Synthesis and magnetic properties of ternary carbides R2Fe14C (R = Pr,Sm, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm, Lu) with Nd2Fe14B structure type

The R₂Fe₁₄C compounds were prepared from the elements by arc melting and long-time annealing (more than 480 hrs) at temperatures below 1200 K. They crystallize with the tetragonal Nd₂Fe₁₄B structure type as shown by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. All samples contain at least 70 vol.% of the R₂Fe₁₄C phase. Both saturation magnetization values (42–133 Am²/kg) and Curie temperatures (493–613 K) are lower than those measured on the corresponding borides.     

Magnetic properties of RE2Au compounds (RE = Pr,Nd, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er,Tm and Y)

Magnetic properties of nine RE₂Au compounds have been studied in fields of up to 19 kOe in the temperature range 4.2K–300K. It has been found that all compounds are paramagnetic at room temperature except Gd₂Au. The compounds with Pr, Nd, Ho, Er and Tm exhibit Curie-Weiss behaviour with paramagnetic moments in close agreement with those expected for the free RE³⁺ ion. The moment of gold was found to be zero. The compounds with Pr, Nd, Tb, Dy, Er and Tm are antiferromagnetic at low temperatures. It appears that Ho₂Au is ferromagnetically ordered below 4.5 K. No evidence for magnetic ordering was found for Y₂Au. The compound with Tb exhibits metamagnetic behaviour.     

Anomalous hyperfine field and orbital moment of cobalt in RCo2; R = Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er and Tm

⁵⁹Co spin echo NMR spectra in the magnetically ordered phase of the MgCu₂ type RCo₂ compounds (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) have been observed. For the RCo₂ with the easy direction of magnetication parallel to the 〈011〉 or 〈111〉 direction, the ⁵⁹Co hyperfine fields at two magnetically inequivalent Co sites are found to be antiparallel, revealing a large anisotropy in the ⁵⁹Co hyperfine field. The results are discussed in terms of a large and anisotropic orbital moment of Co. The transferred hyperfine field due to rare earth spins is estimated from well resolved satellite lines observed in Tb_1?xY_xCo₂. The nuclear quadrupole splitting in the magnetically ordered phase is found to be always larger than that in the paramagnetic phase.     

Magnetic studies of RCo12B6 compounds (R=Y,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd and Dy)

Magnetization of the RCo₁₂B₆ borides (R=Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy), which crystallize in a rhombohedral structure of the SrNi₁₂B₆-type, has been measured in the temperature range 4.2–300 K. All compounds were found to order magnetically with Curie temperatures ranging from 154 to 177 K. Saturation moments at 4.2 K were found to be 6.5, 5.4, 8.4, 8.8, 6.8, 2.1 and 5.9μ_B/f.u. for R=Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy, respectively. These results imply a ferromagnetic coupling of Co and rare earth moments for light rare earths and an antiferrimagnetic coupling for heavy rare earths in these compounds. A spin-compensation effect is observed in GdCo₁₂B₆ alloys at T_comp=46 and 72 K, respectively. Results suggest that in CeCo₁₂B₆ the Ce ion exists in the quadripositive state. It is clear that RCo₁₂B₆ materials are not of interest for permanent magnet applications.     

EXAFS study of intermetallics of the type RGe2 (R=La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er and Y) Part I: Determination of Ge-Ge distances

A study of theEXAFS associated with theK x-ray absorption discontinuity of germanium in pure germanium and in the rare-earth germanides RGe₂ (where R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y) has been carried out. The Ge-Ge distances have been obtained in these compounds. Considering the phase to the RGe₂ system, the bond lengths in these compounds have been determined. The values obtained by us for the RGe₂ compounds (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Y) agree with those obtained earlier by crystallographic methods. The bond lengths for the compounds TbGe₂, HoGe₂ and ErGe₂ are also being reported.     

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in binary R-T(R = Pr,Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm;T = Ga,Ni,Co,Cu)intermetallic compounds

In this paper, we review the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects(MCE) of binary R–T(R = Pr, Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho, Er, Tm; T = Ga, Ni, Co, Cu) intermetallic compounds(including RGa series, RNi series, R_(12)Co_7 series, R_3 Co series and RCu_2series), which have been investigated in detail in the past several years. The R–T compounds are studied by means of magnetic measurements, heat capacity measurements, magnetoresistance measurements and neutron powder diffraction measurements. The R–T compounds show complex magnetic transitions and interesting magnetic properties.The types of magnetic transitions are investigated and confirmed in detail by multiple approaches. Especially, most of the R–T compounds undergo more than one magnetic transition, which has significant impact on the magnetocaloric effect of R–T compounds. The MCE of R–T compounds are calculated by different ways and the special shapes of MCE peaks for different compounds are investigated and discussed in detail. To improve the MCE performance of R–T compounds,atoms with large spin(S) and atoms with large total angular momentum(J) are introduced to substitute the related rare earth atoms. With the atom substitution, the maximum of magnetic entropy change(?SM), refrigerant temperature width(Twidth)or refrigerant capacity(RC) is enlarged for some R–T compounds. In the low temperature range, binary R–T(R = Pr, Gd,Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm; T = Ga, Ni, Co, Cu) intermetallic compounds(including RGa series, RNi series,R_(12)Co_7 series, R_3 Co series and RCu_2series) show excellent performance of MCE, indicating the potential application for gas liquefaction in the future.     

Magnetic phase diagrams of R2RhIn8 (R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) compounds

We have grown and characterized single crystals of R(2)RhIn(8) (R=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) compounds crystallizing in the tetragonal Ho(2)CoGa(8)-type crystal structure. Their magnetic properties were studied by specific heat and magnetization measurements. All the investigated compounds order antiferromagnetically with Néel temperatures of 43.6, 25.1, 10.9, 3.8 and 4.1 K, respectively. Magnetic phase diagrams were constructed.     

EXAFS study of intermetallics of the type RGe2 (R=La,Ce, Pr,Nd, Sm,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er and Y) Part II: Determination of Ge-R distances

The extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) associated with the GeK x-ray absorption discontinuity in pure germanium and in the intermetallics RGe₂ (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y) has been studied. The Ge-R distances in these compounds have been determined by comparing the experimental phase shifts with the theoretical ones. The Ge-R distances in the compounds TbGe₂, HoGe₂ and ErGe₂ are being reported for the first time in this work.     

Molecular field theory analysis of R2Fe17C (R=PR,Nd, Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er)

The temperature dependence of magnetization is analysed for R₂Fe₁₇C via the two-sublattice molecular field theory. The molecular field coefficients n_FF, n_RF and n_RR are obtained, by which T_C was calculated. Using the least-squares method, the fitted-form of H_R(T) varying with temperature for each compound is presented. The results are analysed. In addition, the parameters F=M_Fe²(0)n_FF/T_C was calculated for each R₂Fe₁₇C. By F, some phenomena different from the normal view were explained.     

Elastic and brittle properties of the B2-MgRE (RE = Sc,Y, Ce,Pr, Nd,Gd, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er) intermetallics

The brittle and elastic properties of the B2-MgRE (RE = Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) intermetallics have been investigated using first-principles density functional calculations. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants and enthalpies of formation are in overall agreement with the available experiment and theoretical results. The related physical properties of those compounds are compared with that of ductile YCu. The Fermi energy occurs above a peak in the DOS for B2-MgRE intermetallics, whereas for ductile YCu the Fermi energy occurs near a minimum in the DOS. For B2-YCu, the partial density of states of d-states at the Fermi energy is low, while for B2-MgRE the RE d-states are partially occupied, indicating their important roles in the directional bonding for this material. The Cauchy pressure (C₁₂-C₄₄) and the ratio of bulk to shear modulus B/G are used to assess the brittle/ductile behavior of B2-MgRE and YCu compounds. It can be concluded that the B2-MgRE alloys have brittle behavior. MgSc is the most brittle, and MgHo is the least brittle amongst those alloys.     

Magnetic properties of some RPd2Si2 compounds (R=Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho and Er)

The magnetic susceptibility of the ternary compounds, RPd₂Si₂ (where R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) has been measured. GdPd₂Si₂ order antiferromagnetically at 13 and 20 K respectively; the rest of the compounds do not show clear ordering down to 4.2 K. Palladium carries no moment in these compounds. The De Gennes formula is not obeyed indicating that the exchange interaction between the 4f moments via conduction electrons is not isotropic     

Magnetic properties of R2Pt compounds with R = Gd,Tb, Dy,Ho, Er and Tm

Magnetic properties of polycrystalline samples of R₂Pt compounds (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) are presented. The Gd, Td, Dy, Ho based compounds are ferromagnetic with Curie temperatures ranging between 155 and 17 K. Er₂Pt and Tm₂Pt are antiferromagnetic with Néel temperatures of 9 and 5 K respectively. The observed properties are discussed considering indirect exchange interactions and crystal field effects acting on the rare earth ions which lies in very low symmetry sites.     

Magnetic properties and structure of hydrogen-amorphized intermetallic compounds RFe2Hx (R=Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er)

The magnetic properties and structure of hydrogen-amorphized RFe₂H_x compounds (R=Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) have been studied. It is shown that amorphization of the RFe₂H_x hydrides results in an increase of Fe-Fe, and a decrease of R-Fe exchange interaction energy compared to their crystalline hydride counterparts. The magnetic structure of amorphous RFe₂H_x compounds, with the exception of those with R=Y and Gd is apparently noncollinear ferrimagnetic, as in the crystalline hydrides. A model of the heterophase state of amorphous RFe₂H_x hydrides based on x-ray diffraction and magnetic data is proposed. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 908–912 (May 1997)     

Theoretical study on the structure for R2Co17 (R=Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) and R2Co17T (T=Be, C)

The structural stability of the intermetallic compounds R₂Co₁₇ and R₂Co₁₇T (T=Be, C) is tested by many means including random atom shifts, global deformations and high temperature disturbances under the control of the pair potentials. The structure type and crystal constants of R₂Co₁₇ and R₂Co₁₇Be are close to experimental results. The addition of Be and C in the interstice of R₂Co₁₇ causes a decrease of the cohesive energy, and Be and C only occupies the 9e interstitial site with the Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure or the 6h interstitial site with the Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure. All the above results indicate that the potentials are valid for studying the structural properties of these kinds of anisotropy materials.     

Magnetic properties of the compounds R2Sc3Si4 (R=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er)

The magnetization of R₂Sc₃Si₄ compounds is measured in static magnetic fields up to 14 kOe in the temperature range 77–300 K. It is established that all compounds in the given series are paramagnetic at these temperatures. The paramagnetic Curie points are determined, and the effective magnetic moments are calculated. The measurements are performed on polycrystalline samples. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 1804–1805 (October 1999)