Magnetic properties of Co2-xCr1+xAl (x=0,0.4)

Co2-xCr1+xAl for x=0 and 0.4 (x=0.4 means 20% of Co atoms of Co2CrAl have been replaced by Cr atoms) have been prepared in tri-arc melting furnace. XRD pattern with Reitveld refinement analysis of both samples indicate Heusler alloy like L21 structure with B2 disorder. It is revealed by Magnetization measurement that both compounds show paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition near 327K (for x=0) and 302K (for x=0.4). Isothermal field dependent magnetization loop at 4K suggests soft magnetic behavior of both compounds with saturation moment values 1.76µB/f.u for x=0 compound and 1.13µB/f.u. for x=0.4 compound indicating the violation of Slater-Pauling rule for both compounds. ZFC FC M-T plot at 100 Oe applied magnetic field and dM/dH vs. H plot at 4K for both compounds indicate that FM interaction is stronger for x=0.4 compound than that of x=0 compound.