Synthesis, Structure and Magnetism of RTa7O19 (R = Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho) with Perfect Triangular Lattice

We present the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a hitherto unstudied family of rare-earth based RTa7O19 (R = Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho) compounds with space groupP6¯2c. The structural analysis reveals that magnetic R ions form layers of ideal two-dimensional triangular lattices in the ab-plane separated by several nonmagnetic polyhedra layers along the c-axis. The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements indicate the absence of long-range magnetic order and field-induced magnetic transitions in all the studied compounds. The details about the magnetism strongly depend on the type of R ions. The presence of geometrical frustration is discussed. Thus, RTa7O19 provides a new platform for exploring the frustrated magnetism.