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We report a systematic investigation of anisotropic magnetocaloric effects in a crystalline, monoclinic Cr3Te4 sample grown by the chemical vapor transport (CVT) method. The maximum magnetic entropy change −ΔSmaxM is 3.31 J kg−1 K−1 for the c axis (3.16 J kg−1 K−1 for the ab-plane) and the relative cooling power (RCP) is 340 J kg−1 for the c axis (350 J kg−1 for the ab-plane) near the Curie temperature with a magnetic field (μ0H) change of 9 T. With the scaling analysis of ΔSM, all rescaled ΔSM(T, H) curves collapse onto a single universal curve, indicating a second-order magnetic phase transition in Cr3Te4. Furthermore, −ΔSmaxM follows the power law of Hn with n = 0.656 ± 0.005. The RCP and δTFWHM have Hc and Hb dependence on field, with c = 1.179 ± 0.011 and b = 0.498 ± 0.005, respectively, which led us to estimate the critical exponents of β = 0.359 ± 0.013, γ = 1.646 ± 0.057, and δ = 5.578 ± 0.190. 

Single crystal Cr1.27Te2 samples were synthesized by using the chemical vapor transport method. Single crystal x-ray diffraction studies show a trigonal crystal structure with a P3̄m1 symmetry space group. We then systematically investigate magnetic properties and critical behaviors of single crystal Cr1.27Te2 around its paramagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition. The Arrott plot indicates a second-order magnetic phase transition. We estimate critical exponents β = 0.2631 ± 0.002, γ = 1.2314 ± 0.007, and TC = 168.48 ± 0.031 K by using the Kouvel–Fisher method. We also estimate other critical exponents δ = 5.31 ± 0.004 by analyzing the critical isotherm at TC = 168.5 K. We further verify the accuracy of our estimated critical exponents by the scaling analysis. Further analysis suggests that Cr1.27Te2 can be best described as a quasi-2D Ising magnetic system. 

Building on discoveries in graphene and two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides, van der Waals (VdW) layered heterostructures—stacks of such 2D materials—are being extensively explored with resulting new discoveries of novel electronic and magnetic properties in the ultrathin limit. Here, we review a class of naturally occurring heterostructures—the so-called misfits—that combine disparate VdW layers with complex stacking. Exhibiting remarkable structural complexity and diversity of phenomena, misfits provide a platform on which to systematically explore the energetics and local bonding constraints of heterostructures and how they can be used to engineer novel quantum fabrics, electronic responsiveness, and magnetic phenomena. Like traditional classes of layered materials, they are often exfoliatable and thus also incorporatable as units in manually or robotically stacked heterostructures. Here, we review the known classes of misfit structures, the tools for their single crystal and thin film synthesis, the physical properties they exhibit, and the computational and characterization tools available to unravel their complexity. Directions for future research are also discussed. 

ScSI, a missing member of the rare earth sulfoiodide (RESI) family of materials, has been synthesized for the first time. ScSI crystallizes in the FeOCl structure type, space group Pmmn (No. 59), a = 3.8904(2), b = 5.0732(9), c = 8.9574(6) Å. Both hyperspectral reflectance measurements and ab initio calculations support the presence of an indirect optical band gap of 2.0 eV. The bulk crystal is found to be readily exfoliatable, enabling its use as an optical component in novel heterostructures. The impact of lithium intercalation on its electronic band structure is also explored. A broader correlation is drawn between the observed structural trends in all known 1:1:1 sulfoiodide phases, cationic proportions, and electronic considerations. The realization of this phase both fills a significant synthetic gap in the literature and presents a novel exfoliatable phase for use as an optical component in next-generation heterostructure devices.