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Cu2IrO3: A New Magnetically Frustrated Honeycomb Iridate
Mykola Abramchuk1,2, Cigdem Ozsoy-Keskinbora1,2, Jason W Krizan1,2
1Physics Department and §Chemistry Department, Boston College , Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|October 6, 2017
Summary
Researchers synthesized a novel copper iridium oxide, Cu2IrO3, showing properties closer to a Kitaev spin liquid. This new material exhibits reduced magnetic ordering and a more ideal honeycomb structure than its predecessor.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- The Kitaev spin liquid model is a theoretical framework for understanding exotic magnetic phenomena in certain materials.
- Sodium iridium oxide (Na2IrO3) has been investigated for its potential to host Kitaev spin liquid physics due to its Ir4+ ions on a honeycomb lattice.
- However, Na2IrO3 exhibits long-range magnetic order, hindering its realization as a true spin liquid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a new binary metal oxide containing copper and iridium.
- To investigate the magnetic and structural properties of the novel compound.
- To assess its potential as a material closer to realizing a Kitaev spin liquid state.
Main Methods:
- Topotactic reaction involving sodium exchange with copper from a parent Na2IrO3 compound.
- Synthesis under mild conditions.
- Rietveld analysis for structural characterization.
- Magnetic susceptibility measurements to probe magnetic ordering.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of the first copper iridium binary metal oxide, Cu2IrO3.
- Cu2IrO3 crystallizes in the same monoclinic space group (C2/c) as Na2IrO3, featuring a layered honeycomb structure.
- Unlike Na2IrO3, Cu2IrO3 remains magnetically disordered until 2.7 K, developing only short-range order.
- Rietveld analysis revealed reduced structural distortions in Cu2IrO3, with bond angles closer to the ideal 120° for a honeycomb lattice.
Conclusions:
- Cu2IrO3 represents a promising new material for the study of Kitaev spin liquids.
- The reduced magnetic ordering and near-ideal honeycomb structure make Cu2IrO3 a better candidate for realizing spin liquid behavior compared to Na2IrO3.
- This work opens avenues for exploring other transition metal iridium oxides for exotic quantum magnetism.
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