Chinese Academy of Sciences Uses Rare Earth Ions to Build Tunable 3D Molecular Conductors

Highlights

• CAS researchers built 3D conductive networks from molybdenum clusters and rare earth ions, published in Nature Synthesis.
• Changing the rare earth element—from lanthanum through gadolinium—altered or even reversed the direction of electrical conductivity.
• Samarium and europium phases achieved the strongest in-plane conductivity, about 3×10⁻⁵ S/m, roughly 100,000 times higher than conventional polyoxometalate materials.
• Individual rare earth atoms can uniquely determine material behavior, making small-volume elements potential supply-chain choke points.
• China's rare earth research infrastructure continuously explores new electronic functions, extending its strategic advantage beyond separated oxide tonnage.