Synthesis and magnetic properties of novel compounds R3(Fe, T)29 (R=Y, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy; T=V and Cr)

A systematic investigation of structure and intrinsic magnetic properties of the novel compounds R3(Fe, T)29 (R=Y, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy; T=V and Cr) has been performed. The lattice constants and unit cell volume decrease with increasing the rare-earth atomic number from R=Nd to Dy, except for Ce, reflecting the lanthanide contraction. The Curie temperature increases from R=Ce to Gd and decreases from Gd to Dy, respectively, with increasing atomic number and Gd3Fe29−xTx has the highest Curie temperature for each series of R3Fe29−xTx (T=V or Cr) compounds. The saturation magnetization of R3Fe29−xTx at 4.2 K decreases gradually from R=Nd to Dy with increasing atomic number, except for Ce, in each series of R3Fe29−xTx. It is suggested that the Ce ion in Ce3Fe29−xTx is valence fluctuated which leads to the unusual magnetic properties. The spin reorientations of the easy magnetization direction of R3Fe29−xTx are observed at around 230, 230, and 160 K for R=Nd, Sm, and Tb when T=V, and at around 230 and 18...