Magnetic properties and structural anomalies observed in multiferroic NdFe3(BO3)4 by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2022-07, Vol.909, p.164747, Article 164747
• Main Authors: Frolov, K.V., Lyubutin, I.S., Alekseeva, O.A., Smirnova, E.S., Dudka, A.P., Verin, I.A., Temerov, V.L., Gudim, I.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anomalies; Commensurate and incommensurate magnetic structures; Debye temperature; Interaction parameters; Iron; Iron 57; Magnetic phase transition; Magnetic properties; Magnetic transitions; Mossbauer spectroscopy; Multiferroics; Mössbauer spectroscopy; Phase transitions; Rare earth - iron compounds; Single crystals; Subsystems; Thermal expansion; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.164747

The results of studies of the NdFe3(BO3)4 by 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy in comparison with the data of single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements are presented. Scanning of the crystal cell parameters in a wide temperature range T = 15–500 K revealed a negative thermal expansion along the c axis and structural anomalies. The temperature dependences of the Mössbauer parameters of hyperfine interaction in the paramagnetic state of NdFe3(BO3)4 correlate well with the behavior of crystal cell parameters obtained by X-ray diffraction data. The temperature of the magnetic phase transition TN = 32.54(4) K is established, below which the iron ions form a 3D magnetic order of the Izing type. The magnetic transition of the iron subsystem from a commensurate to an incommensurate structure at a temperature of about T ≈ 15 K is discussed. The "Mössbauer" Debye temperature ΘM was estimated to be 485(2) K. •The negative thermal expansion along the crystal c axis at low temperature below 90 K is revealed.•The dynamic of magnetic phase transitions is studied in detail.•Fe ions form a 3D magnetic order of the Ising type below the Neel temperature TN = 32.54(4) K.•The anomaly in behavior of the Mössbauer hyperfine parameters at CM-ICM transition point T ≈ 15 K is established.