Quasi-One-Dimensional Linarite-Type PbCu(SeO 4 )(OH) 2 with Competing Nearest-Neighbor and Next-Nearest-Neighbor Intrachain Exchange Interactions.

PbCu(SeO 4 )(OH) 2 , the selenate sibling of the mineral linarite, was synthesized hydrothermally, investigated in measurements of magnetization M , specific heat C p and dielectric permittivity ε , and analyzed within density functional theory formalism. This quasi-one-dimensional compound evidences formation of a short-range correlation regime at T* ~ 8 K and experiences a long-range magnetic order at T N = 4.3 K. A magnetization saturation of approximately 1 µ B is reached at µ 0 H flip ~ 16 T preceded by a jump at µ 0 H flop = 2.4 T. Additionally, there are multiple indicators of the formation of an additional electrically active phase above the Neel temperature, which suggests that PbCu(SeO 4 )(OH) 2 is a multiferroic system.