Yb(Cu,T)5 and Yb(Cu,T)4.5 solid solutions (T = Ag, Au, Pd)

The binary Yb–Cu phase diagram was re-investigated in the Cu-rich part. Starting from this region, solid solutions formed by substitution of Cu by Ag, Au, and Pd have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). A competition in compound formation between Yb(Cu,T)5 (T = Ag, Au, Pd), cubic AuBe5-type and its monoclinic superstructure Yb(Cu,T)4.5 is generally evident. Whereas for Cu/Au and Cu/Ag substitutions deeply-extended Yb(Cu,T)5 solid solutions are formed, in the case of substitution of Cu by Pd the cubic and monoclinic phases coexist.