Large spontaneous exchange bias in a weak ferromagnet Pb < inf > 6 < /inf > Ni < inf > 9 < /inf > (TeO < inf > 6 < /inf > ) < inf > 5 < /inf >

Abstract

We report the magnetic and dielectric behavior of Pb6Ni9(TeO6)5, a new compound comprising the honeycomb-like layers of S = 1 spins, through detailed structural, magnetic and dielectric investigation. An antiferromagnetic-Type transition at 25 K (T N ) with weak-ferromagnetic behavior is revealed. Interestingly, a large value of coercive field of 1.32 T at 2 K is observed. The isothermal magnetization after zero-field-cooled condition, it exhibits the presence of large spontaneous exchange bias (SEB) with a magnitude of 0.19 T at 2 K; which is rare in single bulk materials, especially without external doping. The value of |H EB| further enhances to 0.24 T under 16 T field-cooled condition, confirming the presence of large exchange bias in the material.