Nested order-disorder framework containing a crystalline matrix with self-filled amorphous-like innards

Abstract

Solids can be generally categorized by their structures into crystalline and amorphous states with different interactions among atoms dictating their properties. Crystalline-amorphous hybrid structures, combining the advantages of both ordered and disordered components, present a promising opportunity to design materials with emergent collective properties. Hybridization of crystalline and amorphous structures at the sublattice level with long-range periodicity has been rarely observed. Here, we report a nested order-disorder framework (NOF) constructed by a crystalline matrix with self-filled amorphous-like innards that is obtained by using pressure to regulate the bonding hierarchy of Cu12Sb4S13. Combined in situ experimental and computational methods demonstrate the formation of disordered Cu sublattice which is embedded in the retained crystalline Cu framework. Such a NOF structure gives a low thermal conductivity (~0.24 W·m−1·K−1) and a metallic electrical conductivity (8 × 10−6 Ω·m), realizing the collaborative improvement of two competing physical properties. These findings demonstrate a category of solid-state materials to link the crystalline and amorphous forms in the sublattice-scale, which will exhibit extraordinary properties.

Spatial-temporal order-disorder transition in angiogenic NOTCH signaling controls cell fate specification

“…This role of VEGF is conceptually similar to the classical case of EGF induced Notch signaling in C. elegance vulva development (25,26). On the other hand, our results also suggest that an increase of VEGF levels can introduce disorder into this pattern, similar to order-disorder transition for various composite materials (12,13), which may occur with increasing temperature and have the properties of a sharp phase transition. More specifically, high VEGF levels may play the role similar to an increased temperature in order-disorder transitions, leading to emergence of partially disordered 'salt-andpepper 'structures.…”

Synthesis of Edge-Shared Octahedral MAPbBr3 via Pressure- and Temperature-Induced Multiple-Stage Processes

“…In the last few decades, increasing numbers of research on MHPs under high pressure have been reported, − adding numerous new structures with novel physical properties to the family of perovskite materials. In inorganic MHPs, for instance, CsPbI 3 and CsPbBr 3 have been reported to undergo the conversion from the Pm 3̅ m perovskite structure with corner-shared BX 6 octahedra to the Pnma structure with double chains of edge-shared PbX 6 under pressure; , 2D CsPb 2 X 5 (X = Br and I) with face-shared BX 6 octahedra (space group I 4/ mcm ) was synthesized by the direct phase separation of 1D CsPbI 3 with edge-shared PbX 6 octahedra (space group C 2/ m ) at high-pressure and temperature ( P – T ) conditions .…”

Reconfiguring band-edge states and charge distribution of organic semiconductor–incorporated 2D perovskites via pressure gating

“…Chemical methods including ion doping and molecular engineering have shown their capability in preparing hybrid heterostructures with designed interfaces (17)(18)(19), whereas a new sample needs to be synthesized for each band state, and the energy level cannot be continuously and precisely controlled (usually with the energy step over 0.1 eV) (15,16,20,21). As a thermodynamic parameter, pressure can effectively modify the lattice and electronic structures to realize diverse states in a single material (22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Thus, applying high pressure on these HSHs enables the tuning of their interfacial electronic structures and the band alignment in a controlled manner, where the building blocks of HSHs have different responses to pressure (29)(30)(31)(32)(33).…”