Abstract
A series of ternary aluminide intermetallics with a new structure type were formed from the reaction of gold and rare-earth metals in aluminum flux. The REAu3Al7 structure was obtained with all rare earths RE with the exception of La and Eu. These materials crystallize in the rhombohedral space group R-3c, with unit cell parameters a=8.0922(6) Å and c=21.066(2) Å for PrAu3Al7 as an example. The variation in cell edges with rare-earth size is regular with the exception of the Yb analogue. The possible mixed valency indicated by this result was confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Density functional theory-based band structure calculations on YbAu3Al7 indicate the ytterbium f-orbitals are located just below the Fermi level, further supporting the mixed valence description of this material.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 48-57 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Solid State Chemistry |
Volume | 170 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Ceramics and Composites
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry