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Chemical and physical pressure meet: deciphering the polymorphism and morphology of α- and δ-KY3F10 induced by Eu3+ doping

delete2026-04-01
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OA
AI
S
Samantha C.S. Lemos
P
Pablo Serna-Gallén
L
Lourdes Gracia *
G
Gomes, Eduardo O.
H
Héctor Beltrán‐Mir
C
Cordoncillo, Eloisa
A
Andres, Juan *
DOI:10.1039/d6tc00645kdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
An atomic-level understanding of the local effects on the structure and electronic properties provoked by chemical and/or physical pressure is essential; however, their intricate relationship is poorly understood, which poses a challenge for the design of new inorganic materials with tailored properties. In this work, we report the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of pure alpha- and delta-KY3F10 polymorphs with varying Eu3+-doping levels (10-40%) revealing how the chemical (substitution of Y3+ by Eu3+)-physical pressure effects can be separated to provide fundamental insight into the stability, electronic properties, and morphology of both polymorphs. Our results consist of XRD, ICP-MS, FT-IR, and HRSEM measurements in combination with DFT calculations. Experimental and theoretical findings disclose a coupling mechanism in alpha- and delta-KY3F10 polymorphs, despite their otherwise near-identity, in which the negative pressure effect of the delta-KY3F10 polymorph is accompanied by subtle structural distortions and changes in the electronic configuration associated with a shift in the local coordination of Eu3+ at the [EuF8] cluster from C-2v to C-4v symmetry. We assess the local atomic arrangements and stability of the (100), (110) and (111) surfaces of both polymorphs. The morphologies observed in the HRSEM images and the expected pathways and corresponding barrier heights connecting them are reproduced with remarkable accuracy. This work provides mechanistic insights into the transition between alpha- and delta-KY3F10 polymorphs at low concentrations of Eu3+-doping and offers a theoretical basis to disentangle the chemical and physical pressure, providing a novel perspective for the rational design of high-performance KY3F10-based structures.
Keywords:
BAND-GAPS

Journal

Journal of Materials Chemistry C cover
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
IF:
5.1
Papers:
2.0W
Citations:
8.0W

Organization

U
universitat jaume i
Scholars:
691
Papers: 319
Citations: 0
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