Growth of new ternary intermetallic phases from Ca/Zn eutectic flux

The eutectic 7.3:2.7 molar ratio mixture of calcium and zinc metal melts at 394 °C and was explored as a solvent for the growth of new intermetallic phases for potential use as hydrogen storage materials. The reaction of nickel in this molten mixture produces two new phases—the CaCu5-related structure CaNi2Zn3 (P6/mmm, a=8.9814(5) Å, c=4.0665(5) Å) and a new cubic structure Ca21Ni2Zn36 (Fd–3m, a=21.5051(4) Å). Palladium-containing reactions produced CaPd0.85Zn1.15 with the orthorhombic TiNiSi structure type (Pnma, a=7.1728(9) Å, b=4.3949(5) Å, c=7.7430(9) Å). Reactions of platinum in the Ca/Zn mixture produce Ca6Pt3Zn5, with an orthorhombic structure related to that of W3CoB3 (Pmmn, a=13.7339(9) Å, b=4.3907(3) Å, c=10.7894(7) Å).

The calcium/zinc eutectic is a useful synthesis medium for the growth of new intermetallic phases. Addition of group 10 transition metals to this flux produces ternary phases CaNi2Zn3, Ca21Ni2Zn36, CaPd0.85Zn1.15, and Ca6Pt3Zn5. The nickel-centered zinc icosahedron surrounded by a pentagonal dodecahedron of calcium atoms is found in Ca21Ni2Zn36.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide