Abstract
A series of samples in the Sm1-xSrxCoO3-y(x=0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00) system has been prepared at 1200 ℃ under ambient atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples with x=0.00 and 0.25 are indexed with orthorhombic symmetry like GdFeO3 and x=0.50 appears to be perfectly cubic. In the tetragonal system (x=0.75), the structure is similar to that of SrCoO2.80. The composition of x=1.00, SrCoO2.52, shows the brownmillerite-type structure. The reduced lattice volume is increased with x value in this system. The chemical analysis shows the τ value (the amount of the Co4+ ions in the system) is maximized at the composition of x=0.50. Nonstoichiometric chemical formulas are determined by the x, τ and y values. The electrical conductivity has been measured in the temperature range of 78 to 1000 K. The activation energy is minimum for those of x=0.25 and x=0.50 with metallic behavior. First-order semiconductor-to-metal transition of SmCoO3 is not observed. Instead, a broad, high-order semiconductor-to-metal transition is observed. In general, the effective magnetic moment is increased with increasing τ values at low temperature. At high temperature, the magnetic moment is maximum for that of x=0.00. The 3d-electrons are collective and give ferromagnetism in x=0.50.