Covalent Si–H Bonds in the Zintl Phase Hydride CaSiH1+x (x ≤ 1/3)

Abstract

The crystal structure of the Zintl phase hydride CaSiH≈4/3 was discussed controversially, especially with respect to the nature of the silicon-hydrogen interaction. We have applied X-ray and neutron powder diffraction as well as total neutron scattering on a deuterated sample, CaSiD1.1. Rietveld refinement (CaSiD1.1, Pnma, a = 14.579(4) Å, b = 3.8119(4) Å, c = 11.209(2) Å) and an analysis of the neutron pair distribution function show a silicon-deuterium bond length of 1.53 Å. The Si–H bond may thus be categorized as covalent and the main structural features described by a limiting ionic formula Ca2+H−(Si−)2/3(SiH−)1/3. Hydrogen atoms decorating the ribbon-like silicon polyanion made of three connected zigzag chains are under-occupied, resulting in a composition CaSiH1.1. Hydrogen-poor Zintl phase hydrides CaSiH<1 with hydride ions in Ca4 tetrahedra only were found in an in situ neutron diffraction experiment at elevated temperature. Hydrogen (deuterium) uptake and release in CaSiDx (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.17) is a very fast process and takes less than 1 min to complete, which is of importance for possible hydrogen storage applications.