Elemental copper and potassium are immiscible under ambient conditions. It is known that pressure is a useful tool to promote the reaction between two different elements by modifying their electronic structure significantly. Here, we predict the formation of four K–Cu compounds (K3Cu2, K2Cu, K5Cu2, and K3Cu) under moderate pressure through unbiased structure search and first-principles calculations. Among all predicted structures, the simulated x-ray diffraction pattern of K3Cu2 perfectly matches a K–Cu compound synthesized in 2004. Further simulations indicate that the K–Cu compounds exhibit diverse structural features with novel forms of Cu aggregations, including Cu dimers, linear and zigzag Cu chains, and Cu-centered polyhedrons. Analysis of the electronic structure reveals that Cu atoms behave as anions to accept electrons from K atoms through fully filling 4s orbitals and partially extending 4p orbitals. Covalent Cu–Cu interaction is found in these compounds, which is associated with the sp hybridizations. These results provide insights into the understanding of the phase diversity of alkali/alkaline earth and metal systems.
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Because the four K–Cu phases were predicated to be stable at 30 GPa, all of the bondlengths and electronic structures hereafter were calculated at 30 GPa unless otherwise stated.
