The ternary Gd–Zn–Ge system

Abstract

The isothermal section of the Gd–Zn–Ge phase diagram at 600 °C over the whole concentration region has been constructed using X-ray phase analysis and in part microprobe analysis (CAMEBAX-device). The formation of the previously reported phase Gd 4Zn 5Ge 6 (own structure type) was confirmed, and three new ternary compounds were observed. The crystal structure of the GdZnGe (AlB 2 structure type), GdZn 1.6Ge 0.4 (Fe 2P structure type) and Gd 4Zn 8Ge 11− x (Ce 4Zn 8Ge 11− x structure type) was determined using X-ray powder diffraction data.