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Synthesis and crystal structures of RE 7 Zn 21+ x Si 2– x [ RE = Ce, Pr, and Nd; 0.09 (1) < x < 0.95 (1)]
Author(s) -
Hoos James,
Suen NianTzu,
Bobev Svilen
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section c
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2053-2296
DOI - 10.1107/s2053229614019822
Subject(s) - isostructural , crystallography , orthorhombic crystal system , magnetism , crystal structure , magnetic moment , materials science , intermetallic , ferromagnetism , magnetic susceptibility , paramagnetism , chemistry , condensed matter physics , physics , metallurgy , alloy
The focus of this paper is on the synthesis and crystal structures of three Zn‐rich compounds with the general formula RE 7 Zn 21+ x Si 2− x , where RE = Ce [ x = 0.95 (1); heptacerium docosazinc silicon], Pr [ x = 0.09 (1); heptapraseodymium henicosazinc disilicon], and Nd [ x = 0.53 (1); heptaneodymium docosazinc silicon]. The compounds were obtained by high‐temperature reactions, using the respective elements as starting materials. The structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The title compounds crystalize in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (No. 55, Pearson symbol oP 60) and are isostructural with about a dozen RE 7 Zn 21+ x Tt 2− x ( RE = La–Nd; Tt = Ge, Sn, and Pb) compounds previously reported by our group. The results from the present refinements confirm the previously published data on RE 7 Zn 21+ x Si 2− x ( RE = La and Ce; x ≃ 1.45) [Malik et al. (2013). Intermetallics , 36 , 118–126]. Additionally, magnetic susceptibility measurements on the corresponding bulk samples show Curie–Weiss paramagnetic behavior from 5 to 300 K, consistent with RE 3+ ground states and local‐moment magnetism due to the core 4 f electrons.