Synthesis, Structure, and Physicochemical Characteristics of Zn_1-xRe_xCr₂Se₄ Single Crystals

This study aimed to obtain and investigate ZnCr2Se4 single crystals doped with rhenium. The single crystals were obtained by applying chemical vapour transport. An X-ray study confirmed the cubic (Fd (3) over barm) structure of the tested crystals. Thermal, magnetic, electrical, and specific heat measurements accurately determined the physicochemical characteristics, which revealed that the obtained single crystals are p-type semiconductors with antiferromagnetic order below the Neel temperature T-N = 21.7 K. The Debye temperature had a value of 295 K. The substitution of Reparamagnetic ions, possessing a screened 5d-shell, in place of Zn-diamagnetic ions, caused an increase in the activation energy, Fermi energy, and Fermi temperature compared to the pure ZnCr2Se4. The boost of the dc magnetic field induced a shift of TN towards lower temperatures and a spin fluctuation peak visible at H-dc = 40 and 50 kOe. The obtained single crystals are thermally stable up to 1100 degrees C.