Pauli Paramagnetism of the Novel Uranium Intermediate Phase UCo3-xGex (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)

Abstract

The new compound UCo3-xGex with x = 0.4 was prepared by direct solidification of the corresponding liquid phase, followed by annealing at 973 K. Single crystal X-ray diffraction carried out at room temperature showed that it crystallizes with the hexagonal space group P63/mmc (n°194) and the unit-cell parameters a = 4.890(5) Å and c = 16.405(5) Å. The substitution of Co atoms by germanium atoms in UCo3 (PuNi3 structure type) yields stabilization of the CeNi3 structure. The homogeneity range, evaluated by energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis, extends from x = 0.2(1) to 0.4(1). The electronic properties were investigated by means of DC magnetic susceptibility and DC electrical resistivity measurements. The phase is a Pauli paramagnet and exhibits electrical conductivity characteristic of strongly disordered metals.