Crystal Structure and Properties of Yb₅Ni₄Ge₁₀

Abstract

The new compound Yb5Ni4Ge10 was obtained as single crystals in high yield from reactions run in liquid indium. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data showed that it crystallizes in the Sc5Co4Si10 structure type in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm. The structure is a three‐dimensional framework of [Ni4Ge10] atoms with voids filled by Yb atoms. The Ni and Ge atoms form pentagons, hexagons, and octagons along the ab one‐dimensional plane, which are interconnected along the c axis via Ni–Ge–Ni zigzag chains. Magnetic measurements reveal that Yb5Ni4Ge10 crystals show paramagnetic behavior with a lack of long‐range magnetic ordering down to 2 K. The magnetic susceptibility deviates from the Curie–Weiss law below 100 K, presumably because of crystal field effects from Yb3+ ions. In specific heat measurements, the compound exhibits non‐Fermi‐liquid‐like behavior at low temperatures.

Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction Studies on Magnetic Yb<sub>5</sub>Co<sub>4</sub>Ge<sub>10</sub>

“…Similarly, the average bond distance for the Yb3-Ge is 3.1754 Å, is also longer than the corresponding distance for Yb1-Ge and Yb2-Ge with 3.0175 and 2.9343 Å, respectively. Similar kinds of bonding behavior were observed in the mixed valent Yb 5 Ni 4 Ge 10 as well [2]. Since Katoh et al observed the mixed valent Yb in Yb 5 Co 4 Ge 10 based on the magnetic susceptibility measurements [22], our crystallographic data suggests the Yb1 and Yb2 atoms are mostly in the trivalent state and Yb3 in the divalent state.…”

“…As per Pearson crystallographic database [23] and inorganic crystal structure database [24], there are 37 compounds reported within the family of RE 5 T 4 X 10 compounds and are listed in Table 1. Among them only three were studied for the crystal structure from the single crystal XRD data, including our recent discovery of Yb 5 Ni 4 Ge 10 mixed valent Yb atoms [2]. However, the majority of these compounds were studied for their physical properties.…”

“…The chemical bonding nature obtained from the crystal structure can be used to explain the valency of the Yb atoms. Recently, molten metal fluxes have been used as an excellent alternative to the conventional synthetic methods for the exploratory synthesis of new rare earth intermetallic compounds, as well as single crystal growth of already reported compounds [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

Crystal structure and properties of tetragonal EuAg4In8 grown by metal flux technique

“…Metal flux method has not only been proved to be a tremendous tool to grow single crystals of already known polycrystalline compounds for studying detailed physical properties but also been an effective way to explore completely new phases [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. A classic example in this case is EuInGe.…”

Single crystal growth of europium and ytterbium based intermetallic compounds using metal flux technique

“…Indium has been exploited even less as a synthetic flux medium than aluminum and gallium. Recently In metal was employed as a solvent for the synthesis of germanides Eu 2 AuGe 3 , 11 YbGe 3 , 12 Yb 4 TGe 8 , 5 Yb 5 Ni 4 Ge 10 , 13 where In acts as a non-reactive flux, as well as a number of intermetallic compounds in which In gets incorporated into the products including YbT In 5 (T = Co, Rh, Ir), 14 17 In this paper, we have used In as non-reactive flux for the crystal growth of EuGe 2 , EuCoGe 3 and Yb 2 AuGe 3 compounds. Semi-quantitative microprobe analyses of the samples were performed with a Hitachi S-3400 scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer and phase identity and purity of samples were determined by powder XRD experiments carried out on a diffractometer using Cu Kα radiation.…”