Non-metallic quasicrystals: Hypothesis or reality?

Abstract

Simple and fundamental considerations suggest that quasicrystalline order is not the privilege of metallic phases. The aim of this paper is to call attention to a non-standard approach to quasicrystals. Out of the possible theoretical models an illustrative example is picked out here. This is a hypothetical organic quasicrystal structure consisting of dodecahedrane (C₂₀H₂₀) skeletons which, by suitable face-sharing, can be built together to form an icosahedral Penrose-Mackay type quasilattice.

Key Words:

• Alloys
• dodecahedrane
• hydrocarbon
• network polymer
• icosahedral quasilattice
• silicate