Magnetic properties of silver lanthanide molybdates AgLnMo2O8 (Ln = lanthanide)

The magnetic properties of scheelite related compounds AgLnMo2O8 (Ln = lanthanide) are reported. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the compounds are paramagnetic down to 2 K with AgSmMo2O8 and AgEuMo2O8 showing Van Vleck paramagnetism. A 151Eu Mössbauer spectrum for AgEuMo2O8 indicates that the Eu ion is in the trivalent state and that an axial electric field gradient exists in this compound. Both magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements show that the Gd3+ ion is in the 8S7/2 state.