High pO2 Flux Growth and Characterization of NdNiO3 Crystals

Single crystals of the perovskite nickelate NdNiO3 with dimensions of up to 50 mu m on edge have been successfully grown using the flux method at a temperature of 400 degrees C and oxygen pressure of 200 bar. The crystals were investigated by a combination of techniques, including high-resolution synchrotron X-ray single-crystal and powder diffraction and physical property measurements such as magnetic susceptibility and resistivity. Resistivity measurements revealed a metal-insulator transition (MIT) at T-MIT similar to 180 K with apparent thermal hysteresis; however, no superlattice peaks or peak splitting below T-MIT, which corresponds to a structural transition from Pbnm to P2(1)/n, was observed. The successful growth of NdNiO3 crystals at relatively low temperatures and oxygen pressure provides an alternative approach for preparing single crystals of interesting perovskites such as RNiO3 (R = Sm-Lu) and parent phases of superconducting square planar nickelates.

Automated summary

Single crystals of the perovskite nickelate NdNiO3 have been grown using the flux method at a temperature of 400 degrees C and oxygen pressure of 200 bar. The crystals were characterized using various techniques and showed a metal-insulator transition at around 180 K. The successful growth of these crystals at relatively low temperatures and oxygen pressure provides an alternative approach for preparing other perovskite materials.