Sr2Ir1-xCuxO4 ( x=0, 0.05 and 0.1): Dilute magnetism in a mixed 3d - 5d transition-metal oxide

Herein we have investigated the effect of Cu (3d - transition metal) substitution for the Ir - site on the structure and physical properties of Sr2IrO4. Interestingly, the critical octahedral rotation is found to decrease (increase in Ir - O - Ir angle) with Cu substitution. The resistivity measurements illustrate a significant decrease with Cu substitution, however, keep a semiconducting dependence. Magnetic measurements reveal a decrease in the magnetic transition temperatures. Observed magnetic moment per metal ion shows a decreasing trend as Cu content is increased in the structure. A study of the composition - structure - properties correlation for this interesting and mixed 3d - 5d transition metal system is presented and discussed here. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.