Ferromagnetism in the metallic compound FexTaS2 (x? 1/3)

Abstract

Magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity and Mossbauer effect (ME) measurements in single crystals of the metal intercalation layer compound FexTaS2 are reported. Crystals are grown by iodine vapor transport from Fe1/3TaS2 powder. The crystals contain less Fe than the powder with x? .28. The resistivity (ρ) shows a metallic behavior, ρ=2.7×10−5 ohm−cm at 300°K. Magnetization curves as a function of temperature, obtained cooling the sample in H=10 kG, revealed that the compound is a ferromagnet with a Curie temperature (Tc) of (85±3) °K. Above Tc the susceptibility obeys a Curie Weiss law with μ∥3ff=μeff⊥=4.5−0.1 μB and ϑ⊥=30−2°K and τ∥=90−3°K. Above Tc, μeff and Pgt are very similar for powder (x=1/3) and single crystal (x?0.28) samples. At 4.2°K the magnetic moment is 3.5 μB per Fe and is parallel to the hexagonal c axix. A large coercive force of 50 kG is required to reverse the spins. A field of 60 kG is not enough to saturate the moment at low temperatures. In the paramagnetic state the 57E ME ...