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At least 685 records · Page 38

Cauchy integral method for two-dimensional solidification interface shapes

A method is developed to determine the shape of steady state solidification interfaces formed when liquid above its freezing point circulates over a cold surface. The solidification interface, which is at uniform temperature, will form in a shape such that the non-uniform energy convected to it is locally balanced by conduction into the solid. The interface shape is of interest relative to the crystal structure formed during solidification; regulating the crystal structure has application in casting naturally strengthened metallic composites. The results also pertain to phase-change energy storage devices, where the solidified configuration and overall heat transfer are needed. The analysis uses a conformal mapping technique to relate the desired interface coordinates to the components of the temperature gradient at the interface. These components are unknown because the interface shape is unknown. A Cauchy integral formulation provides a second relation involving the components, and a simultaneous solution yields the interface shape.

Siegel, R.↗

Regulating phase behavior of nanoparticle assemblies through engineering of DNA-mediated isotropic interactions

Self-assembly of isotropically interacting particles into desired crystal structures could allow for creating designed functional materials via simple synthetic means. However, the ability to use isotropic particles to assemble different crystal types remains challenging, especially for generating low-coordinated crystal structures. Here, we demonstrate that isotropic pairwise interparticle interactions can be rationally tuned through the design of DNA shells in a range that allows transition from common, high-coordinated FCC-CuAu and BCC-CsCl lattices, to more exotic symmetries for spherical particles such as the SC-NaCl lattice and to low-coordinated crystal structures (i.e., cubic diamond, open honeycomb). The combination of computational and experimental approaches reveals such a design strategy using DNA-functionalized nanoparticles and successfully demonstrates the realization of BCC-CsCl, SC-NaCl, and a weakly ordered cubic diamond phase. The study reveals the phase behavior of isotropic nanoparticles for DNA–shell tunable interaction, which, due to the ease of synthesis is promising for the practical realization of non-close-packed lattices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Structure-Guided Engineering of a Scoulerine 9-O-Methyltransferase Enables the Biosynthesis of Tetrahydropalmatrubine and Tetrahydropalmatine in Yeast

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are an important class of plant natural products with diverse pharmacological properties. Microbial platforms can produce BIAs through heterologous biosynthesis more efficiently than native plant hosts and allow for the generation of currently inaccessible BIA biosynthetic intermediates and unnatural derivatives. However, much remains unknown regarding the structures, substrate scopes, and mechanisms of many of the enzymes involved in BIA biosynthesis, which hampers efforts toward engineering these enzymes to produce alternative products or act in non-native biosynthetic contexts. In this paper, we present multiple crystal structures of two scoulerine 9- O -methyltransferase (S9OMT) variants from Thalictrum flavum which catalyze an essential step in the biosynthesis of berberine. The crystal structures revealed the structural basis for substrate and cofactor recognition by Tf S9OMT and provide further insight into the structure and function of S9OMTs. A structural comparison of the Tf S9OMT and T. flavum norcoclaurine 6OMT ( Tf 6OMT) crystal structures identified important residues for enzyme regiospecificity, which were confirmed via mutagenesis and in vitro assays. Several Tf S9OMT mutants with expanded substrate scopes toward various 1-benzylisoquinoline substrates were generated. The rationally engineered Tf S9OMT mutants with altered regiospecificity were tested in a yeast-based scoulerine production platform and enabled de novo production of tetrahydropalmatrubine and tetrahydropalmatine.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ternary molecular switching in a single-crystal optical actuator with correlated crystal strain

A growing portfolio of single-crystal optical actuators is forging a new class of photonic materials that hold prospects for quantum technologies. Ruthenium-based complexes that exhibit this phenomenon via SO 2 -linkage photoisomerisation are of particular interest since they display multiple metastable states, once induced by green light; yet, complete photoconversion into each SO 2 -isomeric state is rarely achieved. We discover a new complex, trans-[Ru(SO 2 )(NH 3 ) 4 (4-bromopyridine)]tosylate 2 , that produces 100% photoconverted η 1 -OSO isomeric crystal structures at 90 K, which fully transition into η 2 -(OS)O photoisomers upon warming to 100 K, while the dark-state η 1 -SO 2 structure is wholly recovered by heating the crystal to room temperature. Crystal structures and optical-absorption profiles of each state are captured via in-situ light-induced single-crystal X-ray diffraction and optical-absorption spectroscopy. Results show that both photoisomeric species behave as optical switches, but with distinct optical properties. The photoisomerisation process causes thermally-reversible micro- and nanoscopic crystal strain, as characterised by optical microscopy and in-situ light-induced atomic-force microscopy.

actuators↗

Generative Models for Crystalline Materials

Understanding structure-property relationships in materials is fundamental in condensed matter physics and materials science. Over the past few years, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing this understanding and accelerating materials discovery. Early ML approaches primarily focused on constructing and screening large material spaces to identify promising candidates for various applications. More recently, research efforts have increasingly shifted toward generating crystal structures using end-to-end generative models. This review analyzes the current state of generative modeling for crystal structure prediction and de novo generation. It examines crystal representations, outlines the generative models used to design crystal structures, and evaluates their respective strengths and limitations. Furthermore, the review highlights experimental considerations for evaluating generated structures and provides recommendations for suitable existing software tools. Emerging topics, such as modeling disorder and defects, integration in advanced characterization, incorporating synthetic feasibility constraints, and model explainability are explored. Ultimately, this work aims to inform both experimental scientists looking to adapt suitable ML models to their specific circumstances and ML specialists seeking to understand the unique challenges related to inverse materials design and discovery.

Metni, Houssam [Karlsruhe Inst. of Technology (KIT↗

The chain of chirality transfer in tellurium nanocrystals

Despite persistent and extensive observations of crystals with chiral shapes, the mechanisms underlying their formation are not well understood. Although past studies suggest that chiral shapes can form because of crystallization in the presence of chiral additives, or because of an intrinsic tendency that stems from the crystal structure, there are many cases in which these explanations are not suitable or have not been tested. Here, an investigation of model tellurium nanocrystals provides insights into the chain of chirality transfer between crystal structure and shape. We show that this transfer is mediated by screw dislocations, and shape chirality is not an outcome of the chiral crystal structure or ligands.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Symmetry Breaking and Ascending in the Magnetic Kagome Metal FeGe

Spontaneous symmetry breaking—the phenomenon in which an infinitesimal perturbation can cause the system to break the underlying symmetry—is a cornerstone concept in the understanding of interacting solid-state systems. In a typical series of temperature-driven phase transitions, higher-temperature phases are more symmetric due to the stabilizing effect of entropy that becomes dominant as the temperature is increased. However, the opposite is rare but possible when there are multiple degrees of freedom in the system. Here, we present such an example of a symmetry-ascending phenomenon upon cooling in a magnetic kagome metal FeGe by utilizing neutron Larmor diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. FeGe has a kagome lattice structure with simple A-type antiferromagnetic order below Néel temperature T N ≈ 400 K and a charge density wave (CDW) transition at T CDW ≈ 110 K , followed by a spin-canting transition at around 60 K. In the paramagnetic state at 460 K, we confirm that the crystal structure is indeed a hexagonal kagome lattice. On cooling to around T N , the crystal structure changes from hexagonal to monoclinic with in-plane lattice distortions on the order of 10 − 4 and the associated splitting of the double-degenerate phonon mode of the pristine kagome lattice. Upon further cooling to T CDW , the kagome lattice shows a small negative thermal expansion, and the crystal structure gradually becomes more symmetric upon further cooling. A tendency of increasing the crystalline symmetry upon cooling is unusual; it originates from an extremely weak structural instability that coexists and competes with the CDW and magnetic orders. These observations are against the expectations for a simple model with a single order parameter and hence can only be explained by a Landau free energy expansion that takes into account multiple lattice, charge, and spin degrees of freedom. Thus, the determination of the crystalline lattice symmetry as well as the unusual spin-lattice coupling is a first step towards understanding the rich electronic and magnetic properties of the system, and it sheds new light on intertwined orders where the lattice degree of freedom is no longer dominant. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Crystal growth and crystallography

Selected topics that may be of interest for both crystal-structure and crystal-growth communities are overviewed. The growth of protein crystals, along with that of some other compounds, is one of the topics, and recent insights into related phenomena are considered as examples of applications of general principles. The relationship between crystal growth shape and structure is reviewed and an attempt to introduce semiquantitative characterization of binding for proteins is made. The concept of kinks for complex structures is briefly discussed. Even at sufficiently low supersaturations, the fluctuation of steps may not be sufficient to implement the Gibbs-Thomson law if the kink density is low enough. Subsurface ordering of liquids and growth of rough interfaces from melts is discussed. Crystals growing in microgravity from solution should be more perfect if they preferentially trap stress-inducing impurities, thus creating an impurity-depleted zone around themselves. Evidently, such a zone is developed only around the crystals growing in the absence of convection. Under terrestrial conditions, the self-purified depleted zone is destroyed by convection, the crystal traps more impurity and grows stressed. The stress relief causes mosaicity. In systems containing stress-inducing but poorly trapped impurities, the crystals grown in the absence of convection should be worse than those of their terrestrial counterparts.

Review, Tutorial↗

Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structure of Layered AM Sb Compounds ( A = Rb, Cs; M = Zn, Cd): Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structure of Layered AM Sb Compounds ( A = Rb, Cs; M = Zn, Cd)

Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal stability, and electronic band structure of four new metal antimonides AMSb (A = Rb, Cs; M = Zn, Cd) are reported. CsZnSb and RbZnSb crystallize in the hexagonal ZrBeSi structure type, in a P6 3 /mmc space group (no. 194, Z = 2) and unit cell dimensions of a = 4.5588(2)/4.5466(4) Å and c = 11.9246(6)/11.0999(10) Å. CsCdSb and RbCdSb crystallize in the tetragonal PbFCl structure type in a P4/nmm space group (no. 129; Z = 2) and unit cell parameters of a = 4.8884(5)/4.8227(3) Å and c = 8.8897(9)/8.5492(7) Å. All four compounds are air- and water-sensitive and are shown through DSC measurements to decompose between 975 K and 1060 K. Analysis of the calculated electronic band structure shows that the Zn-containing antimonides are topologically trivial narrow bandgap semiconductors, whereas Cd-containing compounds exhibit a band inversion along Γ-Z direction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure Orientation in Phthalocyanine Film Growth by Vapor Deposition in Electrical Fields

Films of phthalocyanines were grown by vapor deposition in an electric field on to quartz substrates coated with a very thin layer of gold or indium tin oxide and compared to films grown in the absence of an electric field. A comparison of morphology, nonlinear optical properties, and crystal structure was also made. The films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and FTIR. Films grown in the absence of an electric field had a fiber like morphology and those grown in electric fields having a maximum strength of 4000 V/cm had a dense-columnar structure. The crystal structure of films grown in an electric field was different than those grown in the absence of a field.

Banks, C. E.↗

Magnetosynthesis Effect on the Structure and Ground State of Cu 2+ -Based Antiferromagnets

Synthetic variables can have an outsized influence on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of a material, particularly those of quantum materials. In this work, we investigate the impact of synthesis under a magnetic field (magnetosynthesis) on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of several Cu 2+ (S = 1/2)-based materials with antiferromagnetic interactions and varying levels of magnetic frustration, from simple antiferromagnets to a quantum spin liquid. Here, we develop methods to apply small (0.09–0.37 T) magnetic fields during low-temperature hydrothermal, evaporative, and rehydration syntheses of the simple antiferromagnet CuCl 2 ·2H 2 O, the canted antiferromagnet (Cu,Zn) 3 Cl 4 (OH) 2 ·2H 2 O, the frustrated and canted antiferromagnet atacamite Cu 2 (OH) 3 Cl, and the highly frustrated quantum spin liquid herbertsmithite Cu 3 Zn(OH) 6 Cl 2 . We report the first single-crystal X-ray structural determination of the Cu 3 Cl 4 (OH) 2 ·2H 2 O structure type and probe the stability of this phase both experimentally and computationally. Atacamite Cu 2 (OH) 3 Cl synthesized under a 0.19 T field experiences a 0.15 K (∼3%) decrease in its Néel transition temperature. This result suggests that magnetosynthesis with small applied fields may have a very subtle influence upon the magnetic properties of moderately magnetically frustrated 3 d materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lattice Relaxations in Bixbyite‐Structured Rare‐Earth Sesquioxides

This report examines atomic relaxations in rare‐earth sesquioxides with the cubic bixbyite crystal structure. In particular, the experimentally determined unit cell atom positions in bixbyite compounds are compared to “ideal” bixbyite atom positions, where the concept of ideality is based on similarities between the bixbyite and fluorite crystal structures. Analyses indicate that all rare‐earth sesquioxide compounds deviate from ideality in similar ways and that there is a trend wherein the magnitudes of these atomic deviations decrease with increasing cationic size. The deviations from an ideal, fluorite‐like structure produce highly distorted coordination polyhedra and variations in metal‐oxygen bond lengths. A modified bond valence sum analysis revealed that the first nearest neighbor cation‐anion bond length variations lead to large (20%) variations in cation‐anion bond strength. This report also provides a qualitative analysis regarding the accuracy of atomic relaxed deviation parameters, based on x‐ray diffraction measurements. The analysis indicates that uncertainties in the accuracy of measured oxygen relaxed deviation parameters in bixbyite sesquioxides are likely much greater than the published uncertainties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pseudo-Polymorphism in Layered FeS Intercalates: A Competition between Charged and Neutral Guest Species

Systematic synthesis studies of the formation of tetrahedral FeS-ethylenediamine intercalates resulted in the synthesis of a new compound, [Fe 9.4(2) S 10 ][Fe(en) 3 ] 0.6(1) ·en 0.9 ( 3 ). The composition and complex crystal structure were determined based on a synergistic combination of elemental composition, decomposition behavior, high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction and total scattering, 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and electron diffraction. The structural model was derived based on a systematic comparison to the previously reported structures [Fe 8 S 10 ][Fe(en) 3 ] 1 ·en 0.5 and tetragonal FeS. The new compound has flat Fe 9.4 S 10 layers, analogous to those in superconducting binary FeS. In the crystal structure of [Fe 9.4 S 10 ][Fe(en) 3 ] 0.6 ·en 0.9 , the interlayer space is occupied by [Fe(en) 3 ] 2+ complexes and neutral ethylenediamine molecules in a ~2:3 ratio. Interlayer species are not randomly oriented but ordered as evidenced by superstructural diffraction peaks in both high-resolution X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction patterns. Magnetic studies reveal no superconducting transition down to 2 K, indicating that the presence of minute amounts (~6%) of iron vacancies at the Fe-S layer in [Fe 9.4 S 10 ][Fe(en) 3 ] 0.6 ·en 0.9 is still sufficient to shift the position of the Fermi level resulting in an adjustment of the properties. Here, our work shows the importance of detailed characterization of the crystal structure of intercalated compounds to understand the origin of the observed properties and develop proper structure–property relationships.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Suppression of the valence transition in solution-grown single crystals of Eu 2 Pt 6 Al 15

Here, the study of Eu intermetallic compounds has allowed the exploration of valence fluctuations and transitions in 4⁢𝑓 electron systems. Recently, a Eu 2 ⁢Pt 6 ⁢Al 15 phase synthesized by arc-melting followed by a thermal treatment was reported M. Radzieowski et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 140, 8950 (2018)], which undergoes a transition upon cooling below 45 K that was interpreted as a valence transition from Eu 2+ to Eu 3+ . In this paper, we present the discovery of another polymorph of Eu 2 ⁢Pt 6 ⁢Al 15 obtained by high temperature solution growth, which presents different physical properties than the arc-melted polycrystalline sample. Despite the similarities in crystal structure and chemical composition, the Eu valence transition is almost fully suppressed in the solution-grown crystals, allowing the moments associated with the Eu 2+ state to order antiferromagnetically at around 14 K. A detailed analysis of the crystal structure using single crystal x-ray diffraction reveals that, although the solution grown crystals are built from the same constituent layers as the arc-melted samples, these layers present a different stacking. The effect of different thermal treatments is also studied. Different anneal procedures did not result in significant changes in the intrinsic properties, and only by arc-melting and quenching the crystals we were able to convert them into the previously reported polymorph.

Schmidt, Juan [Ames Laboratory, and Iowa State Uni↗

Applying Crystallography and 19 F NMR to investigate dynamics and partner protein interactions in a long chain Flavodoxin

Flavodoxin (Fld) is a small FMN containing protein that is involved in single electron transfer. The long‐chain flavodoxin in Rhodopseudomonas palustris bacteria replaces ferredoxin as a low‐potential electron carrier when iron is scarce. Thus it is proposed to interact with the bifurcating electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) that yields low‐potential electrons. A surface loop on Fld interacts with another of Fld's partner proteins, so we hypothesize that it also mediates Fld's interaction with ETF. To monitor interactions with ETF directly and investigate dynamics in this loop, we are using 19 F NMR in solution. 19 F is hyperresponsive to changes in its chemical environment with a chemical shift range of >300 ppm. To provide a static reference point and assess structural heterogeneity, we are also exploiting X‐ray crystallography. In this study we selectively fluorinated the five tyrosine residues in Fld. We obtained resonance assignments from 19 F spectra of Fld variants in which individual tyrosine residues have been replaced. We obtain well resolved signals for each residue, but the resonances' linewidths indicate dynamics that affects some resonances more than others. Y90 residue displays two resonances demonstrating two different conformations that interconvert slowly on an NMR time scale. Meanwhile the crystal structure solved at 2.1Å resolution reveals two molecules per asymmetric unit providing two perspectives on the details of the structure. The crystal symmetry is monoclinic in contrast to most of the other Flds, which are orthorhombic. Interestingly, the long loop bearing Y121 and Y123 is not well resolved in chain B of the crystal structure, and the NMR line of Y123 is exceptionally broad, both indicating that the loop is dynamic and capable of altering its conformation to accomodate binding to a partner protein. Future directions include monitoring the changes in the 19 F NMR of the Fld when titrated with the partner protein, temperature dependence of the NMR spectrum and relaxation studies to evaluate time scales of motions.

Khan, Sharique↗

One Structure, Two Elements—LuGe 2 Superconductor vs Ordinary Metallic Conductor LuSn 2 . A Case Study on How Site-Selective Germanium for Tin Atom Substitution Leads to Modulating of the Charge Distribution

The substitution of chemically similar elements in a given crystal structure is an effective way to enhance physical properties, but the understanding on such improvements is usually impeded because the substitutions are random, and the roles of the different atoms cannot be distinguished by crystallographic symmetry. Herein, we provide a detailed crystallographic analysis and property measurements for the continuous solid solutions LuGe x Sn 2–x (0 < x < 2). The results show that there is no apparent change of the global symmetry, with the end-members LuGe 2 and LuSn 2 , as well as the intermediate LuGe x Sn 2–x compositions adopting the ZrSi 2 type structure (space group Cmcm, Pearson index oC12). Yet, the refinements of the crystal structures from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data show that Ge–Sn atom substitutions are not random, but occur preferentially at the zig-zag chain. The patterned distribution of two group 14 elements leads to a significant variation in chemical bonding and charge ordering within the other structural fragment, the 2D square nets, thereby resulting in tuned electron transport. The enhancement is greater than the typical Bloch-Gruneisen model, and more akin to the parallel-resistor model. Magnetization measurements on single crystals show bulk superconductivity in all LuGe x Sn 2–x samples with shielding fractions as high as 90%. Specific heat data confirm the effect to originate from residual metallic tin in the material, indicating that Sn atom substitutions in the 2D square nets cause disruptions of the hypervalent bonding and local anisotropy, which ultimately leads to vanishing of the superconducting state in the end-member LuGe 2 . This work sheds light on how the complexity in chemical interactions by two different carbon congeners leads to changes in the physical properties and how they can be correlated with the induced charge distribution. Furthermore, these studies also provide a general approach to modulation of charge density, and thus, of emerging physical properties in other classes of intermetallic systems based on the main-group elements of groups 13 to 15.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural basis of the UDP-diacylglucosamine pyrophosphohydrolase LpxH inhibition by sulfonyl piperazine antibiotics

The UDP-2,3-diacylglucosamine pyrophosphate hydrolase LpxH is an essential lipid A biosynthetic enzyme that is conserved in the majority of gram-negative bacteria. It has emerged as an attractive novel antibiotic target due to the recent discovery of an LpxH-targeting sulfonyl piperazine compound (referred to as AZ1) by AstraZeneca. However, the molecular details of AZ1 inhibition have remained unresolved, stymieing further development of this class of antibiotics. In this paper we report the crystal structure of Klebsiella pneumoniae LpxH in complex with AZ1. We show that AZ1 fits snugly into the L -shaped acyl chain-binding chamber of LpxH with its indoline ring situating adjacent to the active site, its sulfonyl group adopting a sharp kink, and its N -CF 3 –phenyl substituted piperazine group reaching out to the far side of the LpxH acyl chain-binding chamber. Intriguingly, despite the observation of a single AZ1 conformation in the crystal structure, our solution NMR investigation has revealed the presence of a second ligand conformation invisible in the crystalline state. Together, these distinct ligand conformations delineate a cryptic inhibitor envelope that expands the observed footprint of AZ1 in the LpxH-bound crystal structure and enables the design of AZ1 analogs with enhanced potency in enzymatic assays. These designed compounds display striking improvement in antibiotic activity over AZ1 against wild-type K. pneumoniae , and coadministration with outer membrane permeability enhancers profoundly sensitizes Escherichia coli to designed LpxH inhibitors. Remarkably, none of the sulfonyl piperazine compounds occupies the active site of LpxH, foretelling a straightforward path for rapid optimization of this class of antibiotics.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

First-Principles Evaluation of Proton Hopping in Tetrahedral Oxide Motifs

Proton-conducting oxides (PCOs) are important materials used as ionic conductors for energy conversion technologies. Existing research efforts on PCO optimization and discovery generally focus on complex perovskite-based oxides that require doping and alloying to engineer oxygen deficiency and high proton conductivity. However, the variety of chemical compositions and coordination environments in oxides poses challenges for efficient materials design. In this computational study, we construct a database of simplified motifs to elucidate the relationship between fundamental materials chemistry and proton kinetics. Specifically, we focus on the zincblende crystal structure as a proxy for tetrahedral metal–oxide (M–O) coordination environments. We systematically quantified the effects of cation type, oxidation states, and M–O bond lengths on the proton hopping barrier, and found that strong M–O bonds and metal cations with large and variable oxidation states (e.g., Mo 6+ , V 5+ ) lead to smaller proton hopping barriers. By mapping the candidate cations and their preferred bond geometries onto materials databases such as the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD) and Materials Project, we identified real materials containing the corresponding metal–oxide units. In general, we observed good agreement between the calculated proton hopping barriers obtained in real crystal structures and those predicted by our motif database. We also discuss the limitations of our model and possible future extensions to improve its predictive capabilities. Overall, our model provides a first step for the rational design and quick screening of energy-efficient PCOs.

organic↗