RESUMO
Single crystals of Ln(2)Fe(4)Sb(5) (Ln = La-Nd and Sm) were grown from an inert Bi flux. Measurements of the single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that these compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group I4/mmm with lattice parameters of a ≈ 4 Å, c ≈ 26 Å, V ≈ 500 Å(3), and Z = 2. This crystal structure consists of alternating LnSb(8) square antiprisms and Fe-sublattices composed of nearly equilateral triangles of bonded Fe atoms. These compounds are metallic and display spin glass behavior, which originates from the magnetic interactions within the Fe-sublattice. Specific heat measurements are void of any sharp features that can be interpreted as contributions from phase transitions as is typical for spin glass systems. A large, approximately linear in temperature, contribution to the specific heat of La(2)Fe(4)Sb(5) is observed at low temperatures that we interpret as having a magnetic origin. Herein, we report the synthesis, structure, and physical properties of Ln(2)Fe(4)Sb(5) (Ln = La-Nd and Sm).
RESUMO
Single crystals of LnFeSb(3) (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, and Tb) have been grown from excess Sb flux. The crystal structure consists of (infinity)(2)[FeSb(2)] octahedra separated by layers of Ln atoms and nearly square planar nets of (infinity)(2)[Sb(2)]. These compounds are metallic and display anisotropic magnetic properties. Long-range antiferromagnetic order is observed in the Sm, Gd, and Tb samples when the magnetic field is applied along the crystallographic a-axis. Evidence of magnetic ordering in all the samples is observed for the field applied parallel to the layers. The magnetic properties are well-described by considering only the magnetic interactions between the Ln 4f moments, with no contribution from the Fe sublattice. Herein, we report the crystal growth, structure, magnetization, transport, and chemical stabilities of the title compounds.
