Structure-property relationship of compounds with pyrite and shandite structure with metal-semiconductor transition in InSnCo₃S₂

The aim of this Ph.D thesis is to correlate theoretical calculations and experimental data to understand the building and stabilities of structures to influence the properties due to applications. Properties of compounds are defined by their electronic structures. The electronic structure can be influenced by substitution of elements or even doping. As a matter of fact, electronic design is a basic principle in materials research. It can help to change or switch the electric conductivity or the magnetism of a starting compound. I analyzed compounds with pyrite-type structure and Sn₂Co₃S₂ and related compounds to these. Its electronic as well as its crystallographic structure is highly flexible and Sn₂Co₃S₂ is a half metallic ferromagnet. By substituting In to Sn one gets a semiconductor due to indium-tin ordering. By doping sulfur against selenium, the magnetism is highly influenced. To verify and to understand these effects I did magnetic, XRD, neutron and conductivity measurements as well as DFT calculations in direct and reciprocal space.