Peculiarities of component interaction in {Gd, Er}–V–Sn Ternary systems at 870 K and crystal structure of RV 6Sn 6 stannides

Abstract

The phase equilibria in the Gd–V–Sn and Er–V–Sn ternary systems were studied at 870 K by means of X-ray and metallographic analyses in the whole concentration range. Both Gd–V–Sn and Er–V–Sn systems are characterized by formation of one ternary compound at investigated temperature, with stoichiometry RV 6Sn 6 (SmMn 6Sn 6-type, space group P6/ mmm, a = 0.55322(3) nm, c = 0.91949(7) nm for Gd, a = 0.55191(2) nm, c = 0.91869(8) nm for Er). Solubility of the third component in the binary compounds was not observed. Compounds with the SmMn 6Sn 6-type were also found with Dy, Ho, Tm, and Lu, while YV 6Sn 6 compound crystallizes in HfFe 6Ge 6 structure type. All investigated compounds are the first ternary stannides with rare earth elements and vanadium.