Covalent bonds against magnetism in transition metal compounds

Exploring a New Regime of Molecular Orbital Physics in 4d Cluster Magnets with Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering

Molecular orbital systems with clusters of heavy transition metal (TM) ions are one of the most important classes of model materials for studying the interplay between local physics and effects of itinerancy. Despite a large number of candidates identified in the family of 4d TM materials, an understanding of their physics from competing microscopic energy scales is still missing. We bridge this gap by reporting the first resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) measurement on a well-known series of Ru cluster magnets with a 6H-perovskite structure Ba_{3}MRu_{2}O_{9} (M^{3+}=In^{3+}, Y^{3+}, La^{3+}) comprised of Ru dimers. In addition to providing a microscopic explanation for their anomalous magnetic properties, our RIXS measurements combined with theoretical modeling uncover a new regime of molecular orbital physics where the combined effect of large hopping and small spin-orbit coupling results in highly fragile electronic states in the Ru-dimer compounds directly manifested as an abrupt change in the RIXS spectrum accompanying a tiny change in the local structure tuned by the M-site ion. This unique combination of energy scales found only in the 4d but not the 5d cluster magnets highlights the value of these materials as a new platform for studying quantum phase transition involving molecular orbitals.

Imaging magnetic transition of magnetite to megabar pressures using quantum sensors in diamond anvil cell

High-pressure diamond anvil cells have been widely used to create novel states of matter. Nevertheless, the lack of universal in-situ magnetic measurement techniques at megabar pressures makes it difficult to understand the underlying physics of materials' behavior at extreme conditions, such as high-temperature superconductivity of hydrides and the formation or destruction of the local magnetic moments in magnetic systems. Here, we break through the limitations of pressure on quantum sensors by modulating the uniaxial stress along the nitrogen-vacancy axis and develop the in-situ magnetic detection technique at megabar pressures with high sensitivity ( ~ 1 μ T / Hz ) and sub-microscale spatial resolution. By directly imaging the magnetic field and the evolution of magnetic domains, we observe the macroscopic magnetic transition of Fe3O4 in the megabar pressure range from ferrimagnetic (α-Fe3O4) to weak ferromagnetic (β-Fe3O4) and finally to paramagnetic (γ-Fe3O4). The scenarios for magnetic changes in Fe3O4 characterized here shed light on the direct magnetic microstructure observation in bulk materials at high pressure and contribute to understanding magnetism evolution in the presence of numerous complex factors such as spin crossover, altered magnetic interactions and structural phase transitions.

Phonon excitations in Eu2Ir2O7probed by inelastic x-ray scattering

The study of phonon dynamics and its interplay with magnetic ordering is crucial for understanding the unique quantum phases in the pyrochlore iridates. Here, through inelastic x-ray scattering on a single crystal sample of the pyrochlore iridate Eu2Ir2O7, we map out the phonon excitation spectra in Eu2Ir2O7and compare them with the theoretical phonon spectra calculated using the density functional theory. Possible phonon renormalization across the magnetic long-range order transition is observed in our experiments, which is consistent with the results of the previous Raman scattering experiments.

Challenges for density functional theory in simulating metal-metal singlet bonding: A case study of dimerized VO2

VO2 is renowned for its electric transition from an insulating monoclinic (M1) phase, characterized by V-V dimerized structures, to a metallic rutile (R) phase above 340 K. This transition is accompanied by a magnetic change: the M1 phase exhibits a non-magnetic spin-singlet state, while the R phase exhibits a state with local magnetic moments. Simultaneous simulation of the structural, electric, and magnetic properties of this compound is of fundamental importance, but the M1 phase alone has posed a significant challenge to the density functional theory (DFT). In this study, we show none of the commonly used DFT functionals, including those combined with on-site Hubbard U to treat 3d electrons better, can accurately predict the V-V dimer length. The spin-restricted method tends to overestimate the strength of the V-V bonds, resulting in a small V-V bond length. Conversely, the spin-symmetry-breaking method exhibits the opposite trends. Each of these two bond-calculation methods underscores one of the two contentious mechanisms, i.e., Peierls lattice distortion or Mott localization due to electron-electron repulsion, involved in the metal-insulator transition in VO2. To elucidate the challenges encountered in DFT, we also employ an effective Hamiltonian that integrates one-dimensional magnetic sites, thereby revealing the inherent difficulties linked with the DFT computations.

A NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposite sensitive immunosensor for electrochemical detection of PSA

In this paper, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of prostate antigen (PSA) was developed based on a NiFe PBA/AuNPs composite. The prostate antigen antibody was immobilized and the immunosensor was constructed by using a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of nickel-iron Prussian blue analog (NiFe PBA) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Due to the good biological affinity of AuNPs for biomolecules, as well as the porous nanostructure and regular shape of NiFe PBA, NiFe PBA/AuNPs nanocomposites significantly improve the electron transport rate, while achieving excellent performance for the sensor. Due to the interaction between the antibody and the antigen on the modified electrode, the current signal of the NiFe PBA itself is reduced due to the redox changes in Fe2+ and Fe3+, which can be determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Therefore, the monitoring of prostate antigen detection is realized. Under optimal experimental conditions, the immunosensor exhibited excellent detection performance with a dynamic response range from 0.5 pg mL-1 to 1000 pg mL-1 for the PSA concentration and a detection limit of 0.23 pg mL-1 (S/N = 3). In addition, the PSA aptasensor has good selectivity, high stability, and satisfactory reproducibility and has broad potential in clinical research and diagnostic applications.

Redox Mechanisms, Structural Changes, and Electrochemistry of the Wadsley-Roth LixTiNb2O7 Electrode Material

The TiNb2O7 Wadsley-Roth phase is a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries, enabling fast cycling and high capacities. While already used in commercial batteries, many fundamental electronic and thermodynamic properties of LixTiNb2O7 remain poorly understood. We report on an in-depth first-principles study of the redox mechanisms, structural changes, and electrochemical properties of LixTiNb2O7 as a function of Li concentration. First-principles electronic structure calculations reveal an unconventional redox mechanism upon Li insertion that results in the formation of metal-metal bonds. This metal dimer redox mechanism has important structural consequences as it results in a shortening of cation-pair distances, which in turn affects lattice parameters of the host and thereby alters Li site preferences as the Li concentration is varied. The new insights about redox mechanisms in TiNb2O7 and their effect on the structure and Li site preferences provide guidance on how the electrochemical properties of a promising class of anode materials can be tailored by exploiting the tremendous structural and chemical diversity of Wadsley-Roth phases.

Nuclear and magnetic spin structure of the antiferromagnetic triangular lattice compound LiCrTe2 investigated by [Formula: see text]SR, neutron and X-ray diffraction

Two-dimensional (2D) triangular lattice antiferromagnets (2D-TLA) often manifest intriguing physical and technological properties, due to the strong interplay between lattice geometry and electronic properties. The recently synthesized 2-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide LiCrTe[Formula: see text], being a 2D-TLA, enriched the range of materials which can present such properties. In this work, muon spin rotation ([Formula: see text]SR) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) have been utilized to reveal the true magnetic nature and ground state of LiCrTe[Formula: see text]. From high-resolution NPD the magnetic spin order at base-temperature is not, as previously suggested, helical, but rather collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) with ferromagnetic (FM) spin coupling within the ab-plane and AFM coupling along the c-axis. The value if the ordered magnetic Cr moment is established as [Formula: see text]. From detailed [Formula: see text]SR measurements we observe an AFM ordering temperature [Formula: see text] K. This value is remarkably higher than the one previously reported by magnetic bulk measurements. From [Formula: see text]SR we are able to extract the magnetic order parameter, whose critical exponent allows us to categorize LiCrTe[Formula: see text] in the 3D Heisenberg AFM universality class. Finally, by combining our magnetic studies with high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), we find a clear coupling between the nuclear and magnetic spin lattices. This suggests the possibility for a strong magnon-phonon coupling, similar to what has been previously observed in the closely related compound LiCrO[Formula: see text].

Interfacial charge transfer induced antiferromagnetic metals and magnetic phase transition in (CrO2)m/(TaO2)nsuperlattices

As a class of remarkable spintronic materials, intrinsic antiferromagnetic (AFM) metals are rare. The exploration and investigation of AFM metals are still in its infancy. Based on first-principles calculations, the interface-induced magnetic phenomena in the (CrO₂)_m/(TaO₂)_nsuperlattices are investigated, and a new series of AFM metals is predicted. Under different ratios ofm:nwith varying valence states of Cr, the (CrO₂)_m/(TaO₂)_nsuperlattices exhibit three different phases, including the AFM metal, the AFM semiconductor, and the ferromagnetic (FM) metal. In the AFM semiconducting phases, theintra-CrO₂-monolayer magnetic exchange interaction is systematically discussed, corresponding tom = 1 orm = 2. Both the localization of the Cr 3 dorbitals and the crystal-field splitting are crucial for magnetic ordering in super-exchange interactions. Based on the analyses of the AFM semiconducting phases withm = 1 andm = 2, the mechanisms of AFM metallic phases with radios ofm:n<1/2and1/2<m:n<1/1are discussed in detail. Additionally, the AFM metallic superlattices can be tuned into a FM metallic phase by applying strain in thec-direction, such as a compression of 7% in the (CrO₂)₁/(TaO₂)₃superlattice, and a tensile strain of 7% in the (CrO₂)₂/(TaO₂)₃superlattice. The phase diagram of the (CrO₂)_m/(TaO₂)_nsuperlattices is obtained as a function of the layer thickness. This work provides new insights about realizing and manipulating AFM metals in artificial superlattices or heterostructures in experiments.

Localized Spin Dimers and Structural Distortions in the Hexagonal Perovskite Ba3CaMo2O9

Extended solid-state materials based on the hexagonal perovskite framework are typified by close competition between localized magnetic interactions and quasi-molecular electronic states. Here, we report the structural and magnetic properties of the new six-layer hexagonal perovskite Ba3CaMo2O9. Neutron diffraction experiments, combined with magnetic susceptibility measurements, show that the Mo2O9 dimers retain localized character down to 5 K and adopt nonmagnetic spin-singlet ground states. This is in contrast to the recently reported Ba3SrMo2O9 analogue, in which the Mo2O9 dimers spontaneously separate into a mixture of localized and quasi-molecular ground states. Structural distortions in both Ba3CaMo2O9 and Ba3SrMo2O9 have been studied with the aid of distortion mode analyses to elucidate the coupling between the crystal lattice and electronic interactions in 6H Mo5+ hexagonal perovskites.

Cation Dimerization in a 3d1 Honeycomb Lattice System

In one-dimensional systems with partially filled valence bands, simultaneous changes occur in the electronic states and crystal structures. This is known as the Peierls transition. The Peierls transition (cation dimerization) in VO₂, which has a quasi-one-dimensional structure, is well-known, and its mechanism has been extensively discussed. Honeycomb lattices exhibit the Peierls instability owing to their low dimensionality. However, cation dimerization is rare in the 3d¹ honeycomb lattice system. Here, we perform an in-depth examination of the V-V dimerization (formation of V-V direct bond) in ilmenite-type MgVO₃, which is a 3d¹ honeycomb lattice system. A ladderlike pattern was observed in the V-V dimers through synchrotron X-ray experiments at temperatures below 500 K. This dimerization was accompanied by a magnetic-to-nonmagnetic transition. Moreover, a valence bond liquid phase may exist at 500-600 K. Our results reveal the behavior of the valence electrons in the 3d¹ honeycomb lattice system.

Orbital Effects in Solids: Basics, Recent Progress, and Opportunities

The properties of transition metal compounds are largely determined by nontrivial interplay of different degrees of freedom: charge, spin, lattice, and also orbital ones. Especially rich and interesting effects occur in systems with orbital degeneracy. For example, they result in the famous Jahn-Teller effect, leading to a plethora of consequences for static and dynamic properties, including nontrivial quantum effects. In the present review, we discuss the main phenomena in the physics of such systems, paying central attention to the novel manifestations of those. After shortly summarizing the basic phenomena and their descriptions, we concentrate on several specific directions in this field. One of them is the reduction of effective dimensionality in many systems with orbital degrees of freedom due to the directional character of orbitals, with the concomitant appearance of some instabilities that lead in particular to the formation of dimers, trimers, and similar clusters in a material. The properties of such cluster systems, which are largely determined by their orbital structure, are discussed in detail, and many specific examples of those in different materials are presented. Another big field that has acquired special significance relatively recently is the role of the relativistic spin-orbit interaction. The mutual influence of this interaction and the more traditional Jahn-Teller physics is treated in detail in the second part of the review. In discussing all of these questions, special attention is paid to novel quantum effects.

Influence of Molecular Orbitals on Magnetic Properties of [x]

Recent discoveries of various novel iron oxides and hydrides, which become stable at very high pressure and temperature, are extremely important for geoscience. In this paper, we report the results of an investigation on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the hydride FeO 2 H x , using density functional theory plus dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT) calculations. An increase in the hydrogen concentration resulted in the destruction of dimeric oxygen pairs and, hence, a specific band structure of FeO 2 with strongly hybridized Fe- t 2 g -O- p z anti-bonding molecular orbitals, which led to a metallic state with the Fe ions at nearly 3+. Increasing the H concentration resulted in effective mass enhancement growth which indicated an increase in the magnetic moment localization. The calculated static momentum-resolved spin susceptibility demonstrated that an incommensurate antiferromagnetic (AFM) order was expected for FeO 2 , whereas strong ferromagnetic (FM) fluctuations were observed for FeO 2 H.

dz2 orbital character of polyhedra in complex solid-state transition-metal compounds

In transition-metal compounds, the character of the d orbitals often plays an important role in the development and enhancement of novel physical and chemical properties. Density functional theory calculations of the electronic structures of various d0- and d1-complex transition-metal compounds consisting of either face-sharing octahedra, edge-sharing octahedra, or edge-sharing trigonal prismatic layers were performed to investigate the nature of their d orbitals. The dz2 orbital of the transition metal was shown to make a significant contribution to the electronic structure near the Fermi level in nine different complex transition-metal compounds (oxides, nitrides, and sulfides), regardless of the type of polyhedral geometry and connectivity. The importance of controlling and designing the dz2 orbital character of transition metals near the Fermi level was shown to be important in developing novel physical and chemical properties in complex transition-metal compounds.

Mott Metal-Insulator Transitions in Pressurized Layered Trichalcogenides

Transition metal phosphorous trichalcogenides, MPX_{3} (M and X being transition metal and chalcogen elements, respectively), have been the focus of substantial interest recently because they are unusual candidates undergoing Mott transition in the two-dimensional limit. Here we investigate material properties of the compounds with M=Mn and Ni employing ab initio density functional and dynamical mean-field calculations, especially their electronic behavior under external pressure in the paramagnetic phase. Mott metal-insulator transitions (MIT) are found to be a common feature for both compounds, but their lattice structures show drastically different behaviors depending on the relevant orbital degrees of freedom, i.e., t_{2g} or e_{g}. Under pressure, MnPS_{3} can undergo an isosymmetric structural transition within monoclinic space group by forming Mn-Mn dimers due to the strong direct overlap between the neighboring t_{2g} orbitals, accompanied by a significant volume collapse and a spin-state transition. In contrast, NiPS_{3} and NiPSe_{3}, with their active e_{g} orbital degrees of freedom, do not show a structural change at the MIT pressure or deep in the metallic phase within the monoclinic symmetry. Hence NiPS_{3} and NiPSe_{3} become rare examples of materials hosting electronic bandwidth-controlled Mott MITs, thus showing promise for ultrafast resistivity switching behavior.

Local orbital degeneracy lifting as a precursor to an orbital-selective Peierls transition

Fundamental electronic principles underlying all transition metal compounds are the symmetry and filling of the d-electron orbitals and the influence of this filling on structural configurations and responses. Here we use a sensitive local structural technique, x-ray atomic pair distribution function analysis, to reveal the presence of fluctuating local-structural distortions at high temperature in one such compound, CuIr₂S₄. We show that this hitherto overlooked fluctuating symmetry-lowering is electronic in origin and will modify the energy-level spectrum and electronic and magnetic properties. The explanation is a local, fluctuating, orbital-degeneracy-lifted state. The natural extension of our result would be that this phenomenon is likely to be widespread amongst diverse classes of partially filled nominally degenerate d-electron systems, with potentially broad implications for our understanding of their properties.

A common feature of many transition metal materials is global symmetry breaking at low temperatures. Here the authors show that such materials are characterized by fluctuating symmetry-lowering distortions that exist pre-formed in higher temperature phases with greater average symmetry.

Direct Detection of Dimer Orbitals in Ba_{5}AlIr_{2}O_{11}

The electronic states of many Mott insulators, including iridates, are often conceptualized in terms of localized atomic states such as the famous "J_{eff}=1/2 state." Although orbital hybridization can strongly modify such states and dramatically change the electronic properties of materials, probing this process is highly challenging. In this Letter, we directly detect and quantify the formation of dimer orbitals in an iridate material Ba_{5}AlIr_{2}O_{11} using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering. Sharp peaks corresponding to the excitations of dimer orbitals are observed and analyzed by a combination of density functional theory calculations and theoretical simulations based on an Ir-Ir cluster model. Such partially delocalized dimer states lead to a redefinition of the angular momentum of the electrons and changes in the magnetic and electronic behaviors of the material. We use this to explain the reduction of the observed magnetic moment with respect to predictions based on atomic states. This study opens new directions to study dimerization in a large family of materials, including solids, heterostructures, molecules, and transient states.

Electronic structure and properties of lithium-rich complex oxides

Lithium-rich complex transition-metal oxides Li₂MoO₃, Li₂RuO₃, Li₃RuO₄, Li₃NbO₄, Li₅FeO₄, Li₅MnO₄ and their derivatives are of interest for high-capacity battery electrodes. Here, we report a first-principles density-functional theory study of the atomic and electronic structure of these materials using the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof (HSE) screened hybrid functional which treats all orbitals in the materials on equal footing. Dimerization of the transition-metal ions is found to occur in layered Li₂MoO₃, in both fully lithiated and partially delithiated compounds. The Ru-Ru dimerization does not occur in fully lithiated Li₂RuO₃, in contrast to what is commonly believed; Ru-Ru dimers are, however, found to occur in the presence of neutral lithium vacancies caused by lithium loss during synthesis and/or lithium removal during use. We also analyze the electronic structure of the complex oxides and discuss the delithiation mechanism in these battery electrode materials.

Resonant inelastic x-ray incarnation of Young's double-slit experiment

Young's archetypal double-slit experiment forms the basis for modern diffraction techniques: The elastic scattering of waves yields an interference pattern that captures the real-space structure. Here, we report on an inelastic incarnation of Young's experiment and demonstrate that resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) measures interference patterns, which reveal the symmetry and character of electronic excited states in the same way as elastic scattering does for the ground state. A prototypical example is provided by the quasi-molecular electronic structure of insulating Ba₃CeIr₂O₉ with structural Ir dimers and strong spin-orbit coupling. The double "slits" in this resonant experiment are the highly localized core levels of the two Ir atoms within a dimer. The clear double-slit-type sinusoidal interference patterns that we observe allow us to characterize the electronic excitations, demonstrating the power of RIXS interferometry to unravel the electronic structure of solids containing, e.g., dimers, trimers, ladders, or other superstructures.

Magnetic properties of core-shell nanoparticles possessing a novel Fe(ii)-chromia phase: an experimental and theoretical approach

Room-temperature ferrimagnetic and superparamagnetic properties, and the magnetic interactions between the core and shell, of our iron-incorporated chromia-based core shell nanoparticles (CSNs) have been investigated using a combination of experimental measurement and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. We have synthesized CSNs having an epitaxial shell and well-ordered interface properties by utilizing our hydrothermal nanophase epitaxy (HNE) technique. The ferrimagnetic and superparamagnetic properties of the CSNs are manifested beyond room temperature and magnetic measurements reveal that the exchange bias interaction between the antiferromagnetic (AFM) core and ferrimagnetic (FiM) shell persists close to ambient temperature. The DFT calculations confirm the FiM ordering of the Fe-chromia shell. Our calculations show that the FiM ordering is associated with a band gap reduction, Fe-O d-p orbital hybridization, and AFM type Fe-Cr σ type superexchange interaction in the α-Fe_0.40Cr_1.60O_2.92 shell of the CSNs. The novel magnetic core-shell nanoparticles possess a shell comprised of a metastable Fe(ii)-chromia phase, resulting in unique magnetic properties that make them ideal for magnetic device and medicinal applications.

Models and materials for generalized Kitaev magnetism

The exactly solvable Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice has recently received enormous attention linked to the hope of achieving novel spin-liquid states with fractionalized Majorana-like excitations. In this review, we analyze the mechanism proposed by Jackeli and Khaliullin to identify Kitaev materials based on spin-orbital dependent bond interactions and provide a comprehensive overview of its implications in real materials. We set the focus on experimental results and current theoretical understanding of planar honeycomb systems (Na₂IrO₃, α-Li₂IrO₃, and α-RuCl₃), three-dimensional Kitaev materials (β- and γ-Li₂IrO₃), and other potential candidates, completing the review with the list of open questions awaiting new insights.