Magnetic properties investigations of Mn substituted ABX2 chalcopyrites

Powder samples of Mn2xCu1-xInS2 (X = 0.03) and Mn2xCu1-xAlS2 (x = 0.01) were studied by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. With regard to the variation of structural parameters with Mn substitution it is evident, that Mn2+ is built into the chalcopyrit structure. For both samples the field dependence of the magnetization is characterized by a dominating linear behaviour with a positive and strongly temperature dependent susceptibility as expected for paramagnets. After subtraction of the linear part the almost no temperature dependent curves are s-formed, ferromagnetic-like loops with no hysteresis. In the sample with B-III = Al a magnetic transition is observed at about 48 K. We conclude that the dominating paramagnetism is superimposed by a small ferromagnetic part and speculate that the effect is of intrinsic nature. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.