Magnetic behavior in the incommensurate phase ∼LaCrS 3: : effect of the partial substitution of Cr by Ti on the magnetic properties

Abstract

Dilution of the magnetic interactions between Cr 3+ ions by Ti 3+ ions was observed in the CrS 2 layer of the misfit-layer compound ∼LaCrS 3. Pure ∼LaCrS 3 has complex magnetic properties which are reminiscent of spin glass behavior. This magnetic behavior comes from both the modulated character of the structure and the magnetic frustration of the planar-antiferromagnetic-triangular network of Cr 3+ ions. Thus, there is a large hysteresis between the zero field cooled and the field cooled magnetic susceptibility curves below the transition temperature (≈75 K). Formation of a solid solution ∼LaCr 1− x Ti x S 3 by the addition of Ti 3+ ions results in the decrease of transition temperature up to a doping level of x≈0.5, where the transition is no longer observed. The magnetic behavior of the phase with x≈0.5 is similar to that of several random exchange antiferromagnetic compounds.