Pseudobinary Fe4Ti3S8 compound with a NiAs-type structure: Effect of Ti for Fe substitution

Abstract

The transition metal sulfide Fe4Ti3S8 with 7:8 composition has been synthesized and studied by using X-ray diffraction, magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements. This compound exhibits a monoclinic crystal lattice (space group I12/m1). The substitution of Ti for Fe in Fe7S8 is found to result in a lowering of the Curie temperature (TC ≈ 205 K), in a larger value of the coercive field (Hc ∼ 9 kOe at low temperatures) and in a substantial growth of the resultant magnetic moment per formula unit (μFU) in comparison with Fe7S8. An enhanced value of μFU is attributed to the preferential substitution of Ti in alternating cation layers. From the paramagnetic susceptibility measured within temperature interval (250-350) K, a reduced value of the effective moment per iron (μFe ∼ 2.4μB) was determined. The electrical resistivity of Fe4Ti3S8 shows a non-metallic behavior and is affected by magnetic ordering. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.