The ordering distribution of the metal ions in the layered cation-mixed phosphorus trisulfides Mn xFe 1− xPS 3

Abstract

The cation-mixed layered Mn x Fe 1− x PS 3 (0≤ x≤1) compounds are synthesized from the corresponding elements at 700 °C. These compounds are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The magnetic measurements show that the antiferromagnetic interaction is retained in the mixed phases, but the magnetic order is weakened due to manganese ions and iron ions are diluted by each other in the mixed phases. Mössbauer spectra show that Fe 2+ ions and Fe 0+ are co-existent in the mixed phases when 0.1≤ x≤0.6. The manganese ions and iron ions form their zigzagging chains, respectively, and a few of the same chains form a group, while manganese ion chain groups and iron ion chain groups are diluted by each other. In the interface between different groups, strong distortions take place in the FeS 6 and MnS 6 octahedra, and some electron transformations occur from the 3d band electrons in manganese ions to 4s or 3d bands of the iron ions.