Neutron diffraction studies of magnetic ordering in Ni-doped LaCoO₃

Research in rare earth cobaltite has recently been intensified due to its fascinating magnetic properties. LaCoO₃, an important cobaltite, exhibits two prominent susceptibility features at ~90 K and 500 K in low field measurement. The magnetic behavior below 100 K is predominantly antiferromagnetic (AFM), but absence of pure AFM ordering and emergence of ferromagnetic coupling on further decreasing temperature made situation more intricate. The present work of studying the effect of Ni substitution at Co site in polycrystalline LaCo_1−xNi_xO₃ (0≤x≤0.3) is motivated by the interesting changes in magnetic and electronic properties. For lucid understanding, temperature dependent neutron diffraction (ND) study was carried out. ND patterns fitted with rhombohedral structure in perovskite form with R-3c space group, elucidated information on phase purity. Further temperature dependent cell parameter, Co–O bond-length and Co–O–Co bond angle were calculated for the series of Ni doped LaCoO₃. The results are explained in terms of decrease in the crystal field energy which led to the transition of cobalt from low Spin (LS) state to intermediate spin state (IS). - Highlights: • Temperature dependent neutron diffraction (ND) on Ni doped LaCoO₃ are studied. • Microscopic parameters (cell, bond length, bond angle etc.) are determined by ND. • Increase in Co–O bond length and decrease in Co–O–Co bond angle on Ni substitution. • Ionic radii of Co⁺³ in IS state (0.56 Å) is larger than in LS state (0.54 Å). • Lattice expansion induced increase in Co–O length stabilizes Co⁺³ in magnetic state