High Hydrostatic Pressure (0.5-2.5 GPa) Synthesis of Rare-Earth Nickel Oxides RNiO3 (R$=$La1-xYx)

h $pard$\backslash $pard-abstract-$\backslash $pardWe are interested in the rare-earth nickel oxides and investigating their electronic properties by using a hot press synthesis. Materials are first prepared by an ambient solid-state reaction (950\textdegree C), creating mixed-phase RNiOx materials. A hot piston-cylinder press, which can range from 5-25kbar at high temperatures (950C-1000C), is then used to search for new phases using either an oxidizer (KClO4) or pure, as it is naturally reducing [1][2]. We are studying nickelate phases, specifically RNiO3 (R$=$La1-xNdx), for the metal-insulator transition. We are also looking into how the size of the rare-earth metal could affect when this transition occurs. Currently, we are still working to get a pure phase sample, but have recently seen some success.$\backslash $[1]Luke G. Marshall, Ph. D. Thesis, The University of Texas at Austin, pp. 80--104 (2003).2] G. D\'{e}mazeau et al., J. Solid State Chem. 3, 582 (1971)-/abstract-$\backslash $pard$\