Skip to main content
Article
Structure of Proton-Conducting Alkali Thio-Hydroxogermanates
Chemistry of Materials
  • Maths Karlsson, Chalmers University of Technology
  • Aleksandar Matic, Chalmers University of Technology
  • Itai Panas, Göteborg University
  • Daniel T. Bowron, CLRC Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory
  • Steve W. Martin, Iowa State University
  • Carly R. Nelson, Iowa State University
  • Chad A. Martindale, Iowa State University
  • Andreas Hall, Chalmers University of Technology
  • Lars Börjesson, Chalmers University of Technology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-14-2008
DOI
10.1021/cm8006155
Abstract

Using a combination of neutron diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations, we have investigated the structure of hydrated and dehydrated proton conducting alkali thio-hydroxogermanates of general formula M2GeS2(OH)2·yH2O (M = K, Rb, and Cs). The results show that the structure of hydrated and dry materials are basically the same, which confirms previous indications that the main effect of heating these materials is just a loss of water. We suggest that in the hydrated state the structure of these materials is built of dimers of thio-hydroxogermanate anions, with the water molecules acting as bridges between such dimers. In the dehydrated structure, the thio-hydroxogermanate anions instead form an extended network through the formation of interdimer hydrogen bonds through the −OH groups in the structure. The alkali ions are suggested to act as “space-fillers” in voids formed by the thio-hydroxogermanate anion dimers, in both the hydrated and the dehydrated state.

Comments

Reprinted with permission from Chemistry of Materials 20 (2008): 6014–6021, doi:10.1021/cm8006155. Copyright 2008 American Chemical Society.

Copyright Owner
American Chemical Society
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Maths Karlsson, Aleksandar Matic, Itai Panas, Daniel T. Bowron, et al.. "Structure of Proton-Conducting Alkali Thio-Hydroxogermanates" Chemistry of Materials Vol. 20 Iss. 19 (2008) p. 6014 - 6021
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steve_martin/9/