Mixed nickel-gallium tellurides Ni{sub 3−x}GaTe{sub 2} as a matrix for incorporating magnetic cations: A Ni{sub 3−x}Fe{sub x}GaTe{sub 2} series
Using a high-temperature ampoule technique, a series of mixed nickel-iron-gallium metal-rich tellurides with layered structures, Ni{sub 3-x}Fe{sub x}GaTe{sub 2}, were prepared and characterized based on X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data. These compounds may be regarded as a result of partial substitution of nickel by iron in the recently reported ternary Ni{sub 3-x}GaTe{sub 2} series, which are based on NiAs/Ni{sub 2}In type of structure. The compositional boundary for the substitution was found to be at x~1. According to the Mössbauer spectroscopy data, the substitution is not statistical, and iron atoms with the increase in x tend to preferentially occupy those nickel positions that are partially vacant in the initial ternary compound. Magnetic measurements data for the Ni{sub 3-x}Fe{sub x}GaTe{sub 2} series show dramatic change in behavior from temperature-independent paramagnetic properties of the initial matrix to a low-temperature (~75 K) ferromagnetic ordering in the Ni{sub 2}FeGaTe{sub 2}. - Graphical abstract: Ordered substitution of nickel by iron in the Ni{sub 3−x}GaTe{sub 2} series leading to ferromagnetic ordering. - Highlights: • A series of Ni{sub 3−x}Fe{sub x}GaTe{sub 2} compounds were synthesized. • They adopt the NiAs/Ni{sub 2}In type of structure with ordered iron distribution. • The distribution of iron was studied using {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. • An increase in iron content leads to the strong ferromagnetic coupling.