Influence of Ho substitution for Nd on magnetic properties of the Nd1−xHoxMn2Ge2 germanides

The structure and magnetic properties of Nd1−xHoxMn2Ge2 (0.0≤x≤1.0) germanides were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements. All compounds crystallize in the ThCr2Si2-type structure with the space group I4/mmm. Substitution of Ho for Nd leads to a linear decrease in the lattice constants and the unit cell volume, and the magnetic interactions in the Mn sublattice cross over from a ferromagnetic character to an antiferromagnetic one. A typical SmMn2Ge2-like behavior is observed for x=0.6 and 0.8. The results are collected in a phase diagram.