The new cerium-rich intermetallic phase Ce13Ru2Sn5: Crystal structure and physical properties

Abstract A new intermetallic compound with a high content of cerium, Ce 13 Ru 2 Sn 5 , was found during the systematic investigation of the Ce–Ru–Sn ternary system. The crystal structure has been studied by a single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment and was found to be a new structure type of the intermetallic compounds: space group I 4/ mcm , the lattice parameters a  = 22.8999(2) A, c  = 9.1668(1) A, Z  = 8. Ce 13 Ru 2 Sn 5 structure is characterized by eight independent crystallographic Ce sites and some shortened Ce–Ru contacts: d Ce1 – Ru1  = 2.7693(3) A, d Ce2 – Ru1  = 2.7925(12) A and d Ce3 – Ru1  = 2.7612(12) A. The low temperature measurements of electrical resistivity and magnetization of Ce 13 Ru 2 Sn 5 reveal the complex behavior of the magnetoresistance occurring below 20 K but with an additional positive component below 7.5 K. This behavior is discussed in light of the magnetic measurements showing two transitions at ∼16 K and ∼6 K together with hysteretic loops in the M ( H ) below 20 K.