Magnetic behavior and structural feature of quasi-one-dimensional BaCu2V2O8 crystal

Magnetic properties of BaCu₂V₂O₈ single crystals obtained by the spontaneous nucleation method using V₂O₅ as a self-flux are investigated. Singlet ground states with spin gaps of 215 and 223 K are observed along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the c-axis of the crystal, respectively, being in good agreement with powder sample measurements. Reinvestigation of the crystal structure reveals that the whole structural framework of BaCu₂V₂O₈ crystal can be described as an assembly of alternating chains, which are built by edge-sharing pairs of CuO₄ square-plaquettes and VO₄ tetrahedra along the c-axis. The magnetic nature of BaCu₂V₂O₈ is well understood based on this structural interpretation.