Magnetic properties of Ln2−xLn′xCo17 compounds (Ln = Gd,Dy, Ho,or Er,Ln′ = Th or Ce)

Magnetic and structural characteristics of the ternary systems Ln_2?xTh_xCo₁₇ (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er) and Ln_2?xCe_xCo₁₇ (Ln = Gd, Dy, and Ho) are presented. Incorporation of Th in the lattice stabilizes the Th₂Zn₁₇ structure, whereas incorporation of Ce does not; if the binary system has the Th₂Ni₁₇ structure the incorporation of Ce leaves the structure unchanged. The antiferromagnetic LnCo coupling observed in the Ln₂Co₁₇ systems persists in the ternary alloys. The moment of the cobalt sublattice is decreased when more than half of the Ln is replaced by Th, suggesting that the extra electron contributed by Th enters the Co d-band or d-shell. The direction of easy magnetization is in the basal plane for all composition in the Gd, Dy, and Ho systems. In Er_2?xTh_xCo₁₇ the easy direction is along the c-axis for x = 0 and 0.2, but is in the basal plane for higher thorium contents.