Crystal, magnetic, and electronic structures, and properties of new BaMnPnF (Pn = As, Sb, Bi)
Abstract
New fluoropnictides BaMnPnF with Pn = As, Sb, Bi, are synthesized by stoichiometric reaction of elements with BaF\2. The compounds crystallize in the tetragonal P4/nmm (No. 129, Z = 2) space group, with the ZrCuSiAs-type structure, as indicated by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction results. Electrical resistivity results indicate that Pn = As, Sb, and Bi are semiconductors with band gaps of E\g = 0.73 eV, E\g = 0.48 eV and E\g = 0.003 eV, respectively. Powder neutron diffraction reveals a G-type antiferromagnetic order below T\N = 338(1) K for Pn = As, and below T\N = 272(1) K for Pn = Sb. Magnetic susceptibility increases with temperature above 100 K for all the materials. Density functional calculations also find semiconducting antiferromagnetic compounds with strong in-plane and weaker out-of-plane exchange coupling that may result in non-Curie Weiss behavior above T\N. There is strong covalency between Mn and pnictogen elements. The ordered magnetic moments are 3.65(5) μB/Mn for Pn = As, and 3.66(3) μB/Mn for Pn = Sb at 4 K, as refined from neutron diffraction experiments.