Compositional dependence of the magnetic state of Co3−xZnxTeO6 solid solutions

•Magnetic study of single-crystalline Co3−xZnxTeO6, complemented by NPD on powder samples•Change in the magnetic structure and range of the magnetic interaction for Zn> 10%•Phase diagram showing evolution of magnetic interaction strength with increasing Zn•Clear correlation of the magnetic properties with the average Co2/Zn2-O bond length The magnetic properties of phase-pure solid solutions of Co3−xZnxTeO6 are investigated using magnetometry (single crystals) and neutron diffraction (polycrystalline powders), and compared to results of detailed crystallographic studies. There are five unique Co sites in Co3TeO6, including a tetrahedrally coordinated Co2 site which Zn preferentially occupies. The magnetic interaction is found to monotonically decrease as the Co2-O bond length decreases with increasing Zn content. The results suggest a modification of the magnetic structure in the samples containing Zn.