Single step synthesis of Sr4V2O6Fe2As2: The blocking layer based potential future superconductor

TL;DR

This study presents a one-step synthesis method for Sr4V2O6Fe2As2, a potential superconductor, but the material exhibits a spin density wave instead of superconductivity, with detailed structural and transport analysis.

Contribution

The paper introduces a simple, single-step synthesis process for Sr4V2O6Fe2As2 and provides detailed structural and transport characterization of the compound.

Findings

Crystallizes in P4/nmm space group with specific lattice parameters.

Does not exhibit superconductivity, shows SDW-like transition at 175 K.

Contains some impurity lines in the synthesized sample.

Abstract

We report synthesis, structural details and transport measurements on Sr4V2O6Fe2As2. Namely the stoichiometric amounts of V2O5 + SrO2 + Sr + 2FeAs are weighed mixed, ground thoroughly and palletized in rectangular form in a glove box in high purity Ar atmosphere. The pellet is further sealed in an evacuated (10-5 Torr) quartz tube and put for heat treatments at 750 and 1150 0C in a single step for 12 and 36 hours respectively. Finally the quartz ampoule is allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The as synthesized sample is black in color. The compound crystallized in P4/nmm space group with lattice parameters a = b = 3.925A and c = 15.870A. Also seen are some small impurity lines. The compound did not exhibit superconductivity but instead a spin density wave (SDW) like metallic step at around 175 K is seen in R(T) measurements