that results in the formation of a homochiral distorted MOF-5-like structure. Extensive characterization by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, polarized light microscopy, infrared microspectroscopy, solid-state vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy and thermogravimetry/mass spectroscopy has been performed on the new material. Birefringence of large WIG-5 single crystals enables potential optical applications.

Centimeter-Sized 2D Perovskitoid Single Crystals for Efficient X-ray Photoresponsivity

Metal-halide perovskitoids with corner-, edge-, and face-sharing octahedra provide a fertile “playground” for structure modulation. With low defect density, low ion migration, and high intrinsic stability, two-dimensional (2D) perovskitoid single crystals are expected to be ideal materials for room-temperature semiconductor detectors (RTSDs) as high-energy radiation. However, there is no report yet on the use of 2D perovskitoid single crystals for X-ray detection, as well as on how the halide-modulated molecular assembly would affect their structure and properties. Herein, based on an amidino-based organic spacer, we successfully synthesized a novel family of centimeter-sized 2D perovskitoid single crystals, (3AP)PbX4 (3AP = 3-amidinopyridine, X = Cl, Br, and I). This is the first time that centimeter-sized 2D perovskitoid single crystals are demonstrated for X-ray photoresponse. Detailed investigations reveal a unique crystal packing with corner-sharing and edge-sharing octahedra of inorganic frameworks and 3AP cations lying between adjacent inorganic layers in a parallel and antisymmetric manner. Changing the halide from I to Br and Cl results in greater Pb–X–Pb angles and stronger hydrogen bonding in perovskitoids and therefore consequently a better elastic recovery under stress, a more efficient charge transport in the inorganic layer, and a lower ionic migration. By varying halide substitution, an efficient X-ray photoresponse is achieved with a sensitivity up to 791.8 μC Gyair–1 cm–2 for (3AP)PbCl4 and a low detection limit of 1.54 μGyair s–1. These results reveal that the large 2D perovskitoid single crystals provide a promising platform for high performance optoelectronics.

Rapid screening of Zr-containing particles from Chang’e-5 lunar soil samples for isotope geochronology: Technical roadmap for future study

New samples returned by China Chang’e-5 (CE-5) mission offer an opportunity for studying the lunar geologic longevity, space weathering, and regolith evolution. The age determination of the CE-5 samples was among the first scientific questions to be answered. However, the precious samples, most in the micrometer size range, challenge many traditional analyses on large single crystals of zircon developed for massive bulk samples. Here, we developed a non-destructive rapid screening of individual zirconium-containing particle for isotope geochronology based on a Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (µXRF). The selected particles were verified via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM), and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) techniques, which showed that zirconium-bearing minerals with several microns were precisely positioned and readily suitable for site-specific isotopic dating by second ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Such protocol could be also applicable in non-destructively screening other types of particles for different scientific purposes. We therefore proposed a correlative workflow for comprehensively studying the CE-5 lunar samples from single particles on nanometer to atomic scales. Linking various microscopic and spectromicroscopic instruments together, this workflow consists of six steps: (1) single-particle selection with non-destructive µXRF technique, (2) 2D/3D morphological and structural characterization with a correlative submicron 3D XRM and nanoscale resolution FIB-SEM imaging methods, (3) SEM analysis of the surface morphology and chemistry of the selected particle, (4) a series of microscopic and microbeam analyses (e.g., SEM, electron probe microanalysis, and SIMS) on the cross-section of the selected particle to obtain structural, mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic features from the micron to nanometer scale, (5) advanced 2D/3D characterization and site-specific sample preparation of thin foil/tip specimens on a microregion of interest in the selected particle with FIB-SEM technique, and (6) comprehensive analyses on the FIB-milled specimens at nanometer to atomic scale with synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, analytic transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography. Following this technical roadmap, one can integrate multiple modalities into a uniform frame of multimodal and multiscale correlated datasets to acquire high-throughput information on the limited or precious terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples.

Oriented 2D Perovskite Wafers for Anisotropic X-ray Detection through a Fast Tableting Strategy.

2D perovskite single crystals have emerged as excellent optoelectronic materials owing to their unique anisotropic properties. However, growing large 2D perovskite single crystals remains challenging and time-consuming. Here, a new composition of lead-free 2D perovskite-4-fluorophenethylammonium bismuth iodide [(F-PEA)3 BiI6 ] is reported. An oriented bulk 2D wafer with a large area of 1.33 cm2 is obtained by tableting disordered 2D perovskite powders, resulting in anisotropic resistivities of 5 × 1010 and 2 × 1011 Ω cm in the lateral and vertical directions, respectively. Trivalent Bi3+ ions are employed to achieve a stronger ionic bonding energy with I- ions, which intrinsically suppress the ion-migration effect. Thus, the oriented wafer presents good capabilities in both charge collection and ion-migration suppression under a large applied bias along the out-of-plane direction, making it suitable for low-dosage X-ray detection. The large-area wafer shows a sensitive response to hard X-rays operated at a tube voltage of 120 kVp with the lowest detectable dose rate of 30 nGy s-1 . Thus, the fast tableting process is a facile and effective strategy to synthesize large-area, oriented 2D wafers, showing excellent X-ray detection performance and operational stability that are comparable to those of 2D perovskite single crystals.

Indomethacin Polymorph δ Revealed To Be Two Plastically Bendable Crystal Forms by 3D Electron Diffraction: Correcting a 47-Year-Old Misunderstanding.

Indomethacin is a clinically classical non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug that has been marketed since 1965. The third polymorph, Form δ, was discovered by both melt and solution crystallization in 1974. δ‐indomethacin cannot be cultivated as large single crystals suitable for X‐ray crystallography and, therefore, its crystal structure has not yet been determined. Here, we report the structure elucidation of δ‐indomethacin by 3D electron diffraction and reveal the truth that melt‐crystallized and solution‐crystallized δ‐indomethacin are in fact two polymorphs with different crystal structures. We propose to keep the solution‐crystallized polymorph as Form δ and name the melt‐crystallized polymorph as Form θ. Intriguingly, both structures display plastic flexibility based on a slippage mechanism, making indomethacin the first drug to have two plastic polymorphs. This discovery and correction of a 47‐year‐old misunderstanding signify that 3D electron diffraction has become a powerful tool for polymorphic structural studies.

Indomethacin Polymorph δ Revealed To Be Two Plastically Bendable Crystal Forms by 3D Electron Diffraction: Correcting a 47‐Year‐Old Misunderstanding**

AbstractIndomethacin is a clinically classical non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug that has been marketed since 1965. The third polymorph, Form δ, was discovered by both melt and solution crystallization in 1974. δ‐indomethacin cannot be cultivated as large single crystals suitable for X‐ray crystallography and, therefore, its crystal structure has not yet been determined. Here, we report the structure elucidation of δ‐indomethacin by 3D electron diffraction and reveal the truth that melt‐crystallized and solution‐crystallized δ‐indomethacin are in fact two polymorphs with different crystal structures. We propose to keep the solution‐crystallized polymorph as Form δ and name the melt‐crystallized polymorph as Form θ. Intriguingly, both structures display plastic flexibility based on a slippage mechanism, making indomethacin the first drug to have two plastic polymorphs. This discovery and correction of a 47‐year‐old misunderstanding signify that 3D electron diffraction has become a powerful tool for polymorphic structural studies.

STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF DOPED SILICON SINGLE CRYSTALS

The nature of the change in the Fermi level of silicon under the influence of dopants, point defects, and dislocations has been determined. The parameters of the diffusion of impurities, the conditions for their appearance and removal in the process of directional crystallization and the post-crystallization period have been established. The expediency of doping silicon with boron and phosphorus was shown, and large single crystals were obtained. The mechanisms of elimination of structural defects have been clarified. The mobility and lifetime of charge carriers in perfect silicon single crystals under radiation exposure have been determined. The expediency of using p-type silicon as a base material for solar modules for space purposes is shown.

Synthesis of large single crystals of analcime in a template-free system

Large single ANA crystals with perfect icositetrahedral morphology have been synthesized under a simple system without templates and hydrofluoric acid.

A hetero-phase growth method to control the crystal growth of β-antimony single crystals with high quality and large sizes

A hetero-phase crystal growth method was proposed by introducing a heteroelement to yield large antimony single crystals with high quality.

Non-stoichiometry and point native defects in non-oxide non-linear optical large single crystals: advantages and problems

Advances and limitations in the field of growing large, high optical quality single crystals of AgGaS2(AGS), AgGaGeS4(AGGS), ZnGeP2(ZGP), LiInS2(LIS), LiGaS2(LGS), LiInSe2(LISe), LiGaSe2(LGSe) and LiGaTe2(LGT) are considered in this article.

Calcium-based coordination polymers from a solvothermal synthesis of HKUST-1 in 3D printed autoclaves

A mixed-metal 1D coordination polymer [CaCu(HBTC)2(H2O)8]n (where H3BTC – benzene-1,3,5-tric arboxylic acid) was obtained in a solvothermal synthesis of a well-known copper-containing metal–organic framework [Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3]n (HKUST-1) in autoclaves 3D-printed from commercial polypropylene. This material was a source of calcium ions, apparently, leaking from a colorant (calcium carbonate) promoted by glacial acetic acid as a modulator used to produce large single crystals of HKUST-1. This finding was confirmed by elemental analysis and a model experiment that resulted in a new calcium-based 1D coordination polymer [Ca(H2BTC)2(H2O)5]n under the same solvothermal conditions with no copper or calcium salts put into a 3D-printed autoclave.

Centimeter-sized lead-free iodide-based hybrid double perovskite single crystals for efficient X-ray photoresponsivity.

Hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites (HOIPs) possess significant photoelectric characteristics for solar energy conversion, but the presence of lead causes issues for eco-friendly applications. Halide double perovskites represent a green option for application in the optoelectronic field, especially X-ray detection systems. Despite the great efforts, the exploration of large-size lead-free iodide-based hybrid double perovskite single crystals for X-ray detection has been unsuccessful. Herein, we demonstrate that a large single crystal of the 2D (two-dimensional) semiconducting perovskite (C6H16N2)2CuBiI8·0.5H2O can serve as an X-ray detection candidate. A perovskite crystal, as large as 35 × 31 × 3 mm3, was grown using a low-cost, simple cooling solution approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a centimeter-sized 2D BiCu iodide double perovskite single crystal has been used for X-ray detection. The perovskite crystal exhibited unique properties for X-ray detection, such as a significant X-ray absorption coefficient, considerable μτ product, and low trap density. Moreover, X-ray detection with a sensitivity of 5.51 μC Gyair-1 cm-2 was achieved based on a single crystal. This work opens new ways to explore specially designed organic cations for stabilizing 2D HOIPs that show great potential in optoelectronics.

Self-assembly of photonic crystals by controlling the nucleation and growth of DNA-coated colloids

DNA-coated colloids can self-assemble into an incredible diversity of crystal structures, but their applications have been limited by poor understanding and control over the crystallization dynamics. To address this challenge, we use microfluidics to quantify the kinetics of DNA-programmed self-assembly along the entire crystallization pathway, from thermally activated nucleation through reaction-limited and diffusion-limited phases of crystal growth. Our detailed measurements of the temperature and concentration dependence of the kinetics at all stages of crystallization provide a stringent test of classical theories of nucleation and growth. After accounting for the finite rolling and sliding rates of micrometer-sized DNA-coated colloids, we show that modified versions of these classical theories predict the absolute nucleation and growth rates with quantitative accuracy. We conclude by applying our model to design and demonstrate protocols for assembling large single crystals with pronounced structural coloration, an essential step in creating next-generation optical metamaterials from colloids.

The Effect of the Crucible on the Temperature Distribution for the Growth of a Large Size AlN Single Crystal.

The appropriate distribution of temperature in the growth system is critical for obtaining a large size high quality aluminum nitride (AlN) single crystal by the physical vapor transport (PVT) method. As the crystal size increases, the influence of the crucible on the temperature distribution inside the growth chamber becomes greater. In order to optimize the field of temperature and study the specific effects of various parts of the crucible on the large size AlN single crystal growth system, this study carried out a series of numerical simulations of the temperature field of two crucibles of different materials and put forward the concept of a composite crucible, which combines different materials in the crucible parts. Four composite crucible models were established with different proportions and positions of tantalum carbide (TaC) parts and graphite parts in the crucible. Calculations reveal that different parts of the crucible have different effects on the internal temperature distribution. The axial temperature gradient at the crystal was mainly governed by the crucible wall, whereas the temperature gradient was determined by the integrated effect of the crucible lid and the crucible wall in the radial direction. One type of composite crucible was chosen to minimize the thermal stress in grown AlN crystal, which is applicable to the growth of large sized AlN crystals in the future; it can also be used to grow AlN single crystals at present as well.

Heteroepitaxial Growth of a Ta3N5 Thin Film with Clear Anisotropic Optical Properties.

Ta3N5 is a promising semiconductor photocatalyst which can generate H2 gas from water under visible light illumination. It is expected that Ta3N5 exhibits a strong anisotropy in its physical properties stemming from its highly anisotropic crystal structure. However, such anisotropic properties have not been verified experimentally due to the difficulty in synthesizing a large single crystal. Here, we report the synthesis of (010)-oriented Ta3N5 single-crystalline thin films by solid phase epitaxy on the (110) plane of perovskite LaAlO3 substrates. The obtained epitaxial thin films of Ta3N5 exhibited clear optical anisotropy (pleochroism) as predicted by previous first-principles calculations. The optical gap for E||[100] polarization (∼2.12 eV) was smaller than that for E||[100] polarization (∼2.27 eV).

Design aspects of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ THz sources: optimization of thermal and radiative properties.

Impedance matching and heat management are important factors influencing the performance of terahertz sources. In this work we analyze thermal and radiative properties of such devices based on mesa structures of a layered high-temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. Two types of devices are considered containing either a conventional large single crystal or a whisker. We perform numerical simulations for various geometrical configurations and parameters and make a comparison with experimental data for the two types of devices. It is demonstrated that the structure and the geometry of both the superconductor and the electrodes play important roles. In crystal-based devices an overlap between the crystal and the electrode leads to appearance of a large parasitic capacitance, which shunts terahertz emission and prevents impedance matching with open space. The overlap is avoided in whisker-based devices. Furthermore, the whisker and the electrodes form a turnstile (crossed-dipole) antenna facilitating good impedance matching. This leads to more than an order of magnitude enhancement of the radiation power efficiency in whisker-based, compared to crystal-based, devices. These results are in good agreement with presented experimental data.

Synthesis of large area graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet by chemical vapor deposition

The polymerization of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) into large single crystals has been particularly challenging. This study presents a quick and simple method to grow high quality two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets with a large domain size (up to 40 µm) on copper (Cu) foils. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was used with melamine (C₃H₆N₆) as the source. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed that graphitic carbon nitride prefers a Cu(111) surface to a Cu(211) surface, which is consistent with the theoretical calculations. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the carrier gas is critical for the growth of graphitic carbon nitride. The use of noble Ar gas is recommended because it has a weaker etching effect compared to that of the more commonly used hydrogen (H2) gas. Furthermore, CVD-grown high-quality graphitic carbon nitride films can be easily transferred onto other substrates for various applications, such as photodetectors or metal-free photocatalysts.

A Low-Temperature Structural Transition in Canfieldite, Ag8SnS6, Single Crystals

Canfieldite, Ag8SnS6, is a semiconducting mineral notable for its high ionic conductivity, photosensitivity, and low thermal conductivity. We report the solution growth of large single crystals of Ag8SnS6 of mass up to 1 g from a ternary Ag-Sn-S melt. On cooling from high temperature, Ag8SnS6 undergoes a known cubic (F4̅3m) to orthorhombic (Pna21) phase transition at ≈460 K. By studying the magnetization and thermal expansion between 5-300 K, we discover a second structural transition at ≈120 K. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals the low-temperature phase adopts a different orthorhombic structure with space group Pmn21 (a = 7.662 9(5) Å, b = 7.539 6(5) Å, c = 10.630 0(5) Å, Z = 2 at 90 K) that is isostructural to the room-temperature forms of the related Se-based compounds Ag8SnSe6 and Ag8GeSe6. The 120 K transition is first-order and has a large thermal hysteresis. On the basis of the magnetization and thermal expansion data, the room-temperature polymorph can be kinetically arrested into a metastable state by rapidly cooling to temperatures below 40 K. We last compare the room- and low-temperature forms of Ag8SnS6 with its argyrodite analogues, Ag8TQ6 (T = Si, Ge, Sn; Q = S, Se), and identify a trend relating the preferred structures to the unit cell volume, suggesting smaller phase volume favors the Pna21 arrangement. We support this picture by showing that the transition to the Pmn21 phase is avoided in Ge alloyed Ag8Sn1-xGexS6 samples as well as in pure Ag8GeS6.

Crystallization from a Droplet: Single-Crystalline Arrays and Heterojunctions for Organic Electronics.

ConspectusSingle crystals of organic semiconductors (OSCs) are believed to have both high mobility and intrinsic flexibility, making them promising candidates for flexible electronic/optoelectronic applications and being consistently pursued by researchers. The van der Waals force in OSC enables low-temperature solution processing of single crystals, but the relatively weak binding energy brings challenges in forming large, uniform, and defect-free single crystals. To promote the study on OSC single crystals, a generalized method that grows high-quality crystals in an easy-to-handle, time/resource-saving, and repeatable manner is apparently necessary. In 2012, Li et al. developed a droplet-pinned crystallization (DPC) method that uses a rather simple strategy to create a steadily receding contact line for the growth of OSC single crystals. Instead of setting up expensive equipment, controlling strict deposition parameters, or waiting for days or weeks for countable crystal seeds, the DPC method offers a time- and cost-effective way to obtain OSC single crystals for further study of the tendency of crystallization, single-crystal mobility, and molecular packing information. The DPC method is primarily a powerful tool for studying the charge-transport mechanisms in OSC single crystals. In pioneering work, high-mobility single crystals of both p-type 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-PEN) and n-type C60 materials were obtained. Driven by the demands from practical applications, we then focused on the general lagging of electron mobility in OSC materials. The ambipolar property of TIPS-PEN was studied, and a strong correlation between electron mobility and polar species (polar solvent residuals and surface hydroxyl groups) was observed. The latter further guided the harvest of electron mobility in a series of OSC materials. Undoubtfully, the facile DPC method accelerated these studies by providing a time-efficient, reliable, and repeatable testing platform. Additionally, flexibility on OSC materials and solvents, where not only one-component but also binary systems were allowed, is another critical integrity of the DPC method. The m-xylene/carbon tetrachloride binary solvent was proven to be efficient for growing ribbon-like C60 single crystals rather than needle-like crystals from typical one-component solvents. Afterward, a variety of OSC materials (including p-type, n-type, and ambipolar ones) and a series of solvents (including aromatic, aliphatic, and polar ones) were studied. The crystallization of OSC single crystals was primarily found at either the top liquid-air interface or the bottom solid-liquid interface. The interactions between OSC molecules and substrate surfaces were deduced as the qualitative determining factor. By utilizing the top interface crystallization, the two-step sequential deposition of single-crystalline OSC heterojunctions was enabled. Moreover, by selecting appropriate pairs of OSC materials that crystallize at separate interfaces, the facile one-step formation of single-crystalline OSC heterojunctions was achieved. The OSC single crystals and heterojunctions (including horizontal, vertical, and bulk heterojunctions) thereof exhibit promising potentials in circuits, photovoltaics, and photodiodes and would probably provide new insights for the future development of organic electronics.

Crystal Structure and Energetics of Arsenic(III)-Oxide Intercalates with Rubidium Chloride and Their Comparison with Isostructural Intercalates of Potassium Halides

Two intercalation compounds of arsenic(III) oxide and rubidium chloride have been crystallized and characterized. The first, anhydrous RbCl·2As2O3 (PRbCl), crystallizes in space group P6/mmm with cell parameters a = 5.23520(16) Å and c = 9.0495(4) Å, and it is isostructural with anhydrous intercalates of arsenic(III) oxide with potassium halides. The second one, RbCl·As2O3·1/2H2O (Y′RbCl), crystallizes in space group P6/mmm with a = 5.25072(17) Å and c = 12.6472(5) Å, and its crystal structure is very similar to that of KCl·As2O3·1/2H2O. In the case of a large single crystal of compound Y′RbCl, weak satellite reflections were observed. The commensurate superstructure that gives rise to them has been described using the supercell approach (a = 9.019(4) Å, c = 12.6433(7) Å) and briefly discussed. The structures of intercalates PRbCl and Y′RbCl have been studied by 87Rb solid-state magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy which has indicated the presence of one and two rubidium cations with distinct chemical environments, respectively. The comparison of these spectra allowed for the assignment of peaks to rubidium cations occupying particular sites. Infrared (IR) spectra and 1H ssNMR spectra of intercalate Y′RbCl have revealed dynamic disorder of water molecules occurring on the time scale of the IR experiment. Last but not least, interlayer interaction energies as well as thermodynamic stability of intercalate PRbCl and isostructural arsenic(III)-oxide intercalates with potassium halides have been studied computationally in the framework of density functional theory. Results of the calculations indicate that an increase in the size of anions or cations leads to an increase in the stability of the obtained intercalates.