Synthesis, structure and magnetism of the new $S=\frac{1}{2}$ kagome magnet NH$_4$Cu$_{2.5}$V$_2$O$_7$(OH)$_2$.H$_2$O

Abstract

The study of quantum spin-liquid states (QSL) with lattice dimension $>1$ has proven an enduring problem in solid state physics. Key candidate materials are the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ kagome magnets due to their ability to host quantum fluctuations within the high degeneracy of their frustrated geometries. Studies of an increasing library of known $S=\frac{1}{2}$ kagome magnetic materials has challenged our understanding of the possible QSL states, for example, the recent discovery of a chiral spin-liquid ground state in kapellasite showed that even magnets with ferromagnetic nearest-neighbour exchange are not necessarily trivial and that QSL states beyond the superposition of simple singlet are possible. Here, we outline the synthesis, structure and preliminary magnetic characterisation of a candidate QSL material, the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ kagome magnet NH$_4$Cu$_{2.5}$V$_2$O$_7$(OH)$_2$.H$_2$O. The crystal structure of NH$_4$Cu$_{2.5}$V$_2$O$_7$(OH)$_2$.H$_2$O has the 3-fold symmetry of a geometrically `perfect' kagome lattice while the magnetism shows a competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic characters reminiscent of kapellasite.