A spin-1/2 gapped compound CdCu2(SeO3)2Cl2 with a ladder structure

Abstract

The exploration of two-leg spin-ladder materials is a great challenge to the chemical community since it is one of the most ideal models for the study of low-dimensional magnetism and high-T_c superconductivity. Herein, we report on a successful synthesis of a new Cu²⁺-based two-leg ladder compound constructed by CuO₄Cl₂ octahedra along the [101] direction. The magnetic results exhibit a broad peak at T_max ∼ 265 K, and suggest that CdCu₂(SeO₃)₂Cl₂ has a spin singlet ground state. The fitting of the isolated two-leg spin-ladder model shows J_⊥/k_B = 429 K and J_‖/k_B = 21 K, leading to a large spin gap of ∼409 K.