Synthesis and characterization of novel rocksalt-type oxynitrides, LiTinOxNy (n=1, 2, 3, 4 and 8)

Novel oxynitrides, LiTinOxNy (n=1, 2, 3, 4 and 8) were synthesized by sintering under NH3 gas atmosphere. These compounds have rocksalt-type structure and the existence of cation vacancies is suggested. While the lattice parameters of these compound slightly vary, obvious tendency for the Li or nitride content is not found. For these compounds, the temperature dependence of the electronic conductivity shows the semiconducting behavior. However, the measurement of magnetic susceptibility and the Seebeck coefficient suggest that the transport in these compound is metallic. The electric conductivity seems to be dominated by the resistance of the grain boundary and the transport property of these compounds is metallic.