: A frustrated spin-hexamer lattice with cluster-liquid-like state and enhanced magnetocaloric effect
Phys. Rev. B 113, 224435 – Published 18 June, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/wv7v-ldhp
Abstract
The exploration of model systems exhibiting geometrical spin frustration remains a key avenue for uncovering emergent quantum phenomena. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a different type of frustrated quantum magnets, , featuring spatially confined magnetic spin clusters. These compounds host a two-dimensional triangular network of spin hexamers in planes, separated along the axis by nonmagnetic and units. Magnetic susceptibility and specific-heat measurements reveal the realization of an effective ground state and the absence of long-range magnetic order or spin freezing down to at least 0.1 K, below which a substantial fraction of spin entropy persists. Under quasi-adiabatic demagnetization from an initial temperature of about 2 K, they exhibit a promising cooling effect, with the temperature-field profile displaying a distinct minimum or shoulder near 1 T, presumably associated with the intracluster spin correlations. Upon further reducing the field to zero, additional temperature drops down to mK become evident, hinting at the development of intercluster spin interactions. The probable hierarchical spin interactions and the strong responses characteristic of both compounds suggest that is a promising spin-cluster system for exploring quantum spin magnetism and sub-Kelvin magnetocaloric effect.