Abstract
Abstract
A new cage-structured compound—HfMn2Zn20—belonging to the AB
2
C
20 (A, B = transition or rare earth metals, and C = Al, Zn, or Cd) family of structures has been synthesized via the self-flux method. The new compound crystallizes in the space group
F
d
3
¯
m
with lattice parameter a ≈ 14.0543(2) Å (Z = 8) and exhibits non-stoichiometry due to Mn/Zn mixing on the Mn-site and an underoccupied Hf-site. The structure refines to Hf0.93Mn1.63Zn20.37 and follows lattice size trends when compared to other HfM
2Zn20 (M = Fe, Co, and Ni) structures. The magnetic measurements show that this compound displays a modified Curie-Weiss behavior with a transition temperature around 22 K. The magnetization shows no saturation, a small magnetic moment, and near negligible hysteresis, all signs of itinerant magnetism. The Rhodes–Wohlfarth ratio and the spin fluctuation parameters ratio both confirm the itinerant nature of the magnetism in HfMn2Zn20.
Funder
National Science Foundation
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