Crystal structure and low-energy Einstein mode in ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} intermetallic cage compound

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2016.09.029· OSTI ID:22658137

Klimczuk, Tomasz

Single crystals of a new ternary aluminide ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} were grown using a self-flux method. The crystal structure was determined by powder X-ray diffraction measurements and Rietveld refinement, and physical properties were studied by means of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements. These measurements reveal that ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} is a Curie-Weiss paramagnet down to 1.95 K with an effective magnetic moment μ{sub eff} =9.27(1) μ{sub B} and Curie-Weiss temperature Θ{sub CW} =−0.55(4) K. The heat capacity measurements show a broad anomaly at low temperatures that is attributed to the presence of a low-energy Einstein mode with characteristic temperature Θ{sub E} =44 K, approximately twice as high as in the isostructural ‘Einstein solid’ VAl{sub 10.1}. - Graphical abstract: A low-energy Einstein mode is observed in a novel intermetallic cage compound ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} by specific heat and resistivity measurements. - Highlights: • Single crystals of a new compound ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} were grown by self-flux method. • Crystal structure is reported, based on powder x-ray diffraction. • ErV{sub 2}Al{sub 20} is a Curie-Weiss paramagnet. • Low-energy ‘rattling’ phonon mode (Θ{sub E}=44 K) is found in specific heat measurements.

• OSTI ID: 22658137
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 245; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ERBIUM ALLOYS
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
MAGNETIC MOMENTS
MAGNETIC SPECIFIC HEAT
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
MONOCRYSTALS
TERNARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
VANADIUM ALLOYS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION