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Abstract: The Na-based osmium oxide pyrochlore was synthesized for the first time by an ion-exchange method using KOs2O6 as a host. The composition was identified as Na1.4Os2O6·H2O by electron probe micro-analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and structural analysis using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Na1.4Os2O6·H2O crystallizes in a regular pyrochlore structure with some defects (space group: Fd-3m, a=10.16851(1)Å). Electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements clearly showed absence of superconductivity down to 2K, being in large contrast to what was found for the β-type pyrochlore superconductor AOs2O6 (A=Cs, Rb, and K). The Sommerfeld coefficient is 22mJK−2 mol−1, being the smallest among AOs2O6. A magnetic anomaly at ∼57K and associated magneto-resistance (+3.7% at 2K in 70kOe) were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Na2OsO4 crystals were grown by a NaCl flux method under high pressure. It crystallizes in the Ca2IrO4-type structure without having additional elements or metal vacancies, which are usually accommodated. It appears that Na2OsO4 is a metal-stoichiometric Ca2IrO4-type compound never been synthesized to date. Na2OsO4 has the octahedral environment of Os6+O6 so that the electronic configuration is 5d 2, suggesting the magnetic S=1 ground state. However, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurements indicated that the non-magnetic S=0 state is much likely for Na2OsO4 than the S=1 state. Band structure calculations and the structure analysis found that the disagreement is probably due to the statically uniaxial compression of the OsO6 octahedra, resulting in splitting of the band. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]