Magnetic properties of EuLn2O4 (Ln=rare earths)

Ternary rare earth oxides EuLn2O4 (Ln=Gd, Dy-Lu) were prepared. They crystallized in an orthorhombic CaFe2O4-type structure with space group Pnma. 151Eu Moessbauer spectroscopic measurements show that the Eu ions are in the divalent state. All these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.2-6.3 K. From the positive Weiss constant and the saturation of magnetization for EuLu2O4, it is considered that ferromagnetic chains of Eu2+ are aligned along the b-axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, with neighboring Eu2+ chains antiparallel. When Ln=Gd-Tm, ferromagnetically aligned Eu2+ ions interact with the Ln3+ ions, which would overcome the magnetic frustration of triangularly aligned Ln3+ ions and the EuLn2O4 compounds show a simple antiferromagnetic behavior. - Graphical abstract: Ternary rare earth oxides EuLn2O4 (Ln=Gd, Dy-Lu) crystallized in an orthorhombic CaFe2O4-type structure with space group Pnma. Moessbauer spectroscopic measurements show that the Eu ions are in the divalent state. All these compounds show an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.2-6.3 K. It is considered that ferromagnetic chains of Eu2+ are aligned along the b-axis of the orthorhombic unit cell, with neighboring Eu2+ chains antiparallel.