Metal flux growth of intermetallic phases is a powerful technique for discovery of new materials. The unusual temperature regime, nature of the solvent, and variation in cooling rates can lead to metastable compounds forming as large crystals. A major disadvantage is the current lack of control over incorporation of elements into intermetallic products, which are not typically governed by charge-balancing rules. Several cases of unexpected incorporation of hydride and carbide interstitials will be presented, along with crystallographic data (neutron and X-ray diffraction) and density of states calculations indicating the stabilizing effect of the interstitial in compounds such as La15(FeC6)4H and Ce4B2C2H3.

Inadvertent interstitials: Metal hydrides and carbides grown from flux

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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