Synthesis and Properties of the Ba₂PrWO₆ Double Perovskite

We report details on the synthesis and properties of barium praseodymium tungstate, Ba₂PrWO₆, a double perovskite that has not been synthesized before. Room-temperature (RT) powder X-ray diffraction identified the most probable space group (SG) as monoclinic I2/m, but it was only slightly distorted from the cubic structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the initial (postsynthesis) material contained praseodymium in both 3+ and 4+ charge states. The former (Pr³⁺) disappeared after exposure to UV light at RT. Photoluminescence studies of Pr³⁺ revealed that Ba₂PrWO₆ is an insulator with a band gap exceeding 4.93 eV. Pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopy excluded the possibility of a phase transition up to 20 GPa; however, measurements between 8 and 873 K signified that there might be a change toward the lower symmetry SG below 200 K. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra revealed the presence of interstitial oxygen which acts as a deep electron trap.