Magnetic properties of the solid electrolytes: Li3Fe2(MO4)(3) (M = P, As)

Magnetization measurements DC/AC show that the title compounds order antife rromagnetically at 29 and 36 K for P and As, respectively. Below this tempe rature a weak ferromagnetic component arises, which diminishes with tempera ture. These results are explained by the competition between two different magnetic sublattices, corresponding to the Fe(1) and Fe(2) sites. The obser ved weak ferromagnetic component is explained by an incomplete compensation of the collinear arrangement of the moments (weak ferrimagnetism) for the M = P sample and by slight canting of the magnetic moments in the ordered s tate (weak ferromagnetism) for the M = As sample. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.