Field-tunable magnetism in a hypervalent Bi-chain compound Nd3ScBi5

Nd3ScBi5 is a newly discovered quasi-one-dimensional compound, featuring one-dimensional hypervalent Bi chains, the ScBi6 octahedral column, and a zigzag arrangement of Nd atoms. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggested the presence of trivalent Nd3+/Sc3+ and mixed-valence Bi states. Two successive antiferromagnetic transitions at 5.6 and 4.7 K exist at low temperatures, with strong magnetic anisotropy and field-induced meta-magnetic transitions. The resistivity, specific heat capacity under various magnetic fields, and sharp magnetoresistance switching near the magnetic critical fields confirm the field-induced meta-magnetic phase, leading to a complex magnetic phase diagram. The coexistence of hypervalent bivalent bonding and complex magnetic phases suggests the potential for magnetically controlled topological states and low-dimensional quantum magnetism, establishing Nd3ScBi5 as a promising platform for studying the interplay between topology, magnetism, and correlated electron phenomena.