Simple and efficient fabrication of room temperature stable electride: Melt-solidification and glass ceramics

Electrides are ionic compounds in which electrons act as anions. These compounds are expected to have interesting properties arising from their exotic structure. The fatal drawbacks of the thermal and chemical instability of organic electrides were resolved by the synthesis of a room temperature (RT) stable electride using single crystalline 12CaO·7Al₂O₃ (C12A7) with a nanoporous structure and the chemical treatments for a long duration. However, an innovative fabrication method is obviously required for practical applications such as cold electron-emitter and thermionic devices. Herein we report a simple synthesis for polycrystalline C12A7 electrides with a moderate electronic conductivity via a strongly reducing C12A7 "melt", i.e., direct solidification of the melt or crystallization of the transparent glass. Generation of carrier electrons and precipitation of the C12A7 phase from the strongly reducing melt and glass are likely associated with the incorporation of carbon-related anions for stabilizing the C12A7 phase and keeping the mobile electrons in C12A7. These findings will be broadly utilized for applications by mass production in a desired shape and dimension, facilitating the research of electrides.