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Published September 6, 2022 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Novel Class of Rhenium Borides Based on Hexagonal Boron Networks Interconnected by Short B2 Dumbbells

Creators

  • 1. University of Bayreuth
  • 2. Linköping University
  • 3. University of Cologne
  • 4. University of Chicago
  • 5. Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
  • 6. Argonne National Laboratory
  • 7. Carnegie Institution for Science

Description

Transition metal borides are known due to their attractive mechanical, electronic, refractive, and other properties. A new class of rhenium borides was identified by synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments in laser-heated diamond anvil cells between 26 and 75 GPa. Recoverable to ambient conditions, compounds rhenium triboride (ReB3) and rhenium tetraboride (ReB4) consist of close-packed single layers of rhenium atoms alternating with boron networks built from puckered hexagonal layers, which link short bonded (∼1.7 Å) axially oriented B2 dumbbells. The short and incompressible Re–B and B–B bonds oriented along the hexagonal c-axis contribute to low axial compressibility comparable with the linear compressibility of diamond. Sub-millimeter samples of ReB3 and ReB4 were synthesized in a large-volume press at pressures as low as 33 GPa and used for material characterization. Crystals of both compounds are metallic and hard (Vickers hardness, HV = 34(3) GPa). Geometrical, crystal-chemical, and theoretical analysis considerations suggest that potential ReBx compounds with x > 4 can be based on the same principle of structural organization as in ReB3 and ReB4 and possess similar mechanical and electronic properties.

Files

bykova-et-al-2022-novel-class-of-rhenium-borides-based-on-hexagonal-boron-networks-interconnected-by-short-b2-dumbbells.pdf

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Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1021/acs.chemmater.2c00520
Other
oai:uchicago.tind.io:13383

Funding

Carnegie Institution of Washington
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
BY112/2-1
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
GRK1896
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
FFL 15-0290
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
KAW 2015.0043
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
KAW-2018.0194
Swedish Research Council
2019-05600
Swedish Research Council
2014-6336
Swedish Research Council
2019-05403
Linköping University
2009 00971
National Science Foundation
EAR-1634415
European Research Council
787 527
Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions
600398

UChicago Information

Division(s)
Physical Sciences Division
Center(s) or Institute(s)
Center for Advanced Radiation Sources