New rare-earth intermetallic phases R3(Fe,M)29X<i>n</i>: (R=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd; M=Ti, V, Cr, Mn; and X=H, N, C) (invited)

Abstract

New rare-earth (R), iron-rich ternary intermetallic compounds of the form R3(Fe,M)29 with the monoclinic Nd3(Fe,Ti)29 structure (space group P21/c, ♯14, Z=2) have recently been shown to form with R=Ce, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Gd, and M=Ti, V, Cr, and Mn. This novel structure is derived from the alternate stacking of Th2Zn17 and ThMn12-type segments and contains two R sites and fifteen Fe(M) sites. Reported Curie temperatures of the 3:29 compounds range from 296 K (R=Ce, M=Cr) to 524 K (R=Sm, M=V). The 3:29 compounds all show improved magnetic properties after interstitial modification with H or N; in particular, room-temperature coercivity has been reported in Sm3(Fe,Ti)29N5, making this compound a candidate for possible permanent-magnet applications. In this article we will review the work carried out to date on the 3:29 compounds.