KAg11(VO4)4 as a candidate p-type transparent conducting oxide.

For a material to be a good p-type transparent conducting oxide (TCO), it must simultaneously satisfy several design principles regarding its bulk and defect phase thermochemistry, its optical absorption spectrum, and its electric transport properties. Recently, we predicted Ag3VO4 to be p-type but with low conductivity and an optical band gap not large enough for transparency. To improve on the transport and optical properties of Ag3VO4, we searched an extended material space including quaternary compounds based on Ag, V, O, and an additional atom for a new candidate p-type TCO.

Zirconium(IV) dilanthanum(III) penta-sulfide.

Zirconium(IV) dilanthanum(III) penta-sulfide, ZrLa(2)S(5), crystallizes with four formula units in the space group Pnma in the U(3)S(5) structure type. The asymmetric unit comprises one Zr, one La and four S atoms. The Zr and three S atoms are situated on mirror planes.