Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of the Layered Oxide Chalcogenides SrCuOCuS and SrCuOCuSe.

The structures of two new oxide chalcogenide phases, SrCuOCuS and SrCuOCuSe, are reported, both of which contain infinite CuO planes containing Cu and which have Cu ions in the sulfide or selenide layers. Powder neutron diffraction measurements show that SrCuOCuSe exhibits long-range magnetic ordering with a magnetic structure based on antiferromagnetic interactions between nearest-neighbor Cu ions, leading to a √2 a × √2 a × 2 c expansion of the nuclear cell. The ordered moment of 0.39(6) μ on the Cu ions at 1.7 K is consistent with the value predicted by density functional theory calculations. The compounds are structurally related to the cuprate superconductors and may also be considered as analogues of the parent phases of this class of superconductor such as SrCuOCl or LaCuO. In the present case, however, the top of the chalcogenide-based valence band is very close to the vacant Cu 3d states of the conduction band, leading to relatively high measured conductivity.