Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of LaCo13—xAlx Compounds

Abstract

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of LaCoIii 13—xAlx compounds have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurement. X-ray powder diffraction shows that the compounds crystallize in cubic NaZn13-type structure with lattice parameter a = 11.345(2) to 11.473(4) Å in the range of x ≤ 2.7, and in the tetragonal Ce2Ni17Si9 structure at x = 3. Magnetization measurements reveal that both cubic and tetragonal LaCo13—xAlx are ferromagnetic with Curie temperature higher than 840 K, and the magnetic moment per Co atom in LaCo13—xAlx compounds decreases with Al content.