Single Crystal Growth and Anisotropic Magnetic Properties of Li2Sr[Li1-xFexN]2

Up to now, investigation of physical properties of ternary and higher nitridometalates has been severely hampered by challenges concerning phase purity and crystal size. Employing a modified lithium flux technique, we are now able to prepare sufficiently large single crystals of the highly air and moisture sensitive nitridoferrate Li2Sr[Li1−xFexN]2 for anisotropic magnetization measurements. The magnetic properties are most remarkable: large anisotropy and coercivity fields of 7 Tesla at T = 2 K indicate a significant orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of iron. Altogether, the novel growth method opens a route towards interesting phases in the comparatively recent research field of nitridometalates and should be applicable to various other materials.