New structural and magnetic aspects of the nanotube system Na2V3O7

TL;DR

This study provides detailed structural and magnetic insights into the Na2V3O7 nanotube system, revealing a refined crystal structure and spin-glass behavior at very low temperatures, challenging previous models of isolated magnetic clusters.

Contribution

The paper offers new experimental data on the structure and magnetism of Na2V3O7, including a revised crystal structure and evidence of spin-glass behavior, advancing understanding of nanotube magnetic systems.

Findings

Refined crystal structure similar but not identical to previous models

Detection of weak magnetic signals at low energies

Spin-glass like transition observed at ~76 mK

Abstract

We present new experimental results of low temperature x-ray synchrotron diffraction, neutron scattering and very low temperature (mK-range) bulk measurements on the nanotube system ${\tube}$. The crystal structure determined from our data is similar to the previously proposed model (P. Millet {\it et al.} J. Solid State Chem. $\bf{147}$, 676 (1999)), but also deviates from it in significant details. The structure comprises nanotubes along the c-axis formed by stacking units of two V-rings buckled in the $ab$-plane. The space group is P$\bar{3}$ and the composition is nonstoichiometric, Na(2-x)V3O7, x=0.17. The thermal evolution of the lattice parameters reveals anisotropic lattice compression on cooling. Neutron scattering experiments monitor a very weak magnetic signal at energies from -20 to 9 meV. New magnetic susceptibility, specific heat measurements and decay of remanent magnetization in the 30 mK - 300 mK range reveal that the previously observed transition at ~76 mK is spin-glass like with no long-range order. Presented experimental observations do not support models of isolated clusters, but are compatible with a model of odd-legged S=1/2 spin tubes possibly segmented into fragments with different lengths.