Physical properties of misfit-layered (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Co-O system: Effect of hole doping into triangular lattice formed by low-spin Co ions

Pb-doping effect on physical properties of misfit-layered (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Co-O system, in which Co ions form a two-dimensional triangular lattice, was investigated in detail by electronic transport, magnetization and specific-heat measurements. Pb doping enhances the metallic behavior, suggesting that carriers are doped. Pb doping also enhances the magnetic correlation in this system and increases the magnetic transition temperature. We found the existence of the short-range magnetic correlation far above the transition temperature, which seems to induce the spin-glass state coexisting with the ferromagnetic long-range order at low temperatures. Specific-heat measurement suggests that the effective mass of the carrier in (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Co-O is not enhanced so much as reported in NaCo${}_2$O${}_4$. Based on these experimental results, we propose a two-bands model which consists of narrow $a_{1g}$ and rather broad $e'{}_g$ bands. The observed magnetic property and magnetotransport phenomena are explained well by this model

Dual electronic states in thermoelectric cobalt oxide

We investigate the low temperature magnetic field dependence of the resistivity in the thermoelectric misfit cobalt oxide [Bi1.7Ca2O4]0.59CoO2 from 60 K down to 3 K. The scaling of the negative magnetoresistance demonstrates a spin dependent transport mechanism due to a strong Hund's coupling. The inferred microscopic description implies dual electronic states which explain the coexistence between localized and itinerant electrons both contributing to the thermopower. By shedding a new light on the electronic states which lead to a high thermopower, this result likely provides a new potential way to optimize the thermoelectric properties

Transport properties and magnetic field induced localization in the misfit cobaltite [Bi2_2Ba1.3_{1.3}K0.6_{0.6}Co0.1_{0.1}]RS^{RS}[CoO2_2]1.97_{1.97} single crystal

Resistivity under magnetic field, thermopower and Hall coefficient are systematically studied for [Bi$_2$Ba$_{1.3}$K$_{0.6}$Co$_{0.1}$]$^{RS}$[CoO$_2$]$_{1.97}$ single crystal. In-plane resistivity ($\rho_{ab}$(T)) shows metallic behavior down to 2 K with a $T^2$ dependence below 30 K; while out-of-plane resistivity ($\rho_{c}(T)$) shows metallic behavior at high temperature and a thermal activation semiconducting behavior below about 12 K. Striking feature is that magnetic field induces a ln(1/$T$) diverging behavior in both $\rho_{ab}$ and $\rho_{c}(T)$ at low temperature. The positive magnetoresistance (MR) could be well fitted by the formula based on multi-band electronic structure. The ln(1/$T$) diverging behavior in $\rho_{ab}$ and $\rho_{c}(T)$ could arise from the magnetic-field-induced 2D weak localization or spin density wave.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure

Ferromagnetism and large negative magnetoresistance in Pb doped Bi-Sr-Co-O misfit-layer compound

Ferromagnetism and accompanying large negative magnetoresistance in Pb-substituted Bi-Sr-Co-O misfit-layer compound are investigated in detail. Recent structural analysis of (Bi,Pb)${}_2$Sr${}_{3}$Co${}_2$O${}_9$, which has been believed to be a Co analogue of Bi${}_2$Sr${}_2$CaCu${}_2$O${}_{8+\delta}$, revealed that it has a more complex structure including a CoO${}_2$ hexagonal layer [T. Yamamoto {\it et al.}, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. {\bf 39} (2000) L747]. Pb substitution for Bi not only introduces holes into the conducting CoO${}_2$ layers but also creates a certain amount of localized spins. Ferromagnetic transition appears at $T$ = 3.2 K with small spontaneous magnetization along the $c$ axis, and around the transition temperature large and anisotropic negative magnetoresistance was observed. This compound is the first example which shows ferromagnetic long-range order in a two-dimensional metallic hexagnonal CoO${}_2$ layer.Comment: 8 pages including eps figures. To be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Novel electronic structure induced by a highly strained oxide interface with incommensurate crystal fields

The misfit oxide, Bi$_{2}$Ba$_{1.3}$K$_{0.6}$Co$_{2.1}$O$_{y}$, made of alternating rocksalt-structured [BiO/BaO] layers and hexagonal CoO$_{2}$ layers, was studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Detailed electronic structure of such a highly strained oxide interfaces is revealed for the first time. We found that under the two incommensurate crystal fields, electrons are confined within individual sides of the interface, and scattered by umklapp scattering of the crystal field from the other side. In addition, the high strain on the rocksalt layer raises its chemical potential and induces large charge transfer to the CoO$_{2}$ layer. Furthermore, a novel interface effects, the interfacial enhancement of electron-phonon interactions, is discovered. Our findings of these electronic properties lay a foundation for designing future functional oxide interfaces.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Structural investigation of composite phases Ba1+x[(NaxMn1-x)O-3] with x similar or equal to 2/7, 5/17 and 1/3; exotic Mn4.5+ valence

International audienceStructural models are proposed for three composite compounds of chemical formula Ba1+x[(NaxMn1-x)O-3] (x similar or equal to 2/7, 5/17 and 1/3) by single crystal X-ray diffraction; superspace formalism is used to obtain an unified description of the three phases. The modulation affecting Ba atoms can be easily designed but the competition "occupational/displacive" modulations relating to the Mn/Na metallic columns were particularly difficult to modelize. However, the large amplitude of the displacive modulation affecting the oxygen atoms (similar or equal to +/- 0.7 angstrom) in comparison with that observed for related compounds (similar or equal to +/- 0.3 angstrom) makes it a direct consequence of the Na+ alkali insertion inside the trigonal prisms. Owing to this insertion, the Mn atoms exhibit, in the three phases, an "exotic" oxidation state of about +4.5. In addition, even if the sequence between face sharing MnO6 octahedra and NaO6 trigonal prisms can be analytically deduced from the x value, it is clear that the Na/Mn contrasts play in favour of its accurate determination through the XRD single crystal refinement

Structural Study of P4W14O50, a New Odd Member in the Series (PO2)4(WO3)2m

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