Patent ID: 7727506

Claim:
A compound of formula M i [M′ y Q x ] n , M i [M″ y Q x ] n , or Me i [M′″ y Q x ] n : wherein, M is selected from the group consisting of Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sb 3+ , Ga 3+ , In 3+ , Al 3+ , Bi 3+ , La 3+ , Ce 3+ , Pr 3+ , Nd 3+ , Pm 3+ , Sm 3+ , Eu 3+ , Gd 3+ , Tb 3+ , Dy 3+ , Ho 3+ , Er 3+ , Tm 3+ , Yb 3+ , Lu 3+ , Sn 4+ , Ti 4+ , Ge 4+ , Zr 4+ , V 4+ , Te 4+ , and a mixture of any two or more thereof; M′ is selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ge, and a mixture thereof; M″ is selected from the group consisting of P, As, Sb, and a mixture of any two or more thereof; M′″ is selected from the group consisting of Mo, W, and a mixture of any two or more thereof; Me is selected from the group consisting of Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Pt 2+ , Pd 2+ , Sb 3+ , Ga 3+ , In 3+ , Al 3+ , and Bi 3+ ; Q is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and a mixture of any two or more thereof; 1≦i≦4; 1≦n≦4; 2≦x≦12; and 0.05≦y≦5, wherein the compound is a hydrogel or an aerogel.