Advancements in Antiperovskite Structured Solids: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract
Antiperovskite-structured solids are attracting growing attention as a new class of multifunctional materials. Unlike conventional perovskites, their inverted cubic framework gives rise to unusual and highly tunable properties, from fast-ion conduction and giant magnetoresistance to superconductivity and negative thermal expansion. These different behaviors indicate promise for applications in areas such as solid-state batteries, energy-harvesting refrigeration, superconducting electronics, and thermal management. This review collates recent work in both experimental and theoretical research, emphasizing how a single simple cubic lattice can provide such a wide range of functionality. We argue that the structural versatility of antiperovskites is the common link between ionic transport, spin–lattice coupling, superconductivity, and thermal expansion. Recent advancements in Li- and Na-based solid electrolytes with high conductivity, giant magneto- and barocaloric responses, non-oxide superconductivity, and isotropic negative thermal expansion demonstrate that antiperovskites retain scientific importance and are increasingly viable competitors with the best of today’s functional materials.
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