Short-Range and Long-Range Order in AFM–FM Exchange Coupled Compound LiCu2(VO4)(OH)2

The presence of both strong interchain and intrachain interactions of an antiferromagnetic as well as an ferromagnetic nature may lead to the appearance of a gap in the magnetic excitation spectrum of LiCu2(VO4)(OH)2 as evidenced by the hump in magnetic susceptibility χ at T* ≈ 30 K. The temperature range of short-range magnetic order is terminated by the onset of long-range magnetic order at TN = 10 K, which is triggered by substantial interchain exchange interactions. This observation is corroborated by the specific heat, Cp, singularity, electron spin resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. The latter reveals a broad distribution of the resonance fields ascribed to the formation of a helix magnetic structure. First-principles calculations allow estimations of both intrachain and interchain exchange interaction parameters, suggesting the implementation of a strongly coupled scenario with competing inter- and intrachain interactions.