Novel quantum materials offer the opportunity to expand next-generation computers, high-precision sensors, and new energy technologies. Among the most important factors influencing the development of quantum materials research is the ability of inorganic and materials chemists to grow high-quality single crystals. Here, the
[...] Read more.
Novel quantum materials offer the opportunity to expand next-generation computers, high-precision sensors, and new energy technologies. Among the most important factors influencing the development of quantum materials research is the ability of inorganic and materials chemists to grow high-quality single crystals. Here, the synthesis, structure characterization and magnetic properties of Na
2Cu
3(SeO
3)
4 are reported. It exhibits a novel two-dimensional (2D) structure with isolated layers of Cu nets. Single crystals of Na
2Cu
3(SeO
3)
4 were grown using a low-temperature hydrothermal method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that Na
2Cu
3(SeO
3)
4 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system and has space group symmetry of
P2
1/
n (No.14) with a unit cell of
a = 8.1704(4) Å,
b = 5.1659(2) Å,
c = 14.7406(6) Å,
β = 100.86(2),
V = 611.01(5) Å
3 and Z = 2. Na
2Cu
3(SeO
3)
4 comprises a 2D Cu-O-Cu lattice containing two unique copper sites, a CuO
6 octahedra and a CuO
5 square pyramid. The SeO
3 groups bridge the 2D Cu-O-Cu layers isolating the neighboring Cu-O-Cu layers, thereby enhancing their 2D nature. Magnetic properties were determined by measuring the magnetic susceptibility of an array of randomly oriented single crystals of Na
2Cu
3(SeO
3)
4. The temperature-dependent magnetic measurement shows an antiferromagnetic transition at
TN = 4 K. These results suggest the fruitfulness of hydrothermal synthesis in achieving novel quantum materials and encourage future work on the chemistry of transition metal selenite.
Full article