59Co NMR study of the Co states in superconducting and anhydrous cobaltates

Abstract

$^{59}$Co NMR spectra in oriented powders of Na$_{0.35}$CoO$_{2}$ and in its hydrated superconducting phase (HSC) Na$_{0.35}$CoO$_{2}$,1.3H$_{2}$O reveal a single electronic Co state with identical $T$ independent NMR shift tensor. These phases differ markedly from Na$_{0.7}$CoO$_{2}$, in which we resolve 3 types of Co sites. The large T variation of their spin susceptibilities $χ^{s}$ and the anisotropy of the orbital susceptibility $χ^{orb}$ allow us to conclude that charge disproportionation occurs, in a non magnetic Co$^{3+}$ and two magnetic sites with about 0.3 and 0.7 holes in the $t_{2g}$ multiplet. The data are consistent with those for the single Co site in the anhydrous and HSC phase assuming the expected Co$^{3.65+}$ charge.

5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett