Structural, magnetic and transport properties of Mn3.1Sn0.9 and Mn3.1Sn0.9N compounds

The cubic anti-perovskite Mn3.1Sn0.9N compound is prepared via nitrogenation of the hexagonal Mn3.1Sn0.9 compound. A magnetic phase diagram of Mn3.1Sn0.9 compound is constructed by analysis of data of its magnetic properties. For Mn3.1Sn0.9N compound, parasitic ferromagnetism exists in the temperature range of 5–370 K, besides a spin-reorientation at about 280 K. Mn3.1Sn0.9 compound exhibits a metallic conducting behavior, while Mn3.1Sn0.9N displays a metal–nonmetal transition due to the electron localization caused by the static disorder. The differences of the physical properties between the both compounds, are discussed, in terms of the correlation of the hexagonal DO19 and the cubic anti-perovskite structures, the reduction of the distances between Mn atoms, and the spin-pairing or charge transfer effect due to the electron donation by N 2p to Mn 3d states after introduction of N atoms into the interstitial sites of Mn3.1Sn0.9 compound.