Magnetic properties of several Ce2T2M phases with T Ni, Pd and M In, Sn, Pb

Abstract

Four new ternary intermetallic compounds were prepared: Ce2Pd2In, Ce2Pd2Sn, Ce2Pd2Pb and Ce2Ni2Sn. The first three are isotypic, adopting the tetragonal U3Si2 structure. The structure of Ce2Ni2Sn is of the orthorhombic Mo2CoB2 type, but extensive solid solutions occur between it and Ce2Pd2Sn. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed on each ternary and the known Ce2Ni2In phase. Cerium is tetravalent in Ce2Ni2In and trivalent in the remaining phases at room temperature. Kondo behaviour is present in Ce2Ni2Sn with TK near 9 K. Ferromagnetic behaviour with Tc near 4.2 K is seen in both Ce2Pd2In and Ce2Pd2Sn. Anti-ferromagnetic ordering is observed in Ce2Pd2Pb with a Néel temperature of 6.2 K. An apparently second-order transition involving a reduction in the effective cerium moment also occurs in Ce2Pd2Pb at 120 K.