Zintl phases with group 15 elements and the transition metals: A brief overview of pnictides with diverse and complex structures

摘要

Chemical combinations of metals with group 15 elements result in compounds demonstrating a plethora of crystal structures. Many such compounds, referred to as pnictides, can be rationalized using simple electron counting rules, originally developed for main-group-element systems. These schemes constitute the essence of the Zintl concept, widely applied in solid state chemistry. Transition-metal-containing Zintl phases with pnictogens evoke particular interest, since many of these compounds, being narrow-gap semiconductors, are regarded as promising materials for thermoelectric applications. This review article summarizes literature data for a number of reported transition-metal-bearing Zintl pnictides with the focus on their crystal structures.