Metal valences in electron-doped (Sr,La)2FeTaO6 double perovskite: A 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy study

Substitution of divalent Sr by trivalent La is found to affect the valence states of both of the two B-site cations, Fe and Ta, in the double perovskite oxide (Sr1−xLax)2FeTaO6. Moreover, it improves the degree of order of these cations. From 57Fe Mössbauer spectra the average Fe valence was found to decrease with increasing La substitution level, x. However, the valence of Fe decreased less than expected if the valence of Ta was assumed to remain constant. Hence, we conclude that also the valence of Ta decreases.