[Research] Inorganic double helices give life to new materials

For the first time, an international team of scientists has predicted models of inorganic double-helix structures from simple inorganic elements.

In a recent study published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Professor Chris Pickard and Dr Andrew Morris, along with researchers from Utah State University and the People's Friendship University of Russia, predicted that lithium and phosphorous can also form double helical nanoparticles. Using computer simulations, the scientists found that the helical structures are likely to occur with increasing the number of lithium and phosphorous elements bonding together. They also found that the double helical nanoparticles can be packed together in two crystals, one having adjacent helices with the same orientation and another with helices in opposite orientation. A detailed analysis of the nanoparticles revealed that the more ionic the bond between lithium and phosphorous, the more likely are the helical structures to form.

Researchers are interested in inorganic double helical structures for potential future uses by virtue of their properties. For example, helical structures may be used in the future as microscopic coils for sensors. From this perspective, this collaborative study of scientists from UK, US and Russia represents an important step towards the design of new materials for advanced technological applications [Read more].

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