Structural properties and magnetic phase transition in HoNi2Mn (57Fe)

The structural and magnetic properties of HoNi2Mn(57Fe) have been investigated. The 57Fe-doped HoNi2Mn compound crystallizes in the MgCu2-type structure with Fd-3m space group similar to HoNi2 and HoMn2. HoNi2Mn(57Fe) exhibits ferrimagnetic ordering below a Curie temperature of TC ∼ 60 K—significantly higher than the corresponding values for HoNi2 (TC = 15 K) and HoMn2 (TC = 24 K)—with analyses of dc magnetization and ac susceptibility results confirming that the magnetic transition at TC is second order. The Mossbauer spectra above TC are described well by two sub-spectra representing the 8a and 16d sites while below TC the spectra have been fitted using a site model comprising three sub-spectra. The Debye temperature, θD = 190(20) K, has been determined.