Crystal structure of the Nd(Ru0.6Ge0.4)2 and ErRuGe compounds

Using X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction, the crystal structures of the Nd(Ru_0.6Ge_0.4)₂ and ErRuGe compounds were investigated. The compounds belong to the KHg₂ and TiNiSi type structure, respectively.     

Structural investigation of ternary RIr3B2 compounds (R=Ce and Pr)

Structural studies were performed for the ternary RIr₃B₂ compounds (R=Ce and Pr) from as cast samples. The crystal structure of the ternary boride CeIr₃B₂ (CeCo₃B₂ structure type, space group P6/mmm, a=5.520(3) Å, c=3.066(2) Å, Z=1, V=80.91 ų, ρ_x=15.154 g cm⁻³) was refined to R₁=0.0470, wR₂=0.1240 from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The new ternary boride PrIr₃B₂ was found to be isostructural with the CeIr₃B₂ compound. Its lattice parameters a=5.5105(2) Å, c=3.1031(1) Å were obtained from a Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data.     

Ce2Ir5B2, a new structure type of ternary borides

The crystal structure of a new ternary boride Ce₂Ir₅B₂, space group , a=5.477(2) Å, c=31.518(5) Å, Z=6, V=818.79 Å, was refined down to R=0.0484, wR₂=0.1211 from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. This is the first representative of a new structure type of intermetallic compounds (an ordered variant of the binary Er₂Co₇ compound). The structure of Ce₂Ir₅B₂ is the stacking variant of the MgCu₂- and CeCo₃B₂-type slabs and belongs to the structural series with the general formula R_2+nM_4+3nX_2n (n=2).     

Crystal structure and physical properties of ternary compounds RPt3B, R=La, Pr, Nd

The crystal structure of a new series of ternary rare-earth platinum borides RPt₃B (R=La, Pr, Nd) has been studied by X-ray powder diffraction analyses from the ‘as-cast’ alloys. The tetragonal CePt₃B structure type, space group P4mm (No. 99), has been confirmed for all compounds. Rietveld refinements for the two compounds, PrPt₃B and NdPt₃B, were performed. LaPt₃B is a temperature-independent Pauli-type paramagnet from room temperature down to 4 K. PrPt₃B orders antiferromagnetically at T_N=15 K followed by a ferromagnetic spin flip at T_C=5 K, whereas NdPt₃B exhibits an antiferromagnetic spin alignment at a Néel temperature T_N=7 K. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, ρ(T), reflects the metallic character of these compounds. Furthermore the characteristic changes of slope of ρ(T) plots prove the magnetic transitions.     

Synthesis and properties of Ba3NaRu2O9−δ and Ba3(Na, R)Ru2O9−δ (R=rare earth) crystals

Crystals of Ba₃NaRu₂O_9−δ (δ≈0.5) and Ba₃(Na, R)Ru₂O_9−δ (R=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb) were grown by an electrochemical method, and their crystallographic, magnetic, and electric properties were studied. All crystals have a hexagonal structure of space group P6₃mmc. Ba₃NaRu₂O_9−δ and Ba₃(Na, R)Ru₂O_9−δ (except Ce) have a negative asymptotic Curie temperature suggesting the existence of an antiferromagnetic order; however, they are paramagnetic at temperatures above 1.7 K. Ba₃NaRu₂O_9−δ has an effective magnetic moment P_eff of 0.91 μ_B, while P_eff of Ba₃(Na, R)Ru₂O_9−δ (except Ce) reflects the large free-ion moment of the rare earth ions. Ba₃(Na, Ce)Ru₂O_9−δ shows peculiar magnetic behavior that differs from the magnetism of other Ba₃(Na, R)Ru₂O_9−δ crystals. The resistivity of all crystals exhibits an activation-type temperature dependence with an activation energy in the range of 0.10.2 eV.     

Magnetic structures of R2RhSi3 (R=Ho, Er) compounds

Powder X-ray and neutron diffraction and magnetic measurements have been performed on R₂RhSi₃ (R=Ho and Er) compounds at low temperatures. The compounds crystallize in a derivative of the hexagonal AlB₂-type structure. The crystal structure parameters have been refined on the basis of the X-ray and neutron diffraction patterns collected in the paramagnetic region. These compounds are antiferromagnets with Néel temperatures of 5.2 K for Ho₂RhSi₃ and 5 K for Er₂RhSi₃. Both compounds exhibit collinear magnetic structures, described by the propagation vector k=(1/2,0,0) for Ho₂RhSi₃ and k=(0,0,0) for Er₂RhSi₃. This magnetic order is stable in the temperature range between 1.5 K and the Néel temperature.     

HfFe6Ge6-type YbMn6Ge6−xGax compounds (0.07≤x<0.72) with large magnetocrystalline anisotropy

The HfFe₆Ge₆-type YbMn₆Ge_6−xGa_x solid solution (0.07≤x≤0.72) has been studied by X-ray diffraction, microprobe analysis and powder magnetization measurements. All the compounds order antiferromagnetically between T_N=481 K for x=0.07 and T_N=349 K for x=0.72 and display more or less pronounced spontaneous magnetization at lower temperature. The corresponding Curie points increase from 40 K for x=0.07 to 319 K for x=0.72. The maximum magnetization values of the Ga-rich compounds (M≈5 μ_B/f.u. at 6 K) is compatible with a ferrimagnetic order of the Mn and Yb sublattices whereas the smaller values measured in the Ga-poor compounds suggest the stabilization of non-colinear magnetic structures. All the studied compounds are characterized by rather large coercive fields at low temperature (4.0≤H_c≤8.2 kOe).     

X-ray investigations of ternary R3Pd4Ge4 samples

Ternary R₃Pd₄Ge₄ samples (R=Nd, Eu, Er) were investigated by means of X-ray single crystal (four circle diffractometer Philips PW1100, MoK radiation) and powder diffraction (MX Labo diffractometer, CuK radiation). The Er₃Pd_3.68(1)Ge₄ compound belongs to the Gd₃Cu₄Ge₄ structure type, space group Immm, a=4.220(2) Å, b=6.843(2) Å, c=14.078(3) Å, R₁=0.0484 for 598 reflections with F_o>4σ(F_o) from X-ray single crystal diffraction data. No ternary R₃Pd₄Ge₄ compound when R is Nd or Eu was observed. The Nd and Eu containing samples appeared to be multiphase. Ternary phases observed in the Nd₃Pd₄Ge₄ and Eu₃Pd₄Ge₄ alloys and their crystallographic characteristics are the following: NdPd₂Ge₂, CeGa₂Al₂ structure type, space group I4/mmm, a=4.3010(2) Å, c=10.0633(2) Å (X-ray powder diffraction data); NdPd_0.6Ge_1.4, AlB₂ structure type, space group P6/mmm, a=4.2305(2) Å, c=4.1723(2) Å (X-ray powder diffraction data); Nd(Pd_0.464(1)Ge_0.536(1))₂, KHg₂ structure type, space group Imma, a=4.469(2) Å, b=7.214(2) Å, c=7.651(3) Å, R₁=0.0402 for 189 reflections with F_o>4σ(F_o) (X-ray single crystal diffraction data); Eu(Pd,Ge)₂, AlB₂ structure type, space group P6/mmm, a=4.311(2) Å, c=4.235(2) Å; EuPdGe, EuNiGe structure type, space group P2₁/c, and ternary compound with unknown structure (X-ray powder diffraction data).     

Crystal structure and magnetism of the Y2Pd14B5 compound

The crystal structure of the ternary boride Y₂Pd₁₄B₅, space group I4₁/amd, a=8.484(2) Å, c=16.490(3) Å, V=1186.98 ų, Z=4, was refined down to R=0.0475, wR2=0.1276 from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Two types of coordination for boron atoms were observed: the coordination sphere for the B1 atom is a trigonal prism with one additional atom; the B2 atom has only four neighboring atoms which form a square. No boron–boron contact was observed. Analysis of the Y₂Pd₁₄B₅ crystal structure shows the existence of a correlation between this structure and the Sc₄Ni₂₉B₁₀ structure type. Magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements indicate that there is no superconducting or magnetic transition in Y₂Pd₁₄B₅ down to 2 K.     

New Zr6CoAs2-type R6MnSb2 and R6MnBi2 compounds (R=Y, Lu, Dy, Ho)

A powder X-ray diffraction investigation of the new ternary compounds Zr₆CoAs₂-type R₆MnSb₂ and R₆MnBi₂ (R=Y, Lu, Dy, Ho) is reported. The compounds Ho₆MnSb₂ (a=0.8070(2) nm, c=0.4230(1) nm), Lu₆MnSb₂ (a=0.7930(1) nm, c=0.4173(1) nm), Y₆MnBi₂ (a=0.8242(1) nm, c=0.4292(1) nm), Dy₆MnBi₂ (a=0.8211(1) nm, c=0.4286(1) nm), Ho₆MnBi₂ (a=0.8164(1) nm, c=0.4250(1) nm) and Lu₆MnBi₂ (a=0.8019(2) nm, c=0.4185(1) nm) crystallize in the hexagonal Zr₆CoAs₂-type structure (space group P6b2m No. 189). The Zr₆CoAs₂-type structure is a superstructure of the Fe₂P-type structure.     

Magnetic properties of CeMn2−xCoxGe2

The structure and magnetic properties of CeMn_2−xCo_xGe₂ (0.0≤x≤1.0) were studied by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. All compounds crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure with space group I4/mmm. Substitution of Co for Mn leads to a linear decrease in the lattice constants and the unit cell volume. Increasing substitution of Co for Mn shows a depression of ferromagnetic ordering.     

New Zr6CoAs2-type compounds: Y6CoBi2, Ho6CoBi2 and Tm6CoBi2

Results of a powder X-ray diffraction investigation of new ternary compounds are reported. The compounds Y₆CoBi₂ [a=0.8312(1) nm, c=0.4144(1) nm], Ho₆CoBi₂ [a=0.8246(2) nm, c=0.4095(1) nm], and Tm₆CoBi₂ [a=0.8155(2) nm, c=0.4066(1) nm] crystallize in the hexagonal Zr₆CoAs₂-type structure (space group P6b2m No. 189). The Zr₆CoAs₂-type structure is a superstructure of the Fe₂P-type structure.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Sm2Fe17−xCrxC2 nanocrystalline carbides with 0≤x≤2

The crystallographic and the Curie temperature of the Sm₂Fe_17−xCr_xC₂ (x=0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2) carbides have been extensively studied. X-ray diffraction studies have shown that all these alloys are approximately single phases corresponding to the Th₂Zn₁₇ type rhombohedral structure with a small amount of -Fe. The amount of this residual -Fe phase decreases with increasing the Cr atomic content. It decreases from 1 wt% for x=0.5 to 0.4 wt.% for x=2. The lattice parameter c increases as a function of the Cr atomic content x from x=0 to x=1.5 and then decreases. This is due to the Cr atoms which prefer to substitute the Fe atoms in the 6c sites located along the c-axis. The lattice parameter a and the unit-cell volume decrease in all substitution ranges. The insertion of the C atoms leads essentially to an increase of the distances between the 9d and 18h sites and the 9d–18f sites. The Curie temperature reaches a maximum value of 583 K for x=1.5 and then decreases to 551 K for x=2. The enhancement of the T_c for lower Cr contents is due to a lowering of the hybridization of the iron atoms with their neighbors, the magnetovolume effect and the reduction of antiferromagnetic interactions. However, the decrease in T_c for higher Cr content is due to the reduction in the number of Fe–Fe pairs due to the magnetic dilution effect. For given interatomic distances, the exchange coupling of the Cr–Cr atoms is not of antiferromagnetic type and the exchange integral of the Cr–Cr pair is higher than that of the Fe–Fe pair.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the binary uranium–nickel alloy U11Ni16

The crystal structure of the U–Ni binary compound previously designated U₅Ni₇ was studied by X-ray single crystal diffraction showing that the exact formula is U₁₁Ni₁₆. Uranium and nickel atoms are distributed respectively on 5 and 6 Wyckoff positions of the trigonal space group R (n° 148), and the unit-cell dimensions in the hexagonal setting are: a=11.7786(4) Å, c=20.7485(8) Å. Magnetisation measurements indicate itinerant ferromagnetism below T_c=33 K for U₁₁Ni₁₆.     

The origin of the large magnetocaloric effect in RCo2 (R=Er, Ho and Dy)

The phase transitions of the RCo₂ (R=Er, Ho and Dy) compounds are of first-order type and a metamagnetic transition is observed above the Curie temperature. Owing to their large magnetic entropy change, the RCo₂ compounds are competitive candidates as the working substance for magnetic refrigeration. In this paper we discuss the origin of this large magnetic entropy change.     

The molybdenum diphosphate Mo1.3O(P2O7), containing Mo2 and Mo3 clusters

A novel molybdenum diphosphate, Mo_1.3O(P₂O₇), was obtained by electrochemical lithium deintercalation. The diphosphate crystallises in space group I2/a with the lattice parameters a=22.88(1), b=22.94(2), c=4.832(1) Å, γ=90.36°, Z=8. Its original framework is built up from MoO₆ octahedra, P₂O₇ groups and also from MoO₄, Mo₂O₄ and Mo₃O₈ units containing Mo₂ and Mo₃ clusters. These polyhedra delimit large octagonal and z-shaped tunnels running along c, in which the inserted cations may be located.     

Crystal structure of the R3Si1.25Se7 (R = Pr, Nd and Sm) compounds

The crystal structure of new ternary R₃Si_1.25Se₇ (R = Pr, Nd and Sm) compounds (Dy₃Ge_1.25S₇ structure type, Pearson symbol hP22.5, space group P6₃, a = 1.05268 (3) nm, c = 0.60396 (3) nm, R_I = 0.0897 for Pr₃Si_1.25Se₇; a = 1.04760 (3) nm, c = 0.60268 (3) nm, R_I = 0.0891 for Nd₃Si_1.25Se₇; a = 1.04166 (6) nm, c = 0.59828 (6) nm for Sm₃Si_1.25Se₇) was determined using X-ray powder diffraction. The nearest neighbours of the R and Si atoms are exclusively Se atoms. The latter form distorted trigonal prisms around the R atoms, octahedra around the Si1 atoms and tetrahedra around the Si2 atoms. Tetrahedral surrounding exists for Se1 and Se3 atoms. Six neighbours surround every Se2 atom.     

Crystallographic site of Mn in the icosahedral cluster of LaCo13−xMnx compounds

Studies on the structure and the crystallographic site of Mn in LaCo_13−xMn_x compounds were carried out by using X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) of the Mn K-edge. These compounds with x≤3.0 adopt a NaZn₁₃-type structure consisting of icosahedral clusters. The lattice constant increases with the Mn concentration. The calculated XAFS curves of the center and the corner sites in the icosahedral clusters for the Mn K-edge are obtained by using the program . The fitting result for the corner site agrees much better with the observed XAFS spectrum than that for the center site. Therefore, the Mn site is determined to be the corner Co site in the icosahedral clusters of all the compounds. In comparison with the crystallographic parameters of LaCo₁₃, the icosahedral clusters composed of Mn atoms expand and the crystallographic Mn site is slightly more close to the La atom.     

Crystal structure, magnetic behaviour and valence state of ytterbium in the Yb4Ni10+xGa21−x phase

The ternary phase Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x has been synthesised from the elements by high frequency melting in argon atmosphere. The homogeneity region has been established from X-ray powder data and confirmed by EDX analysis for 0.3≤x≤1. The crystal structure of Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x has been estimated from X-ray single crystal data: space group C2/m (no. 12), Z=2, a=20.6815(9) Å, b=4.0560(4) Å, c=15.3520(7) Å, β=124.800(3)°, R(F)=0.023 for 1701 symmetry independent reflections with F(hkl)>4σ(F). A special feature of the structure is the local disorder within the gallium/nickel network. Neglecting atomic disorder in the region of the Ga9 and Ga11 positions, the Yb₄Ni_10+xGa_21−x structure is an occupation variant of the Ho₄Ni₁₀Ga₂₁ type with nickel atoms partially replacing the Ga atoms in the 2d sites at the centers of distorted icosahedra. From magnetic susceptibility and from L_III-XAS spectra, the valence state of ytterbium is near 3+.