Magnetic properties and structure of R2Co17−xTix intermetallic compounds (R=Pr or Nd)

Abstract

The effect of substitution of Ti for Co in compounds R2Co17−xTix (R=Pr or Nd, and x=0.0–2.0) on the structure and the magnetic properties has been investigated. It is found that the solubility of Ti in the compounds R2Co17−xTix (R=Pr or Nd) is around 1.0. The R2Co16Ti (R=Pr or Nd) are isostructures to their parent compounds (rhombohedral), and its unit cell is expanded. The spontaneous magnetization μs and Curie temperature TC decrease with increasing Ti content, owing to the magnetic dilution and the reduction of the moment of Co sublattice caused by Ti substitution. Moreover, an anomaly in the M-T curves of Pr2Co16Ti and Nd2Co17−xTix compounds with x=0.5 and 1.0 may be attributed to a spin reorientation. This transition may originate from the change of crystal electron field due to the preferential occupation of Ti atoms on specific crystallographic sites.