Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Why most quasicrystals (if not, all) are of metallic compounds?

Alquimia - 12-10-2017 at 00:30

I recently raised the idea of growing quasicrystals. No, they are not normal crystals, they are aperiodic as something amorphous but regular, and may have symmetries of 5, 7, 8, 9, etc. which are impossible in common crystals.

I asked here to see if there was any salt or compound soluble in common materials, capable of forming stable quasicrystals.
But after the few answers, and after take a look through the internet, I was disappointed: all quasicrystals are metallic.

I would like to know if the existence of ionic and covalent quasicrystals is really impossible (and why), or if they can exist at least in theory.




[Edited on 12-10-2017 by Alquimia]

CRUSTY - 12-10-2017 at 07:40

I know you were looking for soluble ionic quasicrystals, but I think this is just as spicy of a discovery (I love quasicrystals): [Wired article].

They're not salts, but rather organic, and they're self assembling too! The base unit is ferrocenecarboxyllic acid. Not what you asked for, but pretty neat anyways.

Hegi - 15-10-2017 at 08:48

I am also really amazed by quasicrystals but as long as we do not know how is it possible at all that such a compounds exist, we can only guess. Maybe when you find a set of ions in well defined stoichiometric ratio - you can get them too. No idea.

Maybe another interesting question would be - what inorganic salt crystallizes in a form of tetrahedron? ;)

crystal grower - 15-10-2017 at 09:16

Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  


Maybe another interesting question would be - what inorganic salt crystallizes in a form of tetrahedron? ;)


Tennantite-tetrahedrite series minerals ;).
Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 to Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13
https://www.mindat.org/min-1437.html

Hegi - 17-10-2017 at 10:13

Quote: Originally posted by crystal grower  
Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  


Maybe another interesting question would be - what inorganic salt crystallizes in a form of tetrahedron? ;)


Tennantite-tetrahedrite series minerals ;).
Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 to Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13
https://www.mindat.org/min-1437.html


I know, try to crystallize it at home.. .) Think of something else..

crystal grower - 17-10-2017 at 20:50

Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  
Quote: Originally posted by crystal grower  
Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  


Maybe another interesting question would be - what inorganic salt crystallizes in a form of tetrahedron? ;)


Tennantite-tetrahedrite series minerals ;).
Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]As4S13 to Cu6[Cu4(Fe,Zn)2]Sb4S13
https://www.mindat.org/min-1437.html


I know, try to crystallize it at home.. .) Think of something else..

You have not mentioned home crystallization :D. But ok I'll try to think of something else...

CaCl2 - 4-11-2017 at 07:29

Quote: Originally posted by Hegi  
I am also really amazed by quasicrystals but as long as we do not know how is it possible at all that such a compounds exist, we can only guess. Maybe when you find a set of ions in well defined stoichiometric ratio - you can get them too. No idea.

Maybe another interesting question would be - what inorganic salt crystallizes in a form of tetrahedron? ;)


Possibly sodium bromate under some conditions:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/00220248950...

I have no access to the article itself, so I have no idea what the required conditions are or how large the crystals tend to be, It's also hydroscopic which makes storing them harder.

[Edited on 4-11-2017 by CaCl2]

crystal grower - 4-11-2017 at 23:45

Can I post .pdf of that article here or should I post it in references?

Hegi - 6-11-2017 at 22:17

What the pack o.O Nice, I have to try that. :o