Publication
Title
Frustrated square lattice with spatial anisotropy: crystal structure and magnetic properties of
Author
Abstract
Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the layered vanadium phosphate PbZnVO(PO4)2 are studied using x-ray powder diffraction, magnetization and specific-heat measurements, as well as band-structure calculations. The compound resembles AA′VO(PO4)2 vanadium phosphates and fits to the extended frustrated square-lattice model with the couplings J1, J1′ between nearest neighbors and J2, J2′ between next-nearest neighbors. The temperature dependence of the magnetization yields estimates of averaged nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor couplings, J̅ 1≃−5.2 K and J̅ 2≃10.0 K, respectively. The effective frustration ratio α=J̅ 2/J̅ 1 amounts to −1.9 and suggests columnar antiferromagnetic ordering in PbZnVO(PO4)2. Specific-heat data support the estimates of J̅ 1 and J̅ 2 and indicate a likely magnetic ordering transition at 3.9 K. However, the averaged couplings underestimate the saturation field, thus pointing to the spatial anisotropy of the nearest-neighbor interactions. Band-structure calculations confirm the identification of ferromagnetic J1, J1′ and antiferromagnetic J2, J2′ in PbZnVO(PO4)2 and yield (J1′−J1)≃1.1 K in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 1.1 K, deduced from the difference between the expected and experimentally measured saturation fields. Based on the comparison of layered vanadium phosphates with different metal cations, we show that a moderate spatial anisotropy of the frustrated square lattice has minor influence on the thermodynamic properties of the model. We discuss relevant geometrical parameters, controlling the exchange interactions in these compounds and propose a strategy for further design of strongly frustrated square-lattice materials.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics. - Lancaster, Pa, 1998 - 2015
Publication
Lancaster, Pa : 2010
ISSN
1098-0121 [print]
1550-235X [online]
DOI
10.1103/PHYSREVB.81.174424
Volume/pages
81 :17 (2010) , p. 174424,1-174424,13
ISI
000278141600082
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
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Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
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Creation 04.08.2010
Last edited 01.01.2022
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