Abstract
The new complex germanates RCrGeO 5 ( R=Nd–Er, Y) have been synthesized and investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, electron microscopy, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. All the compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbam, and Z=4. The crystal structure of RCrGeO 5, as refined using X-ray powder diffraction data, includes infinite chains built by edge-sharing Cr +3O 6 octahedra with two alternating Cr−Cr distances. The chains are combined into a three-dimensional framework by Ge 2O 8 groups consisting of two edge-linked square pyramids oriented in opposite directions. The resulting framework contains pentagonal channels where rare-earth elements are located. Thus, RCrGeO 5 germanates present new examples of RMn 2O 5-type compounds and show ordering of Cr +3 and Ge +4 cations. Electron diffraction as well as high-resolution electron microscopy confirm the structure solution. Magnetic susceptibility data for R=Nd, Sm, and Eu are qualitatively consistent with the presence of isolated 3 d (antiferromagnetically coupled Cr +3 cations) and 4 f (R +3) spin subsystems in the RCrGeO 5 compounds. NdCrGeO 5 undergoes long-range magnetic ordering at 2.6 K, while SmCrGeO 5 and EuCrGeO 5 do not show any phase transitions down to 2 K.
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