Magnetic behavior of MnPS3 phases intercalated by [Zn2L]2+ (LH2: macrocyclic ligand obtained by condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzenedicarbaldehyde and 1,2-diaminobenzene)

The intercalation of the cationic binuclear macrocyclic complex [Zn2L]2+ (LH2: macrocyclic ligand obtained by the template condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-benzenedicarbaldehyde and 1,2-diaminobenzene) was achieved by a cationic exchange process, using K0.4Mn0.8PS3 as a precursor. Three intercalated materials were obtained and characterized: (Zn2L)0.05K0.3Mn0.8PS3(1), (Zn2L)0.1K0.2Mn0.8PS3(2) and (Zn2L)0.05K0.3Mn0.8PS3(3), the latter phase being obtained by an assisted microwave radiation process. The magnetic data permit to estimate the Weiss temperature θ of ≈−130 K for (1); ≈−155 K for (2) and ≈−130 K for (3). The spin canting present in the potassium precursor remains unperturbed in composite (3), and spontaneous magnetization is observed under 50 K in both materials. However composites (1) and (2) do not present this spontaneous magnetization at low temperatures.The electronic properties of the intercalates do not appear to be significantly altered. The reflectance spectra of the intercalated phases (1), (2) and (3) show a gap value between 1.90 and 1.80 eV, lower than the value observed for the K0.4Mn0.8PS3 precursor of 2.8 eV.

Graphical AbstractMicrowave assisted synthesis was used to obtain an intercalated MnPS3 phase with a binuclear Zn(II) macrocyclic complex.A comparative magnetic study of the composites obtained by assisted microwave and traditional synthetic methods is reported.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A rapid and efficient preparation of intercalated MnPS3 composites by assisted microwave synthesis is described. ► The exchange of potassium ions of the precursor by the macrocyclic Zn(II) complex is partial. ► The composite obtained by assisted microwave synthesis retains the spontaneous magnetization, observed in the low temperature range of the magnetic susceptibility of the potassium precursor. ► The materials obtained by the conventional method loose the spontaneous magnetization in the low temperature range, which appears in the magnetic behaviour of the potassium precursor.