Stabilising the orthorhombic perovskite structure in SrIrO3 through chemical doping. Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of SrIr1−xMgxO3(0.20 ≤ x ≤ 0.33)

Abstract

The synthesis, structure, magnetic and electric conductivity properties of Mg doped SrIrO₃ are described. Doping SrIrO₃ with Mg favours an orthorhombic structure over the hexagonal face-sharing structure. Polycrystalline samples of the type SrIr_1−xMg_xO₃ with an orthorhombic perovskite-type structure have been formed for 0.2 < x < 0.33. At x = 0.2 the formal oxidation state of the Ir is +4.5 and the material displays metallic conductivity. At x = 0.33 the Ir is in the +5 state and the material is non-metallic. Magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate the materials to be spin-glasses in which short range ferromagnetic interactions are evident.