Growth of Ba_2CoWO_6 Single Crystals and their Magnetic, Thermodynamic and Electronic Properties

TL;DR

This paper reports the successful growth of Ba_2CoWO_6 single crystals and investigates their magnetic, thermodynamic, and electronic properties, revealing antiferromagnetic order, optical gaps, and potential applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed study of bulk crystal growth and comprehensive physical property characterization of Ba_2CoWO_6.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic order below 14 K

Identification of two optical gaps in UV-Visible region

Orbital contributions significantly influence magnetic and optical properties

Abstract

This study explores the bulk crystal growth, structural characterization, and physical property measurements of the cubic double perovskite Ba_2CoWO_6(BCWO). In BCWO, Co+2 ions form a face-centered cubic (FCC) lattice with non-distorted cobalt octahedra. The compound exhibits long-range antiferromagnetic order below TN = 14 K. Magnetization data indicated a slight anisotropy along with a spin-flop transition at 10 kOe , a saturation field of 310 kOe and an ordered moment of 2.17 Mu_B at T = 1.6 K. Heat capacity measurements indicate an effective j = 1/2 ground state configuration, resulting from the combined effects of the crystal electric field and spin-orbit interaction. Surface photovoltage analysis reveals two optical gaps in the UV-Visible region, suggesting potential applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics. The magnetic and optical properties highlight the significant role of orbital contributions within BCWO, indicating various other potential applications.