Short-Range Spin Order and Frustrated Magnetism in Mn(2)InSbO(6) and Mn(2)ScSbO(6)

• The complex metal oxides Mn(2)ASbO(6) (A = In, Sc) with a corundum-related structure A(3)BO(6) were prepared as polycrystalline powders by a solid-state reaction route. Their crystal structure and magnetic properties were investigated by using a combination of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron microscopy, calorimetric, and magnetic measurements. At room temperature, these compounds adopt a trigonal structure, space group R (3) over bar, with a = 8.9313(1) angstrom, c = 10.7071(2) angstrom (for In) and a = 8.8836(1) angstrom, c = 10.6168(2) angstrom (for Sc), which persists down to 1.6 K. The Mn and A cations were found to be randomly distributed over the A sites. The overall behavior of the magnetization of Mn(2)InSbO(6) and that of Mn(2)ScSbO(6) are quite similar. In spite of the relatively large amount of Mn ions on the A site, only short-range magnetism is observed. Neutron diffraction patterns of Mn(2)InSbO(6) showed no evidence of a long-range magnetic ordering at 1.6 K, instead only a weak diffuse magnetic peak was observed at low temperatures. The factors governing the observed structural and magnetic properties of Mn(2)ASbO(6) are discussed and compared with those of other Mn-containing complex metal oxides with a corundum-related structure. The influence of the A cation sublattice on the magnetic properties is also considered.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Oorganisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Inorganic Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Complex metal oxides

Magnetic properties

Multiferroics

Neutron diffraction

Structure elucidation

Inorganic chemistry

Oorganisk kemi

Teknisk fysik med inriktning mot fasta tillståndets fysik

Engineering Science with specialization in Solid State Physics

Kemi med inriktning mot oorganisk kemi

Chemistry with specialization in Inorganic Chemistry

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)