Magnetic exchange in a low-dimensional complex oxide ((Cu)under-bar, Zn)2V2O7

Copper-divanadate Cu2-yZnyV2O7 comprises trans-edge sharing chains of CuO5 polyhedra where Cu spins S = 1/2 are antiferromagnetically coupled. Zn substitution for Cu induces a structural phase transition which affects strongly the magnetic properties. In particular, a substantial magnetic anisotropy found in one of the structural phases is strongly suppressed in the other one, owing to the changes of the local bonding geometry. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.