Facile syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of NdBaMnCoO5 and NdBaMnCoO6

NdBaMnCoO5 has been synthesized using a mass-flow controlled reducing reaction, followed by low (800 °C) temperature oxidation to produce NdBaMnCoO6. The structures and properties have been analyzed using powder neutron diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. At room temperature both phases are tetragonal with unit cells ap × ap × 2ap (ap = perovskite subcell length) showing full order of the A-site cations and no order of either B-site cations or charge. Low temperature neutron diffraction shows a fully antiferromagnetic (G-type) structure for NdBaMnCoO5 (cell √2ap × √2ap × 2ap) and an orthorhombic cell (2ap × 2ap × 2ap) for NdBaMnCoO6.