Strong antiferromagnetic interaction owing to a large trigonal distortion in the spin-orbit-coupled honeycomb lattice iridate CdIrO$_3$

Abstract

We investigated the magnetic properties of the ilmenite-type iridate CdIrO$_3$ with a honeycomb lattice formed by Ir$^{4+}$ ions prepared via a solid-state metathesis. The magnetization measurements with using the powder sample reveal a large effective magnetic moment and a fairly strong antiferromagnetic interaction, indicating a deviation from the Kitaev model. Considering the relationship between magnetism and crystal structure in CdIrO$_3$ with comparing with the other ilmenite-type iridates ZnIrO$_3$ and MgIrO$_3$, we conclude that insulating CdIrO$_3$ cannot be describe as a $J_{\rm eff} = 1/2$ Mott state owing to a metathetically-stabilized large trigonal distortion of IrO$_6$ octahedra.