Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of La{sub 3}Co{sub 2}SbO{sub 9}: A double perovskite with competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2012.05.045· OSTI ID:22149874

Franco, D. G.; Fuertes, V. C.; Blanco, M. C. ^[1]; Fernandez-Diaz, M. T. ^[2]

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1. INFIQC (CONICET), Departamento de Fisicoquimica, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Ciudad Universitaria, X5000HUA Cordoba (Argentina)
2. Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) 156X, F-38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)

The synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic properties of La{sub 3}Co{sub 2}SbO{sub 9} double perovskite are reported. The crystal structure has been refined by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data in the monoclinic space group P2{sub 1}/n. Co{sup 2+} and Sb{sup 5+} have the maximum order allowed for the La{sub 3}Co{sub 2}SbO{sub 9} stoichiometry. Rietveld refinements of powder neutron diffraction data show that at room temperature the cell parameters are a=5.6274(2) A, b=5.6842(2) A, c=7.9748(2) A and {beta}=89.999(3) Degree-Sign . Magnetization measurements indicate the presence of ferromagnetic correlations with T{sub C}=55 K attributed to the exchange interactions for non-linear Co{sup 2+}-O-Sb{sup 5+}-O-Co{sup 2+} paths. The effective magnetic moment obtained experimentally is {mu}{sub exp}=4.38 {mu}{sub B} (per mol Co{sup 2+}), between the theoretical one for spin only (3.87 {mu}{sub B}) and spin-orbit value (6.63 {mu}{sub B}), indicating partially unquenched contribution. The low magnetization value at high magnetic field and low temperature (1 {mu}{sub B}/f.u., 5 T and 5 K) and the difference between ZFC and FC magnetization curves (at 5 kOe) indicate that the ferromagnetism do not reach a long range order and that the material has an important magnetic frustration. - Graphical abstract: Co-O-Co (Yellow octahedra only) rich zones (antiferromagnetic) are in contact with Co-O-Sb-O-Co (Red and yellow octahedra) rich zones (Ferromagnetic) to give the peculiar magnetic properties, as a consequence, a complex hysteresis loop can be observed composed by a main and irreversible curve in all the measured range, superimposed with a ferromagnetic component at low fields. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer La{sub 3}Co{sub 2}SbO{sub 9} has small Goldschmidt Tolerance Factor (t) due to the small size of La{sup 3+}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Small t determines an angle for the path Co{sup 2+}-O-Sb{sup 5+}-O-Co{sup 2+} of 153 Degree-Sign . Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ferromagnetism is attributed to exchange interactions for Co{sup 2+}-O-Sb{sup 5+}-O-Co{sup 2+} paths. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ferromagnetic nanoclusters are embedded in an antiferromagnetic matrix.

• OSTI ID: 22149874
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 194; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANTIFERROMAGNETISM
ANTIMONY IONS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
COBALT IONS
EXCHANGE INTERACTIONS
FERROMAGNETISM
LANTHANUM IONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIZATION
MONOCLINIC LATTICES
NANOSTRUCTURES
NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
PEROVSKITE
POWDERS
SPACE GROUPS
X RADIATION