Kondo-like behavior in a mixed valent oxypnictide $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$

Abstract

We have synthesized and characterized the physical properties of a layered, mixed valent oxypnictide $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ via magnetization, electrical resistivity, and specific heat measurements. Although $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ does not exhibit superconductivity down to T = 0.5 K, it demonstrates an intriguing resistivity minimum observed at ${\mathrm{T}}_{\min }$ = 13.7 K. Disappearance of the resistivity minimum under an applied magnetic field of ${\mu }_0\mathrm{H}$ = 9 T together with the negative magnetoresistance at low and positive at high temperatures are observed, which are typical for both Kondo-like spin-dependent scattering and 3D weak localization. We argue that the Kondo scattering is a more plausible explanation due to the low-temperature deviation from a Curie-Weiss law observed in the magnetic susceptibility, consistent with the presence of magnetic interactions between paramagnetic $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}^{2+}$ ions and Kondo screening of these $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}^{2+}$ moments. We supplemented the experimental characterization with a detailed description of chemical bonding, employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis for $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ and isostructural $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$, which is a superconductor with ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}=2.2$ K. Based on the calculations performed, we present the difference between $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ and $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{i}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ in the character of electronic states at the Fermi level. This discrepancy impacts structural stability and may cause a lack of superconductivity in $\mathrm{L}{\mathrm{a}}_3\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{u}}_4{\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_2$ down to T = 0.5 K.

arXiv comment13 pages, 9 figures

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