As the name suggests, mixed-valence/oxidation state inorganic compounds contain mixed valent elements. For instance, the both oxidation states of Tellurium atoms (IV and VI) have been found together in many crystalline tellurates, such as: K2Te(IV)Te(VI)3O12, BaTe(IV)Te(VI)O6, Cs2Te(IV)Te(VI)3O12.
Aside from their featured structures exhibiting distinct atomic environments, what are the general properties that emerge from the existence of mixed-valent elements?
Thank you so much in advance,
Interesting question, but I am not sure that there is one single or general answer. Mixed valence oxides for example are rather common, and often exhibit special electronic and magnetic properties, e.g. high-temperature superconductors, multiferroics, magnetoresistive oxydes, materials for energy storage, for spintronics, and so forth. However, many present researches are still dedicated to understanding how and why these properties emerged.
Alain
I guess only guess, it may be dedicated from how they bond with other elements in the structure.
This is also something bothering (exciting) me when i study structure response of electrode materials using synchrotron technique associated with the neutron ones. Under mixed valences condition, the bond length (e.g. M-O) and the bond angle (distortion angle? e.g. O-M-O or M-O-M) vary and result in different lattice response.
Thank you so much for your comments!
Definitely, as Prof. Celzard mentioned, there isn't a single answer underscoring entirely the physical properties of all mixed-valence compounds since each material features a specific composition, atomic structure...
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