This thesis describes the syntheses, the crystal structures, and the physical properties of some new ternary and quaternary rare-earth coinage metal arsenides, selenides and oxides. All ternary compounds LnCu1+[delta]As2 (Ln = Y, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd - Lu), LnAg1+[delta]As2 (Ln = La - Nd, Sm), and LnAuAs2 (Ln = Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb) adopt structures closely related to the HfCuSi2 type consisting of PbO-like layers of T and As atoms, square layers of As atoms and layers of Ln atoms separating the former two building units. All copper compounds of this series contain regular square nets of As atoms, whereas the respective nets in the silver and gold compounds are distorted. Two principally different patterns of distortion have been found: [As] zigzag chains in LnAgAs2 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm) and [As] cis-trans chains in LaAg1.01(1)As2, CeAgAs2, and PrAuAs2. Both patterns can undergo a further reduction of symmetry to end up with a pattern of As2 dumb-bells as can be seen in SmAuAs2, GdAuAs2, and TbAuAs2. Stoichiometric samples LnCuAs2 (Ln = Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) have been used for measurements of the conductivity [rho], magnetic susceptibility [chi] and heat capacity cp. All investigated compounds exhibit metallic conductivity and, except for Y, order antiferromagnetically at temperatures below 10 K. In contrast to LnCuAs2 compounds, the silver compound CeAgAs2 shows semiconducting behavior throughout the temperature range from 4 to 350 K, whereas in PrAgAs2 metallic conductivity is preserved. The crystal structure of Sm2CuAs3O contains two different PbO-like layers formed either by Sm and O or Cu and As atoms. Both PbO-type layers are separated by sheets of Sm and distorted square nets of As atoms. The As atoms are arranged in planar zigzag chains, like those found in NdAgAs2. Sm2CuAs3O is thus the first quaternary rare-earth pnictide oxide with a distorted As net. The quaternary potassium rare-earth copper selenides KGd2CuSe4, KLn2Cu3Se5 (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm), and K2Ln4Cu4Se9 (Ln = Dy, Y) extend three series of previously described sulfide and selenide compounds. All three series adopt a three-dimensional tunnel structure built up by [LnSe6] octahedra and [CuSe4] tetrahedra. The K atoms reside in the tunnels with a bicapped trigonal prismatic coordination of eight Se atoms for KGd2CuSe4 and KLn2Cu3Se5 (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm), while for K2Ln4Cu4Se9 (Ln = Dy, Y), the K atoms are coordinated by seven Se atoms in monocappped trigonal prisms.

Consolidating a microscopic understanding of magnetic properties is crucial for a rational design of magnetic materials with tailored characteristics. The interplay of 3d and 4f magnetism in rare-earth transition metal antimonides is an ideal platform to search for such complex behavior. Here the synthesis, crystal growth, structure, and complex magnetic properties are reported of the new compound Pr3Fe3Sb7 as studied by magnetization and electrical transport measurements in static and pulsed magnetic fields up to 56 T, powder neutron diffraction, and Mößbauer spectroscopy. On cooling without external magnetic field, Pr3Fe3Sb7 shows spontaneous magnetization, indicating a symmetry breaking without a compensating domain structure. The Fe substructure exhibits noncollinear ferromagnetic order below the Curie temperature TC ≈ 380 K. Two spin orientations exist, which approximately align along the Fe–Fe bond directions, one parallel to the ab plane and a second one with the moments canting away from the c axis. The Pr substructure orders below 40 K, leading to a spin-reorientation transition (SRT) of the iron substructure. In low fields, the Fe and Pr magnetic moments order antiparallel to each other, which gives rise to a magnetization antiparallel to the external field. At 1.4 K, the magnetization approaches saturation above 40 T. The compound exhibits metallic resistivity along the c axis, with a small anomaly at the SRT.

Different aspects of interaction of metals other than iron with metallophore mixtures were elucidated. Metal chelation besides iron and greater than with pure desferrioxamine B is documented by enhanced performance of soil mineral dissolution following application of diverse metallophore mixtures. New insights from genome to product of metallophores from Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 under different cultivation conditions and under metal stress, particularly induced by rare earth elements are given. This evaluation led to increase by a factor of 13. Structure analyses showed that the strain produces citrate and different desferrioxamines. A robust RP-HPLC-based method quantified metal complexation. Further metal immobilization methods for metallophores for metal extraction from solutions with low concentrations were established. Moreover, catechol and hydroxamate metallophores from Arthrobacter oxydans ATW2 and Kocuria rosea ATW4 demonstrate the enhancement of Ge and rare earth element bioavailability, plant growth promotion and phytoextraction potential.:CONTENTS Abstract ..........................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Introduction ......................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2 Mobilization of trace elements in soil extracts by bacterial siderophores in dependence of the pH-value..................................31 CHAPTER 3 Cultivation dependent formation of siderophores by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2........................................................................41 CHAPTER 4 Data on metal-chelating, -immobilization and biosorption properties by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 in dependency on rare earth adaptation.......................................................................................67 CHAPTER 5 Analysis of desferrioxamine-like siderophores and their capability to selectively bind metals and metalloids: development of a robust analytical RP-HPLC method. ..........................................................97 CHAPTER 6 Secondary metabolites released by the rhizosphere bacteria Arthrobacter oxydans and Kocuria rosea enhance plant availability and soil–plant transfer of germanium (Ge) and rare earth elements (REEs) .........................................................................................120 CHAPTER 7 Conclusion remarks and further perspectives ...............................154 References .......................................................................................................162 Acknowledgement .........................................................................................185 Curriculum Vitae ..........................................................................................187 List of publications ..........................................................................................189 List of oral and poster presentations ..........................................................190 List of proceedings ..........................................................................................191 / En este trabajo se han dilucidado diferentes aspectos de la interacción de los metales con las mezclas de metalóforos desde distintos ángulos. La quelación de metales por debajo del hierro se pone de manifiesto en la mejora del rendimiento de la disolución de los minerales del suelo debido a la aplicación de diversas mezclas de metanóforos en comparación con la deferoxamina B pura. Se ofrecen nuevos conocimientos desde el genoma hasta el producto de los metanóforos de Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 en diferentes condiciones de cultivo y bajo estrés por metales, especialmente inducido por elementos de tierras raras. Esta evaluación condujo a una sobreproducción de un factor de 13. El análisis estructural muestra que la cepa produce citrato y diferentes desferrioxaminas. Un método robusto basado en RP-HPLC cuantificó la complejación de metales. Se establecieron otros métodos de inmovilización de metales para la extracción de metales a partir de soluciones poco concentradas. Además, los metalóforos de catecol e hidroxamato de Arthrobacter oxydans ATW2 y Kocuria rosea ATW4 demuestran la mejora de la biodisponibilidad de GE y REE, la promoción del crecimiento vegetal y el potencial de fitoextracción.:CONTENTS Abstract ..........................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Introduction ......................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2 Mobilization of trace elements in soil extracts by bacterial siderophores in dependence of the pH-value..................................31 CHAPTER 3 Cultivation dependent formation of siderophores by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2........................................................................41 CHAPTER 4 Data on metal-chelating, -immobilization and biosorption properties by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 in dependency on rare earth adaptation.......................................................................................67 CHAPTER 5 Analysis of desferrioxamine-like siderophores and their capability to selectively bind metals and metalloids: development of a robust analytical RP-HPLC method. ..........................................................97 CHAPTER 6 Secondary metabolites released by the rhizosphere bacteria Arthrobacter oxydans and Kocuria rosea enhance plant availability and soil–plant transfer of germanium (Ge) and rare earth elements (REEs) .........................................................................................120 CHAPTER 7 Conclusion remarks and further perspectives ...............................154 References .......................................................................................................162 Acknowledgement .........................................................................................185 Curriculum Vitae ..........................................................................................187 List of publications ..........................................................................................189 List of oral and poster presentations ..........................................................190 List of proceedings ..........................................................................................191 / Es wurden verschiedene Aspekte der Wechselwirkung von anderen Metallen als Eisen mit Metallophormischungen untersucht. Die Chelatbildung mit anderen Metallen als Eisen, die größer ist als bei reinem Desferrioxamin B, wird durch eine verbesserte Leistung bei der Auflösung von Bodenmineralien nach Anwendung verschiedener Metallophormischungen dokumentiert. Es werden neue Erkenntnisse vom Genom bis zum Produkt von Metallophoren aus Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 unter verschiedenen Anbaubedingungen und unter Metallstress, insbesondere induziert durch Seltene Erden, gegeben. Diese Auswertung führte zu einer Steigerung um den Faktor 13. Strukturanalysen zeigten, dass der Stamm Citrat und verschiedene Desferrioxamine produziert. Eine robuste RP-HPLC-basierte Methode quantifizierte die Metallkomplexierung. Weitere Methoden zur Metallimmobilisierung von Metallophoren für die Metallextraktion aus Lösungen mit niedrigen Konzentrationen wurden etabliert. Darüber hinaus zeigen Catechol- und Hydroxamat-Metallophore aus Arthrobacter oxydans ATW2 und Kocuria rosea ATW4 die Verbesserung der Bioverfügbarkeit von Ge und Seltenen Erden, die Förderung des Pflanzenwachstums und das Phytoextraktionspotenzial.:CONTENTS Abstract ..........................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Introduction ......................................................................................5 CHAPTER 2 Mobilization of trace elements in soil extracts by bacterial siderophores in dependence of the pH-value..................................31 CHAPTER 3 Cultivation dependent formation of siderophores by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2........................................................................41 CHAPTER 4 Data on metal-chelating, -immobilization and biosorption properties by Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2 in dependency on rare earth adaptation.......................................................................................67 CHAPTER 5 Analysis of desferrioxamine-like siderophores and their capability to selectively bind metals and metalloids: development of a robust analytical RP-HPLC method. ..........................................................97 CHAPTER 6 Secondary metabolites released by the rhizosphere bacteria Arthrobacter oxydans and Kocuria rosea enhance plant availability and soil–plant transfer of germanium (Ge) and rare earth elements (REEs) .........................................................................................120 CHAPTER 7 Conclusion remarks and further perspectives ...............................154 References .......................................................................................................162 Acknowledgement .........................................................................................185 Curriculum Vitae ..........................................................................................187 List of publications ..........................................................................................189 List of oral and poster presentations ..........................................................190 List of proceedings ..........................................................................................191

This study is an investigation of the effect of soil bioaugmentation (inoculation) on a field scale with the commercially available product RhizoVital®42, containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB4, on element bioavailability, plant biomass production, as well as accumulation of rare earth elements (REEs), germanium, and selected trace elements. Zea mays and Helianthus annuus were selected as test plants. Post-harvest, results showed inoculation increased biomass production of Z. mays and H. annuus by 24% and 26%, albeit insignificant at p ≤ 0.05. Bioaugmentation enhanced Z. mays shoot content of P, Cd, and Ge by percentages between 73% and 80% (significant only for Ge) and decreased shoot content of REET, Pb, and Cu by 28%, 35%, and 59%, respectively. For H. annuus grown on bioaugmented soil, shoot content of Ca, Cu, Ge, REET, and Pb increased by over 40%, with a negligible decrease observed for Cd. Summarily, results suggest that bioaugmentation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42 could enhance biomass production, increase soil element bioavailability enhance, and increase or reduce plant accumulation of target elements. Additionally, differences in P use efficiency could influence bioaugmentation effects on P accumulation.

Bioaugmentation promises benefits for agricultural production as well as for remediation and phytomining approaches. Thus, this study investigated the effect of soil inoculation with the commercially available product RhizoVital®42, which contains Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, on nutrient uptake and plant biomass production as well as on the phytoaccumulation of potentially toxic elements, germanium, and rare earth elements (REEs). Zea mays and Fagopyrum esculentum were selected as model plants, and after harvest, the element uptake was compared between plants grown on inoculated versus reference soil. The results indicate an enrichment of B. amyloliquefaciens in inoculated soils as well as no significant impact on the inherent bacterial community composition. For F. esculentum, inoculation increased the accumulation of most nutrients and As, Cu, Pb, Co, and REEs (significant for Ca, Cu, and Co with 40%, 2042%, and 383%, respectively), while it slightly decreased the uptake of Ge, Cr, and Fe. For Z. mays, soil inoculation decreased the accumulation of Cr, Pb, Co, Ge, and REEs (significant for Co with 57%) but showed an insignificant increased uptake of Cu, As, and nutrient elements. Summarily, the results suggest that bioaugmentation with B. amyloliquefaciens is safe and has the potential to enhance/reduce the phytoaccumulation of some elements and the effects of inoculation are plant specific.

The present thesis deals with the occupied and unoccupied electronic states of intermetallic compounds of the rare-earth metals (RE) Eu and Yb with the transition metals Pd and Ni. The compounds were prepared in-situ as epitaxial thin films on single-crystalline substrates. For comparison, the experiments were extended to a Ba/Pd compound, which was prepared in the same way. All samples were characterised by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and inverse photoemission (IPE). For the IPE experiments an appropriate spectrometer was built. It consists of a combination of a toroidal-grating and a crystal monochromator and enables experiments with photon energies in the range of 10-25 eV and at 1486.6 eV. LEED experiments reveal the formation of a AuCu3 structure with a (111) surface orientation for RE/Pd systems, while the formation of a CaCu5-structure with (0001) surface orientation for the Ba/Pd and Eu/Ni compounds was found. The Eu compounds show a surface-valence transition from the trivalent to the divalent configuration. An ordered overstructure is formed at the surface despite an increase of the ionic volume of Eu by about 40 %. The measured electronic structure is in good accordance with results of local-density-approximation band-structure calculations. / In der vorliegenden Dissertation werden die besetzten und unbesetzten elektronischen Zustände intermetallischer Verbindungen der Seltenen Erden (SE) Eu und Yb mit den Übergangsmetallen Pd und Ni betrachtet. Die Verbindungen wurden als epitaktische Dünnschichten in-situ auf einkristallinen Substraten präpariert und mittels niederenergetischer Elektronenbeugung (LEED), Photoelektronenspektroskopie (PES) und inverser Photoemission (IPE) charakterisiert. Zu Vergleichszwecken wurde die Untersuchung zusätzlich auf eine auf gleiche Weise präparierte Ba/Pd-Verbindung ausgedehnt. Für die Durchführung der IPE-Experimente wurde ein entsprechendes Spektrometer aufgebaut. Die Kombination aus einem Toroidgitter- und einem Kristallmonochromator ermöglicht wahlweise Experimente im Photonenenergiebereich von 10-25 eV und bei 1486,6 eV. Die Analysen der LEED-Daten ergaben für die SE/Pd-Systeme die Bildung der AuCu3-Struktur mit einer (111)-Oberflächenorientierung, für die Ba/Pd- und die Eu/Ni-Verbindungen die der CaCu5-Struktur mit (0001)"=Oberflächenorientierung. Die Eu-Verbindungen zeigen dabei Oberflächenvalenzübergänge von der drei- zu der zweiwertigen Konfiguration mit Ausbildung geordneter Überstrukturen an der Oberfläche trotz einer 40 prozentigen Zunahme des Eu-Ionenvolumens. Die beobachtete elektronische Struktur stimmt gut mit den Ergebnissen von Bandstrukturrechnungen in der lokalen Dichtenäherung überein.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Präparation strukturell geordneter Dünnschichtverbindungen der Seltenen Erden Ce und Dy mit den Übergangsmetallen Pd, Rh, und Ni sowie der Untersuchung ihrer kristallinen und elektronischen Struktur. Die Präparation der typischerweise 10 nm starken Dünnschichten erfolgte in-situ durch Aufdampfen der Seltenerdmetalle auf einkristalline Übergangsmetallsubstrate oder alternativ durch Kodeposition der Konstituenten auf einen W(110)-Einkristall, jeweils gefolgt durch kurzzeitiges Tempern bei 400 - 1000 °C zur Einstellung der kristallinen Ordnung. Letztere wurde mittels niederenergetischer Elektronenbeugung (LEED) analysiert und auf der Grundlage einer einfachen kinematischen Theorie ausgewertet. Die Untersuchungen der elektronischen Struktur erfolgten mittels winkelaufgelöster Photoemission (ARPES), teilweise unter Nutzung von Synchrotronstrahlung von BESSY. Schwerpunkt bildete dabei das Verhalten der Valenzbänder als Funktion von Struktur und Zusammensetzung der Dünnschichten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Oberflächenphänomenen. Gemessene Energiedispersionen wurden mit Ergebnissen eigens dafür durchgeführter LDA-LCAO-Rechnungen verglichen und beobachtete Energieverschiebungen der Bandschwerpunkte um z.T. mehr als 1 eV im Rahmen eines einfachen Modells auf unvollständige Abschirmung der Photoemissionsendzustände zurückgeführt. / The present thesis deals with preparation of structurally ordered thin-film compounds of the rare-earths Ce and Dy with the transition metals Pd, Rh, and Ni as well as with investigations of their crystalline and electronic structures. Typically 10nm-thick films were grown in-situ by deposition of the rare-earth metals onto single crystalline transition-metal substrates or alternatively by codeposition of both constituents onto a W(110) single crystal. In both cases deposition was followed by short-term annealing at temperatures of 400 - 1000 °C to achieve crystalline order. The latter was analyzed by means of low-energy electron-diffraction (LEED) and evaluated on the basis of a simple kinematic theory. The electronic structure was investigated by means of angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES), partially exploiting synchrotron radiation from BESSY. The studies concentrate mainly on the behavior of the valence bands as a function of structure and composition of the thin films, particularly under consideration of surface phenomena. Measured energy dispersions were compared with results of LDA-LCAO calculations performed in the framework of this thesis. Observed shifts of the energy bands by up to 1 eV are attributed in the light of a simple model to incomplete screening of the photoemission final states.

The present thesis deals with the occupied and unoccupied electronic states of intermetallic compounds of the rare-earth metals (RE) Eu and Yb with the transition metals Pd and Ni. The compounds were prepared in-situ as epitaxial thin films on single-crystalline substrates. For comparison, the experiments were extended to a Ba/Pd compound, which was prepared in the same way. All samples were characterised by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and inverse photoemission (IPE). For the IPE experiments an appropriate spectrometer was built. It consists of a combination of a toroidal-grating and a crystal monochromator and enables experiments with photon energies in the range of 10-25 eV and at 1486.6 eV. LEED experiments reveal the formation of a AuCu3 structure with a (111) surface orientation for RE/Pd systems, while the formation of a CaCu5-structure with (0001) surface orientation for the Ba/Pd and Eu/Ni compounds was found. The Eu compounds show a surface-valence transition from the trivalent to the divalent configuration. An ordered overstructure is formed at the surface despite an increase of the ionic volume of Eu by about 40 %. The measured electronic structure is in good accordance with results of local-density-approximation band-structure calculations. / In der vorliegenden Dissertation werden die besetzten und unbesetzten elektronischen Zustände intermetallischer Verbindungen der Seltenen Erden (SE) Eu und Yb mit den Übergangsmetallen Pd und Ni betrachtet. Die Verbindungen wurden als epitaktische Dünnschichten in-situ auf einkristallinen Substraten präpariert und mittels niederenergetischer Elektronenbeugung (LEED), Photoelektronenspektroskopie (PES) und inverser Photoemission (IPE) charakterisiert. Zu Vergleichszwecken wurde die Untersuchung zusätzlich auf eine auf gleiche Weise präparierte Ba/Pd-Verbindung ausgedehnt. Für die Durchführung der IPE-Experimente wurde ein entsprechendes Spektrometer aufgebaut. Die Kombination aus einem Toroidgitter- und einem Kristallmonochromator ermöglicht wahlweise Experimente im Photonenenergiebereich von 10-25 eV und bei 1486,6 eV. Die Analysen der LEED-Daten ergaben für die SE/Pd-Systeme die Bildung der AuCu3-Struktur mit einer (111)-Oberflächenorientierung, für die Ba/Pd- und die Eu/Ni-Verbindungen die der CaCu5-Struktur mit (0001)"=Oberflächenorientierung. Die Eu-Verbindungen zeigen dabei Oberflächenvalenzübergänge von der drei- zu der zweiwertigen Konfiguration mit Ausbildung geordneter Überstrukturen an der Oberfläche trotz einer 40 prozentigen Zunahme des Eu-Ionenvolumens. Die beobachtete elektronische Struktur stimmt gut mit den Ergebnissen von Bandstrukturrechnungen in der lokalen Dichtenäherung überein.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Präparation strukturell geordneter Dünnschichtverbindungen der Seltenen Erden Ce und Dy mit den Übergangsmetallen Pd, Rh, und Ni sowie der Untersuchung ihrer kristallinen und elektronischen Struktur. Die Präparation der typischerweise 10 nm starken Dünnschichten erfolgte in-situ durch Aufdampfen der Seltenerdmetalle auf einkristalline Übergangsmetallsubstrate oder alternativ durch Kodeposition der Konstituenten auf einen W(110)-Einkristall, jeweils gefolgt durch kurzzeitiges Tempern bei 400 - 1000 °C zur Einstellung der kristallinen Ordnung. Letztere wurde mittels niederenergetischer Elektronenbeugung (LEED) analysiert und auf der Grundlage einer einfachen kinematischen Theorie ausgewertet. Die Untersuchungen der elektronischen Struktur erfolgten mittels winkelaufgelöster Photoemission (ARPES), teilweise unter Nutzung von Synchrotronstrahlung von BESSY. Schwerpunkt bildete dabei das Verhalten der Valenzbänder als Funktion von Struktur und Zusammensetzung der Dünnschichten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Oberflächenphänomenen. Gemessene Energiedispersionen wurden mit Ergebnissen eigens dafür durchgeführter LDA-LCAO-Rechnungen verglichen und beobachtete Energieverschiebungen der Bandschwerpunkte um z.T. mehr als 1 eV im Rahmen eines einfachen Modells auf unvollständige Abschirmung der Photoemissionsendzustände zurückgeführt. / The present thesis deals with preparation of structurally ordered thin-film compounds of the rare-earths Ce and Dy with the transition metals Pd, Rh, and Ni as well as with investigations of their crystalline and electronic structures. Typically 10nm-thick films were grown in-situ by deposition of the rare-earth metals onto single crystalline transition-metal substrates or alternatively by codeposition of both constituents onto a W(110) single crystal. In both cases deposition was followed by short-term annealing at temperatures of 400 - 1000 °C to achieve crystalline order. The latter was analyzed by means of low-energy electron-diffraction (LEED) and evaluated on the basis of a simple kinematic theory. The electronic structure was investigated by means of angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES), partially exploiting synchrotron radiation from BESSY. The studies concentrate mainly on the behavior of the valence bands as a function of structure and composition of the thin films, particularly under consideration of surface phenomena. Measured energy dispersions were compared with results of LDA-LCAO calculations performed in the framework of this thesis. Observed shifts of the energy bands by up to 1 eV are attributed in the light of a simple model to incomplete screening of the photoemission final states.

These are the abstracts of the oral presentations of the 6th PhD conference held on 10. June 2022 in Freiberg.