Crystal growth, defect structure and magnetism of new Li3N-derived lithium nitridocobaltates

Abstract

New nitridocobaltates Li_3−x−yCo_xN are revealed to contain significant Li⁺ vacancies (y ≈ 0.45) disordered within lithium–nitrogen planes and to exist as partially delocalised spin systems as a result of increased covalency through infinite –N–(Li,Co)–N– chains.