Formation of Domains within a Lower-to-Higher Symmetry Structural Transition in CrI.

CrI represents one of the most important van der Waals systems on the route to understanding 2D magnetic phenomena. Being arranged in a specific layered structure, it also provides a unique opportunity to investigate structural transformations in dimension-confined systems. CrI is dimorphic and possesses a higher symmetry low-temperature phase, which is quite uncommon.

Large Orbital Magnetic Moment in VI.

The existence of the V-ion orbital moment is an open issue of the nature of magnetism in the van der Waals ferromagnet VI. The huge magnetocrystalline anisotropy in conjunction with the significantly reduced ordered magnetic moment compared to the spin-only value provides strong but indirect evidence of a large V orbital moment. We used the unique capability of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism to determine the orbital component of the total magnetic moment and provide a direct proof of an exceptionally sizable orbital moment of the V ion in VI.

Crystal structure evolution in the van der Waals vanadium trihalides.

Most transition-metal trihalides are dimorphic. The representative chromium-based triad, CrCl, CrBr, CrI, is characterized by the low-temperature (LT) phase adopting the trigonal BiI-type while the structure of the high-temperature (HT) phase is monoclinic of AlCltype (2/). The structural transition between the two crystallographic phases is of the first-order type with large thermal hysteresis in CrCland CrI.

Low-energy spin dynamics of orthoferrites AFeO (A = Y, La, Bi).

YFeO and LaFeO are members of the rare-earth orthoferrites family with Pbnm space group. Using inelastic neutron scattering, the low-energy spin excitations have been measured around the magnetic Brillouin zone center. Splitting of magnon branches and finite magnon gaps (∼2 meV) are observed for both compounds, where the Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya interactions account for most of this gap with some additional contribution from single-ion anisotropy.

Switching of the magnetocaloric effect of Mn(II) glycolate by water molecules.

The transformation of Mn(II) glycolates (glc) between the three-dimensional coordination polymer [Mn(glc)2]n (1) and discrete mononuclear phase [Mn(glc)2 (H2O)2] (2) can be reversibly switched by water molecules, which dramatically change the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn(II) glycolates from the maximum of 6.9 J kg(-1)  K(-1) in 1 to 60.3 J kg(-1)  K(-1) in 2.

Anion-templated assembly and magnetocaloric properties of a nanoscale {Gd38} cage versus a {Gd48} barrel.

The comprehensive study reported herein provides compelling evidence that anion templates are the main driving force in the formation of two novel nanoscale lanthanide hydroxide clusters, {Gd38(ClO4)6} (1) and {Gd48Cl2(NO3)} (2), characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. {Gd38(ClO4)6}, encapsulating six ClO4(-) ions, features a cage core composed of twelve vertex-sharing {Gd4} tetrahedrons and one Gd⋅⋅⋅Gd pillar. When Cl(-) and NO3(-) were incorporated in the reaction instead of ClO4(-), {Gd48Cl2(NO3)} is obtained with a barrel shape constituted by twelve vertex-sharing {Gd4} tetrahedrons and six {Gd5} pyramids.

Gadolinium(III)-hydroxy ladders trapped in succinate frameworks with optimized magnetocaloric effect.

Two kinds of inorganic gadolinium(III)-hydroxy "ladders", [2×n] and [3×n], were successfully trapped in succinate (suc) coordination polymers, [Gd2(OH)2(suc)2(H2O)]n·2nH2O (1) and [Gd6(OH)8(suc)5(H2O)2 ]n·4n H2O (2), respectively. Such coordination polymers could be regarded as alternating inorganic-organic hybrid materials with relatively high density. Magnetic and heat capacity studies reveal a large cryogenic magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in both compounds, namely (ΔH=70 kG) 42.