Synthesis and magnetic properties of layered MnPSxSe3−x (0 < x < 3) and corresponding intercalation compounds of 2,2′-bipyridine

In this work, we synthesize a series of new MnPSxSe3−x (0 < x < 3) compounds by high temperature solid-state reaction and also obtain the corresponding intercalation compounds (Mn1−yPSxSe3−x(bipy)4y, x = 1.2, 1.8 and 2.4) via the intercalation of 2,2′-bipyridine with MnPSxSe3−x. XRD results confirm that MnPSxSe3−x compounds show the layered structure and can be regarded as the solid solution of MnPS3 and MnPSe3. Magnetic measurements indicate that MnPSxSe3−x compounds exhibit paramagnetism with negative Weiss constant in the paramagnetic temperature region, and an antiferromagnetic phase transition occurs at the Neel temperature. It is found that the magnetic properties of MnPSxSe3−x slab are dramatically changed after the intercalation of 2,2′-bipyridine, which is close related to the relative ratio of S and Se atom as well as the intralayered Mn2+ vacancies of MnPSxSe3−x slab.