Structural and magnetic properties of Pr3(Fe1−xCox)27.5Ti1.5 (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3)

A novel class of Co-substituted 3 : 29 materials, Pr₃(Fe_1−xCo_x)_27.5Ti_1.5 (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) have been synthesized. Rietveld analysis of X-ray powder diffraction patterns for the x=0, 0.1 and 0.2 compositions showed that nearly all of the compounds are formed in monoclinic symmetry, with A2/m space group with traces of α-Fe, whereas, in x=0.3, additional traces of a (Co/Fe)–Ti (1 : 12) phase are also seen. The saturation magnetization increases with Co concentration both at 5 and 300 K and is explained on the basis of a rigid band model. A magnetic transition is observed for x=0.1 near 240 K. A large increase in Curie temperature, of about 180 K for x=0.1 and about 110 K for the other concentrations, is discussed on the basis of the strengthening of TM–TM exchange by the preferential occupation of Co in some of the Fe sites originally participating in antiferromagnetic bonds.