Flux growth and magnetic properties of FeVO4 single crystals

FeVO4 (I) single crystals are grown by the flux method using V2O5 as the self-flux. The grown crystals exhibit a characteristic morphology with natural facets. The quality of the crystals is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and EPMA techniques. Magnetic properties are investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. Two magnetic phase transitions are observed at ∼13 and ∼20 K. Such unusual magnetic behaviors are suggested to originate from two different Fe ligand environments of octahedral FeO6 and trigonal bipyramidal FeO5 in a six-column doubly bent chain.