Crystal structure and physical properties of LaPd2Ge and a novel compound LaPdGe3

The crystal structures of LaPd 2 Ge and LaPdGe 3 have been refined by X-ray diffraction on powdered polycrystalline samples. These ternaries crystallize in YPd 2 Si ( Pnma ) and BaNiSn 3 ( I 4 mm ) structure types, respectively. As revealed by electrical resistivity, thermoelectric power and specific heat measurements, the former compound is superconducting below 0.6 K, which is not the case for the latter one (at least down to 0.3 K). Moreover, LaPdGe 3 was found to be a typical metal in comparison to LaPd 2 Ge which is rather a semimetal.