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Title: High-temperature X-ray diffraction measurements of fluorite-related rare earth antimonates Ln{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} (Ln=Nd, Tb) and their magnetic properties

Journal Article · · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

Ternary rare-earth antimonates Ln{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} (Ln=rare earths) were prepared, and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction measurements. They crystallize in an orthorhombic superstructure of cubic fluorite (space group Cmcm for Ln=La, Pr; Ccmm for Ln=Sm–Dy), in which Ln{sup 3+} ions occupy two different crystallographic sites (the 8-coordinated and 7-coordinated). For Ln=Nd, two phases with the Cmcm and Ccmm space groups coexist at room temperature. When the temperature was increased, the Nd{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} compound transformed into a single phase with the space group Cmcm. Through magnetic susceptibility measurements, an antiferromagnetic transition was observed at 3.0 K (Ln=Nd) and 7.8 K (Ln=Tb). Analysis of the magnetic specific heat for Tb{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} indicates that the 8-coordinated Tb ions magnetically orders at 7.8 K, and with furthermore decreasing temperature, the 7-coordinated Tb ions shows antiferromagnetic ordering at 3.0 K. - Graphical abstract: Temperature dependence of the specific heat divided by temperature (C{sub p}/T) and the magnetic entropy (S{sub mag}) for Tb{sub 3}SbO{sub 7}. Two-step magnetic transition has been observed. - Highlights: • The phase transition of Nd{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} is from the Ccmm space group to the Cmcm one. • Nd{sub 3}SbO{sub 7} shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 3.0 K. • For Tb{sub 3}SbO{sub 7}, two-step magnetic transition has been observed at 7.8 and 3.0 K.

OSTI ID:
22443380
Journal Information:
Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 217; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 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