High-pressure synthesis of new filled skutterudite compounds SrT4As12 (T = Fe, Ru, Os)

We have succeeded in synthesizing samples of new filled skutterudite compounds SrT 4As12 (T = Fe, Ru, and Os) using a high-pressure synthesis technique. These compounds have lattice constants of 8.351, 8.521, and 8.561 Å, respectively. The physical properties of the compounds are reported for the first time. The temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity for SrT 4As12 (T = Fe, Ru, and Os) exhibit metallic behaviors. The electrical resistivity and magnetic measurements indicates that SrOs4As12 is a new superconductor with a transition temperature of 4.8 K. A broad maximum of magnetic susceptibility at around 50 K and a large electronic specific heat coefficient of 58 mJ mol−1 K−2 suggest that SrFe4As12 is a nearly ferromagnetic metal with spin fluctuations of Fe 3d electrons