Synthesis and physical properties of LaNiO2 crystals

Infinite-layer (IL) nickelates are an emerging family of superconductors whose similarities and differences to cuprate superconductors are under intense debate. To date, the IL phase of nickelates can only be reached via topotactic oxygen reduction of the perovskite phase, using H-2 gas or reducing agents such as CaH2. While the topotactic reduction method has been widely employed on thin film and polycrystalline powder samples, the reduction of La1-xCaxNiO3 single crystals with lateral dimensions up to 150 mu m was achieved only recently, using an indirect contact method with CaH2. Here we report the topotactic transformation of much larger LaNiO3 crystals with lateral dimensions of more than one millimeter, via direct contact with CaH2. We characterize the crystalline, magnetic, and electronic properties of the obtained IL LaNiO2 crystals by powder and singlecrystal x-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry, electrical transport, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. The amount of incorporated topotactic hydrogen due to the reduction process is determined by a gas extraction method. In addition, we investigate the evolution of the lattice parameters under hydrostatic pressure up to 12 GPa, using high-resolution synchrotron XRD. Furthermore, we provide a direct comparison of several physical properties of the LaNiO2 crystals to their powder and thin film counterparts.

Automated summary

The IL phase of nickelates was successfully obtained by direct contact between LaNiO3 crystals and CaH2, with lateral dimensions larger than one millimeter. The crystalline, magnetic, and electronic properties of the obtained IL LaNiO2 crystals were characterized using various techniques. The amount of topotactic hydrogen incorporated during the reduction process was determined, and the lattice parameters were studied under hydrostatic pressure. A direct comparison of physical properties between the LaNiO2 crystals and their powder/thin film counterparts was also provided.