Etter  Research  Group

Synthesis and investigation of novel materials containing 4d/5d elements

Technological progress is most often driven by the development and investigation of novel materials with new physical or chemical properties. Due to this reason, our goup is focusing on the synthesis and investigation of materials which contain 4d and 5d elements (transition metals found in the 5th and 6th row of the periodic table). For these elements, effects like the spin-orbit coupling becomes more pronounced, which in turn influences the material properties of compounds containing these elements.

In order to understand the often complex interplay between magnetic and electronic behavior in such novel compounds, model systems with perovskite, spinel or pyrochlore crystal structure have to be synthesized and investigated. As these crystallographic model systems are well understood, deviations in the crystal structure are already giving first insights in the electronic and magnetic behavior of such materials. Moreover, the crystal structures can be used to tailor material properties, by investigating the structures if materials are doped with other elements or if the crystal layering and stacking behavior is changed for example by introducing ions or solvents.

Publications of investigated materials containting 5d elements

• Correlated electron metal properties of the honeycomb ruthenate Na₂RuO₃
• Pressure-induced structural dimerization in the hyperhoneycomb iridate β−Li₂IrO₃ at low temperatures
• Pressure tuning of bond-directional exchange interactions and magnetic frustration in the hyperhoneycomb iridate β−Li₂IrO₃
• Na₂IrIVCl₆: Spin–Orbital-Induced Semiconductor Showing Hydration-Dependent Structural and Magnetic Variations
• beta - Trisodium Hexachlororhodate (β-Na₃RhCl₆) and hydrated Trisodium Hexachlororhodate (Na₃RhCl₆ · 2 H₂O) (in preparation)
• Trisodium Hexachloroiridate (Na₃IrCl₆) (in preparation)
• The crystal structure of trisodium hexachlororhodate (Na₃RhCl₆)

Crystal structure solution and analysis

Solving crystal structures a priori out of powder diffraction or single crystal diffraction data is a challenging task, which requires a lot of experience and knowledge form the fields of chemistry, physics and crystallography. Therefore, our group is focusing on solving inorganic, organic and metal-organic crystal structures out of powder diffraction data using simulated annealing and charge flipping methods. Furthermore, the group develops algorithms and tools in order to index powder diffraction data, solve crystal structures with the help of Monte-Carlo and grid search methods and to automatically treat large data sets by the Rietveld method either sequentially or parametrically.

Publications of recently solved crystal structures

• 9-methylguanine in "DNA-specific selectivity in pairing of model nucleobases in the solid state"
• Trisodium Hexachloroiridate (Na₃IrCl₆) (in preparation)
• beta - Trisodium Hexachlororhodate (β-Na₃RhCl₆) and hydrated Trisodium Hexachlororhodate (Na₃RhCl₆ · 2 H₂O) (in preparation)
• Trisodium Hexachlororhodate (Na₃RhCl₆) in "The crystal structure of trisodium hexachlororhodate (Na₃RhCl₆)"

Development of components for synchrotron diffraction beamlines

The development of technical components and sample environments for synchroton diffraction beamlines is of utmost importance in order to drive and test new innovations and ideas in physics, chemistry and material science. This implies for example the development of cutting-edge multi crystal analyzer detectors in order to achieve highest angular resolution in the measurement of diffraction data. Furthermore, X-ray penetrable devices which allow the monitoring of processes in situ or in operando are gaining more and more significance. This includes the development of new compact heating devices based on ceramic heater technologies for samples in capillaries, which allow the direct monitoring of solid state synthesis processes or the observsation and identification of phase transformations in solid or liquid materials. Another research field of tremendous importance is Mechanochemistry, since mechanochemcial milling is known to be a cornerstone for environmentally friendly / green synthesis methods in chemistry. Therefore, synchrotron suitable milling devices are continously developed and improved.

Publications of related components and sample environments

• Multi-Analyser Detector (MAD) for High Resolution and High Energy Powder X-ray Diffraction
• Ceramic Heater for Capillaries (in preparation)

2020

• L.S.I. Veiga, M. Etter, E. Cappelli, H. Jacobsen, J.G. Vale, C.D. Dashwood, D. Le, F. Baumberger, D.F. McMorrow and R.S. Perry (2020). "Correlated electron metal properties in the honeycomb ruthenate Na2RuO3", Physical Review Materials (Phys. Rev. Mater.) 4, 9, pages 094202-1-094202-8, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.094202
• Kai-Yang Lee, Xi Shi, Nitish Kumar, Mark Hoffmann, Martin Etter, Jens Winter, Lucas Lemos da Silva, Daniela Seifert and Manuel Hinterstein (2020). „The complex structural mechanisms behind strain curves in bismuth sodium titanate-barium titanate”, Applied Physics Letters (Appl. Phys. Lett.) 116, pages 182902-1 - 182902-5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0005401

2019

• L.S.I. Veiga, K. Glazyrin, G. Fabbris, C.D. Dashwood, J.G. Vale, H. Park, M. Etter, T. Irifune, S. Pascarelli, D.F. McMorrow, T. Takayama, H. Takagi, and D. Haskel (2019). “Pressure-induced structural dimerization in the hyperhoneycomb iridate β-Li2IrO3 at low temperatures”, Physical Review B (Phys. Rev. B) 100, 6, pages 064104, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.100.064104

2018

• Song-Song Bao, Di Wang, Xin-Da Huang, Martin Etter, Zhong-Sheng Cai, Xiangang Wan, Robert E. Dinnebier and Li-Min Zheng (2018). „Na2IrIVCl6: Spin-Orbital Induced Semiconductor Showing Hydration-Dependent Structural and Magnetic Variations“, Inorganic Chemistry (Inorg. Chem.) 57, 21, pages 13252-13258, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b01753
• Anna-Lena Hansen, Bastian Dietl, Martin Etter, Reinhard K. Kremer, David C. Johnson and Wolfgang Bensch (2018), “Temperature dependent synchrotron X-ray diffraction, pair distribution function and magnetic susceptibility study on the layered compound CrTe3”, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie – Crystalline Materials (Z. Kristallogr.) 233(6), pages 361-370, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/zkri-2017-2100
• Martin Etter, Masahiko Isobe, Hiroya Sakurai, Alexander Yaresko, Robert E. Dinnebier and Hidenori Takagi (2018). “Charge disproportionation of mixed-valent Cr triggerd by Bi lone-pair effect in the A-site ordered perovskite BiCu3Cr4O12“, Physical Review B (Phys. Rev. B) 97, 19, pages 195111, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.195111
• Martin Etter (2018). “The crystal structure of trisodium hexachlororhodate (Na3RhCl6)”, Powder Diffraction (Powder Diffr.) 33, 1, pages 62-65, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0885715618000155

2017

• L. S. I. Veiga, M. Etter, K. Glazyrin, F. Sun, C.A. Escanhoela, G. Fabbris, J. R. L. Mardegan, P. S. Malavi, Y. Deng, P. P. Stavropoulos, H. -Y. Kee, W. G. Yang, M. van Veenendaal, J. S. Schilling, T. Takayama, H. Takagi and D. Haskel (2017). “Pressure tuning of bond-directional exchange interactions and magnetic frustration in hyperhoneycomb iridate β-Li2IrO3”, Physical Review B (Phys. Rev. B) 96, 14, pages 140402-1 – 140402-6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.96.140402
• Jonas Scholz, Martin Etter, Diana Haas, Andreas Meyer, Andreas Kornowski, Uta Sazama and Simone Mascotto (2017). “Pore geometry effect on the synthesis of confined perovskite oxide nanoparticles“, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (J. Colloid Interface Sci.) 504, pages 346-355, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2017.05.107

2016

• Martin Etter, Asifa Nigar, Naveed Zafar Ali, Zareen Akhter and Robert E. Dinnebier (2016). “Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural perspective of new ferrocenyl amides”, Solid State Sciences (Solid State Sci.) 55, pages 29-35, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2016.01.011
• Martin Etter, Maximilian J. Krautloher, Nakheon Sung, Joel Bertinshaw, Bumjoon Kim and Robert E. Dinnebier (2016). “Crystal structure determination of non-stoichiometric Ca4-xRuO6-x (x = 1.17) from X-ray powder diffraction data”, Powder Diffraction (Powder Diffr.) 31, Issue 01, pages 59-62, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0885715615000883

2014

• Martin Etter and Robert E. Dinnebier (2014). “Direct parameterization of the volume on pressure dependence by using an inverted approximative Vinet equation of state”, Journal of Applied Crystallography (J. Appl. Cryst.) 47, Part 1, pages 384-390, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576713032287
• Martin Etter, Melanie Müller, Michael Hanfland and Robert E. Dinnebier (2014). “High pressure phase transitions in the rare-earth orthoferrite LaFeO3”, Acta Crystallographica B (Acta Crystallogr. B) 70, Part 3, pages 452-458, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520614007379
• Martin Etter, Melanie Müller, Michael Hanfland and Robert E. Dinnebier (2014). „Possibilities and limitations of parametric Rietveld refinement on high pressure data: The case study of LaFeO3”, Zeitschrift für Kristallographie (Z. Kristallogr.) 229, Issue 3, pages 246-258, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/zkri-2013-1668
• Martin Etter, Melanie Müller and Robert E. Dinnebier (2014). „Rotational rigid body symmetry modes: A tool for the investigation of phase transitions”, Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie (Z. anorg. allg. Chem.) 640, Issue 15, pages 3079-3087, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/zaac.201400324
• Martin Etter and Robert E. Dinnebier (2014). “A Century of Powder Diffraction: a Brief History”, Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie (Z. anorg. allg. Chem.) 640, Issue 15, pages 3015-3028, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/zaac.201400526

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