Structure and properties of Gd4Pd10In21

Gd₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ was synthesized from the elements in a glassy carbon crucible in an induction furnace and investigated by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction: C2/m, a = 2293.3(2), b = 444.49(3), c = 1934.3(1) pm, β = 133.00(1)°, wR2 = 0.0496, 1564 F² values, and 106 variable parameters. The five crystallographically independent palladium atoms have all a trigonal prismatic coordination. Together, the palladium and indium atoms build up a three-dimensional Pd₁₀In₂₁] network in which the gadolinium atoms fill distorted pentagonal channels. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that Gd₄Pd₁₀In₂₁ orders antiferromagnetically at T_N = 14.2(1) K. Two further magnetic transitions were found at temperatures 11.8 and 6.4 K, respectively. Below T_irr = 10 K, strong irreversibility between ZFC and FC magnetic susceptibilities are observed. The zero-field specific heat measurements show a clear peak around the magnetic transition temperatures T_N. Measured quadrupole interaction constants by ¹⁵⁵Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy give estimations for the V_zz component of the electric field gradient tensor at both gadolinium sites in Gd₄Pd₁₀In₂₁.