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Title: Low Temperature Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of RAl2

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4859096· OSTI ID:1144004

Low temperature crystal structure and magnetic properties of RAl2 (R = Pr and Nd) have been studied using temperature dependent powder x-ray diffraction, magnetization, and heat capacity measurements. Unlike PrAl2, NdAl2 retains cubic MgCu2-type structure from room temperature down to 5 K, which is also confirmed from first principles electronic structure calculations. The magnetization measurements show both PrAl2 and NdAl2 order ferromagnetically at TC = 32 K and 77 K, respectively. However, the magnetization measurements show the former is a hard ferromagnet compared to the latter which is a soft ferromagnetic material. The magnetic entropy change obtained from heat capacity measurements at ΔH = 30 kOe for PrAl2 and NdAl2 are 3.15 J mol-1 K-1 and 1.18 J mol-1 K-1, respectively.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-07CH11358
OSTI ID:
1144004
Report Number(s):
IS-J 8319
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 115; ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English