Magnetic and transport properties of Pr2Pd3Si5

We have investigated the magnetic and transport properties of a new ternary intermetallic compound Pr₂Pd₃Si₅ which forms in U₂Co₃Si₅-type orthorhombic structure (space group Ibam). At low field (0.01 T) magnetic susceptibility exhibits an abrupt increase below 7 K and peaks at 5 K, revealing a magnetic phase transition. The onset of magnetic order is also confirmed by well defined anomalies in the specific heat and electrical resistivity data. Apart from the sharp λ-type anomaly, magnetic part of specific heat also shows a broad Schottky-type hump due to crystal field effect. Magnetoresistance data as a function of temperature exhibits a pronounced peak in paramagnetic state which could be interpreted in terms of crystal field effect and short-range ferromagnetic correlations.