Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Ba4SbRu3O12: A hexagonal perovskite with isolated magnetic clusters on a geometrically frustrated network

    Emma A. Pollock1, Rabindranath Bag2, Lalit Yadav2, Sara Haravifard2, and Patrick M. Woodward1,*

    • *Contact author: woodward.55@osu.edu

    Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 054416 – Published 21 May, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/sl5f-fx9c

    Abstract

    Ba4SbRu3O12 crystallizes with a structure that consists of clusters of three face-sharing Ru-centered octahedra (Ru3O12) connected via Sb-centered octahedra. Rietveld refinements of both x-ray and neutron powder diffraction data confirm the absence of Sb/Ru antisite mixing. Variable temperature neutron diffraction measurements reveal a phase transition on cooling below 100 K from the aristotype structure with R3¯m symmetry to a monoclinic structure with C2/m symmetry. The phase transition is driven by displacements of Ba2+ cations and, as such, only subtly perturbs the geometry of the Ru3O12 clusters. The Ru 4d orbitals overlap to form delocalized molecular orbitals that span the trioctahedral cluster. At high temperature (T ≥ 200 K), the cluster adopts an S=3/2 intermediate spin state, but upon cooling to low temperature, susceptibility data suggest a gradual transition to an S=1/2 low spin state. The presence of Sb5+ ions with a [Kr] 4d10 electron configuration minimizes interlayer superexchange interactions between clusters, thereby maintaining the frustration of the 2D triangular network. Ba4SbRu3O12 shows no signs of magnetic ordering down to 0.3 K, yet Curie-Weiss fitting of high-temperature susceptibility suggests strong antiferromagnetic interactions (θCW=−378 K). The low-temperature specific heat evolves linearly with temperature, suggestive of a gapless quantum spin liquid. The combination of small magnetic quantum number, minimal chemical disorder, geometric frustration, and lack of long-range magnetic order makes Ba4SbRu3O12 an intriguing quantum spin liquid candidate that merits further study.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation