Synthesis and Characterisation of Metal Oxychalcogenides with Novel Electronic and Magnetic Properties

A 39 month PhD position is available to investigate the preparation and properties of a range of transition-metal containing oxychalcogenide materials. Oxychalcogenides are materials which simultaneously contain oxide and sulphide/selenide/telluride anions and frequently have unusual structures which lead to unusual and potentially exploitable physical properties. The fascinating potential properties of such mixed anion materials has been highlighted by the remarkable recent discovery of superconductivity at temperatures up to 56 K in materials derived from the oxyarsenide LaOFeAs.

In this project you will prepare a number of novel materials with structures related to LaOFeAs, and will learn a number of key synthetic methods in solid state chemistry. You will also undertake a series of doping experiments aimed at modifying the electronic properties of known oxychalcogenide materials. The identity of all materials you prepare and any structural changes they undergo with temperature (which are frequently associated with changes in physical properties) will be studied using a combination of laboratory based powder and single crystal diffraction methods, for which Durham has unique state-of-the-art equipment. You will learn/apply advanced Rietveld methods for the analysis of powder diffraction data. You will also learn the techniques required to study the conductivity, optical and magnetic properties of materials.