Structural and magnetic characterization of the double perovskites R2NiRuO6 (R = Pr-Er): A neutron diffraction study

Novel members of the R2NiRuO6 family of double perovskites have been prepared via a nitrate-citrate route, followed by annealing treatments in air in the 1100-1300 degrees C temperature range. The crystal and magnetic structures were characterized from neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data at 300 K and 2 K. All the samples are monoclinic, P2(1)/n space group, with a root 2a(0),,root 2a(0)x2a(0) unit-cell, compared to the simple perovskite a(0) edge. Ni2+ and Ru4+ ions occupy distinct octahedral positions, with a certain antisite disordering. The magnetic structures are defined by the propagation vector k = 0. The magnetic moments of the Ni2+ cations are antiparallel to the spins of the Ru4+ sublattice; the structure can be described as ferromagnetic [011] layers antiferromagnetically (AFM) coupled to each other. For R = Ho and Er perovskites, the rare-earth moments participate in the magnetic structure: Ho3+ cations are ordered along the direction (010) in alternate planes AFM coupled and the magnetic moments of Era} are ferromagnetically ordered along the c axis. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ruthenium; double perovskite; 4d transition metal; neutron powder diffraction; la2niruo6; pr2niruo6; nd2niruo6; tb2niruo6; dy2niruo6; y-2 niruo6; ho2niruo6; er2niruo6; charge disproportionation; crystal-structure; powder diffraction; lu perovskites; y perovskites; rnio3 r; temperature; ho; evolution; tm

Structural and magnetic characterization of the double perovskites R2NiRuO6 (R = Pr-Er): A neutron diffraction study Articles