Magnetic properties of a new amorphous magnet

Abstract

An amorphous phase of Co3BTCA2(H2O)6 has been prepared (BTCA=1,3,5-benzenetri- carboxylate). The static properties (dc susceptibility, hysteresis) of Co3BTCA2(H2O)6 are similar to those of other ‘‘glassy’’ magnetic systems, but the dynamics of Co3BTCA2(H2O)6 (absence of long relaxation times, disappearance of frequency dependence at low temperatures) are unusual. The amorphous phase is characterized by a narrow hysteresis loop at low temperature. For the hysteresis curve at 4.2 K, the coercive field is several hundred Oersted and the remnant magnetization is on the order of 10−2 Msat. The temperature dependence of the dc magnetic susceptibility shows an unusual field dependence below 30 K, with the largest effective moments being obtained in the smallest applied fields. The freezing temperature, Tf, in zero field, as determined by both dc and ac susceptibilities, has been found to be Tf=23 K. The ac susceptibility shows the characteristic spin glass frequency dependence, yet loses all frequency dependence for temperatures below 9 K.