Synthesis and magnetic properties of Cu0.5Fe0.5 − x In x Cr2S4 (x = 0−0.4) solid solutions

Abstract

Multistep synthesis with X-ray diffraction monitoring of the phase composition has been carried out, optimal synthesis parameters have been determined, and the magnetic properties of solid solutions between thiospinels with ordered tetrahedral A lattices (ferrimagnet Cu0.5Fe0.5Cr2S4 (T C = 347 K) and anti-ferromagnet Cu0.5In0.5Cr2S4 (T N = 35 K) have been studied. Both compounds crystallize in F $\bar 4$ 3m (T 2 ) structure. Measurements over wide ranges of fields (0.05–40 kOe) and temperatures (5–300 K) highlighted the nature of magnetism in the samples; new magnetic species have been discovered.