Experimental Evidence of the Coexistence of Proper Magnetic and Structural Incommensurability on the [CH3NH3][Ni(COOH)3] Compound

Magnetic structure and properties of the honeycomb antiferromagnet [Na(OH2)3]Mn(NCS)3

We report the magnetic structure and properties of a thiocyanate-based honeycomb magnet [Na(OH2)3]Mn(NCS)3 which crystallises in the unusual low-symmetry trigonal space group P3̄. Magnetic measurements on powder samples show this material is an antiferromagnet (ordering temperature TN,mag = 18.1(6) K) and can be described by nearest neighbour antiferromagnetic interactions J = -11.07(4) K. A method for growing neutron-diffraction sized single crystals (>10 mm3) is demonstrated. Low temperature neutron single crystal diffraction shows that the compound adopts the collinear antiferromagnetic structure with TN,neut = 18.94(7) K, magnetic space group P3̄'. Low temperature second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements provide no evidence of breaking of the centre of symmetry.

Atypical Magnetic Behavior in the Incommensurate (CH3NH3)[Ni(HCOO)3] Hybrid Perovskite

A plethora of temperature-induced phase transitions have been observed in (CH₃NH₃)[M(HCOO)₃] compounds, where M is Co(II) or Ni(II). Among them, the nickel compound exhibits a combination of magnetic and nuclear incommensurability below Néel temperature. Despite the fact that the zero-field behavior has been previously addressed, here we study in depth the macroscopic magnetic behavior of this compound to unveil the origin of the atypical magnetic response found in it and in its parent family of formate perovskites. In particular, they show a puzzling magnetization reversal in the curves measured starting from low temperatures, after cooling under zero field. The first atypical phenomenon is the impossibility of reaching zero magnetization, even by nullifying the applied external field and even compensating it for the influence of the Earth's magnetic field. Relatively large magnetic fields are needed to switch the magnetization from negative to positive values or vice versa, which is compatible with a soft ferromagnetic system. The atypical path found in its first magnetization curve and hysteresis loop at low temperatures is the most noticeable feature. The magnetization curve switches from more than 1200 Oe from the first magnetization loop to the subsequent magnetization loops. A feature that cannot be explained using a model based on unbalanced pair of domains. As a result, we decipher this behavior in light of the incommensurate structure of this material. We propose, in particular, that the applied magnetic field induces a magnetic phase transition from a magnetically incommensurate structure to a magnetically modulated collinear structure.

Uncovering the Kagome Ferromagnet within a Family of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Kagome networks of ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic moments represent important models in the pursuit of a diverse array of novel quantum and topological states of matter. Here, we explore a family of Cu²⁺-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) bearing kagome layers pillared by ditopic organic linkers with the general formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(x)₃·2ClO₄ (MOF-x), where x is 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpy), or 4,4'-azopyridine (azpy). Despite more than a decade of investigation, the nature of the magnetic exchange interactions in these materials remained unclear, meaning that whether the underlying magnetic model is that of an kagome ferromagnet or antiferromagnet is unknown. Using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, we have developed a chemically intuitive crystal structure for this family of materials. Then, through a combination of magnetic susceptibility, powder neutron diffraction, and muon-spin spectroscopy measurements, we show that the magnetic ground state of this family consists of ferromagnetic kagome layers that are coupled antiferromagnetically via their extended organic pillaring linkers.

Magnetic order in a metal thiocyanate perovskite-analogue

Metal thiocyanate perovskite-analogues are a growing class of materials, but although they contain paramagnetic cations there have been no reports of their magnetic properties. Due to the large separations between...

A Copper(I)-Thioarsenate(III) Inorganic Framework Directed by [Ni(en)3]2

One novel three-dimensional (3-D) copper(I)-thioarsenate(III) [Ni(en)₃]Cu₄As₄S₉ (1, en = ethylenediamine) has been solvothermally prepared with the utilization of the in situ formation of [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ complex as structure-directing agent (SDA). 1 contains cubane-like [Cu₈S₁₂]^16- clusters and rare tetrameric [As₄S₉]^6- units, which are interconnected to generate the first example of a 3-D anionic framework [Cu₄As₄S₉]_n^2n-, topologically identical to pyrite, and having large channels filled by [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ complex cations. 1 is a potential wide-band-gap semiconductor with an energy gap of 1.91 eV that exhibits selectively photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under visible-light irradiation. The density functional theory calculation, photocurrent response, and magnetic properties of 1 were also investigated.

Crystal symmetry for incommensurate helical and cycloidal modulations

A classification of magnetic superspace groups compatible with the helical and cycloidal magnetic modulations is presented. Helical modulations are compatible with groups from crystal classes 1, 2, 222, 4, 422, 3, 32, 6 and 622, while cycloidal modulations are compatible with groups from crystal classes 1, 2, m and mm2. For each magnetic crystal class, the directions of the symmetry-allowed (non-modulated) net ferromagnetic moment and electric polarization are given. The proposed classification of superspace groups is tested on experimental studies of type-II multiferroics published in the literature.