Magnetic and charge transport properties of the Na-based Os oxide pyrochlore

The Na-based osmium oxide pyrochlore was synthesized for the first time by an ion-exchange method using KOs2O6 as a host. The composition was identified as Na1.4Os2O6·H2O by electron probe micro-analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and structural analysis using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Na1.4Os2O6·H2O crystallizes in a regular pyrochlore structure with some defects (space group: Fd-3m, a=10.16851(1) Å). Electrical resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements clearly showed absence of superconductivity down to 2 K, being in large contrast to what was found for the β-type pyrochlore superconductor AOs2O6 (A=Cs, Rb, and K). The Sommerfeld coefficient is 22 mJ K−2 mol−1, being the smallest among AOs2O6. A magnetic anomaly at ∼57 K and associated magneto-resistance (+3.7% at 2 K in 70 kOe) were found.