High temperature transitions in Ruddlesden-Popper nickelates La$_{n+1}$Ni$_{n}$O$_{3n+1}$

Abstract

The discovery of superconductivity at $15\,\mathrm{K}$ in the infinite-layer nickelate $(\mathrm{Nd},\mathrm{Sr})\mathrm{NiO}_2$, followed by superconductivity at $80\,\mathrm{K}$ in the Ruddlesden--Popper phase $\mathrm{La}_3\mathrm{Ni}_2\mathrm{O}_7$, has ushered in a new era of nickelate research. Despite this progress, large discrepancies between reports exist. Here, we investigate the complete series of bulk-stable $\mathrm{La}_{n+1}\mathrm{Ni}_n\mathrm{O}_{3n+1}$ compounds using a comprehensive set of experimental techniques, including PXRD, single-crystal XRD, electron microscopy, heat capacity, differential scanning calorimetry, magnetic susceptibility, and transport measurements, over a broad temperature range from $2$ to $1000\,\mathrm{K}$. By studying high-quality single crystals, we identify a previously underappreciated high-temperature phase transition in Ruddlesden--Popper nickelates $\mathrm{La}_{n+1}\mathrm{Ni}_n\mathrm{O}_{3n+1}$ distinct from the one going to a tetragonal phase.