New insights into bonding in phase-change materials from ion-driven synthesis

Key Points

• The central aim is to explore and characterize the bonding nature in phase-change materials through novel synthesis pathways.
• Dual ionic and atomic synthesis pathways were utilized.
• Theoretical analyses were conducted to study the bonding nature.
• Hybrid bonding characteristics were analyzed.
• Identical phase-change materials were obtained through different synthesis pathways.
• A hybrid bonding character was confirmed, combining covalent, ionic, and multicenter types.