The Magnetic Phase of Lithium Transition Metal Phosphates LiMPO4 (M=Mn, Co, Ni) Detected by μ+SR

The magnetic properties of the olivine-type compounds LiMPO4 (M = Mn, Co, Ni) are probed using muon spin rotation/relaxation (μSR). These materials pose an appealing magnetic structure and a high -potential technological interest as cathode materials for future rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The LiMPO4 family of compounds consists of a corner-sharing MO6 octahedra of high-spin M2+ ions manifesting an antiferromagnetic ground state below TN ≈ 30 K. Additionally, these compounds belong to a class of materials exhibiting properties between two-and three dimensional systems. A comparative study between the family members is presented.