Crystal structures and magnetism of DyAlxGa3−x (where x = 0.33 and x = 0.85)

• The DyAl0.328(7)Ga2.672(7) and DyAl0.849(7)Ga2.15(7) phases have been obtained.
• Crystal structures of both compounds were characterized.
• Structural relationships and magnetic behaviour were established.

New ternary compounds have been obtained from arc-melting of the elements. The crystal structures have been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. DyAl0.33Ga2.67 crystallizes in space group P63/mmc (a = 6.1649(1) Å, c = 23.0792(1) Å) with Ta(Rh0.33Pd0.67)3-type structure. The structure of DyAl0.85Ga2.15 has been refined with rhombohedral symmetry (space group R-3m, a = 6.1702(1) Å, c = 20.7797(1) Å), BaPb3-type structure. The structures of the compounds have been analyzed crystallographically and the structural relationship has been established. Heat capacity measurements prove antiferromagnetic ordering at Néel temperatures of 12.6(1) K for DyAl0.33Ga2.67 and 10.0(1) K for DyAl0.85Ga2.15.

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