A Variety of Phase-Transition Behaviors in a Niccolite Series of [NH3(CH2)4NH3][M(HCOO)3]2

Abstract

A niccolite series of [bnH22+][M(HCOO)3]2 (bnH22+=1,4-butyldiammonium) shows four kinds of metal-dependent phase transitions, from high temperature para-electric phases to low-temperature ferro-, antiferro-, glass-like, and para-electric phases. The conformational flexibility of bnH22+ and the different size, mass, and bonding character of the metal ion lead to various disorder-order transitions of bnH22+ in the lattice and relevant framework modulations, thus different phase transitions and dielectric responses. The magnetic members display a coexistence or combination of electric and magnetic orderings in the low-temperature region.