Single-crystal study of the m = 2 tubular cobalt oxide, Bi4Sr12Co8O30−δ

Abstract

The structure of the m = 2 tubular compound Bi4Sr12Co8O30−δ, bismuth strontium cobalt oxide, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This phase of orthorhombic symmetry exhibits a very strong tetragonal pseudosymmetry. The structure consists of 90°-oriented Bi2Sr2CoO6+δ slices, four Co atoms wide, forming [Sr4Co4O13]∞ pillars at their intersection. The Co atoms in these pillars form four corner-sharing CoO5 bipyramids. In the resulting [Co4O13] cluster, an anionic disorder is evidenced and discussed. Then, an accurate description of the particular structure of the pillars is given. Finally, a comparison with the Mn tubular compound Bi3.6Sr12.4Mn8O30−δ is carried out.