A Sodium‐Containing Quasicrystal: Using Gold To Enhance Sodium’s Covalency in Intermetallic Compounds

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201207076
• Publication Date: 2012-11-29T01:42:11Z
• Authors: Volodymyr Smetana; Qisheng Lin; Daniel K. Pratt; Andreas Kreyssig; Mehmet Ramazanoglu; John D. Corbett; Alan I. Goldman; Gordon J. Miller
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

Golden opportunity: Na13Au12Ga15 is the first Na-containing, thermodynamically stable quasicrystal and was discovered during systematic exploration of polar intermetallic Na–Au–Ga system. Its electron-to-atom ratio, 1.75, extremely low for Bergman-type icosahedral phases, but it substantial Au content that allows Hume–Rothery stabilization promotes novel Na–Au polar–covalent interactions, which stabilize phase. Detailed facts importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents peer-reviewed, not copy-edited or typeset. They made available submitted by authors. Please note: The publisher responsible functionality any supporting information supplied Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed corresponding author article.