Structural evolution of the double perovskites Sr{sub 2}B'UO{sub 6} (B' = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) upon reduction: Magnetic behavior of the uranium cations

Highlights: {yields} Evolution of the double perovskites Sr{sub 2}B'UO{sub 6} upon reduction were studied by XRPD. {yields} Orthorhombic (Pnma) disordered perovskites SrB'{sub 0.5-x}U{sub 0.5+x}O{sub 3} were obtained at 900 {sup o}C. {yields} U{sup 5+/4+} and Zn{sup 2+} cations are distributed at random over the octahedral positions. {yields} AFM ordering for the perovskite with B' = Zn appears below 30 K. -- Abstract: We describe the preparation of five perovskite oxides obtained upon reduction of Sr{sub 2}B'UO{sub 6} (B' = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn) with H{sub 2}/N{sub 2} (5%/95%) at 900 {sup o}C during 8 h, and their structural characterization by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). During the reduction process there is a partial segregation of the elemental metal when B' = Co, Ni, Fe, and the corresponding B'O oxide when B' = Mn, Zn. Whereas the parent, oxygen stoichiometric double perovskites Sr{sub 2}B'UO{sub 6} are long-range ordered concerning B' and U cations. The crystal structures of the reduced phases, SrB'{sub 0.5-x}U{sub 0.5+x}O{sub 3} with 0.37 < x < 0.27, correspond to simple, disordered perovskites; they are orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), with a full cationic disorder at the B site. Magnetic measurements performed on the phase with B' = Zn, indicate uncompensated antiferromagnetic ordering of the U{sup 5+}/U{sup 4+} sublattice below 30 K.