Negative linear compressibility exhibited by the hybrid perovskite [(NH2)3C]Er(HCO2)2(C2O4)

Abstract

Extended framework materials with specific topologies can exhibit unusual mechanical behaviour, such as expanding in one direction under hydrostatic (uniform) pressure, known as negative linear compressibility (NLC). Here, two hybrid perovskite frameworks with winerack structures, a known NLC topology, are investigated under pressure. [C(NH₂)₃]Er(HCO₂)₂(C₂O₄) exhibits NLC from ambient pressure to 2.63(10) GPa and is the first reported NLC hybrid perovskite from ambient pressure. However, isostructural [(CH₃)₂NH₂]Er(HCO₂)₂(C₂O₄) instead compresses relatively moderately along all axes before it undergoes a phase transition above 0.37(10) GPa. The differences in the mechanical properties can be interpreted from differences in host–guest interactions within these frameworks, primarily their hydrogen bond networks.