Mixed valency and first order phase transition in EuPdAs

The intermetallic alloy EuPdAs exhibits a first order phase transition at 180 K. The transition is seen by anomalies in lattice parameters, susceptibility, resistivity, Moessbauer effect and X-ray absorption. It is accompanied by an increase of the Eu valence from 2.15 to 2.40 between 300 K and 4 K. The nature of the non-integral valence and the phase transition are discussed.