Two nanosized 3d–4f clusters featuring four Ln6 octahedra encapsulating a Zn4 tetrahedron†
Abstract
Two high-nuclearity 3d–4f clusters Ln24Zn4 (Ln = Gd and Sm) featuring four Ln6 octahedra encapsulating a Zn4 tetrahedron were obtained through the self-assembly of Zn(OAc)2 and Ln(ClO4)3. Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations show the antiferromagnetic coupling between Gd3+ ions. Studies of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) show that the Gd24Zn4 cluster exhibits the entropy change (−ΔSm) of 31.4 J kg−1 K−1.