Structure and properties of rhombohedral CePd3Ga8: A variant of the cubic parent compound with BaHg11 structure type

Single crystals of a new intermetallic gallide, R-CePd3Ga8, have been synthesized from excess molten gallium. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that R-CePd3Ga8 crystallizes in the R-3m space group with a=b=c=8.4903(10) Å and α=β=γ=89.993(17). R-CePd3Ga8 is a variant of the cubic BaHg11 structure type with three structural units: a Ce-centered polyhedron, a distorted cube of Pd2Ga6 and a Pd-centered cuboctahedron. The distortions of these units are compared to undistorted analogous units in intermetallic compounds with BaHg11 structure type. Field and temperature-dependent magnetization measurements on R-CePd3Ga8 reveal a paramagnetic material with strong antiferromagnetic correlations and a magnetization consistent with Ce3+. Electrical resistance measurements indicate Kondo behavior between localized Ce3+ magnetic moments.

Graphical AbstractSingle crystals of CePd3Ga8 have been synthesized from Ga flux. This new compound is the first rhombohedral variant of the cubic BaHg11 structure type.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights▶ Single crystals of CePd3Ga8 were synthesized from gallium flux. ▶ CePd3Ga8 is the first rhombohedral variant of the cubic BaHg11 structure type. ▶ Paramagnetic with antiferromagnetic correlations. ▶ Magnetization consistent with Ce3+.