The discovery and control of intergrowth structures represent an important avenue for the targeted synthesis of new, more complex structure types. When including magnetic framework metal atoms, this enhanced complexity can transfer to rich magnetic ground states. Here, we show that the subtle adjustment of the composition of alkali-tellurium fluxes enables the synthesis of a new family of alkali chromium tellurides, A2. 4 Cr 8 Te 14 Cr₈ Te₁₄ (A = Rb, Cs). Their ladder-like crystal structures integrate the 2D character of delafossite-like A CrTe 2 A CrTe₂ with the tunnel motifs of hollandite-like A x Cr 5 Te 8 Aₗ Cr₅ Te₈ phases. This results in a previously unobserved unique hybrid framework. Direction-dependent magnetization measurements on oriented single crystals reveal distinct magnetic ground states: Rb 2. 4 Cr 8 Te 14 Rb₂. ₄ Cr₈ Te₁₄ is antiferromagnetic with T N T ₍ = 114. 5 K, while Cs 2. 4 Cr 8 Te 14 Cs₂. ₄ Cr₈ Te₁₄ is ferrimagnetic with T C T ₂ = 125. 0 K. This work underscores the simplicity and effectiveness of flux growth as a design strategy for discovering low-dimensional materials.
Röseler et al. (Fri,) studied this question.