Floating zone growth of α-Na0.90MnO2 single crystals

Single crystal growth of α-NaxMnO2 (x=0.90) is reported via the floating zone technique. The conditions required for stable growth and intergrowth-free crystals are described along with the results of trials under alternate growth atmospheres. Chemical and structural characterizations of the resulting α-Na0.90MnO2 crystals are performed using ICP-AES NMR, XANES, XPS, and neutron diffraction measurements. As a layered transition metal oxide with large ionic mobility and strong correlation effects, α-NaxMnO2 is of interest to many communities, and the implications of large volume, high purity, single crystal growth are discussed.