Manganese Tetraboride, MnB4: High-Temperature Crystal Structure, p-n Transition, 55Mn NMR Spectroscopy, Solid Solutions, and Mechanical Properties

The structural and electronic properties of MnB4 were studied by high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction and measurements of the conductivity and Seebeck coefficient on spark-plasma-sintered samples. A transition from the room-temperature monoclinic structure (space group P2(1)/c) to a high-temperature orthorhombic structure (space group Pnnm) was observed at about 650K. The material remained semiconducting after the transition, but its behavior changed from p-type to n-type. Mn-55 NMR measurements revealed an isotropic chemical shift of -1315ppm, confirming an oxidation state of Mn close to I. Solid solutions of Cr1-xMnxB4 (two phases in space groups Pnnm and P2(1)/c) were synthesized for the first time. In addition, nanoindentation studies yielded values of (496 +/- 26) and (25.3 +/- 1.7)GPa for the Young's modulus and hardness, respectively, compared to values of 530 and 37GPa obtained by DFT calculations.