Magnetic interactions in a quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet Cu(H2O)(2)(en)SO4

Abstract

A theoretical ab-initio investigation of exchange interaction between Cu atoms in an insulating antiferromagnet Cu(H2O)2(en)SO4, en = C2H8N2, is reported. While the previous experimental studies described the system's magnetism to be quasi-two-dimensional, our results, based on a mapping of the system onto an effective Heisenberg model, rather support a quasi-one-dimensional character with the exchange coupling between the Cu atoms being propagated mainly along a zigzag line lying in the crystal's bc plane and connecting the Cu atoms through the N atoms. Further, the direction of magnetic moments on the Cu atoms is suggested to be nearly along the crystal's a axis. A check of the change in the exchange constants induced either by external pressure or by various values of U in the GGA + U approximation is made. Finally, based on experimental values of positions of broad maxima in magnetic-susceptibility and specific-heat curves and using theoretical expressions available in the literature a relevant value of the U parameter and related expected value of the electronic gap are estimated to be about 5 eV and 2 eV, respectively.