Magnetic properties of Pr3−xGdxCo11B4 borides

• All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Ce3Co11B4-type structure.
• The unit-cell parameters a and V decrease linearly.
• All samples are ordered magnetically below the Curie temperature.
• The Curie temperatures increase as Pr is substituted by Gd.

Polycrystalline series of single phase Pr3−xGdxCo11B4 (x=0, 1, 2, and 3) solid solutions were prepared and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), magnetization and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns show that all samples crystallize as a single phase with the hexagonal Ce3Co11B4-type structure. The substitution of Gd for Pr leads to a decrease of the unit-cell parameters a and the unit-cell volume V, while the unit-cell parameter c increases monotonically. Magnetic measurements indicate that all samples are ordered magnetically below the Curie temperature. The Curie temperatures increase as Pr is substituted by Gd. The saturation magnetization at 4 K decreases upon Gd substitution up to x=1, and then increases.