Preparation, electronic, and magnetic properties of Sr₃V₂O_6.99

Synthesis, electrical, and magnetic properties of a layered perovskite-related compound, Sr₃V₂O_6.99, are reported. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the body-centered tetragonal (I4/mmm) structure as proposed earlier. The electrical resistivity of the sample is 0.054 Ω · cm at room temperature and decreases with temperature down to 15 K, with a T² dependence in the range 15-150 K. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility shows a small cusp at ∼ 110 K. Spin-glass-like behavior is observed in the temperature range 5-26 K as evidenced by irreversibility of the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization curves. The spin-glass dynamics of the sample was confirmed via the measurement of the AC susceptibility. The observed electrical and magnetic properties suggest disorder-induced localization of the defects at low temperatures.