Search

Novel ternary intermetallic phase Ce2RuGe was synthesized via arc-melting of the constituents and subsequent annealing at 700°С. Its crystal structure was determined from the powder X-ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic structure of a new type: space group Pmmn (No. 59), lattice parameters: a = 4.38235(5) A, b = 4.31818(5) A, c = 9.91496(15) A, Z = 2, Pearson symbol oP8. In the fully ordered unit cell of Ce2RuGe, there are two crystallographic positions for Ce atoms, single site with Ru atoms, and single site with Ge atoms, each with the multiplicity of two. The crystal structure is built of infinite zigzag-like chains of the Ru and Ge atoms, propagating along the [010] direction. The essential feature is a very short interatomic distance between the Ce1 atoms and the Ru atoms being equal to 2.226(2) A, while the Ce2–Ru distance is of regular length. This structural property gives rise to distinctive physical behavior of the compound that exhibits the coexistence of valence fluctuations associated with unstable 4f shell of the Ce1 ions and a long-range magnetic ordering that emerges in the Ce2 ions sublattice. As revealed by means of magnetization, heat capacity and electrical resistivity measurements, Ce2RuGe orders antiferromagnetically at TN = 12.0(1) K, and becomes ferromagnetic below TC = 8.5(3) K.

We have studied phase equilibria in the silicon-rich part of the Yb–Pt–Si system. To this end, 22 alloys were prepared by a standard arc-melting process in an argon atmosphere and annealed at a temperature of 850°C. Physicochemical characterization of the samples included electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. We have confirmed the existence of four previously known intermetallic compounds: YbPtSi, YbPt2Si2, Yb3Pt4Si6, and Yb2Pt3Si5. In addition, three new phases have been identified: YbPtSi2, Yb33Pt17Si50, and Yb11Pt33Si56. The structure type of the YbPtSi2 compound has been determined. We present statistical crystallographic data for the ternary phases and describe phase equilibria in the region studied in the 850°C isothermal section of the Yb–Pt–Si phase diagram.

Novel Ce-rich phases Ce 4 RuAl and Ce 23 Ru 7+ x Al 4- x (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.97) were found in the systematic investigation of the ternary Ce-Ru-Al system. Both compounds were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, EDX spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The Ce 4 RuAl compound crystallizes with a cubic structure of a Gd 4 RhIn type with lattice parameter a = 13.7709(8) A (sp. gr. F -43 m , Z = 16). Its crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray data (R F = 0.0241 for 741 independent reflections). The Ce 23 Ru 7+ x Al 4- x structure was established by X-ray powder diffraction. This compound belongs to Pr 23 Ir 7 Mg 4 structure type, space group P 6 3 mc . Cell parameters of Ce 23 Ru 7+ x Al 4- x at x = 0.4 are: a = 9.8137(4) A, c = 22.2010(13) A. In both compounds Ce 4 RuAl and Ce 23 Ru 7+ x Al 4- x some of the Ce-Ru distances are short, equal to 2.630 A and 2.562 A, respectively. Crystal chemistry of these intermetallics is characterized by packing of non-linear layers in which the Ru-centered trigonal [Ce 6 ] prisms are connected via common vertices and edges, - similar to packing in the related Ce 7 Ru 3 and La 15 Rh 5 Cd 2 compounds.

The crystal structure of the novel Al-rich intermetallic phase Ce4Pt9Al13 was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes with its own structure type, which is a “site exchange” variant of the Ho4Ir13Ge9-type (Pearson symbol oP52, space group Pmmn, No. 59, Z = 2, lattice parameters: a = 4.1826(1) A, b = 11.4424(3) A, c = 19.8475(5) A, V = 949.88(7) A3). The magnetic properties of Ce4Pt9Al13 were determined in the temperature range 1.72–400 K. Down to the lowest temperatures studied, the compound shows a Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior with strong crystalline electric field contribution observed below about 200 K. The electrical conductivity in Ce4Pt9Al13 has metallic character, and at low temperatures it is governed by an interplay of strong crystal field and Kondo interactions.

Ternary intermetallic alloys Ce 2 Rh 3+x Ge 1-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.33) have been found to crystallize in a rhombohedral structure of the Mg 2 Ni 3 Si-type (space group R -3 m ). With varying the stoichiometry, the lattice parameters significantly vary from a = 5.5887(2) A, c = 11.9557(5) A (hexagonal setting) for x = 0 to a = 5.5127(2) A, c = 12.2790(5) A for x = 0.33, while the unit cell volume remains nearly unchanged. By means of magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and electrical resistivity measurements, the Ce 2 Rh 3+x Ge 1-x alloys have been shown to be intermediate valence systems with highly unstable 4 f shell of Ce ions. Notably, the ferromagnetic ordering, claimed in the literature to coexist with the valence fluctuations in Ce 2 Rh 3 Ge, has been revealed to be an extrinsic effect due to impurity contribution.

A novel ternary intermetallic germanide CeIrGe 2 has been studied by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetization, specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements, performed in wide ranges of temperature and external magnetic fields. The compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure of the CeNiSi 2 -type (space group Cmcm ). It exhibits a Kondo lattice behavior and orders antiferromagnetically at 4 K.

Two novel ternary rare-earth aluminides, CePd 3 Al 2 and LaPd 3 Al 2 , were obtained by arc-melting the elements and subsequent annealing at 800 °C. Their crystal structures were determined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The compounds crystallize with their own structure type: space group Pnma , Z = 4, Pearson symbol oP 24, а = 7.491(2) A, b = 4.3575(17) A, ≿ = 13.123(4) A for CePd 3 Al 2 and а = 7.474(7) A, b = 4.3755(17) A, ≿ = 13.323(9) A for LaPd 3 Al 2 . The physical behavior of the Ce-based material was studied by means of magnetic, electrical resistivity and heat capacity measurements carried out down to 0.4 K. The compound was characterized as an antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion system with the Neel temperature T N = 1 K and the Kondo energy scale of about 2 K.

The new ternary intermetallic with high content of germanium, CeRuGe 5 , was found in the course of reinvestigation of the Ce-Ru-Ge system at 700 °C. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal structure of new type (space group I 4/ mcm ) with the unit cell parameters: a = 6.1414(6) A, c = 13.751(3) A, Z = 4, Pearson symbol tI 28. The structure of CeRuGe 5 can be presented as [CeGe 3 ] and [RuGe 2 ] slabs alternating along the tetragonal c -axis. It is shown that the new structure of CeRuGe 5 and the known before structure of Sm 2 Ru 5 Ga 9 are derivatives from the common prototype – HoCoGa 5 . By means of magnetic, heat capacity and electrical transport measurements, the novel compound CeRuGe 5 was established to be a metallic Curie-Weiss paramagnet due to stable 4 f 1 electronic configuration of trivalent Ce ions. No intrinsic long-range magnetic ordering was found down to 1.7 K.

New ternary intermetallic compound Ce2Ru2Al was prepared in polycrystalline form, and its crystal structure was determined from both powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The aluminide was found to crystallize with an orthorhombic structure (space group Cmce) with the lattice parameters: a = 5.8914(4) A, b = 9.9603(6) A, and c = 6.9551(4) A. The derived unit cell is an ordered variant of the binary La2Ni3 type, where one of two Ni sites is fully occupied with Ru atoms, while another one accommodates Al atoms. The structure of Ce2Ru2Al can be regarded as a sequence of atomic layers normal to b-axis. The remarkable structural feature is a short distance between Ce and Ru atoms equal to 2.7816(4) A. Magnetic measurements revealed that Ce ions in Ce2Ru2Al possess unstable 4f shell that leads to intermediate valence behavior of the compound. Similar valence instability was observed before for other Ce intermetallics with short Ce–Ru bonds.

The atomic order of the new polymorphic modification of the equiatomic stannide CeRuSn was established from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The new modification of CeRuSn can be described as a superstructure of CeCoAl-type with tripling of the subcell along the c axis. Space group C 2/ m , lattice parameters a = 11.5702(12) A, b = 4.7529(5) A, c = 15.2414(16) A, β = 103.511(2)°, Z = 12. The structure was refined to R 1 = 0.034 for 1806 F 2 and 55 variables. The new modification has three independent crystallographic Ce sites, two of which form strongly shortened Ce–Ru contacts d Ce1 – Ru2 = 2.267 A, d Ce3 – Ru1 = 2.434 A and d Ce3 – Ru3 = 2.429 A.

The crystal structure of the novel intermetallic Yb ∼3 Pt ∼4 Si 6− x was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction: space group P 2 1 / m (No. 11); a = 8.4560(3) A, b = 4.2109(2) A, c = 12.7864(5) A, β = 99.537(2)°, R F = 0.046, wR2 = 0.132. The title compound is a disordered variant of the Y 3 Pt 4 Ge 6 type. It is characterized by the intergrowth of slabs cut from the ThCr 2 Si 2 and YIrGe 2 types of structures.

The crystal structure of the novel compound Ce 3 Rh 5 Si was solved by means of powder diffraction pattern analysis using the charge-flipping method. The refinements yielded the space group Pnma and the orthorhombic unit cell parameters: a = 1.52632(2) nm, b = 0.55092(1) nm, and c = 0.75302(1) nm. A characteristic feature of the crystal structure of Ce 3 Rh 5 Si are vertex-sharing [Rh 4 ] and [Rh 3 Si] tetrahedra, which form a three-dimensional framework with Ce atoms located inside truncated tetrahedral voids. The structure exhibits close relationship with those of CeRh 2 (MgCu 2 -type) and Ce 2 Rh 3 Si (Y 2 Rh 3 Si-type). Magnetic and electrical resistivity measurements of Ce 3 Rh 5 Si were performed down to 2 K. The compound was characterized as a Pauli paramagnet with metallic character of the electrical conductivity.

Polycrystalline samples of the intermetallic compounds Dy 2 PdGe 6 and La 2 PdGe 6 which crystallize in the orthorhombic structure ( Cmca space group) were studied by means of magnetic, electrical resistivity, specific heat and differential thermoelectric power measurements. The Dy-germanide is an antiferromagnet below 25(1) K and at low temperature and above magnetic fields of 3.5 T it exhibits a metamagnetic behaviour. Especially the specific heat measurements point to well-localized 4 f -electrons in this compound. Whereas the isostructural La-germanide is a nonmagnetic material taken here as a reference compound. A good overall fit of the resistivity to a general Bloch–Gruneisen formula indicates its metallic character in contrast to the Dy-germanide being a semimetallic-like conductor. For the latter compound in its ordered state the electrical resistvity, specific heat and thermoelectric power are dominated by electron–magnon scattering with antiferromagnetic spin-wave spectrum typical of anisotropic antiferromagnetic systems. The observed Schottky anomaly yields an assumed crystal field scheme of low-energy lying levels. Its thermoelectric power behaviour achieves medium positive values at high temperatures, indicating a hole domination in electrical transport properties. On the other hand, S ( T ) below T N for Dy- and in the whole temperatures measured for La-based compounds is negative, pointing to their electron carrier origin.

Five novel cerium-based ternaries Ce2Rh3.1Si0.9 ,C e 4Rh12Si, Ce8Rh21.9Si3.1, CeRh1.82Si0.18 and CeRh3Si0.125 were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements. All these phases were found to be Pauli paramagnets with metallic type of electrical conductivity.

We have studied chemical interaction of the intermetallic compound NdRh3 with hydrogen at pressures of up to 0.2 GPa. The structural changes in the intermetallic matrix in different stages of the hydrogenation process have been followed using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate that hydrogen absorption leads to an irreversible change in lattice symmetry from hexagonal to cubic.

Two series of intermetallic alloys, RT2Si and RTSi2, have been synthesized from stoichiometric compositions. The crystal structures of EuPt1+xSi2−x (CeNiSi2-type), CeIr2Si (new structure type), YbPd2Si and YbPt2Si (both YPd2Si-type) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data, which were confirmed by XPD experiments. The crystal structures of LaRh2Si and LaIr2Si (CeIr2Si-type), {La,Ce,Pr,Nd}AgSi2 (all TbFeSi2-type), and EuPt2Si (inverse CeNiSi2-type) were characterized by XPD data. RT2Si/RTSi2 compounds were neither detected in as-cast alloys Sc25Pt50Si25, Eu25Os25Si50 and Eu25Rh25Si50 nor after annealing at 900 °C. Instead, X-ray single crystal data prompted Eu2Os3Si5 (Sc2Fe3Si5-type) and EuRh2+xSi2−x (x=0.04, ThCr2Si2-type) as well as a new structure type for Sc2Pt3Si2 (own type).

Ternary intermetallic CeRu 0.88 In 2 was synthesized by arc-melting from elemental Ce, Ru, and In under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of CeRu 0.88 In 2 was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: a = 4.5449(11) A, b = 10.014(2) A and c = 7.6854(10) A; space group Cmcm , Z = 4, MgCuAl 2 type. The structure is formed of three-dimensional framework of [Ru 0.88 In 2 ], in the infinite pentagonal channels of which Ce atoms are disposed. Similar to the other known ternary compounds of the Ce–Ru–In system, CeRu 0.88 In 2 exhibits unusually short Ce–Ru contact equal to 2.530(4) A, which in addition is the shortest one in the raw of LTIn 2 compounds with MgCuAl 2 structure type (L = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Yb; T = Rh, Pd, Au).

The ternary intermetallic Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 was synthesized by arc-melting from elemental Ce, Ru, and In under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 was determined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: a = 4.7451(1) A, b = 9.3518(2) A, c = 32.6162(7) A; space group Immm , Z = 1. The architecture of the crystal structure of Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 is based on CeIn 3 units with cubic Cu 3 Au-type and can be presented as consisting of two different slabs: CeIn 3 -like slab of composition Ce 4 In 14.5 and a slab of composition Ce 4 Ru 4 In 4 .

Cerium ruthenium indides, Ce2Ru2In3 and Ce3Ru2In2, were synthesized from the pure elements by arc-melting. Both structures present a site exchange variant of a new structure type with different occupation of one crystallographic site: space group Pnma, Z = 4, oP28, with cell parameters a = 17.7054(4) A, b = 4.7144(1) A, c = 7.4072(1) A for Ce2Ru2In3, and a = 17.394(2) A, b = 4.9073(6) A, c = 7.669(1) A for Ce3Ru2In2 at room temperature. In the structures there are eight extremely short Ce–Ru contacts per unit cell: Ce1–Ru1 = 2.3225(8) A, Ce1–Ru2 = 2.3681(8) A in Ce2Ru2In3, and Ce1–Ru1 = 2.2345(9) A, Ce3–Ru2 = 2.2811(9) A in Ce3Ru2In2. Such contacts cause considerable distortion of coordination polyhedra of all atoms and reduce cell parameter a by 1 A when compared to the parent NdRh2Sn4 structure.

Polycrystalline Ce2Ru2Al is prepared by arc melting of the elements and subsequent annealing (evacuated quartz ampoules, 823 K, 30 d).

The ternary intermetallic compounds Ce 0.67 Pt 2 Al 5 ( I ) and Ce 1.33 Pt 3 Al 8 ( II ) were synthesized in the Ce–Pt–Al system by the reaction of elemental Ce, Pt, and Al in an arc furnace under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structures of I and II were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The crystals are characterized by the following unit cell parameters: a = 4.3105(18) A, c = 16.494(5) A, space group P 6 3 / mmc , Z = 2 ( I ) and a = 4.361(2) A, c = 39.00(2) A, space group R 3 ¯ m , Z = 6 ( II ). Both compounds have structures with different packing of layers.

The crystal and magnetic structures of U(Pd 1− x M x ) 2 Ge 2 compounds with M=Fe, Co, Ru are studied by neutron powder diffraction and μSR. The effects of M doping and external applied pressure on the crystal and magnetic structures are compared. We find that even at small M-doping level the magnetic structure drastically changes, while the values of the lattice parameters and interatomic distances change only slightly. In contrast, a high external pressure modifies the crystal structure more significantly, while the magnetic structure remains the same. These observations allow us to conclude that the drastic changes of magnetic structure of U(Pd 1− x M x ) 2 Ge 2 compounds with increased M doping could result from modifications of the RKKY indirect exchange interactions owing to a variation of conduction-electron number per U atom, rather than from lattice contraction.

The magnetic ordering of the ternary intermetallic compound U(Pd1-xFex)2Ge2 (x = 0.01, 0.02) was studied by µSR in the temperature range T = 15-300 K. The low temperature state changes from the modulated longitudinal spin density wave LSDW (x = 0.01) with a propagation vector k = [0 0 3/4] (TN = 140 K) to a simple antiferromagnetic structure AF (x = 0.02) with k = [0 0 1] (TN = 140 K). In the AF phase (sample with x = 0.02) the uranium magnetic moment shows a monotonic temperature dependence. In the LSDW phase with k = [0 0 3/4] (sample with x = 0.01) the magnetic moments of uranium atoms located in two magnetically nonequivalent positions (0 0 0) and (0 0 1) have different temperature dependences. One moment assumes a maximum at Tm1 = 50 K, while the other one does not display any peculiarities. The results are discussed within a model of the superposition of a square and sine modulation and are compared with neutron diffraction data. The observed peculiar temperature behaviour of the moments is connected with the temperature variation of the initial phase of the LSDW modulation by Δ = 0.2 rad.

Phase equilibria in the Sm–{Pd,Pt}–{Si,Ge} systems were studied at 870 K, and intermetallic compounds containing 20 at.% Sm were characterized by physical–chemical analysis methods.

Measurements of temperature and field dependent bulk properties have been carried out on ${{\mathrm{Ce},\mathrm{La}}}_{3}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{4}{\mathrm{Si}}_{4}$. Rietveld refinements of x-ray powder intensity data confirm the orthorhombic ${\mathrm{U}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{4}{\mathrm{Si}}_{4}$-type structure for both compounds. While ${\mathrm{La}}_{3}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{3}{\mathrm{Si}}_{4}$ exhibits superconductivity below 2 K together with some indications of a two gap scenario, the former can be characterized as a Kondo lattice system in presence of crystalline electric field splitting. Due to the closeness of a quantum critical point, distinct non-Fermi-liquid features dominate the low temperature physics of ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{3}{\mathrm{Pd}}_{4}{\mathrm{Si}}_{4}$.

The title compound is unintentionally obtained by arc melting of the elements in a ratio pertaining to YbPtSi2 with 3 wt.% excess of Yb due to its high volatility.The crystal structure of the novel intermetallic is determined by single crystal XRD (space group P21/m, Z = 2) and found to be a disordered variant of the Y3Pt4Ge6 type characterized by the intergrowth of slabs cut from the ThCr2Si2 and YIrGe2 types of structures.

The crystal structure of the new ternary silicide CePt 3 Si [space group P 4 mm , a =4.072(1) A, c =5.442(2) A, Z =1, V =90.25(5) A 3 , R =0.0437 for 153 structure factors] was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound belongs to the CePt 3 B structure type of intermetallic compounds.

The crystal structure of the intermetallic compound Ce 3 Ru 4 Al 12 has been studied. The experiment was carried out using the X-ray single crystal diffraction technique. It was established that the structure belongs to the Gd 3 Ru 4 Al 12 structure type, which is related to the EuMg 5.2 type. Ce 3 Ru 4 Al 12 has the space group P6 3 /mmc, a = 8.8652(10) A, c = 9.5700(2) A, V = 651.4(2) A 3 , and Z = 2.

The crystal structure of the new intermetallic compound Ce 4 Pd 29 Si 14 , was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction method revealing space group Fm3m with a =1.8010(2) nm and Z =4.

The crystal structure of the new compound Ce 3 Pd 5 Si was investigated by X-ray single crystal diffraction method. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type, space group Imma Z =4, a =1.3027(4) nm, b =0.7377(4) nm, c =0.7580(4) nm.

The interaction of the components in the Er–Co–Pd system at 600°C was investigated over the composition range 0–50 at% of erbium by X-ray powder, metallography, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), DTA and SEM. The isothermal section at 600°C was determined based on these results.

The intermetallic compound CePd5Ge3 has been studied by means of magnetisation, magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements. The results indicate the presence of stable Ce3+ ions, but nevertheless the compound does not order magnetically down to 2 K. However, some hints on magnetic ordering below 2 K may be deduced from anomalous low temperature behaviour of the magnetisation, resistivity and specific heat. The properties of CePd5Ge3 are discussed in terms of possible Kondo interactions.

Two series of intermetallic alloys, RT2Si and RTSi2, have been synthesized from stoichiometric compositions. The crystal structures of EuPt1+xSi2−x (CeNiSi2-type), CeIr2Si (new structure type), YbPd2Si and YbPt2Si (both YPd2Si-type) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data, which were confirmed by XPD experiments. The crystal structures of LaRh2Si and LaIr2Si (CeIr2Si-type), {La,Ce,Pr,Nd}AgSi2 (all TbFeSi2-type), and EuPt2Si (inverse CeNiSi2-type) were characterized by XPD data. RT2Si/RTSi2 compounds were neither detected in as-cast alloys Sc25Pt50Si25, Eu25Os25Si50 and Eu25Rh25Si50 nor after annealing at 900 °C. Instead, X-ray single crystal data prompted Eu2Os3Si5 (Sc2Fe3Si5-type) and EuRh2+xSi2−x (x=0.04, ThCr2Si2-type) as well as a new structure type for Sc2Pt3Si2 (own type).

The crystal structure of the new intermetallic compound Ce 4 Pd 29 Si 14 , was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction method revealing space group Fm3m with a =1.8010(2) nm and Z =4.

The cerium effective valence was investigated by means of CeL 3 -XANES spectroscopy in some intermediate valence Ce-based systems with different magnetic ordering mechanisms: CeNi doped with Nd, Pr and Gd in the temperature range 5-300 K, and Ce 2 Fe 17-x Mn x intermetallics. The dependences obtained are considered within the frames of generally accepted mechanisms of rare-earth ions intermediate valence states. Possible correlations between the cerium effective valence and the magnetic properties of compounds are also noted.

Ternary intermetallic CeRu 0.88 In 2 was synthesized by arc-melting from elemental Ce, Ru, and In under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of CeRu 0.88 In 2 was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: a = 4.5449(11) A, b = 10.014(2) A and c = 7.6854(10) A; space group Cmcm , Z = 4, MgCuAl 2 type. The structure is formed of three-dimensional framework of [Ru 0.88 In 2 ], in the infinite pentagonal channels of which Ce atoms are disposed. Similar to the other known ternary compounds of the Ce–Ru–In system, CeRu 0.88 In 2 exhibits unusually short Ce–Ru contact equal to 2.530(4) A, which in addition is the shortest one in the raw of LTIn 2 compounds with MgCuAl 2 structure type (L = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Yb; T = Rh, Pd, Au).

The ternary intermetallic Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 was synthesized by arc-melting from elemental Ce, Ru, and In under an argon atmosphere. The crystal structure of Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 was determined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data: a = 4.7451(1) A, b = 9.3518(2) A, c = 32.6162(7) A; space group Immm , Z = 1. The architecture of the crystal structure of Ce 16 Ru 8 In 37 is based on CeIn 3 units with cubic Cu 3 Au-type and can be presented as consisting of two different slabs: CeIn 3 -like slab of composition Ce 4 In 14.5 and a slab of composition Ce 4 Ru 4 In 4 .

The crystal structure of the new intermetallic compound CePd 5 Ge 3 belongs to the YNi 5 Si 3 structure type, space group Pnma, Z =4, a =2.024(1) nm, b =0.4122(1) nm, c =0.7244(3) nm.

The ternary intermetallic compound CeRu 3− x Al 10+ x ( x = 0.17) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Imma , a = 4.2213(1) A, b = 12.5014(3) A, c = 17.6689(4) A, Z = 4. It is closely related to NdCo 3 Ga 9 and can be regarded as a substructure of U 2 Co 6 Al 19 . Trigonal prismatic and cuboctahedral coordination is typical for Al and Ru atoms, the coordination polyhedron of the Ce atom is a pentagonal prism with five additional atoms. The structure can be described as a 3D network of aluminium and ruthenium atoms, forming distorted pentagonal channels along [1 0 0], where the cerium atoms are located.

The new cerium ternary compounds Ce/sub 3/Pt/sub 4/Ge/sub 6/ and Ce/sub 2/Pt/sub 7/Ge/sub 4/ with novel crystal structure types have been prepared and characterized. We present transport and magnetic properties of these compounds in temperature range (2-300) K. Behavior of resistivity and magnetisation is similar, both compounds demonstrate Kondo-like features and possible magnetic transition near the helium temperature. >

The new ternary compound with giant unit cell La117Ru57Sn112 has been yielded by interaction between pure components lanthanum, ruthenium and tin and investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) means. Previously, intermetallics with cobalt of similar composition and structure were found in the ternary systems and Dy-Co-Sn and Pr-Co-Sn – Dy117Co57Sn112 and Pr117Co57Sn112 respectively [1, 2]. The intermetallic La117Ru57Sn112 crystallizes in a cubic Dy117Co57Sn112 type structure with space group Fm-3m (No. 225) and lattice parameter a = 31.529(5). A single-crystal suitable for the X-ray measurements was isolated from the of the equiatomic alloy La33.3Ru33.3Sn33.4. The structure was solved by means of direct methods and refined using the SHELXS-97 and SHELXL-97 programs (R1 = 0.033 for 1042 Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 0.061 for all collected data). The additional sample of the La40.2Ru19.9Sn39.9 composition was prepared and investigated X-ray by powder diffraction technique (CuKα1 radiation, 5 < 2Θ < 900). The collected intensities data were refined by the Rietveld method using the La117Ru57Sn112 single crystal model and FullProf program. Based on a minimum of differences between the observed and calculated theoretically intensities one can judge the good convergence results.