Magnetic phase transitions of antiperovskite Mn3−xFexSnC (0.5≤x≤1.3)

The magnetization and electrical resistivity of Mn3−xFexSnC (0.5≤x≤1.3) were measured to investigate the behavior of the complicated magnetic phase transitions and electronic transport properties from 5 to 300 K. The results obtained demonstrate that Fe doping at the Mn sites of Mn3SnC induces a more complicated magnetic phase transition than that in its parent phase Mn3SnC from a paramagnetic (PM) state to a ferrimagnetic (FI) state consisting of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) components, while, with the change of Fe-doped content and magnetic field, there is a competition between the AFM component and FM component in the FI state. Both the Curie temperature (TC)(TC) and the saturated magnetization MsMs increase with increasing xx. The FM component region becomes broader with further increasing Fe-doped content xx. The external magnetic field easily creates a saturated FM state (and increased TCTC) when H≥1500Oe. Fe doping quenches the negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior from 200 to 250 K reported in Mn3SnC.

Research highlights
► Fe doping at Mn sites induces a more complicated magnetic phase transition.
► There is a competition between the AFM component and the FM component in the FI state.
► The Curie temperature TCTC and the saturated magnetization MsMs increase with increasing xx.
► The external magnetic easily creates a saturated FM state and increased TCTC.
► Fe doping quenches the negative thermal expansion behavior reported in Mn3SnC.