title: Single crystal growth from separated educts and its application to lithium transition-metal oxides.
abstract: Thorough mixing of the starting materials is the first step of a crystal growth procedure. This holds true for almost any standard technique, whereas the intentional separation of educts is considered to be restricted to a very limited number of cases. Here we show that single crystals of α-Li2IrO3can be grown from separated educts in an open crucible in air. Elemental lithium and iridium are oxidized and transported over a distance of typically one centimeter. In contrast to classical vapor transport, the process is essentially isothermal and a temperature gradient of minor importance. Single crystals grow from an exposed condensation point placed in between the educts. The method has also been applied to the growth of Li2RuO3, Li2PtO3and β-Li2IrO3. A successful use of this simple and low cost technique for various other materials is anticipated.
authors.affiliation: EP VI, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Augsburg University, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coldea
authors.affiliation: EP VI, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Augsburg University, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gegenwart
authors.affiliation: EP VI, Center for Electronic Correlations and Magnetism, Augsburg University, D-86159 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jesche