Ln3FeGaQ7: A new series of transition-metal rare-earth chalcogenides

A new series of transition-metal rare-earth chalcogenides, Ln₃FeGaQ₇ (Ln=Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Q=S; Ln=Nd, Gd, Dy, Q=Se), have been synthesized by solid state reactions. They are isostructural and crystallize in the space group P6₃. They adopt a three-dimensional framework composed of LnQ₇ monocapped trigonal prisms with the interesting ∞1[FeS₃]^4- chains and isolated GaQ₄ tetrahedra lying in two sets of channels in the framework. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on Ln₃FeGaQ₇ (Ln=Gd, Dy; Q=S, Se) indicate that they are paramagnetic and obey the Curie-Weiss law. Based on the diffuse reflectance spectra, Ln₃FeGaQ₇ (Ln=Gd, Dy; Q=S, Se) should have band gaps smaller than 0.5 eV. Electronic conductivity measurement on Dy₃FeGaSe₇ demonstrates semiconducting behavior with σ₃₀₀=0.124 S/cm. The first-principles calculations were also performed to study the electronic structures of these compounds.