Structure and Physical Properties of the New Pseudo-binary Intermetallic Compound Ti11(Sb,Sn)8

The new pseudo-binary intermetallic compound, Ti 11 (Sb,Sn) 8 , has been synthesized by reacting Ti and Sb in a Sn flux at 1100°C and its structure determined from both single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction data (orthorhombic, Pnma , Z=4, X-ray diffraction at 90 K: a =14.6877(6) A, b =5.5677(2) A, c =17.7207(7) A, V =1449.14(10) A 3 , neutron diffraction at room temperature: a =14.677(6) A, b =5.577(3) A, c =17.716 (6) A, V =1450(1) A 3 ). The structure contains two differently oriented repeating layers and interstitial atoms that are closely connected to make linear chains aligned along the crystal b axis. The compound exhibits mixed site occupancies of Sb and Sn on the anion sites. The phase width (Sb/Sn ratio=0.98–1.40) was determined by microprobe elemental analysis. The electrical resistivity of a single crystal as a function of temperature is anisotropic ( ρ //b =1∼2×10 −1 mΩ·cm, ρ ⊥b =0.5×10 −1 mΩ·cm) and confirms that this compound is metallic. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Pauli paramagnetism.