Structure-Property Relationships in α-, β'-, and γ-Modifications of Mn3(PO4)2

The manganese orthophosphate, Mn₃(PO₄)₂, is characterized by the rich variety of polymorphous modifications, α-, β'-, and γ-phases, crystallized in monoclinic P2₁/c (P2₁/n) space group type with unit cell volume ratios of 2:6:1. The crystal structures of these phases are constituted by three-dimensional framework of corner- and edge-sharing [MnO₅] and [MnO₆] polyhedra strengthened by [PO₄] tetrahedra. All compounds experience long-range antiferromagnetic order at Neel temperature T_N = 21.9 K (α-phase), 12.3 K (β'-phase), and 13.3 K (γ-phase). Additionally, second magnetic phase transition takes place at T* = 10.3 K in β'-phase. The magnetization curves of α- and β'-modifications evidence spin-floplike features at B = 1.9 and 3.7 T, while the γ-Mn₃(PO₄)₂ stands out for an extended one-third magnetization plateau stabilized in the range of magnetic field B = 7.5-23.5 T. The first-principles calculations define the main paths of superexchange interaction between Mn spins in these polymorphs. The spin model for α-phase is found to be characterized by collection of uniform and alternating chains, which are coupled in all three directions. The strongest magnetic exchange interaction in γ-phase emphasizes the trimer units, which make chains that are in turn weakly coupled to each other. The spin model of β'-phase turns out to be more complex compared to α- or γ-phase. It shows complex chain structures involving exchange interactions between Mn2 (Mn2', Mn2″) and Mn3 (Mn3', Mn3″). These chains interact through exchanges involving Mn1 (Mn1', Mn1″) spins.

Novel Mixed Cobalt/Chromium Phosphate NaCoCr2(PO4)3 Showing Spin-Flop Transition

We describe the synthesis and the crystallographic and magnetic properties of a novel NaCoCr2(PO4)3 phosphate. A conventional solid-state reaction was used to obtain single-phase powders. A Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data proposes an orthorhombic symmetry similar to α-CrPO4-type structure in space group Imma with the following unit cell parameters: a = 10.413(1) Å; b = 13.027(1) Å; c = 6.372(1) Å. The framework consists of PO4 tetrahedra, M(1)O6 (M(1) = Cr) octahedra, and M(2)2O10 (M(2) = 0.5Cr+0.5Co) binuclear unit of edge-sharing MO6 octahedra. It can be described in terms of two building blocks: sheets consisting of corner-sharing M(2)2O10 units with PO4 tetrahedra found parallel to the (b,c) plane, and chains made by corner-sharing CrO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra running along the b axis. From the interconnection of the sheets and chains, a 3D rigid skeleton is formed, exhibiting two kinds of intersecting tunnel channels containing the Na(+) ions. The proposed structure derives from the α-CrPO4-type structure considering a positive charge balance according to the equation Cr(3+) → Co(2+) + Na(+), resulting in sodium countercation introduction within the unoccupied channels shown in the α-CrPO4 framework. Temperature-dependent DC and AC magnetic susceptibility is indicative of a long-range magnetic ordering occurring at 32 K. Further, spin-flop transition sheds light on a chromium-based phosphate for the first time.