Interaction of the components in the systems Ce-Ag-Si at 500 °C and Eu-Ag-Si at 400 °C

Isothermal sections of the phase diagrams of the systems Ce-Ag-Si and Eu-Ag-Si were built at 500 and 400 °C, respectively. Three intermetallic compounds were found in the former system, two in the latter and their crystal structures and homogeneity regions were determined. The effective valence of europium in the CeAl2Ga2-type phase EuAg2Si2 was found to be 2+ over the whole homogeneity range, based on LIII-absorption spectroscopy. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power and magnetic susceptibility of this phase was also studied.