Magnetic ordering of divalent europium in double perovskites Eu2LnTaO6 (Ln=rare earths): Magnetic interactions of Eu ions determined by magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and Eu Mössbauer spectrum measurements

Structures and magnetic properties of double perovskite-type oxides Eu₂LnTaO₆ (Ln=Eu, Dy-Lu) were investigated. These compounds adopt a distorted double perovskite structure with space group P2₁/n. Magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectrum measurements show that the Eu²⁺ ions at the 12-coordinate sites of the perovskite structure are antiferromagnetically ordered at ∼4 K, and that Ln³⁺ ions at the 6-coordinate site are in the paramagnetic state down to 1.8 K.     

Eu and Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy of EuSbSe3 and EuBiSe3

¹⁵¹Eu and ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer spectroscopy of EuSbSe₃ and EuBiSe₃ were measured at different temperatures. The presence of divalent europium and trivalent antimony were confirmed. The largely negative values of the isomer shift in ¹⁵¹Eu spectrum show highly ionic bonding within these two compounds. Both of them show magnetic hyperfine field splitting at 4.2 K, which indicates a change in the orientation of the EFG principal axis with respect to the magnetic hyperfine field direction. EuSbSe₃ has slightly smaller electron density at the antimony nuclei, compared to Sb₂Se_3.     

Eu3F4S2: Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of the mixed-valent europium(II,III) fluoride sulfide EuF2·(EuFS)2

Using the method to synthesize rare-earth metal(III) fluoride sulfides MFS (M=Y, La, Ce–Lu), in some cases we were able to obtain mixed-valent compounds such as Yb₃F₄S₂ instead. With Eu₃F₄S₂ another isotypic representative has now been synthesized. Eu₃F₄S₂ (tetragonal, I4/mmm, a=400.34(2), c=1928.17(9) pm, Z=2) is obtained from the reaction of metallic europium, elemental sulfur, and europium trifluoride in a molar ratio of 5:6:4 within seven days at 850 °C in silica-jacketed gas-tightly sealed platinum ampoules. The single-phase product consists of black plate-shaped single crystals with a square cross section, which can be obtained from a flux using equimolar amounts of NaCl as fluxing agent. The crystal structure is best described as an intergrowth structure, in which one layer of CaF₂-type EuF₂ is followed by two layers of PbFCl-type EuFS when sheeted parallel to the (001) plane. Accordingly there are two chemically and crystallographically different europium cations present. One of them (Eu²⁺) is coordinated by eight fluoride anions in a cubic fashion, the other one (Eu³⁺) exhibits a monocapped square antiprismatic coordination sphere with four F⁻ and five S²⁻ anions. Although the structural ordering of the different charged europium cations is plausible, a certain amount of charge delocalization with some polaron activity has to take place, which is suggested by the black color of the title compound. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of Eu₃F₄S₂ show Curie–Weiss behavior with an experimental magnetic moment of 8.19(5) μ_B per formula unit and a paramagnetic Curie temperature of 0.3(2) K. No magnetic ordering is observed down to 4.2 K. In accordance with an ionic formula splitting like (Eu^II)(Eu^III)₂F₄S₂ only one third of the europium centers in Eu₃F₄S₂ carry permanent magnetic moments. ¹⁵¹Eu-Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments at 4.2 K show one signal at an isomer shift of −12.4(1) mm/s and a second one at 0.42(4) mm/s. These signals occur in a ratio of 1:2 and correspond to Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺, respectively. The spectra at 78 and 298 K are similar, thus no change in the Eu²⁺/Eu³⁺ fraction can be detected.     

Structural study by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of the Na2Mn2(1 − x)Cd2xFe(PO4)3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution

Na₂Mn_{2(1 − x)}Cd_2xFe(PO₄)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) phosphates were prepared by solid state reaction and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the formation of a continuous solid solution which crystallizes in the alluaudite structural type characterized by the general formula X(2)X(1)M(1)M(2)₂(PO₄)₃. The cation distribution, deduced from a structure refinement of the x = 0, 0.5 and 1 compositions, is ordered in the X(2) sites and disordered in the remaining X(1), M(1) and M(2) sites. The magnetic susceptibility study revealed an antiferromagnetic behaviour of the studied compounds. The ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the structural results and proved the exclusive presence of Fe³⁺ ions.     

Crystal structure, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of the mixed-valence iron phosphate Na1/2Cu4/3Fe2(PO4)3

Single crystals of a new mixed-valent iron phosphate Na_1/2Cu_4/3Fe₂(PO₄)₃ have been synthesized by a flux method and structurally characterized from X-ray diffraction data. Crystal data: space group ; ; ; ; α=105.881(1)°; β=107.202(1)°; γ=101.467(1)°; Z=2; R₁=0.03; wR₂=0.093. The three-dimensional structure was found to be closely related to that of the well known Howardevansite structural type. It results from infinite chains of CuO₅ and FeO₆ polyhedra, joined together by (Cu,□)O₆ octahedra and PO₄ tetrahedra by corner-sharing. The large cavities in framework are occupied by Na⁺ ions. The magnetic susceptibility study revealed an antiferromagnetic behavior with Neel temperature of approximately 40 K. The Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed the presence of iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states.     

Magnetic properties of EuLn2O4 (Ln=rare earths)

Ternary rare earth oxides EuLn₂O₄ (Ln=Gd, Dy-Lu) were prepared. They crystallized in an orthorhombic CaFe₂O₄-type structure with space group Pnma. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements show that the Eu ions are in the divalent state. All these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.2-6.3 K. From the positive Weiss constant and the saturation of magnetization for EuLu₂O₄, it is considered that ferromagnetic chains of Eu²⁺ are aligned along the b-axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, with neighboring Eu²⁺ chains antiparallel. When Ln=Gd-Tm, ferromagnetically aligned Eu²⁺ ions interact with the Ln³⁺ ions, which would overcome the magnetic frustration of triangularly aligned Ln³⁺ ions and the EuLn₂O₄ compounds show a simple antiferromagnetic behavior.     

Characterization by X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy of a new alluaudite-like phosphate:: Na4CaFe4(PO4)6

A single crystal of a new sodium calcium iron (III) phosphate, Na₄CaFe₄(PO₄)₆, has been synthesized by a flux method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c(a=12.099(5) Å, b=12.480(5) Å, c=6.404(2) Å, β=113.77(3)°, Z=2, R₁=0.022, R_w2=0.066). The crystal structure belongs to the alluaudite type, characterized by the X(2)X(1)M(1)M(2)₂(PO₄)₃ general formula. The open framework results from Fe₂O₁₀ units of edge-sharing FeO₆ octahedra, which alternate with M(1)O₆ octahedra (M(1)=Na+Ca) that form infinite chains. These chains are linked together through the common corners of PO₄ tetrahedra yielding two distinct tunnels of sodium cation occupation. This compound is antiferromagnetic with a Néel temperature of 35 K. Mössbauer parameters are consistent with the structural results.     

Structure, magnetic properties and Mössbauer spectroscopy of GdRhSn

Polycrystalline GdRhSn was obtained by a reaction of the elements in a sealed tantalum tube in a high-frequency furnace. The sample was investigated by X-ray diffraction on powder and a single crystal: ZrNiAl type, space group , a=752.6(1),c=386.38(6) pm, wR₂=0.0353, 454 F² values and 14 variables. Both crystallographically independent rhodium atoms have a tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination, i.e. [Rh1Sn₃Gd₆] and [Rh2Sn₆Gd₃]. The shortest distances occur for the Rh-Sn contacts (274 and 283 pm). Together the rhodium and tin atoms build up a three-dimensional [RhSn] network in which the gadolinium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. The magnetic and electronic properties of GdRhSn have been studied by means of magnetic AC and DC susceptibility measurements as well as ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹⁵⁵Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy. A transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic state with non-collinear magnetic ordering takes place at .     

EuTZn (T=Pd, Pt, Au) with TiNiSi-type structure—Magnetic properties and Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy

The europium compounds EuTZn (T=Pd, Pt, Au) were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum tubes in an induction furnace. These intermetallics crystallize with the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma. The structures were investigated by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals: a=732.3(2), b=448.5(2), c=787.7(2) pm, R₁/wR₂=0.0400/0.0594, 565 F² values for EuPdZn, a=727.8(3), b=443.7(1), c=781.7(3) pm, R₁/wR₂=0.0605/0.0866, 573 F² values for EuPtZn, and a=747.4(2), b=465.8(2), c=789.1(4) pm, R₁/wR₂=0.0351/0.0590, 658 F² values for EuAuZn, with 20 variables per refinement. Together the T and zinc atoms build up three-dimensional [TZn] networks with short T–Zn distances. The EuTZn compounds show Curie–Weiss behavior in the temperature range from 75 to 300 K with μ_eff=7.97(1), 7.70(1), and 7.94(1) μ_B/Eu atom and θ_P=18.6(1), 34.9(1), and 55.5(1) K for T=Pd, Pt, and Au, respectively, indicating divalent europium. Antiferromagntic ordering was detected at 15.1(3) K for EuPdZn and canted ferromagnetic ordering at 21.2(3) and 51.1(3) K for EuPtZn and EuAuZn. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements confirm the divalent nature of the europium atoms by isomer shift values ranging from −8.22(8) (EuPtZn) to −9.23(2) mm/s (EuAuZn). At 4.2 K full magnetic hyperfine field splitting is observed in all three compounds due to magnetic ordering of the europium magnetic moments.     

Structure, magnetic properties and Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy of PrRhSn

PrRhSn was synthesized in polycrystalline form by a reaction of praseodymium, rhodium, and tin in an arc-melting furnace. The sample was investigated by powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction: ZrNiAl type, space group a=742.49(7), c=415.05(5) pm, wR₂=0.0737, 353F² values and 14 variables. The PrRhSn structure has two crystallographically independent rhodium sites with a tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination, i.e. [Rh1Sn₃Pr₆] and [Rh2Sn₆Pr₃]. The rhodium and tin atoms build up a three-dimensional [RhSn] network with short Rh-Sn contacts (278 and 285 pm), in which the praseodymium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. The magnetic and electronic properties of PrRhSn have been studied by means of AC and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy. A transition from a paramagnetic to a ferromagnetic state was found at .     

The binary gallide Eu5Ga9 - crystal structure, chemical bonding and physical properties

The title compound was prepared from the elements by reaction in a sealed tantalum tube at 1320 K followed by slow cooling to 970 K or, alternatively, in glassy carbon crucibles with HF melting. The crystal structure of Eu₅Ga₉ was refined from single-crystal data: Cmcm, a=4.613(1) Å, b=10.902(3) Å, c=26.097(6) Å, Z=4, R_F=0.036, 811 structure factors and 46 variables. The structure is described as a three-dimensional network formed by gallium atoms with europium atoms embedded in the cavities. The bonding analysis (LMTO, ELF) confirmed this representation of the structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Curie-Weiss behavior above 60 K with a magnetic moment per Eu atom of 8.12(1) μ_B, indicating divalent europium. Eu₅Ga₉ orders antiferromagnetically at 19.0(5) K with re-ordering at 6.0(5) K. The electrical resistivity shows a metallic temperature dependence and magnetic scattering. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic experiments are compatible with divalent europium and show complex magnetic hyperfine field splitting below the ordering temperature.     

Synthesis, structure, magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopies of the new oxyphosphate Fe0.50TiO(PO4)

A new iron titanyl oxyphosphate Fe_0.50TiO(PO₄) was synthesized by both solid-state reaction and Cu²⁺-Fe²⁺ ion exchange method. The material was then characterized by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the compound was refined, using X-ray powder diffraction data, by Rietveld profile method; it crytallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c (No.14), with , , , β=120.36°(1), and Z=4. The volume of the title compound is comparable to those of the M_0.50^IITiO(PO₄) series, where M^II=Mg, Co, Ni and Zn. The framework is built up from [TiO₆] octahedra and [PO₄] tetrahedra. [TiO₆] octahedra are linked together by corners and form infinite chains along the c-axis. Ti atoms are displaced from the center of octahedral units showing an alternating short distance (1.73 Å) and a long one (2.22 Å). These chains are linked together by [PO₄] tetrahedra. Fe²⁺ cations occupy a triangle-based antiprism sharing two faces with two [TiO₆] octahedra. Mössbauer and magnetic measurements show the existence of iron only in divalent state, located exclusively in octahedral sites with high spin configuration (t_2g⁴e_g²). Raman study confirms the existence of Ti-O-Ti chains.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of SrAu3In3 and EuAu3In3—New indides with gold zig-zag chains

New indides SrAu₃In₃ and EuAu₃In₃ were synthesized by induction melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. Both indides were characterized by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals. They crystallize with a new orthorhombic structure type: Pmmn, Z=2, a=455.26(9), b=775.9(2), c=904.9(2) pm, wR2=0.0425, 485 F² values for SrAu₃In₃ and a=454.2(2), b=768.1(6), c=907.3(6) pm, wR2=0.0495, 551 F² values for EuAu₃In₃ with 26 variables for each refinement. The gold and indium atoms build up three-dimensional [Au₃In₃] polyanionic networks, which leave distorted hexagonal channels for the strontium and europium atoms. Within the networks one observes Au2 atoms without Au-Au contacts and gold zig-zag chains (279 pm Au1-Au1 in EuAu₃In₃). The Au-In and In-In distances in EuAu₃In₃ range from 270 to 290 and from 305 to 355 pm. The europium atoms within the distorted hexagonal channels have coordination number 14 (8 Au+6 In). EuAu₃In₃ shows Curie-Weiss behavior above 50 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 8.1(1) μB/Eu atom. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectra show a single signal at δ=−11.31(1) mm/s, compatible with divalent europium. No magnetic ordering was detected down to 3 K.     

Magnetic structures of the α-Li3Fe2(PO4)3−x(AsO4)x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution

Mössbauer spectroscopy and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out for the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)_3−x(AsO₄)_x (x=1, 1.5, 2, 3) solid solution, potential candidate for the cathode material of the lithium secondary batteries. The crystal and magnetic structures of all these phases are based on the structural and magnetic model corresponding to the α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃ phosphate parent, but with some differences promoted by the arsenate substitution. The PO₄ and AsO₄ groups have a random distribution in the structure. In all compounds the coupling of the magnetic moments takes place in the (001) plane, but the value of the angle between the moments and the x direction decreases from 38.3° (α-Li₃Fe₂(AsO₄)₃) to 4.7° (α-Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₂(AsO₄)₁). This rotation arises from the change in the tilt angle between the Fe(1)O₆ and Fe(2)O₆ crystallographically and magnetically independent octahedra in the structures, and affects the effectiveness of the magnetic exchange pathways. The ordering temperature T_N decreases with the increase of phosphate amount in the compounds. The existence of a phenomenon of canting and the evolution of the ferrimagnetic behavior in this solid solution is also discussed.     

Antiferromagnetism of perovskite EuZrO3

Polycrystalline EuZrO₃ has been synthesized by the solid-state reaction between EuO and ZrO₂, and its structural and magnetic properties have been investigated. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that EuZrO₃ crystallizes in an orthorhombic perovskite structure. ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer effect measurement reveals that almost all the europium ions are present as the divalent state and occupy distorted sites with non-axial electric field gradients, in agreement with the orthorhombic structure. In contrast to previous reports, an antiferromagnetic transition was observed around 4.1 K. The magnetic structure below the Néel temperature has been discussed.     

Structural study and physical properties of a new phosphate KCuFe(PO4)2

Single crystals of a new phosphate KCuFe(PO₄)₂ have been prepared by the flux method and its structural and physical properties have been investigated. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group P2₁/n and its parameters are: a=7.958(3) Å, b=9.931(2) Å, c=9.039(2) Å, β=115.59(3)° and Z=4. Its structure consists of FeO₆ octahedra sharing corners with Cu₂O₈ units of edge-sharing CuO₅ polyhedra to form undulating chains extending infinitely along the b-axis. These chains are connected by the phosphate tetrahedra giving rise to a 3D framework with six-sided tunnels parallel to the [101] direction, where the K⁺ ions are located. The Mössbauer spectroscopy results confirm the exclusive presence of octahedral Fe³⁺ ions. The magnetic measurements show the compound to be antiferromagnetic with C_m=5.71 emu K/mol and θ=−156.5 K. The derived experimental effective moment μ_ex=6.76μ_B is somewhat higher than the theoretical one of μ_th=6.16μ_B, calculated taking only into account the spin contribution for Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ cations. Electrical measurements allow us to obtain the activation energy (1.22 eV) and the conductivity measurements suggest that the charge carriers through the structure are the potassium cations.     

Crystal-structure and Mössbauer studies of Li1.746Nd4.494FeO9.493

The Li_1.746Nd_4.494FeO_9.493 (LNF) ternary phase, located in the Li₂O-rich part of the Li₂O-Nd₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ system, crystallizes with a cubic unit cell of dimension and the space group Im3m. Refinement on F resulted in R=1.9%. The structure is comprised of a network of corners, edges and faces sharing the coordination polyhedra of neodymium. In between this skeleton the regular octahedra of oxygen-coordinated iron and trigonal prisms of lithium are located. The Mössbauer spectra revealed the presence of Fe³⁺, Fe⁴⁺ and Fe⁵⁺ ions distributed on two symmetry-independent lattice positions.     

Magnetic and Mössbauer studies of 5% Fe-doped BiMnO3

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, dc and ac magnetization, specific heat, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were performed in a powder BiMn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ sample prepared at 6 GPa and 1383 K. The substitution of 5% Fe for Mn increases the temperatures of the structural monoclinic-to-orthorhombic phase transition (from 768 to 779 K) and the ferromagnetic transition (from 98 to 109 K) by about 10 K in BiMn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ compared with BiMnO₃. On the other hand, the temperature of the monoclinic-to-monoclinic phase transition associated with the orbital ordering strongly decreases in BiMn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ (414 K) compared with that of BiMnO₃ (474 K). The saturated magnetic moment at 5 K and 5 T is also suppressed from 3.92 μ_B per formula unit in BiMnO₃ to 3.35 μ_B in BiMn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃. The large quadrupole splitting (1.18 mm/s) observed at 293 K in BiMn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ can be explained by the strong Jahn-Teller distortion and cooperative orbital order. The quadrupole splitting reduces by two times above the orbital melting temperature.     

Mössbauer investigation of Fe doped La4Ni3O10±y phases

⁵⁷Fe doped La₄Ni_2.97Fe_0.03O_9.95 was synthesized by a citrate method and, afterwards, successfully oxidized and reduced by electrochemical methods. The compounds obtained were investigated by X-ray diffraction, electrical measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The study allowed to follow the variation of the two nickel sites environment with the oxygen stoichiometry and a deeper understanding of the electrical behavior versus oxygen non-stoichiometry was achieved. The Mössbauer study revealed that after both oxidation and reduction treatments, the major modifications were observed on the octahedra adjacent to the La₂O₂ layers, while the middle octahedra of the triple perovskite block remained almost unchanged. The oxygen intercalation (oxidized treatment) takes place essentially in the La₂O₂ layers and the oxygen desintercalation (reduction treatment) occurs in the octahedral sites adjacent to those layers.     

Structural, microstructural and Mössbauer study of BiFeO3 synthesized at low temperature by a microwave-hydrothermal method

Multiferroic BiFeO₃ has been rapidly synthesized by a microwave – hydrothermal method using nitrates as the metallic source. Structural characterization was performed by thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Generally accepted trigonal space group R3c, as well as recently suggested monoclinic symmetries, were assayed in the search for the best fit. Due to the ambiguity of the Rietveld refinement to distinguish between crystal systems, a micro-diffraction and HRTEM study has been performed. The best solution was obtained with the trigonal model. The room-temperature Mössbauer spectra reveal the presence of a small fraction (2%) of iron in low spin configuration.