Magnetic properties and 155Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy of LT-GdNiIn2

A polycrystalline, single phase sample of the low-temperature (LT) modification of GdNiIn2 (MgCuAl2 type, Cmcm  , a=434.5(1)a=434.5(1), b=1047.6(3)b=1047.6(3), c=731.8(2) pmc=731.8(2) pm) was synthesized by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing of the sample at 870 K. The magnetic properties of this compound were studied thoroughly by AC and DC magnetic susceptibility measurements and 155Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy. These results reveal four phase transitions: from a para- to a ferromagnetic state at TC=60.5(5)TC=60.5(5) and three other transitions at T1=19.4(2) KT1=19.4(2) K, T2=12.2(2) KT2=12.2(2) K, and T3=4.0(2) KT3=4.0(2) K, respectively, which can be tentatively described as spin-reorientation transitions. LT-GdNiIn2 shows strong thermal irreversibility between zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) DC magnetization.

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