High-pressure synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of the Shastry-Sutherland-lattice oxides BaLn2ZnO5 (Ln = Pr, Sm, Eu)

Abstract BaPr2ZnO5, BaSm2ZnO5, and BaEu2ZnO5 – a series of 4f magnetic insulators comprising the Shastry-Sutherland lattice – were synthesized via a solid-state reaction under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The magnetic behaviors are well characterized by the localized 4f electrons of each Ln3+ (= Pr, Sm, Eu) under the influence of the crystal-electric field of the surrounding ions. The magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements of BaPr2ZnO5 (Pr3+; 4f2 3H4) indicate the splitting of the ground state J-multiplet due to the crystal-electric field. BaSm2ZnO5 (Sm3+; 4f5 6H5/2) is a strong Van Vleck paramagnet, while BaEu2ZnO5 is non-magnetic due to the 7F0 ground state (Eu3+; 4f6 7F0). The series of new oxides enriches a group of the Shastry-Sutherland lattice materials and helps to develop a range of two-dimensional quantum materials.