Magnetic and electrical properties of flux grown single crystals of Ln6M4Al43 (Ln=Gd, Yb; M=Cr, Mo, W)

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry Vol. 197; pp. 523 - 531
• Main Authors: Kangas, Michael J., Treadwell, LaRico J., Haldolaarachchige, Neel, McAlpin, Jacob D., Young, David P., Chan, Julia Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01-01-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aluminum; Analogs; Antiferromagnetism; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrical properties; Electrical resistivity; Exact sciences and technology; Flux; Flux-growth; Growth from melts; zone melting and refining; Ho6Mo4Al43; Intermetallics; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Physical properties; Physics; Single crystals; Ho6Mo4Al43; Intermetallics; Flux-growth; Antiferromagnetism; Mo; Electrical conductivity; Flux growth; Intermetallic compounds; Electrical properties; Ho; Gadolinium; Aluminium; Al; Molybdenum; Physical properties; Monocrystals; Yttrium boride; Paramagnetic materials; Chromium; Melts; Magnetic properties
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2012.08.022

Millimeter-sized single crystals of Ln6M4Al43 (Ln=Gd, Yb; M=Cr, Mo, W) were successfully grown with a molten aluminum flux. Synthetic conditions and physical properties for single crystals of all six analogs are discussed. The compounds exhibit metallic resistivity with room temperature values between 0.1 and 0.6mΩ-cm. The Yb analogs are Pauli paramagnets with the Yb ion adopting the nonmagnetic divalent configuration (Yb2+). Gd6Cr4Al43, Gd6Mo4Al43, and Gd6W4Al43 appear to order antiferromagnetically at 19, 15, and 15K, respectively.
The crystal structure of Yb6Cr4Al43. The light and dark green polyhedra show the chromium sublattice. [Display omitted]
► Single crystals up to 0.5cm in length were grown with a molten aluminum flux. ► Physical property measurements were conducted on single crystals. ► Gadolinium analogs appear to order antiferromagnetically with positive θ. ► All analogs show metallic resistivity.