Unusual Electronic and Bonding Properties of the Zintl Phase Ca5Ge3 and Related Compounds. A Theoretical Analysis
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Ames National Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), operated by and located on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
For more than 70 years, the Ames National Laboratory has successfully partnered with Iowa State University, and is unique among the 17 DOE laboratories in that it is physically located on the campus of a major research university. Many of the scientists and administrators at the Laboratory also hold faculty positions at the University and the Laboratory has access to both undergraduate and graduate student talent.
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Abstract
Theoretical reasons for metallic behavior among diverse Zintl phases have generally not been pursued at an advanced level. Here, the electronic structure of Ca5Ge3 (Cr5B3 type), which can be formulated (Ca+2)5(Ge2-6)Ge-4 in oxidation states, has been explored comparatively by means of semiempirical and first-principles density functional methods. The FP-APW calculations show that alkaline-earth-metal and germanium orbitals, particularly the d orbitals on the cations and the p-π* orbitals of the halogen-like dimeric Ge2-6, mix considerably to form a conduction band. This covalency perfectly explains the unusual metallic properties of the nominally electron-precise Zintl phase Ca5Ge3 and its numerous relatives. Similar calculational results are obtained for Sr5Ge3, Ba5Ge3, and Ca5Sn3. Cation d orbitals appear to be a common theme among Zintl phases that are also metallic.
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Reprinted with permission from J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126 (16), pp 5277–5281. Copyright (2004) American Chemical Society.