A discussion on the apparently puzzling structural, electrical and magnetic properties of BaVS3

The ternary vanadium sulfide BaVS₃ consists of VS₃ chains made up of face sharing VS₆ octahedra, and exhibits a number of structural, electrical and magnetic properties that are not explained in terms of the normal metallic state. Our analysis indicates that the spin ordering of BaVS₃ taking place below 30 K is most probably random along the chain direction. Thus the puzzling properties of BaVS₃ are explained in terms of the broken-symmetry electronic state in which pairs of nonmagnetic V atoms alternate with those of magnetic V atoms in each VS₃ chain. The origin of this broken-symmetry state was discussed on the basis of cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion and lattice strain.     

Valence and origin of metal-insulator transition in Mn doped SrRuO3 studied by electrical transport, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and LSDA+U calculation

We have studied the valence and electronic properties of Mn doped SrRuO₃ using electrical transport measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and local (spin) density approximation plus Coulomb interaction strength calculation (LSDA+U). The resistivity data revealed that the system undergoes transition from metal to insulator at the critical Mn doping level, x∼0.2, which is accompanied by the structural transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal crystal symmetry. Besides, the significant reduction of the spectral weight at the coherent zone (0.8 eV) of the valence band is observed for x>0.2. The core XPS spectra suggest that both the transition elements exist in the mixed ionic pair, Ru⁺⁴/Ru⁺⁵↔Mn⁺³/Mn⁺⁴. The detail analysis of the results suggests that the Coulomb correlation effect in conjugation with localization of the charge carriers predominate over the mixed ionic pair effect and responsible for the metal-insulator transition in the series.     

Composition-controlled metal-insulator transitions and minimum metallic conductivity in the oxide systems LaNi1−xMxO3 (M = Cr,Mn, Fe,or Co)

The composition-controlled metal-insulator transition in the perovskite systems LaNi_1?xM_xO₃ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co) has been investigated by transport measurements over the temperature range 12–300 K. These systems, which have critical electron densities (n_c) in the range (1–2) × 10²⁰ electrons cm^?3, exhibit sharp metal-insulator transitions at the base temperature. The corresponding minimum metallic conductivity (σ_min), separating the localized and itinerant electronic regimes, is of the order of 10² ohm^?1 cm^?1. Particular attention is paid to the idea of σ_min scaling with n_c, and our present results are compared with earlier studies of the metal-insulator transition in low (e.g., Ge:Sb) and high (e.g., metal-ammonia, supercritical Hg) electron-density systems. A link is established between the transport and magnetic properties of the title systems at the metal-insulator transition.     

On the correct spin lattice for the spin-gapped magnetic solid NH4CuPO4·H2O

NH₄CuPO₄·H₂O is a spin-gapped compound that has been described in terms of an isolated antiferromagnetic spin dimer model. To explore the origin of this spin gap, we examined the spin exchange interactions of NH₄CuPO₄·H₂O by performing qualitative spin dimer analysis based on extended Hückel tight binding calculations and also by carrying out quantitative mapping analysis based on first principles density functional theory electronic band structure calculations. Our study indicates that, to a first approximation, the magnetic properties of NH₄CuPO₄·H₂O should be described by an antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic alternating chain.     

Insights on the origin of the structural phase transition in BaV10O15 from electronic structure calculations and the effect of Ti-doping on its structure and electrical transport properties

Band structure calculations at the level of LMTO-ASA provide insight into the electronic structure of BaV₁₀O₁₅ and the origin of the structural phase transition. A crystal orbital Hamiltonian population/integrated crystal orbital Hamiltonian population analysis provides evidence that the crystallographic phase transition is driven by V-V bond formation. As well, the energy bands near the Fermi level are very narrow, <1 eV, consistent with the fact that the observed insulating behavior can be due to electron localization via either Mott-Hubbard correlation and/or Anderson disorder. The partial solid solution, BaV_10−xTi_xO₁₅, was examined to study the effect of Ti-doping at the V sites on the structure and electronic transport properties. In spite of the non-existence of “BaTi₁₀O₁₅”, the limiting x=8, as indicated by a monotonic increase in the cell volume and systematic changes in properties. This limit may be due to the difficulty of stabilizing Ti²⁺ in this structure. For x=0.5 both the first order structural phase transition and the magnetic transition at 40 K are quenched. The samples obey the Curie-Weiss law to x=3 with nearly spin only effective moments along with θ values which range from −1090 K (x=0.5) to −1629 K (x=3). For x>3 a very large, ∼2×10⁻³ emu/mol, temperature independent (TIP) contribution dominates. Conductivity measurements on sintered, polycrystalline samples show semiconducting behavior for all compositions. Activation energies for Mott hopping derived from high temperature data range from ∼0.1 eV for x=0-1 and fall to a plateau of 0.06 eV for x=3-7. Low temperature data for x=3, 5 and 7 show evidence for Mott variable range hoping (VRH) with a T^1/4 law and in one case between 5 and 17 K, a Efros-Shklovskii correlated hopping, T^1/2 law, was seen, in sharp contrast to BaV₁₀O₁₅ where only the E-S law was observed up to 75 K. Seebeck coefficients are small (<35 μV/K), positive, roughly TIP and increase with increasing x up to x=5. This may point to a Heikes hopping of holes but a simple single carrier model is impossible. The compositions for x>3 are remarkable in that local moment behavior is lost, yet a metallic state is not reached. The failure of this system to be driven metallic even at such high doping levels is not fully understood but it seems clear that disorder induced carrier localization plays a major role.     

Structural and magnetic properties of high-pressure/high-temperature synthesized (Sr1-xRx)CoO3 (R=Y and Ho) perovskites

Polycrystalline perovskite cobalt oxides Sr_1-xR_xCoO₃ (R=Y and Ho; 0?x?1) were prepared by high-pressure/high-temperature technique. X-ray powder patterns of the Y-system indicated cubic perovskite form for 0?x?0.5, and orthorhombic perovskite form for x=0.8 and 1.0, while coexisting of the two phases for x=0.6. The cubic perovskite samples had metallic electric resistivities while the orthorhombic ones with semiconducting or insulating nature. The parent compound SrCoO₃ showed a ferromagnetic transition at 266 K. With the Y substitution, the transition temperature increased slightly to ∼275 K at x=0.1, then decreased rapidly to ∼60 K for x=0.6. The YCoO₃ (x=1) sample showed non-magnetic behavior. The Ho-substituted system showed quite similar structural, transport and magnetic properties to those of the Y-system.     

Structural and Physical Properties of New Conducting Cation Radical Salts with Te-Based Counteranions, Tetraiodotellurate(II) and Hexaiododitellurate(II)

This article reports preparation, structure, and conducting property of several cation radical salts of organic donors tetramethyltetrathiafulvalene (TMTTF), ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene (EDT-TTF), bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (ET), bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene (BETS) and hexamethylenetetraselenafulvalene (HMTSF) with two novel planar Te-based dianions, TeI₄²⁻ and Te₂I₆²⁻. (ET)₅Te₂I₆ 1 and (BETS)₅Te₂I₆ 2 are isostructural. In these Te₂I₆²⁻ salts, intermolecular short I···I contacts form a supramolecular corrugated anion sheet. Donor arrangement is similar to the θ-type. With lowering temperature, the resistivity of 1 shows a gradual increase followed by a sharp upturn at 110 K. 2 is metallic down to 120 K and shows a gradual increase of the resistivity followed by a clear transition to an insulating state around 60 K. Crystal structure of (ET)₄TeI₄ 3 is based on the “herring bone” arrangement of ET molecules similar to the α-type. 3 shows a semiconductive behavior around room temperature followed by a transition to an insulating state at 210 K. (EDT-TTF)₄TeI₄ 4, a semiconductor, exhibits a unique two-dimensional arrangement of dimerized EDT-TTF molecules.     

Structurally-driven metal-insulator transition in Ca2Ru1−xCrxO4 (0≤x<0.14): A single crystal X-ray diffraction study

Correlation between structure and transport properties are investigated in high-quality single-crystals of Ca₂Ru_1−xCr_xO₄ with 0<x<0.14 using single crystal X-ray diffraction and by electronic studies. The parent compound was known to exhibit an intriguing first-order structurally driven metal-insulator (MI) transition at 357 K. Upon chromium doping on the ruthenium site, the metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) was drastically reduced, and is related to the competition between structural changes that occur upon Cr doping and with decreasing temperature. A strong suppression of structural distortions with increasing Cr substitution was identified. No clear T_MI can be observed when x>13.5% and the system behaves as an insulator. Such a large, sharp metal-insulator transition and tuneable transition temperature may have potential applications in electronic devices.     

Calorimetric study of phase transitions in the thiourea 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane clathrate compound

Heat capacities of the thiourea clathrate compound of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, {(NH₂)₂CS}₃(CHCl₂)₂, were measured at temperatures between 13 and 330 K. Two phase transitions were found. The enthalpy and entropy changes of the transition are 5940 J·mol^–1 and 28.1 JK^–1· mol^–1 for the one occurring at 224 K and 2756 J·mol^–1 and 11.3 JK^–1·mol^–1 for the other at 248 K. It is concluded from the transition entropy values that the guest molecules are orientionally disordered nearly to the same extent as in the neat liquid.Contribution No. 56 from the Microcalorimetry Research Center     

Conducting Molecular Magnets Based on TTF-Derivatives

The crystal structures, electronic and magnetic properties of conducting molecular magnets developed in our group are reviewed. (DMET)₂FeBr₄ is composed of alternating stacks of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) donor sheets and square lattice magnetic anion sheets. This salt undergoes an SDW transition of the donor layer at 40 K and an antiferromagnetic transition of Fe³⁺ spins on the anion layer at 3.7 K. The one-to-one correspondence of the anomalies appearing on the magnetization curves with those on the magnetoresistance supports the presence of the π-d interaction. (EDO-TTFI₂)₂[M(mnt)₂] (M=Ni,Pt) consists of 1D chains of conducting donors and magnetic anions aligned in parallel. These salts show metallic conductivity accompanied with a metal-insulator transition around 90 K. Localized spins on the anions behave as a 1D ferromagnet, whose origin is explained by McConnell's first model. The properties of related materials, (EDTDM)₂FeBr₄, (EDS-TTF)₂FeBr₄ and (EDO-TTFBr₂)₂FeBr₄, are also presented.     

Low temperature physical properties of the organic conductor, (Dimet)2i3 after thermal treatment

The effect of thermal treatment on the electrical conductivity was studied for a quasi-one-dimensional organic conductor, (DIMET)₂I₃ (DIMET=dimethyl(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene). After heating the samples up to a temperature between 340 and 370 K, the electric resistivity was measured at low temperature down to 2 K and under pressure up to 1.6 Gpa. (DIMET)₂I₃ shows irreversible decrease in the electric resistivity between 350 and 356 K on heating. It was found that the heating above 350 K suppresses the spin-density-wave transition at 40 K and another metal-insulator transition appears at 18 K. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

First-principles comparative study of multiferroic compound PbVO3

We report a comprehensive first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, magnetic and phase transition properties in multiferroic compound PbVO₃ with systematic comparisons of various exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating ground state of tetragonal phase has been obtained in the framework of the band theory, which is characterized by C-type two-dimensional AFM magnetic ordering in the ab plane. A first-order structural transformation from tetragonal phase to idea cubic perovskite structure takes place at 1.75 GPa, corresponding to the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. Electronic structure calculations suggest that the ground state of the cubic paraelectric phase is a nonmagnetic orbital-disorder metal.     

Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of pseudo-hollandite chromium sulfides

The pseudo-hollandite chromium sulfides, ACr₅S₈ (A=K, Rb, Cs) and A′_0.5Cr₅S₈ (A′=Sr, Ba), have been synthesized and investigated in structural and magnetic properties. All the compounds crystallize in the isostructure with a monoclinic C2/m. Its crystal structure has triangular lattices and double chains made of Cr³⁺ (d³; S=3/2) triangles. The magnetic susceptibilities of all compounds behave as Curie-Weiss types in high temperature region. From magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements, all the compounds have antiferromagnetic ground states. The Néel temperatures are rather low compared to Weiss temperatures, reflecting magnetic frustration in the triangular lattices and double chains. The magnetic transitions in KCr₅S₈ and Ba_0.5Cr₅S₈ are a two-step transition around 50 and 60 K, respectively, while RbCr₅S₈ shows a sharp magnetic transition at 42 K, accompanied by magnetoelastic behavior. CsCr₅S₈ shows a structural transition around 100 K, followed by a magnetic transition at 10 K. In Sr_0.5Cr₅S₈, ferromagnetic interaction develops below 100 K and then a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic order takes place at 30 K. These magnetic properties are discussed from A-cation dependences of local structures and a model of magnetic structure for RbCr₅S₈ is proposed on the basis of the arguments of magnetic interactions and neutron diffraction data. It is different from the known magnetic structure of TlCr₅Se₈.     

Effect of the synthesis conditions on the magnetic and electrical properties of the BaFeO3−x oxide: A metamagnetic behavior

The BaFeO_2.95 oxide has been obtained from thermal decomposition of the [BaFe(C₃H₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] metallo-organic precursor at 800 °C under atmospheric oxygen pressure as small and homogeneous particles. From electronic paramagnetic resonance data, a metallic behavior in the 230-130 K temperature range has been observed. Magnetic measurements confirm the existence of a ferro-antiferromagnetic transition at 178 K. The magnetic properties of the BaFeO_2.95 oxide are strongly dependent on both temperature and magnetic field with a metamagnetic behavior. The synthesis conditions play an important role on the morphology and the electrical and magnetic properties. The syntherization of the sample produces a dramatic change in the transport properties and the existence of conductivity disappears.     

Synthesis and characterization of T[Ni(CN)4]·2pyz with T=Fe, Ni; pyz=pyrazine: Formation of T-pyz-Ni bridges

The formation of T-pyz-Ni bridges (pyz=pyrazine) in the T[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz series is known for T=Mn, Zn, Cd and Co but not with T=Fe, Ni. In this contribution the existence of such bridges also for T=Fe, Ni is discussed. The obtained pillared solids, T[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz, were characterized from XRD, TG, UV-Vis, IR, Raman, Mössbauer and magnetic data. Their crystal structures were refined in the orthorhombic Pmna space group from XRD powder patterns. The structural behavior of these solids on cooling down to 77 K was also studied. In the 180-200 K temperature range the occurrence of a structural transition to a monoclinic structure (P2₁/c space group) was observed. No temperature induced spin transition was observed for Fe[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz. The iron (II) was found to be in high spin electronic state and this configuration is preserved on cooling down to 2 K. The magnetic data indicate the occurrence of a low temperature weak anti-ferromagnetic interaction between T metal centers within the T[Ni(CN)₄] layer. In the paramagnetic region for Ni[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz, a reversible temperature induced spin transition for the inner Ni atom was detected.     

Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3 in the temperature range 5-1000 K

The structure, magnetism, transport and thermal expansion of the perovskite oxide LaNi_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ were studied over a wide range of temperatures. Neutron time-of-flight data have shown that this compound undergoes a first-order phase transition between ∼275 and ∼310 K. The structure transforms from orthorhombic (Pbnm) at low temperatures to rhombohedral (R3¯c) above room temperature. This phase transition is the cause for the previously observed co-existence of phases at room temperature. The main structural modification associated with the phase transition is the change of tilting pattern of the octahedra from a⁺b⁻b⁻ at low temperatures to a⁻a⁻a⁻ at higher. Magnetic data strongly suggests that a spin-glass magnetic state exists in the sample below 83 K consistent with the absence of magnetic ordering peaks in the neutron data collected at 30 K. At high temperatures the sample behaves as a small polaron electronic conductor with two regions of slightly different activation energies of 0.07 and 0.05 eV above and below 553 K, respectively. The dilatometric data show an average thermal expansion coefficient of 14.7×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ which makes this material compatible with frequently used electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells.     

Magnetic and charge transport properties of the Na-based Os oxide pyrochlore

The Na-based osmium oxide pyrochlore was synthesized for the first time by an ion-exchange method using KOs₂O₆ as a host. The composition was identified as Na_1.4Os₂O₆·H₂O by electron probe micro-analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and structural analysis using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Na_1.4Os₂O₆·H₂O crystallizes in a regular pyrochlore structure with some defects (space group: Fd-3m, a=10.16851(1) Å). Electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements clearly showed absence of superconductivity down to 2 K, being in large contrast to what was found for the β-type pyrochlore superconductor AOs₂O₆ (A=Cs, Rb, and K). The Sommerfeld coefficient is 22 mJ K⁻² mol⁻¹, being the smallest among AOs₂O₆. A magnetic anomaly at ∼57 K and associated magneto-resistance (+3.7% at 2 K in 70 kOe) were found.     

Crystallographic and magnetic properties of (Cu1−xVx)V2S4 (x≈0.3) single crystals with the layered defect NiAs structure synthesized under high pressure

We report on the reproducible growth of (Cu_1−xV_x)V₂S₄ single crystals of sizable dimensions (∼0.3 mm) and homogeneous composition (x≈0.3) by means of high-pressure synthesis. The refinement of single crystal X-ray diffraction data indicates that the crystal structure is of the monoclinic defect NiAs-type, which consists of a stacking of VS₂ layers with CdI₂-type structure and chains of edge-sharing (Cu_1−xV_x)S₆ octahedra. Layers and chains form a network of face-sharing octahedra with no Cu-V intra-chain ordering. A combined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and bond valence sum analysis indicates that the valence of the V and Cu ions are 3+ and 1+, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements unveil the coexistence of a large Pauli-like and of a small Curie-like paramagnetic contributions, with no evidence of any long range order down to 2 K. This result suggests a picture of predominantly itinerant 3d V electrons with significant electron-electron correlations.     

Synthesis of Doped Rare Earth Manganate Perovskite Crystals Using Fused Salt Electrolysis

A facile method for the synthesis of doped lanthanum manganate crystals, suitable for the measurement of electrical and magnetic properties, is presented. Mixtures of sodium molybdate and molybdenum(VI) oxide are used as a solvent to which La₂O₃, MnCO₃, and SrMoCO₄are added as solutes which are then electrolyzed at 800–1040°C for varying lengths of time with Pt electrodes. Well-formed cubic crystals, with edge dimensions up to 1.5mm, form at the anode. Magnetization measurements show a transition to the ferromagnetic state in the temperature range ∼250–320 K, depending on the amount of aliovalent doping at the La sites. An insulator-to-metal transition is also observed in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic ordering temperature.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the open framework compound Co3Te2O2(PO4)2(OH)4

The new compound Co₃Te₂O₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₄ was synthesized using hydrothermal techniques. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with the unit cell a=19.4317(10) Å, b=6.0249(3) Å, c=4.7788(2) Å, β=103.139(5)°. The crystal structure is an open framework having chains of edge sharing [Co(1)O₆] octahedra. Other building blocks are [TeO₃(OH)₂], [PO₄] and [Co(₂)O₂(OH)₄] connected mainly via corner sharing. The –OH groups protrude into channels in the structure. The magnetic susceptibility measured from 2 to 300 K shows two broad anomalies at around 21 K and 4 K, respectively. The peak at ∼20 K is ascribed to a two-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering of linear [Co(1)O₆] chains coupled by interchain interaction via [PO₄] groups in the Co(1) sheets. The second transition at 4 K is ascribed to a second antiferromagnetic ordering of the moments of the Co(2) entities via super–super exchange involving [PO₄] and [TeO₃(OH)₂] groups. This assignment is strongly supported by low-temperature heat capacity measurements indicating an entropy removal within the high-temperature transition of about twice the magnitude of the low-temperature transition.