Structure and magnetic properties of Gd3Fe28.2W0.8

The ternary intermetallic compound Gd3Fe28.2W0.8 with a Nd3Fe29−xTix-type structure was synthesized with W as a stabilizing element, and its crystal structure and magnetic properties were investigated by means of x-ray powder diffraction and magnetic measurements. The space group of Gd3Fe28.2W0.8 is A2/m with lattice parameters a=10.5812 A, b=8.5338 A, c=9.6986 A, and β=96.86°. Rietveld refinement of the crystal structure reveals that W atoms occupy exclusively three crystallographic positions (4g, 4i3, 4i4) with only one neighboring Gd atom. The preferential occupation of W atoms can be understood in terms of the site volume and enthalpy of mixing. The compound exhibits a planar magnetocrystalline anisotropy perpendicular to the [102] direction. The Curie temperature Tc, saturation moment Ms, and anisotropy field HA are 502 K, 38.6 μB/f.u., and 7.5 T, respectively.