Realising square and diamond lattice $S=1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnet models in the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ phases of the coordination framework, KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$\textit{x}H$_2$O

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and characterizes two pseudo-polymorphs of KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2 ext{·}x$H$_2$O, demonstrating their realization as near-ideal $S=1/2$ Heisenberg square and diamond lattice antiferromagnets with distinct magnetic properties.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed structural, magnetic, and theoretical analysis of two pseudo-polymorphs, establishing them as models for $S=1/2$ Heisenberg square and diamond lattice antiferromagnets.

Findings

$eta$-phase exhibits strong antiferromagnetic coupling ($J \\approx 54$ K) and N\'eel order at 28 K.

$ ext{alpha}$-phase shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions with $J_1 \\approx 7$ K and a transition to G-type order below 1.8 K.

Density-functional theory explains the difference in exchange interactions between the two phases.

Abstract

We report the crystal structures and magnetic properties of two psuedo-polymorphs of the $S=1/2$ Ti$^{3+}$ coordination framework, KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$xH$_2$O. Single-crystal X-ray and powder neutron diffraction measurements on $\alpha$-KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$xH$_2$O confirm its structure in the tetragonal $I4/mcm$ space group with a square planar arrangement of Ti$^{3+}$ ions. Magnetometry and specific heat measurements reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions, with $J_1\approx7$ K and $J_2/J_1=0.11$ indicating a slight frustration of nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor interactions. Below $1.8$ K, $\alpha$ undergoes a transition to G-type antiferromagnetic order with magnetic moments aligned along the $c$ axis of the tetragonal structure. The estimated ordered moment of Ti$^{3+}$ in $\alpha$ is suppressed from its spin-only value to $0.62(3)~\mu_B$, thus verifying the two-dimensional nature of the magnetic interactions within the system. $\beta$-KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$2H$_2$O, on the other hand, realises a three-dimensional diamond-like magnetic network of Ti$^{3+}$ moments within a hexagonal $P6_222$ structure. An antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of $J\approx54$ K -- an order of magnitude larger than in $\alpha$ -- is extracted from magnetometry and specific heat data. $\beta$ undergoes N\'eel ordering at $T_N=28$ K, with the magnetic moments aligned within the $ab$ plane and a slightly reduced ordered moment of $0.79~\mu_B$ per Ti$^{3+}$. Through density-functional theory calculations, we address the origin of the large difference in the exchange parameters between the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ psuedo-polymorphs. Given their observed magnetic behaviors, we propose $\alpha$-KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$xH$_2$O and $\beta$-KTi(C$_2$O$_4$)$_2\cdot$2H$_2$O as close to ideal model $S=1/2$ Heisenberg square and diamond lattice antiferromagnets, respectively.