Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Oxygen-deficient Bilayer Ruthenate Sr3Ru2O7–δ

Abstract

The structural properties of oxygen-deficient Ruddlesden–Popper-type Sr3Ru2O7–δ compounds are presented. Sr3Ru2O7–δ compounds (δ = 0.17, 0.23, 0.28, 0.40, and 0.47) were obtained by hydrogen reduction of the parent Sr3Ru2O7 ruthenate. Rietveld structure refinements were performed to determine the crystal structure of the reduced compounds. Oxygen deficiency in the samples was studied by redox titrations and the Ru3+ content was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance. Magnetisation measurements were performed to study the magnetic response of the reduced phases. Removal of the oxygen atoms from the parent compound resulted in the decrease of the c-lattice parameter and increase of the a-lattice parameter that is related to partial reduction of Ru4+, in Sr3Ru2O7, to Ru3+. Rietveld analyses showed that the apical oxygen atoms of the RuO6 octahedra were partially lost during reduction. Redox titration experiments showed a linear correlation between reduction of the compounds and the annealing time under H2.