The synthesis and characterization of new [(BiSe)1.10]m[NbSe2]n, [(PbSe)1.10]m[NbSe2]n, [(CeSe)1.14]m[NbSe2]n and [(PbSe)1.12]m[TaSe2]n misfit layered compounds

Fifty-three new misfit layered compounds within the [(BiSe)1.10]m[NbSe2]n, [(PbSe)1.10]m[NbSe2]n, [(CeSe)1.14]m[NbSe2]n, and [(PbSe)1.12]m[TaSe2]n families of compounds were successfully synthesized. This is the first report of compounds with n and m larger than 3, as self-assembly from designed precursors allows compounds with particular n and m values to be selectively prepared. The compounds form as crystallographically aligned films, with the c-axis perpendicular to the substrate. The compounds are well ordered along the c-axis and in the ab plane, with shorter coherence lengths between the constituent layers. All 18 compounds that were measured were found to be metallic.