Magnetic properties of ferromagnetic Heusler alloy Co2ZrSn

Abstract

The results of experimental investigations of the crystal structure, permeability, magnetization and Mössbauer spectroscopy of Co2ZrSn are reported. The sample, which was prepared by arc melting, comprised of a Heusler structure Co2ZrSn that coexisted with a small amount of an impurity phase. The Curie temperature TC of Co2ZrSn was found to be 452.3 K. At 1.8 K the magnetic moment of Co2ZrSn was estimated to be 2.0 μB/f.u., confirming that the magnetic moment of Co2ZrSn obeys the Slater-Pauling rule. The temperature variation of the spontaneous magnetization Ms roughly follows the Brillouin function for spin value S = 1/2. However, in the temperature region of T/TC > 0.6, Ms is distinctly higher than the Brillouin function. The TC of Co2ZrSn was almost independent of pressure. The Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements showed that the isomer shift I.S. (1.5 mm/s at 295 K) was approximately temperature independent. At 95 K the value of the hyperfine magnetic field HhfSn at the Sn nuclei was found to be 101 kOe. The temperature variation of HhfSn of Co2ZrSn roughly followed the Brillouin function for S = 1/2. On the basis of the experimental results, the electronic and magnetic properties of Co2ZrSn are discussed.