Probing the strongly correlated magnetic state of Co${}_2$C nanoparticles at low temperatures using $\mu$SR

Abstract

Co${}_2$C nanoparticles (NPs) are amongst transition metal carbides whose magnetic properties have not been well explored. A recent study by Nirmal Roy et al. [1] showed that a collection of Co${}_2$C NPs exhibit an exchange bias (EB) effect below T${}_{EB}$ = 50 K and also a spin glass (SG) state below T${}_{SG}$ = 5 K. We use magnetic, electrical transport, specific heat, and muon spin rotation ($\mu$SR) measurements to explore further the magnetic properties of these NPs. We uncover the onset of Kondo localization at Kondo temperature T${}_K$ (= 40.1 K), near the onset of EB effect. A crossover from the Kondo-screened scenario to an RKKY interaction-dominated regime is also observed for T < T${}_K$. Specific heat measurements confirm Kondo localization and heavy fermionic nature in Co${}_2$C at low T. At low T, zero field $\mu$SR spectra reveal a dominant magnetically disordered fraction with slow relaxation and a smaller fraction with short-range order exhibiting fast relaxation, with no evidence of long-range magnetic order. We observe an increase in this fast relaxation rate between T${}_{EB}$ and T${}_{SG}$, suggesting a slowing down of the fluctuating local magnetic environment around muons. Transverse field $\mu$SR spectra show the emergence of a stable, multi-peaked local magnetic field distribution below T${}_{EB}$. Longitudinal field $\mu$SR spectra shows distinct changes in the dynamics of fluctuations suggesting the presence of a frozen glassy like state below 6 K. Our results suggest that below T${}_{EB}$, Co${}_2$C NPs pellet develops a magnetic interface, separating disordered and short-range order fractions. The Exchange interaction that sets in below T${}_{EB}$ at the interface couples them and suppresses the fluctuations. With the suppression of magnetic fluctuations below T${}_{EB}$, strong correlation effects in the electronic state of Co${}_2$C lead to Kondo localization.

37 Pages, 11 Figures