The TbNiIn1-xMx (M = Al, Ge, Sb) systems

Abstract

Interaction of the components in TbNiIn 1- x Al x , TbNiIn 1- x Ge x and TbNiIn 1- x Sb x systems at 873 K was investigated by means of X-ray phase and partially local analysis in full concentration range. The samples for the investigation were synthesized by arc-melting purity metals with subsequent annealing at 873 K for a month. Phase analysis was carried out by X-ray powder diffraction (DRON-2.0M, Fe K α-radiation, PANalytical X’Pert Pro, Cu K a- radiation, Guinier FR552, Cu K a-radiation). The EDX analysis of the samples and single crystal was carried out by REMMA-102-02 and Zeiss EVO MA10. The influence of Indium substitution by other p -element on the nature of interaction and solubility type was determined. Solubility ranges for solid solutions were found and changes of unit cell parameters were calculated: TbNiIn 1-0 Al 0-1 (ZrNiAl-type structure, space group P - 62 m , a = 0.7449–0.6997(2), c = 0.378–0.3889(1) nm); TbNiIn 1-0 . 6 Ge 0-0 . 4 (ZrNiAl-type structure, space group P - 62 m , а = 0.7449–0.74348(6), с = 0.378–0.38063(4) nm); TbNiGe 1-0 . 5 In 0-0 . 5 (TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma , а = 0.69499–0.69598(7), b = 0.42306–0.42475(4), с = 0.72813–0.72996(7) nm); TbNiSb 1 . 0-0 . 6 In 0-0 . 4 (MgAgAs-type structure, space group F -43 m , a = 0.62662(2)–0.62011(5) nm). The crystal structures of the TbNiIn 0 . 28 Al 0 . 72 compound were investigated by single crystal X-ray analysis (Stoe IPDS II diffractometer, Mo K α-radiation). The refined compositions are confirmed by the results of the EDX analysis (Zeiss EVO MA10 scanning electron microscope). The structures were solved and refined using JANA2006 package: ZrNiAl-type structure, space group P - 62 m, Pearson symbol hP 9, a = 0.71452(6), c = 0.38394(3) nm, R 1 = 0.0152, 307 F 2 values, 15 variables). The formation of solid solutions and the character of the unit cell parameters variation in the studied and related systems briefly discussed. Keywords: indium, solid solution, powder data, single crystal, crystal structure.