Crystal Structure and Coordination of B-Cations in the Ruddlesden–Popper Phases Sr3−xPrx(Fe1.25Ni0.75)O7−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)

Compounds Sr3−xPrxFe1.25Ni0.75O7−δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 and Ruddlesden–Popper n = 2 type structures were synthesized and investigated by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Both samples, prepared at 1300 °C under N2(g) flow and samples subsequently air-annealed at 900 °C, were studied. The structures contained oxygen vacancies in the perovskite layers, and the Fe/Ni cations had an average coordination number less than six. The oxygen content was considerably higher for air-annealed samples than for samples prepared under N2, 7 − δ = ~6.6 and ~5.6 per formula unit, respectively. Mössbauer data collected at 7 K, below magnetic ordering temperatures, were consistent with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) results. The electrical conductivity was considerably higher for the air-annealed samples and was for x = 0.1~30 S·cm−1 at 500 °C. The thermal expansion coefficients were measured in air between room temperature and 900 °C and was found to be 20–24 ppm·K−1 overall.