Structure and magnetic properties of (Nd1-xCex)(6)Fe13Al compounds

Samples of (Nd1-xCex)(6)Fe13Al (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) were prepared by arc melting and annealed for 2 weeks at 700 degrees C. The x-ray diffraction patterns for the (Nd1-xCex)(6)Fe13Al samples show that all the above-mentioned samples crystallize with the Nd6Fe13Si-type tetragonal phase. The unit-cell volume upsilon increases first and then decreases as the Ce content increases. The Curie temperature and the spontaneous magnetization decrease almost linearly with increasing Ce concentration. All these prove the existence of the mixed valence of Ce3+ and Ce4+. A complicated temperature dependence of magnetization is observed. Although the series is ferromagnetic at high temperature, there is a low-temperature peak in each M-T curve, which is in agreement with spin-glass behavior. This phenomena is reported in 6:13:1-type compounds. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)57108-9].http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000079850700137&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701Physics, AppliedSCI(E)CPCI-S(ISTP)