Cu-based
delafossites offer multifunctional properties that include electrical,
magnetic, optical, and thermal transport, and they also act as a photocathode
for energy-harvesting applications. Such properties can be modified
by bringing about subtle changes in the chemical environment, like
introducing holes or excess electrons in the system. With the aim
to understand the evolution of physical properties that take place
upon systematically replacing 3d3 (Cr3+) with
3d5 (Fe3+), we performed a comprehensive study
of structural, electrical and thermal transport, and magnetic properties
of the CuCr1–x
Fe
x
O2 series. In agreement with the different ionic
radii of trivalent cations, high-intensity X-ray diffraction confirms
a systematic increase of the unit cell parameters. Extended X-ray
absorption fine structure spectroscopy confirms the uniform solution
of mixed trivalent Cr3+/Fe3+ cations and demonstrates
the changes in the hybridization between Cu 3d and O 2p orbitals.
Cu K-edge near-edge spectra reflect a sharp 1s → 4p transition
associated with the ligand–metal charge transfer “shakedown”
process in the collinear O–Cu–O bond along c-axis, whereas the Cr and Fe K-edge absorption spectra show small
reciprocal shifts in the edge energies. The charge carrier concentration
increases with Fe substitution as confirmed from Hall effect measurement;
both p-type conduction and a decrease in the electrical resistivity
are observed. The electrical conduction follows a 3D variable range
hopping at low-temperature and thermally activated transport at high
temperature. The two end members of the series are well-studied, geometrically
frustrated antiferromagnetic systems; the present study of magnetic
properties of intermediate compositions show a systematic increase
of FM interaction with rising Fe concentration and hence a competing
magnetic state. A sharp transition in high-temperature (600 K) region
identifies a truly paramagnetic state for Fe rich compounds. Thermal
conductivity values are drastically affected by the spin fluctuation
and spin-phonon scattering taking place in these compositions.