Phase transformations in Pr1–x Sr x CoO3

The elastic properties and crystal structure of the Pr_1?x Sr _x CoO₃ system are studied. Two types of crystal structure transitions are found. For the composition x = 0.5, the monoclinic phase transforms to a rhombohedral one in the high-temperature transition (T ≈ 310 K), while the unit cell symmetry remains monoclinic though the unit cell parameters change drastically in the low-temperature transformation (T ≈ 110 K). It is suggested that the high-temperature transition is caused by the dimensional effect, while the low-temperature transition is associated with the presence of praseodymium ions actively involved in chemical bonding.