Crystal growth, structure, and physical properties of Ln2PdGa12 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, and Sm)

Single crystals of Ln2PdGa12 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm) were synthesized with a molten Ga flux. The intermetallic phases are isostructural to Sm2NiGa12 with cell dimensions of a ∼ 6.1 Å and c ∼ 15.5 Å. Pr2PdGa12, Nd2PdGa12, and Sm2PdGa12 order antiferromagnetically at 18, 7.5, and 7.5 K, respectively, and magnetic properties of single crystals oriented parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are presented. Fitting the low temperature heat capacity of Pr2PdGa12 gives a Sommerfeld coefficient (γ) of 250 mJ mol−1 K−2 and indicates the possibility of heavy fermion behavior.

► Single crystals of Ln2PdGa12 were successfully grown from Ga flux.
► All analogues, except La, order antiferromagnetically between 7.5 and 17.5 K.
► All analogues are metallic, and Pr2PdGa12 shows Fermi liquid behavior at low T.
► The Sommerfeld coefficient, γ, for Pr2PdGa12 is 250 mJ mol−1 K−2 f.u.
► The Kadowaki–Woods ratio is similar to that observed for heavy fermion PrOs4Sb12.