Novel polymorphic phase of BaCu₂As₂: Impact of flux for new phase formation in crystal growth

In this work, we have thoroughly studied the effects of flux composition and temperature on the crystal growth of the BaCu2As2 compound. While Pb and CuAs self-flux produce the well-known α-phase ThCr2Si2-type structure (Z = 2), a new polymorphic phase of BaCu2As2 (β-phase) with a much larger c lattice parameter (Z = 10), which could be considered an intergrowth of the ThCr2Si2- and CaBe2Ge2-type structures, has been discovered via Sn flux growth. We have characterized this structure through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies. Furthermore, we compare this new polymorphic intergrowth structure with the α-phase BaCu2As2 (ThCr2Si2 type with Z = 2) and the β-phase BaCu2Sb2 (intergrowth of ThCr2Si2 and CaBe2Ge2 types with Z = 6), both with the same space group I4/mmm. Electrical transport studies reveal p-type carriers and magnetoresistivity up to 22% at 5 K and under a magnetic field of 7 T. Our work suggests a new route for the discovery of new polymorphic structures through flux and temperature control during material synthesis.