Electric and Magnetic Study of V_xCr_3−xS₄ Compounds

Abstract

Polycystalline samples of V_xCr_3−xS₄ (0≤x≤3) with defect nickel-arsenide structure were prepared. Almost random distribution of metal atoms was obtained by a proper treatment of the sample. Electrical resistivity was measured between 4.2 K and 295 K. It is metallic for 0.0≤x≤0.4 and 2.75≤x≤3.0, and is semiconductive for 0.6≤x≤2.5. Susceptibility was measured between 4.2 K and 800 K. Small anomalies in resistivity and susceptibility corresponding to Néel temperature were found. In mixed compounds, susceptibility deviates below the room temperature from the high temperature limit of χ=χ₀+C⁄(T−θ). This behavior can be interpreted qualitatively that a small moment appears on a V atom and that this moment weakly interacts with Cr moments.