Crystal structure and physical properties of Yb2PdGe6

The crystal structure of Yb 2 PdGe 6 was studied by powder X-ray diffraction technique. The compound in both as-cast and annealed forms crystallizes with the orthorhombic structure of the Ce 2 GaGe 6 -type (space group Cmce ) that can be modelled as a sequence of AlB 2 -type slabs, quadrangular antiprismatic slabs, and distorted αPo-type slabs propagating along the crystallographic c direction. The low-temperature physical properties of Yb 2 PdGe 6 were determined by means of magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements. The compound was characterized as an intermediate valent material because of a highly unstable 4 f shell of Yb ions.