A 2D Layered Lanthanide Hydroxide Showing Slow Relaxation of Magnetization - Dy sub(8)(OH) sub(20)Cl sub(4).6H sub(2)O

The magnetic properties of the layered lanthanide hydroxide Dy sub(8)(OH) sub(20)Cl sub(4).6H sub(2)O were studied. Below 5 K, slow magnetic relaxation was observed even in the absence of an external field, with a blocking temperature of 3 K and an energy barrier of 36.1 K, a behavior characteristic of single-molecule magnets. Dy sub(8)(OH) sub(20)Cl sub(4).6H sub(2)O, a layered lanthanide hydroxide, shows slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures with a blocking temperature of 3 K and an energy barrier of 36.1 K, a behavior characteristic of single-molecule magnets. This is the first example of a layered rare earth compound with such behavior.