Crystal structural, magnetic, and transport properties of layered cobalt oxyfluorides, Sr2CoO(3+x)F(1-x) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15)

The crystal structure of the layered cobalt oxyfluoride Sr(2)CoO(3)F synthesized under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions has been determined from neutron powder diffraction and synchrotron powder diffraction data collected at temperatures ranging from 320 to 3 K. This material adopts the tetragonal space group I4/mmm over the measured temperature range and the crystal structure is analogous to n = 1 Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite. In contrast to related oxyhalide compounds, the present material exhibits the unique coordination environment around the Co metal center: coexistence of square pyramidal coordination around Co and anion disorder between O and F at the apical sites. Magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements reveal that Sr(2)CoO(3)F is an antiferromagnetic insulator with the Néel temperature T(N) = 323(2) K. The magnetic structure that has been determined by neutron diffraction adopts a G-type antiferromagnetic order with the propagation vector k = (1/2 1/2 0) with an ordered cobalt moment μ = 3.18(5) μ(B) at 3 K, consistent with the high spin electron configuration for the Co(3+) ions. The antiferromagnetic and electrically insulating states remain robust even against 15%-O substation for F at the apical sites. However, applying pressure exhibits the onset of the metallic state, probably coming from change in the electronic state of square-pyramidal coordinated cobalt.     

Crystal and magnetic structure of the double perovskite Sr2CoUO6: a neutron diffraction study

Sr2CoUO6 double perovskite has been prepared as a polycrystalline powder by solid-state reaction, in air. This material has been studied by X-ray, neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetic measurements. At room temperature, the crystal structure is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, Z= 2, with a= 5.7916(2), b= 5.8034(2), c= 8.1790(3) A, beta= 90.1455(6)degrees. The perovskite lattice consists of a completely ordered array of CoO6 and UO6 octahedra, which exhibit an average tilting angle phi= 11.4 degrees. Magnetic and neutron diffraction measurements indicate an antiferromagnetic ordering below TN = 10 K. The low-temperature magnetic structure was determined by NPD, selected among the possible magnetic solutions compatible with the P2(1)/n space group, according with the group theory representation. The propagation vector is k= 0. A canted antiferromagnetic structure is observed below TN = 10 K, which remains stable down to 3 K, with an ordered magnetic moment of 2.44(7)mu(B) for Co2+ cations. The magnetic moment calculated from the Curie-Weiss law at high temperatures (5.22 mu(B)/f.u.) indicates that the orbital contribution is unquenched at high temperatures, which is consistent with high-spin Co2+((4)T(1g) ground state) in a quasi-regular octahedral environment. Magnetic and structural features are consistent with an electronic configuration Co2+[3d(7)]-U6+[Rn].     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the NaCoXO4F·2H2O phases where X = S and Se

A novel hydrated fluoroselenate NaCoSeO(4)F·2H(2)O has been synthesized, and its structure determined. Like its sulfate homologue, NaCoSO(4)F·2H(2)O, the structure contains one-dimensional chains of corner-sharing MO(4)F(2) octahedra linked together through F atoms sitting in a trans configuration with respect to each other. The magnetic properties of the two phases have been investigated using powder neutron diffraction and susceptibility measurements which indicate antiferromagnetic ordering along the length of the chains and result in a G-type antiferromagnetic ground state. Both compounds exhibit a Ne?el temperature near 4 K, and undergo a field-induced magnetic phase transition in fields greater than 3 kOe.     

Orthogonal spin arrangement in quasi-two-dimensional La2Co2O3Se2

The crystal, electronic, and magnetic structures of the cobalt oxyselenide La(2)Co(2)O(3)Se(2) were investigated through powder neutron diffraction measurements and band structure calculations. This oxyselenide crystallizes in a tetragonal layered structure with space group I4/mmm. The Co ion is sixfold-coordinated by two oxide ions and four selenide ions, and the face-sharing CoO(2)Se(4) octahedra form Co(2)OSe(2) layers. The band structure calculations revealed that the Co ion is in the divalent high-spin state. Rietveld analysis of the neutron diffraction profiles below 200 K demonstrated that the Co moments have a noncollinear antiferromagnetic structure with the propagation vector k = (?, ?, 0). The ordered magnetic moment was determined to be 3.5 μ(B) at 10 K, and the directions of the nearest-neighbor Co moments are orthogonal each other in the c plane.     

Neutron diffraction and theoretical DFT studies of two dimensional molecular-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O

Exchange mechanisms and magnetic structure in the two-dimensional cyano-bridged molecule-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O have been investigated by a combination of neutron diffraction studies on both single crystal and powder samples and theoretical DFT calculations. The experimental spin density has been deduced from a new refinement of previously obtained polarized neutron diffraction (PND) data which was collected in the ordered magnetic state at 4 K under a saturation field of 3 T performed in the C2/c space group, determined by an accurate re-evaluation of the X-ray structure. Positive spin populations were observed on the two manganese sites, and negative spin populations were observed on the molybdenum site, which provides evidence of antiferromagnetic Mo3+-Mn2+ exchange interactions through the cyano bridge. The experimental data have been compared to the results of DFT calculations. Moreover, theoretical studies reveal the predominance of the spin polarization mechanism in the Mo-C-N-Mn sequence, with the antiferromagnetic nature of the interaction being due to the overlap between the magnetic orbitals relative to manganese and molybdenum in the cyano bridging region. The magnetic structure of K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O has been solved at low temperature in zero field by powder neutron diffraction measurements. The structure was found to be ferrimagnetic where the manganese and molybdenum spins are aligned along the axis in opposite directions.     

Magnetic structure of Ni(DCOO)2(D2O)2

Ni(HCOO)(2)(H(2)O)(2) is a structurally simple coordination polymer showing interesting magnetic phase transitions at low temperature (<16K). Previously published studies of these phase transitions have yielded inconsistent results, questioning the correctness of the published magnetic structure. Here heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility of a fully, a partly and a non-deuterated sample were measured, and they all exhibit magnetic phase transitions around 3 and 15 K. Neutron powder diffraction data was collected on the fully deuterated sample at various temperatures between 1.5 and 25 K. A magnetic model was refined against the neutron diffraction data using a spin system composed of two canted antiferromagnetic sublattices. The magnetic moments of the two sublattices show different magnitude, 1.7 μ(B) and 1.3 μ(B), and the temperature dependence of the magnetic sublattices is quite different. One of the sublattices shows the expected temperature behavior of an antiferromagnetic compound whereas the other sublattice follows a Brillouin like function with a slowly increasing magnetization below the Ne?el temperature.     

Magnetic and neutron diffraction study on melilite-type oxides Sr2MGe2O7 (M = Mn, Co)

The crystal structures and magnetic properties of melilite-type oxides Sr(2)MGe(2)O(7) (M = Mn, Co) were investigated. These compounds crystallize in the melilite structure with space group P ?42(1)m, in which the M and Ge ions occupy two kinds of tetrahedral sites in an ordered manner. The magnetic M ions form a square-planar lattice in the ab plane. Both compounds do not show the structural phase transition down to 2.5 K. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility for Sr(2)MnGe(2)O(7) shows a broad peak at ~6.0 K because of a two-dimensional magnetic interaction between Mn ions in the ab plane. At 4.4 K, an antiferromagnetic transition was observed. The magnetic structure was determined by the neutron powder diffraction measurements at 2.5 K. It can be represented by the propagation vector k = (0, 0, 1/2), and the magnetic moments of Mn(2+) (3.99 μ(B)) ions order antiferromagnetically in a collinear manner along the c axis. On the other hand, Sr(2)CoGe(2)O(7) shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 6.5 K with divergence between zero-field-cooled and field-cooled susceptibilities. Its magnetic structure determined at 2.5 K has a magnetic propagation vector k = (0, 0, 0), and the ordered magnetic moment of Co(2+) (2.81 μ(B)) adopts a collinear arrangement lying on the ab plane.     

Long-range magnetic order in Mn[N(CN)2]2(pyz) (pyz = pyrazine). Susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat, and neutron diffraction measurements and electronic structure calculations

Using dc magnetization, ac susceptibility, specific heat, and neutron diffraction, we have studied the magnetic properties of Mn[N(CN)2]2(pyz) (pyz = pyrazine) in detail. The material crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 7.3248(2), b = 16.7369(4), and c = 8.7905 (2) A, beta = 89.596 (2) degrees, V = 1077.65(7) A(3), and Z = 4, as determined by Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction data at 1.35 K. The 5 K neutron powder diffraction data reflect very little variation in the crystal structure. Interpenetrating ReO3-like networks are formed from axially elongated Mn(2+) octahedra and edges made up of mu-bonded [N(CN)2](-) anions and neutral pyz ligands. A three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering occurs below T(N) = 2.53(2) K. The magnetic unit cell is double the nuclear one along the a- and c-axes, giving the (1/2, 0, 1/2) superstructure. The crystallographic and antiferromagnetic structures are commensurate and consist of collinear Mn(2+) moments, each with a magnitude of 4.15(6) mu(B) aligned parallel to the a-direction (Mn-pyz-Mn chains). Electronic structure calculations indicate that the exchange interaction is much stronger along the Mn-pyz-Mn chain axis than along the Mn-NCNCN-Mn axes by a factor of approximately 40, giving rise to a predominantly one-dimensional magnetic system. Thus, the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data are well described by a Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain model, giving g = 2.01(1) and J/k(B) = -0.27(1) K. Owing to single-ion anisotropy of the Mn(2+) ion, field-induced phenomena ascribed to spin-flop and paramagnetic transitions are observed at 0.43 and 2.83 T, respectively.     

Competing magnetic interactions in Na10Co4O10, studied by neutron diffraction

Na(10)Co(4)O(10) was investigated by neutron powder diffraction at 230, 70, and 4 K. The crystal structure, determined previously by X-ray diffraction on single crystals, was confirmed. Na(10)Co(4)O(10) orders magnetically below 37 K. All observed magnetic reflections could be indexed by integers (hkl) with respect to the chemical unit cell and the magnetic propagation vector q=0. The refinement was performed in the Shubnikov space group C2/c and indicated a collinear antiferromagnetic spin structure. The determined spin arrangement is consistent with the magnetic intratetramer interactions suggested previously from the analysis of magnetic susceptibility data: the magnetic moments of the central Co(III) ions of the Co(4)O(10) tetramer lie parallel to each other and couple in an antiparallel fashion to the terminal Co(II) moments. The Rietveld analysis shows that the net moments of 0.64 mu(B) per tetramer form ferromagnetic layers parallel to the ab plane. Adjacent layers are coupled antiferromagnetically along c. The spins are aligned in the ac plane along the line connecting adjacent Co(II) and Co(III) ions of the tetramer. We have determined unusually low values for the ordered magnetic moments of 2.43(5) mu(B) and 2.11(6) mu(B) for Co(III) and Co(II), respectively. The occurrence of spontaneous magnetization below 37 K indicates a slight canting of 2.2 degrees of the antiferromagnetic structure. A representation analysis shows that a weak ferromagnetic component along b is compatible with the determined antiferromagnetic structure.     

Technetium tetrachloride revisited: a precursor to lower-valent binary technetium chlorides

Technetium tetrachloride has been prepared from the reaction of technetium metal with excess chlorine in sealed Pyrex ampules at elevated temperatures. The product was characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and alternating-current magnetic susceptibility. Solid TcCl(4) behaves as a simple paramagnet from room temperature down to 50 K with μ(eff) = 3.76 μ(B). Below 25 K, TcCl(4) exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition with a Néel temperature (T(N)) of ～24 K. The thermal behavior of TcCl(4) was investigated under vacuum at 450 °C; the compound decomposes stepwise to α-TcCl(3) and TcCl(2).     

Hydrothermal synthesis in the system Ni(OH)(2)-NiSO(4): nuclear and magnetic structures and magnetic properties of Ni(3)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)

We present the synthesis, characterization by DT-TGA and IR, single crystal X-ray nuclear structure at 300 K, nuclear and magnetic structure from neutron powder diffraction on a deuterated sample at 1.4 K, and magnetic properties as a function of temperature and magnetic field of Ni(3)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2). The structure is formed of chains, parallel to the c-axis, of edge-sharing Ni(1)O(6) octahedra, connected by the corners of Ni(2)O(6) octahedra to form corrugated sheets along the bc-plane. The sheets are connected to one another by the sulfate groups to form the 3D network. The magnetic properties measured by ac and dc magnetization, isothermal magnetization at 2 K, and heat capacity are characterized by a transition from a paramagnet (C = 3.954 emu K/mol and theta = -31 K) to a canted antiferromagnet at T(N) = 29 K with an estimated canting angle of 0.2-0.3 degrees. Deduced from powder neutron diffraction data, the magnetic structure is modeled by alternate pairs of Ni(1) within a chain having their moments pointing along [010] and [010], respectively. The moments of Ni(2) atoms are oppositely oriented with respect to their adjacent pairs. The resulting structure is that of a compensated arrangement of moments within one layer, comprising one ferromagnetic and three antiferromagnetic superexchange pathways between the nickel atoms.     

Crystal refinement and magnetic structure of KNi4(PO4)3: a novel example of three interacting magnetic sub-lattices

KNi(4)(PO(4))(3) has been synthesised following a method previously reported by some of us and studied on the basis of magnetization and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. Magnetization measurements suggest the coexistence of ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions: magnetization versus magnetic field curves present a remanent magnetization of around 2.15 micro(B) at T=2 K. The magnetic structure of the KNi(4)(PO(4))(3) has been determined at low temperature from the NPD data. These measurements show that there are three magnetic sub-lattices of Ni(2+) ions, which interact through common oxygen or phosphate groups, giving rise to FM and AFM couplings. The resulting interactions are FM in nature. Such a complex behaviour could provide an interesting model to analyse magnetic interactions in more condensed systems, such in mixed metal oxides.     

Spin frustration in MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V,Cr). A magnetism and neutron diffraction study

Three-dimensional coordination network solids of MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V, Cr) composition possess interpenetrating rutile-like network structures. Each [C(CN)3]- bonds to three different metal ions in a triangular array, affording a geometrical topology akin to a Kagomé lattice leading to competing spin exchange interactions and spin frustration. The crystal and magnetic structure of CrII[C(CN)3] was determined by Rietveld refinement of the powder neutron diffraction data at 2 and 15 K and belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pmna [a = 7.313(1) A, b = 5.453(1) A, c = 10.640(1) A, Z = 2, T = 15 K]. Each CrII has a tetragonally elongated octahedral structure with four Cr-N(1) distances of 2.077(2) A and two significantly longer axial Cr-N(2) distances of 2.452(2) A. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 1.7 and 300 K reveal strong antiferromagnetic interactions for both V- and Cr[C(CN)3]2 with theta = -67 and -46 K, respectively, from a fit to the Curie-Weiss law. Long-range magnetic ordering does not occur for M = V above 1.7 K, in contrast to M = Cr, which antiferromagnetically orders at low temperature. This is attributed to Jahn-Teller distorted CrII site relieving frustration in one dimension, leading to 2-D Ising antiferromagnetism, as observed by both magnetic susceptibility and specific heat studies. Neutron diffraction experiments at 2 K for Cr[C(CN)3]2 yielded additional Bragg reflections as a result of antiferromagnetic ordering with the moments on the CrII atoms aligned parallel to c and 4.7(1) microB. Fitting of the magnetic order parameter to a power law yielded TN = 6.12(4) K and beta = 0.18(1) consistent with 2-D Ising behavior. A TN of 6.13 K is also observed from the specific heat data.     

High-pressure synthesis and study of the crystal and magnetic structure of the distorted SeNiO3 and SeMnO3 perovskites

We describe the preparation of SeMO(3) (M = Ni, Mn) under high pressure conditions (3.5 GPa), starting from reactive H(2)SeO(3) and MO mixtures, contained in sealed gold capsules under the reaction conditions 850 degrees C for 1 h. The polycrystalline samples have been studied by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data and magnetization measurements. SeMO(3) (M = Ni, Mn) are orthorhombically distorted perovskites (space group Pnma). Below T(N) approximately 104 K (M = Ni) and T(N) approximately 53.5 K (M = Mn) these oxides experience an antiferromagnetic ordering, as demonstrated by susceptibility and NPD measurements. The magnetic reflections observed in the neutron patterns can be indexed with a propagation vector k = 0. Both compounds present the same magnetic structure, which is given by the basis vector (0, 0, A(z)). It can be described as antiferromagnetic (010) layers of magnetic moments lying along the c direction, which are antiferromagnetically coupled along the b direction. For the Ni(2+) ions, the ordered magnetic moment at T = 2.3 K is 2.11(3) micro(B), whereas for Mn(2+) at T = 2.6 K, |m| = 4.64(2) micro(B), consistent with the electronic configurations te (Ni(2+)) and te (Mn(2+)).     

Magnetic structure and properties of Cu3(OH)4SO4 made of triple chains of spins s=1/2

Cu₃(OH)₄SO₄, obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from copper sulfate and soda in aqueous medium, is isostructural with the corresponding antlerite mineral, orthorhombic, space group Pnma (62), with a=8.289(1) b=6.079(1) and c=12.057(1) Å, V=607.5(2) ų, Z=4. Its crystalline structure has been refined from X-ray single crystal and powder neutron diffraction data at room temperature. It consists of copper (II) triple chains, running in the b-axis direction and connected to each other by sulfate groups. The magnetic structure, solved from powder neutron diffraction data at 1.4 K below the transition at 5 K evidenced by susceptibility and specific measurements, reveals that, inside a triple chain, the magnetic moments of the copper ions (μ_B=0.88(5) at 1.4 K) belonging to outer chains are oriented along the c-axis of the nuclear cell, with ferromagnetic order inside a chain and antiferromagnetic order between the two outer chains. No long-range magnetic order is obtained along the central chain with an idle spin behavior.     

Synthesis, structure, and unexpected magnetic properties of La3Re2O10

The compound La(3)Re(2)O(10) has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and characterized by powder neutron diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, and heat capacity measurements. Its structure consists of isolated [Re(2)O(10)](9-) dimer units of two edge-shared ReO(6) octahedra, separated by La(3+) within the lattice. The Re-Re distance within the dimer units is 2.488 A, which is indicative of metal-metal bonding with a bond order of 1.5. The average oxidation state of the Re atom is +5.5, leaving one unpaired electron per dimer unit (S = 1/2). Although the closest interdimer distance is 5.561 A, the magnetic susceptibility data and heat capacity measurements indicate this compound exhibits both short- and long-range magnetic order at surprisingly high temperatures. The zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetic susceptibility data show two broad features at 55 and 105 K, indicating short-range order, and a sharper cusp at 18 K, which signifies long-range antiferromagnetic order. The heat capacity of La(3)Re(2)O(10) shows a lambda-type anomaly at 18 K, which is characteristic of long-range magnetic order. DFT calculations determined that the unpaired electron resides in a pi-bonding orbital and that the unpaired electron density is widely delocalized over the atoms within the dimer, with high values at the bridging oxygens. Extended Hückel spin dimer calculations suggest possible interaction pathways between these dimer units within the crystal lattice. Results from the calculations and fits to the susceptibility data indicate that the short-range magnetic ordering may consist of 1-D antiferromagnetic linear chains of coupled S = 1/2 dimers. The magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic ground state could not be determined by unpolarized neutron powder diffraction.     

Crystallographic and Magnetic Phase Transitions in the Layered Ruthenium Oxyarsenides TbRuAsO and DyRuAsO

The crystallographic and physical properties of TbRuAsO and DyRuAsO at and below room temperature are reported, including full structure refinements from powder X-ray diffraction data and measured electrical and thermal transport properties, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity. Both compounds are isostructural to LaFeAsO (ZrCuSiAs-type, P4/nmm) at room temperature. However, DyRuAsO undergoes a symmetry-lowering crystallographic phase transition near 25 K, and adopts an orthorhombic structure (Pmmn) below this temperature. This structural distortion is unlike those observed in the analogous Fe compounds. Magnetic phase transitions are observed in both compounds which suggest antiferromagnetic ordering of lanthanide moments occurs near 7.0 K in TbRuAsO and 10.5 K in DyRuAsO. The nature of the structural distortion as well as thermal conductivity and heat capacity behaviors indicate strong coupling between the magnetism and the lattice. The behaviors of both materials show magnetic ordering of small moments on Ru may occur at low temperatures.     

Copper(II) complexes of 2-halo-3-methylpyridine: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behaviour of Cu(2-X-3-CH(3)py)2X'2 [X, X' = chlorine or bromine; py = pyridine

An isocoordinate family of compounds has been generated with the general formula (2-X-3-methylpyridine)(2)CuX'(2), where X, X' = Cl or Br. While each forms trans-ligand compounds, they vary in copper coordination geometry, canting of the pyridine rings and magnetic behavior. The copper bromide analogues exhibit weak ferromagnetic interactions whereas the copper chloride analogues exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions. Each compound has been characterized by IR, powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility.     

Crystal and magnetic structures of the brownmillerite compound Ca2Fe1.039(8)Mn0.962(8)O5

The crystal and magnetic structures of the brownmillerite material, Ca₂Fe_1.039(8)Mn_0.962(8)O₅ were investigated using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction methods, the latter from 3.8 to 700 K. The compound crystallizes in Pnma space group with unit cell parameters of a=5.3055(5) Å, b=15.322(2) Å, c=5.4587(6) Å at 300 K. The neutron diffraction study revealed the occupancies of Fe³⁺ and Mn³⁺ ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral sites and showed some intersite mixing and a small, ∼4%, Fe excess. While bulk magnetization data were inconclusive, variable temperature neutron diffraction measurements showed the magnetic transition temperature to be 407(2) K below which a long range antiferromagnetic ordering of spins occurs with ordering wave vector k=(000). The spins of each ion are coupled antiferromagnetically with the nearest neighbors within the same layer and coupled antiparallel to the closest ions from the neighboring layer. This combination of intra- and inter-layer antiparallel arrangement of spins forms a G-type magnetic structure. The ordered moments on the octahedral and tetrahedral sites at 3.8 K are 3.64(16) and 4.23(16) μ_B, respectively.     

Hexagonal and Orthorhombic Perovskite Phases of ErMnO3 and TmMnO3 from Hydrothermal Systems

The powder crystals of RMnO 3 (R=Er, Tm) with hexagonal and orthorhombic structures were prepared under hydrothermal conditions. The different structural phases of the title compounds were controllably formed from different kinds of precursors at different reaction temperatures. All of the samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis, and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility. Their structures were refined by Rietveld method from powder X-ray diffraction data. The measurement of magnetic behavior shows antiferromagnetic orderings at Neel temperatures around 80 and 40 K for the hexagonal and orthorhombic phases, respectively.