Magnetic–dielectric bistabilities and magnetodielectric coupling effects in a new layered hybrid perovskite: (C6H5(CH2)4NH3)2[MnCl4]

Abstract

Bistabilities and coupling effects of multiple physical channels in molecule-based materials have attracted widespread interest in the field of sensors, switches, and memory devices. Seeking such materials and understanding the relationship between the changeable physical properties and crystal structures are of great importance for promoting their applications in next-generation devices. Herein, we report a new organic–inorganic layered hybrid perovskite, (C₆H₅(CH₂)₄NH₃)₂[MnCl₄], which undergoes three reversible structural phase transitions in the temperature range of 100–380 K. Crystal analyses indicated that the gradual freezing of the organic cations and tilting of the MnCl₆ octahedra, together with the stagger movement of the inorganic layers, induce remarkable thermal-induced magnetic and dielectric bistabilities. Magnetization measurements revealed that the title compound is a canted antiferromagnet below 37 K and shows a spin-flop transition at ±1.4 T at 3 K. Benefiting from the relatively strong interactions between the magnetic layer and crystal lattice, an intrinsic magnetodielectric coupling effect around the spin-flop transition was observed at 3 K. These findings throw light on the further design of advanced magnetodielectric materials based on diverse layered perovskites.