High-pressure Synthesis and Structural, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of a New Filled Skutterudite TbFe4P12

Abstract

The new filled skutterudite TbFe4P12 has been prepared at around 4 GPa and 1050 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction of TbT4P12 (T = Fe and Ru) has been studied with synchrotron radiation at ambient pressure. The crystal structures of both compounds were refined by Rietveld methods at ambient pressure. The positional parameters, bond lengths and bond angles have been obtained for TbT4P12 (T = Fe and Ru). The electrical and magnetic properties of TbFe4P12 have been investigated at low temperatures. The susceptibility of this phosphide follows a Curie-Weiss behavior at higher temperatures. The linear slope of the χ−1 vs. T curve from 15 to 300 K yields an effective magnetic moment of 9.48 μB. This value is close to the magnetic moment of the Tb3+ ion calculated from Hund’s rule, 9.72 μB. The ferromagnetic transition of TbFe4P12 was observed at around 10 K, and an electrical anomaly based on the magnetic ordering was detected. The relationship between the crystal structure and the physical properties of TbT4P12 (T = Fe and Ru) is discussed.