Nickelates with different valence states of the Ni ions are increasingly becoming the focus of cutting-edge research in solid-state physics. Recent discoveries of superconductivity in thin films and bulk crystals have fueled the synthesis and investigation efforts of these compounds. Achieving stabilization of the Ni3+ valence state in LaNiO3 requires high partial pressure of oxygen for successful synthesis. A recent study from Stuttgart presents the methods and results of growing large LaNiO3 crystals using the HKZ-300 furnace at 150 bar oxygen pressure and their subsequent transformation into millimeter-sized LaNiO2 crystals. The resulting samples were characterized using various techniques, providing insight into the magnetic and electronic properties of this elusive compound.

 

Puphal et al 2023 Synthesis and physical properties of LaNiO2 crystals