Synthesis and Characterization of New Rare-Earth Metal-Main Group Metal Materials

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This project is aimed at the study of four interrelated areas of materials synthesis with an emphasis on developing phase maps for targeting specific rare-earth metal main group metal materials. The quaternary phase space of rare-earth metal chalcophosphates, quaternary rare-earth metal chalcoantimonates and bismuthates, and quaternary rare-earth metal chalcotrielates and tetrelates, and the high-pressure physical behavior of these materials will be investigated. One hypothesis will demonstrate that formulae suggesting products are indeed valid. These formulae, in some cases, can predict the space group symmetry of the related products. The quaternary phase diagrams of related materials will be explored to identity regions of phase space that support particular oxidation state of phosphorous for a series of selenophosphates. Based on a series of mineralogical studies, other target formulae will be investigated to explore how phases and structures may be controlled. Quaternary phase diagrams will be developed for a series of rare-earth metal chalcotrielates and chalcotetrelates, whether the triels will gallium and indium and there tetrels will germanium and tin.%%%The metal chalcogerides class of materials are highly relevant to applications that include catalysis optical deices such as lasers, infrared detectors, and solar cells, and as new materials called thermoelectrics for refrigeration.