The focus of our research is on the synthesis and characterization of new materials with unusual structural motifs and physical properties. To this end, we are investigating non-traditional synthetic methods, such as the use of reactive and non-reactive fluxes and solventothermal techniques that are conducive to the formation of low-dimensional structures. We are especially interested in materials containing late main group elements, as we expect them to be efficient thermoelectric materials. Specifically, we are addressing the formation of compounds with the general formula AxMyPnz (A = alkali metal, alkaline-earth metal, or lanthanide; M = transition metal or U; Pn = P, As, Sb, Bi). These pnictides should have a high propensity for forming one- and two-dimensional structures and for exhibiting intriguing physical properties, such as semi-conductivity, anisotropic conductivity, and thermoelectricity. Our current results, especially concerning the growth of single crystals, and future directions will be discussed.
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Space Sciences Laboratory's Microgravity Science and Applications Division and AMMSA (The Alliance for Microgravity Materials Science and Applications). AMMSA is jointly Operated by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)
Contact:
Sue Zarger, 205-544-2910
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