Abstract
We report a successful synthesis of a ternary AlB2-type intermetallic compound. The phase purity was obtained by fine-tuning the Pd : Ge ratio out of the idealized 1 : 3. Attempts to synthesize an Er analogue were not successful. We discuss the instability of the Er analogue based on the atomic size ratio and also suggest that the increased stability of Ho2Pd1+xGe3−x in the Pd-rich range likely stems from a combination of atomic size ratio, electronic, and entropic factors. The new Ho2Pd1.3Ge2.7 compound is found to exhibit cluster glass behavior with a freezing temperature of T ≈ 2.3 K.
Highlights
The hexagonal AlB2-type is one of the simplest binary structure types
We report a successful synthesis of a ternary AlB2-type intermetallic compound
We discuss the instability of the Er analogue based on the atomic size ratio and suggest that the increased stability of Ho2Pd1+xGe3Àx in the Pd-rich range likely stems from a combination of atomic size ratio, electronic, and entropic factors
Summary
The hexagonal AlB2-type (space group P6/mmm, no. 191) is one of the simplest binary structure types. 191) is one of the simplest binary structure types. It consists of alternating hexagonal and honeycomb (graphite-like) layers formed by atoms occupying the 1a and 2d Wyckoff sites, respectively (see Fig. 1(a) and (e)). Interesting physical properties are observed in many AlB2-type intermetallics, with the most notable example being high-Tc superconductivity (Tc 1⁄4 39 K) in MgB2. 8) and Gd2NiSi3.9 Gd2CuGe3 is reported as an antiferromagnetic compound with the Neel temperature TN 1⁄4 12 K.10. Another example worth noting is Pr2NiGe3, which shows two subsequent magnetic transitions at T 1⁄4 12 K and T 1⁄4 5.5 K.5 Y2PdGe3, Y2PtGe3, and La2NiGe3 show superconductivity with Tc 1⁄4 3.0, 3.3, and 0.45 K, respectively.[3,4,5] Many members of the RE2TX3 family exhibit spin-glass-like behaviour e.g. Tm2Ni0.93Si2.94,6 Tb2Pd1.25Ge3, Dy2Pd1.25Ge2.75,7 Nd2PtGe3 (ref. 8) and Gd2NiSi3.9 Gd2CuGe3 is reported as an antiferromagnetic compound with the Neel temperature TN 1⁄4 12 K.10 Another example worth noting is Pr2NiGe3, which shows two subsequent magnetic transitions at T 1⁄4 12 K and T 1⁄4 5.5 K.5
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