Breaking the Mold—Exploration and Characterization of Noncentrosymmetric Materials

Ternary tetrel pnictides (M-Tt-Pn) are a rapidly emerging class of materials which offer a wide array of exciting properties such as catalytic, thermoelectric, transport properties, and nonlinear optics. Their potential is relevant for applications in energy conversion and storage, where efficient materials are crucial. These compounds demonstrate intricate structural chemistry, which arises from the bonding flexibility of both the cation and anion present in their composition. This flexibility allows for a diverse range of structural arrangements, which enables the fine tuning of their properties. Notably, noncentrosymmetric local fragments are common motifs within the structure and are stabilized by the bonding preferences observed between the M-Tt and M-Pn. Such interactions can lead to unique electronic and optical properties that are essential for advanced technological applications.