Sodium layer chiral distribution and spin structure of Na2Ni2TeO6 with a Ni honeycomb lattice

Abstract

The nature of Na ion distribution, diffusion path, and the spin structure of P2-type Na2Ni2TeO6 with a Ni honeycomb lattice has been explored. The nuclear density distribution of Na ions reveals a two-dimensional (2D) chiral pattern within Na layers without breaking the original 3D crystal symmetry, which has been achieved uniquely via an inverse Fourier transform (iFT)-assisted neutron-diffraction technique. The Na diffusion pathway described by the calculated isosurface of the Na ion bond valence sum (BVS) map is found consistent to a chiral diffusion mechanism. The Na site occupancy and Ni2+ spin ordering were examined in detail with the neutron diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, thermal conductivity, and transport measurements. Signatures of both strong incommensurate (ICM) and weak commensurate (CM) antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin ordering were identified in the polycrystalline sample studied, and the CM-AFM spin ordering was confirmed by using a single-crystal sample through the k scan in the momentum space corresponding to the AFM peak of (12,0,1). © 2017 American Physical Society