Ligand-hole localization in oxides with unusual valence Fe

Real-Space Observation of Ligand Hole State in Cubic Perovskite SrFeO3

An anomalously high valence state sometimes shows up in transition-metal oxide compounds. In such systems, holes tend to occupy mainly the ligand p orbitals, giving rise to interesting physical properties such as superconductivity in cuprates and rich magnetic phases in ferrates. However, no one has ever observed the distribution of ligand holes in real space. Here, a successful observation of the spatial distribution of valence electrons in cubic perovskite SrFeO3 by high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments and precise electron density analysis using a core differential Fourier synthesis method is reported. A real-space picture of ligand holes formed by the orbital hybridization of Fe 3d and O 2p is revealed. The anomalous valence state in Fe is attributed to the considerable contribution of the ligand hole, which is related to the metallic nature and the absence of Jahn-Teller distortions in this system.

Geometrical Spin Frustration and Monoclinic-Distortion-Induced Spin Canting in the Double Perovskites Ln2LiFeO6 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, and Eu) with Unusually High Valence Fe5

We discovered new B-site-ordered double perovskites Ln₂LiFeO₆ (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, and Eu) with most likely unusually high valence Fe⁵⁺, which was stabilized by strong oxidizing high-pressure synthesis. Despite large antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe⁵⁺ spins in these compounds, the magnetic ordering is strongly suppressed due to the geometrical frustration of Fe⁵⁺ located in a face-centered cubic lattice. In addition, canted magnetic structures are stabilized only in those with Ln = Sm and Eu, which is most likely due to significant Dzyaloshinskii Moriya interaction caused by large monoclinic structural distortion. These results provide a deep understanding of the structure-property relationships in geometrically frustrated B-site-ordered double perovskites.

Successive Charge Transitions of Unusually High-Valence Fe3.5+ : Charge Disproportionation and Intermetallic Charge Transfer

A perovskite-structure oxide containing unusually high-valence Fe^3.5+ was obtained by high-pressure synthesis. Instability of the Fe^3.5+ in Ca_0.5 Bi_0.5 FeO₃ is relieved first by charge disproportionation at 250 K and then by intermetallic charge transfer between A-site Bi and B-site Fe at 200 K. These previously unobserved successive charge transitions are due to competing intermetallic and disproportionation charge instabilities. Both transitions change magnetic and structural properties significantly, indicating strong coupling of charge, spin, and lattice in the present system.

Effects of strain on the electronic structure and magnetic properties in SrMn0.5Fe0.5O3

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of SrMn0.5Fe0.5O3 powder and films grown on (1 0 0)-SrTiO3 (STO) and (1 0 0)-LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) were investigated by temperature dependent magnetization and soft x-ray absorption. The results exhibit characteristics of 3d (5) Fe(3+), [Formula: see text], and 3d (3)  +  3d (4) [Formula: see text] Mn(4+) at room temperature in all samples. However, the features of 3d (5) Fe(3+) and 3d (3) Mn(4+) increased significantly for SMFO/LAO at 35 K, which also displayed substantial competition between antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic order well-above the Néel temperature of SrFeO3 (T N ~ 134 K). We attributed this to being caused by charge disproportionation resulting from ligand-hole localization, which is more favorable to take place when the sample is under compressive strain.

Band Gap Tuning of CH₃NH₃Pb(Br(1-x)Clx)₃ Hybrid Perovskite for Blue Electroluminescence

We report on the structural, morphological and optical properties of AB(Br(1-x)Cl(x))3 (where, A = CH3NH3(+), B = Pb(2+) and x = 0 to 1) perovskite semiconductor and their successful demonstration in green and blue emissive perovskite light emitting diodes at room temperature. The bandgap of perovskite thin film is tuned from 2.42 to 3.16 eV. The onset of optical absorption is dominated by excitonic effects. The coulomb field of the exciton influences the absorption at the band edge. Hence, it is necessary to explicitly account for the enhancement of the absorption through the Sommerfield factor. This enables us to correctly extract the exciton binding energy and the electronic bandgap. We also show that the lattice constant varies linearly with the fractional chlorine content satisfying Vegards law.

Multiple magnetic interactions in A-site-ordered perovskite-structure oxides

Multiple magnetic interactions in A-site-ordered perovskite-structure oxides AA'3B2B'2O12 with A'-site Cu and B-site Fe ions are highlighted here. Several new compounds with this structure type were obtained by high-pressure synthesis and have been given unusual magnetic properties due to multiple interactions of Cu and Fe ions (A'-A', A'-B, A'-B', B-B, B-B', and B'-B' interactions). The magnetic interaction is discussed here in light of the results of magnetic structure analysis with neutron powder diffraction data and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra obtained in x-ray absorption experiments. The characteristic structural framework with ordered cation arrangements and the variation in the oxidation state of the ions at the A' and B sites are shown to play roles crucial for the diverse and intriguing physical properties of these new compounds.

Order-disorder transition involving the A-site cations in Ln3+Mn3V4O12 perovskites

A crossover from the A-site-ordered double-perovskite structure with Im3̅ cubic symmetry to the simple-perovskite structure with Pnma orthorhombic symmetry is found in LnMn3V4O12 (Ln = La, Nd, Gd, Y, Lu) synthesized under high-pressure conditions. Relatively large Ln(3+) ions (La(3+), Nd(3+), and Gd(3+)) induce the a(+)a(+)a(+) in-phase cooperative tilting of the VO6 octahedra, resulting in the A-site-ordered double-perovskite structure with chemical composition Ln(3+)Mn(2+)3V(3.75+)4O12. Compounds with small Ln(3+) ions like Y(3+) and Lu(3+), on the other hand, crystallize with the Pnma simple-perovskite structure with chemical composition (Ln(3+)1/4Mn(2+)3/4)V(3.75+)O3, where the Ln(3+) and Mn(2+) ions are disordered at the A site. The random distribution of the small A-site cation induces the a(-)b(+)a(-) tilting distortion of the VO6 octahedra. The observed phase crossover is well explained by the structural stability calculation based on the bond-valence-sum model, and the most stable crystal structure gives the smallest unit-cell volume. This A-site-cation size-dependent phase transition between the A-site-ordered double-perovskite and A-site-disordered simple-perovskite structures in LnMn3V4O12 is thus a result of the structural stability due to the cooperative tilting of the VO6 octahedra. The Mn(2+) ions at the A'(A) site contribute local magnetic moments, whereas the V(3.75+) ions at the B site play a role in metallic conduction. The observed magnetic behaviors are consistent with the order-disorder distribution of the Mn(2+) ions at the A site, antiferromagnetism in the A-site-ordered double perovskites, and magnetic spin glass in the A-site-disordered simple perovskites.