Structural, magnetic and electronic transport studies of RAgSn2 compounds (R = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) with Cu3Au-type

Abstract

RAgSn 2 compounds, where R = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er, were synthesized by arc-melting and subsequent annealing at 870 K. The formation of cubic phases with Cu 3 Au-type structure (space group Pm3m) was studied. Magnetic property measurements showed that in paramagnetic state, the compounds with magnetic rareearth atoms are Curie-Weiss paramagnets and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. YAgSn 2 is a Pauli paramagnet in 100-300 K temperature range. The electrical properties of RAgSn 2 compounds were investigated by means of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements in 4•2-300 K temperature range. All investigated compounds exhibit metallic type of conductivity. Electronic structure calculations based on full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method is also carried out to probe the magnetic and electronic structures of RAgSn 2 compounds. Comparisons between experimental data and calculations are discussed.

Formation and stability of ternary phases in the Ho–Ag–Sn and Tm–Ag–Sn metallic systems

“…Both HoAgSn 2 and Ho 3 Ag 4 Sn 4 are predicted to have metallic type of conductivity, due to the absence of a band gap at the Fermi level. In the case of the HoAgSn 2 compound the calculations confirmed a previous experimental study of the electrical properties [38].…”

Electrical Transport Properties of R3Ag4Sn4 (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) Compounds

“…Analysis of the electrical transport properties of the R3Ag4Sn4 compounds showed their similarity to other series of the ternary compounds of rare earths and tin, e.g. RAgSn2 [17], R3Cu4Sn4 [18], RNi3Sn2 [19], RNiSn4 [20], characterized by small values of the electrical resistivity and metallic type of conductivity.…”