Critical behavior of the quasi-two-dimensional ferromagnet Cr1.04Te2

Abstract

The self-intercalation of Cr into pristine two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals ferromagnetic CrTe2, which forms chromium tellurides (CrxTe2), has garnered interests due to their remarkable magnetic characteristics and the wide variety of chemical compositions available. Here, comprehensive basic characterization and magnetic studies are conducted on quasi-2D ferromagnetic Cr1.04Te2 crystals. Measurements of the isothermal magnetization curves are conducted around the critical temperature to systematically investigate the critical behavior. Specifically, the critical exponents β = 0.2399, γ = 0.8590, and δ = 4.3498, as well as the Curie temperature T C = 249.56 K, are determined using various methods, including a modified Arrott plots, the Kouvel-Fisher method, the Widom scaling method, and the critical isotherm analysis. These results indicate that the tricritical mean-field model accurately represents the critical behavior of Cr1.04Te2. A magnetic phase diagram with tricritical phenomenon is thus constructed. Further investigations confirmed that the critical exponents obtained conform to the scalar equation near T C, indicating their self-consistency and reliability. Our work sheds light on the magnetic properties of quasi-2D Cr1.04Te2, broadening the scope of the van der Waals crystals for developments of future spintronic devices operable at room temperature.