Magnetic properties of undoped and Al doped layered α-Co(OH)2

Undoped, 10% and 20% Al doped samples of layered hexagonal α-Co(OH)2 are synthesized. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the samples are nanocrystalline with average crystallite size 15 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis are performed to establish molecular formula of samples. Analysis of susceptibility χ as a function of temperature T (5-300 K) data indicates for ferromagnetic transitions in the system at lower temperatures. Curie transition temperature TC for undoped, 10% and 20% Al doped α-Co(OH)2 are found to be 9, 7.5 and 6.0 K respectively. Fitting of χ vs. T data for T>TC to the high temperature series yields strength of intralayer and interlayer exchange interactions among Co2+ ions. For undoped sample values of these interactions are estimated to be 1.070 and 0.240 K respectively. Strength of these interactions decrease with increasing concentration of Al3+ ions in the lattice. Magnetization as a function of applied magnetic field (up to ± 50 kG) data confirm ferromagnetic nature of the samples at 5 K.