Magnetic and crystallographic properties of ZrM2−δZn20+δ (M=Cr–Cu)

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2016-10, Vol.416, p.401-407
• Main Authors: Svanidze, E., II, M. Kindy, Georgen, C., Fulfer, B.W., Lapidus, S.H., Chan, J.Y., Morosan, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cubic Laves phases; Intermetallics; Itinerant magnetism; Magnetic moment dilution; Magnetism; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Transition metal
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2016.04.082

Single crystals of the cubic Laves ternaries ZrM2−δZn20+δ (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu, 0≤δ≤1) have been synthesized using a self-flux method. The magnetic properties of these compounds were compared with structurally similar cubic binaries ZrM2 (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu). A transition from local to itinerant moment magnetism was observed for M=Fe and M=Mn, while all other ternaries exhibit weakly para- or diamagnetic behavior. The local-to-itinerant crossover can be explained by a nearly two-fold increase of the M–M bond length dM–M in ZrM2−δZn20+δ compounds, as compared with the ZrM2 binaries. Additionally, we report two new compounds in this series ZrCrZn21 and ZrCu2Zn20. Analysis of crystallographic and magnetic trends in these materials will aid in understanding of magnetism in general and 3d intermetallics in particular. •Single crystals of cubic Laves ternaries ZrM2−δZn20+δ (M =Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, 0≤δ≤1) have been grown and characterized.•Comparison with structurally similar cubic binaries ZrM2(M =Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) reveals transition from local to itinerant magnetism as a function of M–M bond length.•Analysis of crystallographic and magnetic trends in these materials will aid in understanding of magnetism in intermetallic compounds.