Ta4FeTe4: a new material for metallic single molecular wires

• Published in: The European physical journal. B, Condensed matter physics Vol. 85; no. 7
• Main Authors: Heinrich, C. P., Panthöfer, M., Tremel, W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.07.2012; EDP Sciences
• Subjects: Complex Systems; Condensed Matter Physics; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid- and Aerodynamics; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Regular Article; Self-assembly; Solid State Physics; Topical issue: From photophysics to optoelectronics of zero- and one-dimensional nanomaterials; Topical Issue: From photophysics to optoelectronics of zero- and one-dimensional nanomaterials; Molecular wires; Intercalation compounds; Phase analysis; Lithium compounds; Exfoliation; Hexagonal lattices; Self-assembly; Monocrystals; Transmission electron microscopy; Anisotropy; Solid state reaction; Iron Tantalum Tellurides Mixed; Van der Waals interaction; Nanowires; Crystal morphology; Nanomaterial synthesis
• ISSN: 1434-6028; 1434-6036
• DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2012-20853-4

Bulk Ta 4 FeTe 4 is a highly anisotropic metallic compound consisting of single molecular wires. In the crystalline bulk phase, sub-nanometer wires self-assemble to form a hexagonal packing of rods resulting in a fibrous crystal morphology. In this work we report the synthesis and crystal growth of single crystalline Ta 4 FeTe 4 nanowire bundles with a length of several millimeters and an aspect ratio exceeding > 10 5 . The nanowire bundle diameter could further be decreased by intercalation-exfoliation. Our results show that depending on the unbundling method nanowires of different length and diameter are accessible. A complete unbundling to single molecular wires of 7.9 Å is feasible with this methodology. As the Ta 4 FeTe 4 nanowires are held together only by van der Waals interactions the properties of single molecular wires may be expected similar to those of the metallic bulk material.