Ce4Ag3Ge4O(0.5)--chains of oxygen-centered [OCe2Ce(2/2)] tetrahedra embedded in a [CeAg3Ge4] intermetallic matrix.
The oxidation of an intermetallic phase under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions led to the synthesis of Ce4Ag3Ge4O(0.5) exhibiting [OCe2Ce(2/2] tetrahedral chains, in which the oxygen atoms statistically occupy the tetrahedral centres. Starting from a 1:1:1 CeAgGe precursor (NdPtSb type), a multianvil high-pressure/high-temperature experiment at 11.5 GPa and 1250-1300 °C revealed Ce4Ag3Ge4O(0.5), crystallizing in the space group Pnma with the following lattice parameters: a = 2087.3(4), b = 439.9(1), and c = 1113.8(2) pm. Magnetic measurements showed Curie-Weiss behavior above 100 K with an experimental magnetic moment of 2.42 µB per Ce atom, close to the value for the free Ce(3+) ion, clearly indicating trivalent cerium in Ce4Ag3Ge4O(0.5). Full potential GGA+U band structure calculations resulted in metallic properties and a magnetic ground state with one unpaired 4f-electron per cerium in agreement with the experiments.
Synthesis, Structure and Properties of the High-pressure Modifications of the Ternary Compounds REPtSn (RE = La, Pr, Sm)
The hexagonal high-pressure (HP) modifications of the ternary compounds REPtSn (RE = La, Pr, Sm) were prepared under multianvil high-pressure (9 - 14 GPa) high-temperature (1050 - 1400 °C) conditions from the orthorhombic normal-pressure (NP) modifications. The HP-REPtSn stannides were investigated by X-ray diffraction on powders and single crystals: ZrNiAl type, space group P6̅2m, a = 762.6(2), c = 418.55(7) pm, wR2 = 0.1147, 256 F2 values and 14 variables for HP-LaPtSn, a = 754.97(7), c = 412.64(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0782, 252 F2 values and 14 variables for HP-PrPtSn, and a = 750.1(2), c = 407.6(1) pm, wR2 = 0.1060, 229 F2 values and 14 variables for HP-SmPtSn. The high-pressure modifications have two crystallographically independent platinum positions in trigonal prismatic coordination, Pt1Sn6RE3 and Pt2Sn3RE6. The shortest interatomic distances occur between the platinum and tin atoms with in the three-dimensional [PtSn] networks. The rare earth atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels within these networks and they are bound through short RE-Pt contacts. Susceptibility measurements of HP-PrPtSn reveal paramagnetic behaviour with an experimental magnetic moment of 3.31(2) μB/Pr atom. Low-temperature susceptibility and specific heat data point to inhomogeneous magnetism in HP-PrPtSn.
SR topography of plastically deformed Fe-Si bicrystals - observation in situ and post mortem
SR reflection topography was applied to study the interaction of slip dislocations with the grain boundaries in Fe-4at%Si bicrystals deformed by compression. Three experimental settings with either a white or monochromatic beam were used and the corresponding orientation contrast analysed. Dislocation transmission through the grain boundary was observed in bicrystals with favourable geometry of the slip systems.