9733587 Guloy The research component of this proposal aims to investigate ways to tune the electronic structure and properties of Zintl phases and layered intermetallic oxides. The research plan outlines unique strategies to: 1) apply and assess the Zintl concept and its limits to the synthesis of `electron-deficient' Zintl phases - a new class of inorganic pi-systems; 2) design and synthesize new complex layered intermetallic-oxide intergrowth structures by using layered intermetallic and oxide structures in a rational building-block-multilayer approach. Since unique structures and properties are already apparent in normal Zintl phases and polar intermetallics, it is anticipated that exploratory synthesis and characterization will produce unusual crystal chemistry and novel physical properties. These unusual materials represent a promising class of electronic and magnetic materials with potential properties ranging from semiconductors, thermoelectrics, superconductors and giant magnetoresistance. The general aim of this research is to establish useful structure(chemical bonding)-property relationships and to improve our chemical understanding of the region between metals and nonmetals. The educational plan of this proposal includes the development of courses in graduate and undergraduate levels that will emphasize the importance of materials chemistry, inorganic solid state chemistry, and descriptive chemistry of the elements. Undergraduate and graduate training will be supplemented by collaborative activities with other educational institutions and industrial research groups. %%% The challenge to synthesize new materials and understand, control and predict the structures and properties of solids continues to fuel the search for new technological materials of relevance to the industrial sector. The discovery of new classes of materials such as the Zintl compounds, together with a deeper understanding of their diverse properties, and the impact of their development and application forms the basis for undergraduate eductaion activities being developed in this cutting-edge area of solidstate chemistry and materials science. ***
