High oxygen pressures and the stabilization of a new mixed valence Cu(III)/Cu(IV)

Abstract

The Cu(III) oxides were investigated first for the unusual copper oxidation state and then for the high-Tc superconductivity. In the last case this property is observed when a mixed copper valence is stabilized : Cu(I)/Cu(II) or Cu(II)/Cu(III). A new mixed valence Cu(III)/Cu(IV) has been stabilized in the three dimensional lattice of the perovskite-type oxide Lal_-xSr_xCuO₃ (0 ≥ ′ ≥ 0,25). Chemical analysis and XPS study confirm the mixed valence. This compound shows metallic properties with an broadening of the conduction band compared to LaCu0₃. Such a behaviour can be explained either by the increase of the covalence of the average Cu-0 bond or by the decrease of the structural distortion induced by the substitution of Sr(II) for La(III). No superconducting property has been detected down to 4K.