Observation of cluster spin glass behavior in thermally decomposed nanocrystalline Sn0.5Fe0.5O2−δ

Abstract

We report the structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Sn_0.5Fe_0.5O_2−δ prepared by thermal decomposition of hexameric organotin ferrocenecarboxylate. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that Fe doping retains the tetragonal rutile structure of SnO₂. FTIR shows the presence of O–Sn–O stretching vibration. Microstructural investigation by FESEM and HRTEM indicated nanoparticle agglomeration and different orientations of lattice fringes with an interplanar spacing of 0.332 nm. The XPS analysis unveiled the incorporation of Fe³⁺ ions into the SnO₂ matrix. Mössbauer spectroscopy suggested the presence of Fe³⁺ ions in a distorted octahedral environment. Bulk magnetization and ac susceptibility studies assert the presence of competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and a cluster spin glass state (T_g = 72 K) at low temperatures.