Crystal structure, phase transitions, and magnetic properties of iridium perovskites Sr2MIrO6 (M = Ni, Zn)

Double perovskites containing Ir6+/Ir5+ with formula Sr2MIrO6 (M = Ni, Zn) have been synthesized under high oxygen pressure conditions. Their crystal structures have been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction at room temperature (RT) and 2 K. At RT, these oxides crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n with unit-cell parameters a ≈ √2a0, b ≈ √2a0, and c ≈ 2a0, and β ≈ 90. The thermal evolution of the structure of the Ni-containing compound shows the presence of two phase transition in the 373-673 K interval following the sequence P21/n → I4/m → Fm3̄m. These materials have also been characterized by magnetic measurements, suggesting the onset of antiferromagnetic interactions at T N = 58 and 46 K, for M = Ni, Zn, respectively. X-ray absorption spectroscopy sheds light on the oxidation states of M and Ir ions within these double perovskites. © 2013 American Chemical Society.We acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology to the project MAT2010-16404 and of the Comunidad de Madrid to the Project S2009PPQ-1551.Peer Reviewe