Pressure-Induced Structural Evolution and Negative Compressibility in Hybrid Metal Oxides

TL;DR

This paper explores how high pressure affects the structure of hybrid metal oxides, revealing new compression behaviors useful for advanced technologies.

Contribution

The study introduces pressure as a tool to explore structural evolution and negative compressibility in hybrid metal oxides.

Findings

High pressure induces structural changes in hybrid metal oxides.

Negative compressibility is observed under pressure in these materials.

Abstract

Layered organic-inorganic metal oxides are an underexplored material class that can be isolated in single-crystal and microcrystalline powder form from aqueous, aerobic self-assembly reactions and show promise for implementation in next-generation technologies spanning sensing, optoelectronics, shielding, and energy storage. These compounds interleave (1) two-dimensional metal-oxide layers featuring tunable topologies, compositions, and electronic structures with (2) ordered arrays of molecular species that can direct structure and impart greater chemical functionality. To understand and ultimately control relationships between structural and electronic behaviors, we utilize high pressure as an investigative tool to systematically tune bulk symmetry and to traverse phase boundaries, such as through the formation or severance of bonds. This presentation will detail our crystallographic and spectroscopic analysis of hybrid metal oxides under pressure that have revealed intriguing emergent compression-induced phenomena, including apparent negative compressibility.