Perovskite LaPbMSbO6 (M=Co, Ni): Structural distortion, magnetic and dielectric properties

Abstract The B -site ordered double perovskite oxides LaPb M SbO 6 ( M =Co, Ni) have been synthesized via the modified Sol–Gel precursor two-step route. Rietveld refinements reveal strong abnormal structural distortion and BO 6 octahedral deformation appearing along the ab plane. Owing to the cooperative Jahn–Teller effect of Co 2+ and Pb 2+ ions, the Co-related compound exhibits almost complete Co 2+ –Sb 5+ order. For magnetic properties, spin-canted antiferromagnetic state with high extent of magnetic frustration is confirmed. The Ni-related compound presents heavier magnetic frustration for introducing tiny disorder on site occupation accompanied with valence state and further enhancing the complexity of magnetic competition. Dielectric measurements present a considerable temperature dependent dielectric relaxation with great dc-like loss feature in the LaPbCoSbO 6 . For LaPbNiSbO 6 , however, the permittivity with low dielectric loss is shown to be insensitive to either temperature or frequency. The corresponding electronic active energy manifests that the weakly bounded 3 d -electron is prone to hop in a more distorted Co–Sb sublattice.