New germanates RCrGeO5 (R=Nd-Er, Y): Synthesis, structure, and properties

The new complex germanates RCrGeO₅ (R=Nd-Er, Y) have been synthesized and investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. All the compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbam, and Z=4. The crystal structure of RCrGeO₅, as refined using X-ray powder diffraction data, includes infinite chains built by edge-sharing Cr⁺³O₆ octahedra with two alternating Cr−Cr distances. The chains are combined into a three-dimensional framework by Ge₂O₈ groups consisting of two edge-linked square pyramids oriented in opposite directions. The resulting framework contains pentagonal channels where rare-earth elements are located. Thus, RCrGeO₅ germanates present new examples of RMn₂O₅-type compounds and show ordering of Cr⁺³ and Ge⁺⁴ cations. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirm the structure solution. Magnetic susceptibility data for R=Nd, Sm, and Eu are qualitatively consistent with the presence of isolated 3d (antiferromagnetically coupled Cr⁺³ cations) and 4f (R⁺³) spin subsystems in the RCrGeO₅ compounds. NdCrGeO₅ undergoes long-range magnetic ordering at 2.6 K, while SmCrGeO₅ and EuCrGeO₅ do not show any phase transitions down to 2 K.