Charge ordering, commensurability, and metallicity in the phase diagram of the layered NaxCoO2

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Jun 18;92(24):247001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.247001. Epub 2004 Jun 14.

Abstract

The phase diagram of nonhydrated NaxCoO2 has been determined by changing the Na content x using a series of chemical reactions. As x increases from 0.3, the ground state goes from a paramagnetic metal to a charge-ordered insulator (at x=1/2), then to a "Curie-Weiss metal" (around 0.70), and finally to a weak-moment magnetically ordered state (x>0.75). The unusual properties of the state at 1/2 (including particle-hole symmetry at low T and enhanced thermal conductivity) are described. The strong coupling between the Na ions and the holes is emphasized.