Structure and frustrated magnetism of the two-dimensional triangular lattice antiferromagnet Na₂BaNi(PO₄)₂

A new frustrated triangular lattice antiferromagnet Na₂BaNi(PO₄)₂ was synthesized by high temperature flux method. The two-dimensional triangular lattice is formed by the Ni²⁺ ions with S =1. Its magnetism is highly anisotropic with the Weiss constants θ_CW =-6.615 K (H⊥c) and -43.979 K (H||c). However, no magnetic ordering is present down to 0.3 K, reflecting strong geometric spin frustration. Our heat capacity measurements show substantial residual magnetic entropy existing below 0.3 K at zero field, implying the presence of low energy spin excitations. These results indicate that Na₂BaNi(PO₄)₂ is a potential spin liquid candidate with spin-1.