Hg4(Te2O5)(SO4): A Giant Birefringent Sulfate Crystal Triggered by a Highly Selective Cation

• DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01740
• Publication Date: 2024-03-08T20:10:10Z
• Authors: Peng-Fei Li; Chun-Li Hu; Ya-Feng Li; Jiang-Gao Mao; Fang Kong
• Keywords: Crystal (programming language); Thermal Stability

Sulfate crystals are often criticized for their low birefringence. The small anisotropic SO4 group is becoming the biggest bottleneck hindering application of sulfates in optical functional materials. In this study, we report a new method to significantly enhance birefringence sulfates. title compound increases recording 0.542@546 nm, which larger than that commercial birefringent crystal TiO2 (0.306@546.1 nm). At infrared wavelength, Hg4(Te2O5)(SO4) can be up 0.400@1064 also much YVO4 (0.209@1064 addition, it has wide transparency range, high thermal stability, and excellent environmental making potential material. features novel two-dimensional layered structure composed [Hg4(Te2O5)]2+ layers separated by isolated (SO4)2– tetrahedra. This was designed introducing highly selective cation tellurite sulfate system. valence coordination cations connect with groups only, structure. steric repulsive action tetrahedra may regulate linear lone pair arranged way favors large proven theoretical calculations. PAWED studies showed originated from synergistic effect (Hg2O2)2–, (Te2O5)2–, units, contribution ratio 42.17, 37.92, 19.88%, respectively. Our work breaks limitation opens possibilities as crystals.