Solid solution range of boron and properties of the perovskite-type NdRh3B

Abstract Polycrystalline samples of NdRh 3 B x have been synthesized by arc melting technique. The crystal structure of NdRh 3 B x is the perovskite-type cubic system (space group Pm 3 m ) for nominal boron concentration in the range of 0.706≤ x ≤1.000 (15–20 mol.% B). The lattice parameter a varies linearly from 0.41749(7) nm ( x =0.706) to a =0.42136(6) nm ( x =1.000). Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the oxidation onset temperature for NdRh 3 B 1.000 is 663 K. The weight gain of the sample by heating in air up to 1473 K is 10.00% for NdRh 3 B 1.000 , and oxidized products are Rh and NdBO 3 . The micro-Vickers hardness is 4.9±0.05 GPa for NdRh 3 B 1.000 . NdRh 3 B 1.000 shows a metallic temperature dependence of the resistivity down to 0.5 K. Magnetic susceptibilities for NdRh 3 B 1.000 show Curie-like paramagnetic temperature dependence due to Nd 3+ moments. No trace of magnetic phase transitions and superconductivity is found.