Physical properties of the layered f-electron van der Waals magnet Ce2Te5

We report a detailed study of the magnetic, transport, and thermodynamic properties of Ce2Te5 single crystals, a layered f-electron van der Waals magnet. Four consecutive transitions at similar to 5.2, 2.1, 0.9, and 0.4 K were observed in the ac-plane electrical resistivity rho T), which were further confirmed in specific heat C-p(T) measurements. Analysis of the magnetic susceptibility chi(T ), the magnetic-field variation of rho(T), and the increase of the first transition temperature (T-c similar to 5.2 K) with applied magnetic field indicates ferromagnetic order, while the decrease of the other transitions with field suggests different states with dominant antiferromagnetic interactions below T-2 similar to 2.1 K, T-3 similar to 0.9 K, and T-4 = 0.4 K. Critical behavior analysis around T-c that gives critical exponents beta = 0.31(2), gamma = 0.99(2), delta = 4.46(1), and T-c = 5.32(1) K indicates that Ce2Te5 shows a three-dimensional magnetic critical behavior. Moreover, the Hall resistivity rho(xy) indicates that Ce2Te5 is a multiband system with a relatively high electron mobility similar to 2900 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) near T-c, providing further opportunities for future device applications.