A Sodium‐Containing Quasicrystal: Using Gold To Enhance Sodium’s Covalency in Intermetallic Compounds

Abstract

Golden opportunity: Na13Au12Ga15 is the first Na-containing, thermodynamically stable quasicrystal and was discovered during systematic exploration of the polar intermetallic Na–Au–Ga system. Its electron-to-atom ratio, 1.75, is extremely low for Bergman-type icosahedral phases, but it is the substantial Au content that allows Hume–Rothery stabilization and promotes novel Na–Au polar–covalent interactions, which stabilize the icosahedral phase. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.