The Solid Solution CeAg x Zn11–x (x ≤ 2.5)

Abstract

Abstract Samples of the solid solution CeAg x Zn11–x were prepared from the elements by high-frequency melting in sealed tantalum ampoules. The solid solution extends to about x ≈ 2.5. The samples crystallize with the tetragonal BaCd11 type structure, space group I41/amd. The structure of CeAg2.03Zn8.97 was refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data: a = 1079.5(2), c = 694.5(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0226, 385F 2 values, and 21 variables. Two of the three crystallographically independent zinc sites of the CeZn11 structure show Zn/Ag mixing: 73(2)% Ag + 27(2)% Zn on 4b and 16.2(8)% Ag + 83.8(8)% Zn on 32i. Temperature dependent susceptibility data on the CeAg1.5Zn9.5 sample showed Curie-Weiss paramagnetism and an experimental magnetic moment of 2.58 μ B/Ce atom, indicating stable trivalent cerium. No magnetic ordering was evident down to 3 K.