Crystal growth and magnetic properties of LaMn0.91Sb2 and NdMn0.88Sb2

Abstract

In this work, single crystals of ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.91}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{NdMn}}_{0.88}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ with deficiencies of Mn have been successively grown by using the Bi-flux method. They all crystallize in the ${\mathrm{HfCuSi}}_{2}$-type tetragonal structure with space group $P4$/nmm (No.129). ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.91}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ displays signs of successive antiferromagnetic transitions around 133 and 108 K for $H||c$. In the case of $H\ensuremath{\perp}c$, ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.91}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ shows signs of weak ferromagnetic transition around 138 K and antiferromagnetic transition at 56 K. However, there is no anomaly observed in the temperature-dependent specific heat curve. For ${\mathrm{NdMn}}_{0.88}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ measured with $H||c$, the Mn sublattice orders antiferromagnetically below 170 K and the Nd sublattice shows successive antiferromagnetic orders at 34 and 26 K. The antiferromagnetic state of Nd sublattice can be induced to be a ferromagnetic state through a spin-flop transition at 2 K. When $H\ensuremath{\perp}\mathrm{c}$, the Mn sublattice displays antiferromagnetic orders at 171, 156, and 74 K. The Nd sublattice orders antiferromagnetically below 32 K. Ferromagnetic state for the Nd sublattice is induced by magnetic fields through a spin-flop transition at 2 K. Magnetic phase diagrams for ${\mathrm{NdMn}}_{0.88}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ are depicted for cases of $H||c$ and $H\ensuremath{\perp}c$, respectively. ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.91}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{NdMn}}_{0.88}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ show metallic behavior. Negative magnetoresistance in ${\mathrm{LaMn}}_{0.91}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{NdMn}}_{0.88}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ are possibly related to canted-antiferromagnetic orders of Mn sublattices.