Abstract
Selenium substitution drastically increases the transition temperature of iridium ditelluride (IrTe2) to a diamagnetic superstructure from 278 to 560 K. Transmission electron microscopy experiments revealed that this enhancement is accompanied by the evolution of nonsinusoidal structure modulations from q = 1/5(10 (1) over bar) to q = 1/6(10 (1) over bar) types. These comprehensive results are consistent with the concept of the destabilization of polymeric Te-Te bonds at the transition, the temperature of which is increased by chemical and hydrostatic pressure and by the substitution of Te with the more electronegative Se. This temperature-induced depolymerization transition in IrTe2 is unique in crystalline inorganic solids. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.127209