Synthesis and Superconducting Properties of a Hexagonal Phosphide ScRhP

We report the synthesis and superconducting properties of the ternary phosphide ScRhP. The crystal structure of ScRhP is determined to be the ordered Fe2P type with the hexagonal P-62m space group by powder X-ray diffraction experiments. Resistivity, magnetization, and heat capacity data indicate that ScRhP is a bulk superconductor with a transition temperature Tc of 2 K. This Tc is lower than that of its 5d analogue, ScIrP (Tc = 3.4 K), although ScRhP is found to have larger electronic density of states at the Fermi energy and a higher Debye temperature than those of ScIrP.
6 pages, 6 figures