Preparation and the physical properties of antiperovskite-type compounds Cd1−x InxNNi3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) and Cd1−yCuyNNi3 (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2)

Abstract

Two series of Cd1−xInxNNi3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) and Cd1−yCuyNNi3 (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) samples were prepared from CdO, In2O3, CuO, and nickel powders under NH3 atmosphere at 773 K. The structural and physical properties were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetic measurements. X-ray powder diffraction results showed that the Cd1−xInxNNi3 and Cd1−yCuyNNi3 compounds have a typical antiperovskite structure, and the CdNNi3, Cd0.9In0.1NNi3, and Cd0.9Cu0.1NNi3 compounds show metallic temperature-dependent resistivity and exhibit a Fermi liquid behavior at low temperature. In contrast to the paramagnetism previously reported, the CdNNi3 sample exhibits very soft and weak ferromagnetism, and no superconductivity was found in the Cd1−xInxNNi3 and Cd1−yCuyNNi3 samples down to 2 K. Each sample exhibited very soft and weak ferromagnetism, and the temperature dependence of the magnetization of the Cd1−xInxNNi3 and Cd1−yCuyNNi3 samples can be well fitted to the combination of a Bloch term and a Curie-Weiss term.