Unusual weak increase of Curie temperature and lattice parameters in Pr2Fe16.5Zr0.5

Abstract

Abstract Crystal structure and magnetic and thermomagnetic properties of the Pr2Fe17-x M x compounds with M = Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb have been studied. The change of interatomic distances is not enough to explain the growth of the Curie point and it is necessary to assume the distribution of M = Ti, V, Cr, Nb atoms over the lattice positions, similar to that previously published for the Nd2Fe17-x M x compounds. It was established by neutron diffraction that Zr atoms substitute for Pr atoms in the 6c site and do not substitute for Fe atoms as might be expected from the original formula Pr2Fe16.5Zr0.5. So, the real composition of the substituted compound studied is Pr14.8(8)Zr0.52(8)Fe17. The magnetic moment of Fe atom and the magnetocaloric effect in the Pr2Fe17-x M x compounds decrease with decreasing Fe content.