Magnetic and electrical properties of the UCu2T3Al7 alloys

The UCu2T3Al7-type compounds with T = Cr, Mn and Fe crystallize in the tetragonal ThMn12-type structure (I4/mmm space group). Magnetic properties have been examined in magnetic fields up to 50 kOe in the temperature range 1.9–400 K using a SQUID magnetometer. The Cr based pseudoternary alloy is paramagnetic with the linear field dependence of the magnetization at 1.9 K. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility is described by a modified Curie–Weiss (MCW) law. The Mn containing compound is ferrimagnetic and the field dependence of the magnetization does not reach saturation while the magnetic susceptibility follows the MCW law at high temperature. The Fe alloy is ferromagnetic and at higher temperature the MCW law is fulfilled. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of all materials was examined between 4.2 and 300 K showing metallic character. The Mn and Fe based compounds demonstrate some anomalies in the ρ(T) plot at low temperature. The results are discussed in relation to the anomalies observed in magnetic measurements.