Research Seminar

Solid-state synthesis, especially at low-temperatures (T ≤ 400 ^◦C) can be difficult due to the limited number of well-known and understood synthetic techniques and the barrier of solid-state diffusion that can inhibit reactivity. Flux reactions, traditionally involving inorganic melts, are one technique used to overcome solid-state diffusion at reduced temperatures. This research explores the use of organic fluxes to synthesize metal chalcogenides at low temperatures with a focus on understanding the triphenylphosphine flux reaction to form superconducting iron selenide. In this reaction, the formation of an adduct between selenium and triphenylphosphine enables selective reactivity through changing the chemical potential of selenium. The successful triphenylphosphine flux reaction demonstrates that the use of a molten and reactive flux has the potential to enable the synthesis of new low-temperature phases of solid materials. Expanding to other fluxes provides the opportunity for a tunable handle through which solid-state synthesis by design can be achieved.