Atypical magnetic behavior in the incommensurate $[CH_3NH_3][Ni(HCOO)_3]$ hybrid perovskite

TL;DR

This study investigates the unusual magnetic behavior of the incommensurate hybrid perovskite $[CH_3NH_3][Ni(HCOO)_3]$, revealing a magnetic phase transition induced by external fields and its relation to incommensurate structure.

Contribution

It provides an in-depth analysis of the macroscopic magnetic properties and proposes a magnetic phase transition mechanism related to incommensurate structure.

Findings

Magnetization reversal occurs after zero-field cooling.

Large magnetic fields are required to switch magnetization.

Magnetic phase transition from incommensurate to commensurate structure.

Abstract

A plethora of temperature induced phase transitions have been observed in $[CH_3NH_3][M(HCOO)_3]$ compounds, where M is Co(II) or Ni(II). Among them, the nickel compound exhibits a combination of magnetic and nuclear incommensurabil-ity below N\'eel temperature. Despite the fact that the zero-field behavior has been previously addressed, here we study in depth the macroscopic magnetic behavior of this compound to unveil the origin of the atypical magnetic response found in it and in its parent family of formate perovskites. In particular, they show a puzzling magnetization reversal in the curves measured starting from low temperatures, after cooling under zero field. The first atypical phenomena is the im-possibility of reaching zero magnetization, even by nullifying the applied external field and even compensating it for the influence earth's magnetic field. Relatively large magnetic fields are needed to switch the magnetization from negative to positive values or vice versa, which is compatible with a soft-ferromagnetic system. The atypical path found in its first magnetization curve and hysteresis loop at low temperatures is the most noticeable feature. The magnetization curve switches from more than 1200 Oe from the first magnetization loop to the subsequent magnetization loops. A feature that cannot be explained using a model based on unbalanced pair of domains. As a result, we decipher this behavior in light of the incommensurate structure of this material. We propose, in particular, that the applied magnetic field induces a mag-netic phase transition from a magnetically incommensurate structure to a magnetically commensurate structure.