Perovskite-related oxynitrides - Recent developments in synthesis, characterisation and investigations of physical properties

Since the first investigations of perovskite type oxynitrides with the generalised composition ABO(3-x)N(x) about twenty years ago, these compounds have become of growing interest. The incorporation of nitride ions in the perovskite lattice results in distinct changes in the electronic structure leading to unusual physical properties. In this article we report on new synthesis techniques, different analytical methods, progress in the structural characterisation by comprehensive diffraction techniques and local spectroscopic methods like XAS and NMR as well as state of the art theoretical investigations. Various physical characteristics like electrical and thermal transport parameters and dielectric properties are described. The thermal and chemical stability of oxynitride perovskites are investigated and their applications in different photocatalytic reactions are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.