γ-Brass polyhedral core in intermetallics: the nanocluster model.

Using the TOPOS program package, 26-atom nanoclusters of the γ-brass (Cu5Zn8) type (0@4@22 or 0@8@18) were found in 5918 crystal structures of cubic intermetallics. The nanocluster models were built for all the intermetallics using a recently developed algorithm implemented into TOPOS. The relations of the structures based on the 0@4@22 core are explored as a result of migration of atoms between different shells of the nanoclusters.

New types of multishell nanoclusters with a Frank-Kasper polyhedral core in intermetallics.

A comprehensive study of the occurrence of two-shell clusters with the first shell as a Frank-Kasper polyhedron Z12, Z14, Z15, or Z16 (Frank-Kasper nanoclusters) is performed for 22,951 crystal structures of intermetallics containing only metal atoms. It is shown that besides the familiar Bergman and Mackay clusters, two more types of high-symmetrical icosahedron-based nanoclusters are rather frequent; they both have a 50-atom second shell. Moreover, two types of high-symmetrical Frank-Kasper nanoclusters with a Friauf-polyhedron (Z16) core are revealed; these nanoclusters have 44 and 58 atoms in the second shell.

Nanocluster model of intermetallic compounds with giant unit cells: beta, beta'-Mg(2)Al(3) polymorphs.

A novel method for the computational description of intermetallics as an assembly of nanoclusters was improved and applied to extremely complicated crystal structures of beta, beta'-Mg(2)Al(3) polymorphs. Using the TOPOS program package that implements the method, we separated two types of two-shell primary nanoclusters A, A1, A2, and B consisting of 57-63 atoms that completely compose the structures of the polymorphs. The nanocluster model interprets structural disordering in beta-Mg(2)Al(3): the disordered atoms form the inner shell of the nanocluster A, while the outer shells of all nanoclusters are preserved.

Analysis of migration paths in fast-ion conductors with Voronoi-Dirichlet partition.

In terms of the Voronoi-Dirichlet partition of the crystal space, definitions are given for such concepts as ;void', ;channel' and ;migration path' for inorganic structures with three-dimensional networks of chemical bonds. A number of criteria are proposed for selecting significant voids and migration channels for alkali cations Li+-Cs+ based on the average characteristics of the Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra for alkali metals in oxygen-containing compounds. A general algorithm to analyze the voids in crystal structures has been developed and implemented in the computer package TOPOS.