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24 Jun 10:24

Synthesis and Properties of Lanthanide Ruthenium(III) Oxide Perovskites

by Alexandra Sinclair, Jennifer A. Rodgers, Craig V. Topping, Martin Míšek, Ross D. Stewart, Winfried Kockelmann, Jan-Willem G. Bos, J. Paul Attfield

Abstract

An extensive series of new LnRuO3 perovskites has been synthesized at high pressure. These ruthenium(III)-based oxides are ruthenium deficient, and high-pressure samples have compositions close to LnRu0.9O3. These phases stabilize ruthenium(III) which is very unusual in oxides. X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies show that the materials adopt orthorhombic perovskite superstructures in which the RuO6 octahedra are tetragonally compressed. These distortions, and the Mott insulator properties of the materials, are driven by strong spin-orbit coupling.

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Putting the squeeze on Ru: An extensive series of new LnRuO3 perovskites has been synthesized at high pressure. They are ruthenium deficient, with compositions close to LnRu0.9O3, and stabilize ruthenium(III), which has not been previously well characterized in oxides. They adopt orthorhombic perovskite superstructures in which strong spin-orbit coupling leads to tetragonal compression of the RuO6 octahedra and Mott insulator behavior.