BaAl4 derivative phases in the sections {La,Ce}Ni2Si2-{La,Ce}Zn2Si2: phase relations, crystal structures and physical properties.

Phase relations and crystal structures have been evaluated within the sections LaNi2Si2-LaZn2Si2 and CeNi2Si2-CeZn2Si2 at 800 °C using electron microprobe analysis and X-ray powder and single crystal structure analyses. Although the systems La-Zn-Si and Ce-Zn-Si at 800 °C do not reveal compounds such as "LaZn2Si2" or "CeZn2Si2", solid solutions {La,Ce}(Ni1-xZnx)2Si2 exist with the Ni/Zn substitution starting from {La,Ce}Ni2Si2 (ThCr2Si2-type; I4/mmm) up to x = 0.18 for Ce(Ni1-xZnx)2Si2 and x = 0.

Thermal, magnetic and electronic properties of non-centrosymmetric YbPt₂B.

Ternary YbPt2B crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric hexagonal CePt2B-type structure (space group P6(2)22). Electrical resistivity, specific heat and magnetic measurements reveal a magnetic instability at 5.6 K.

Cage-forming compounds in the Ba-Rh-Ge system: from thermoelectrics to superconductivity.

Phase relations and solidification behavior in the Ge-rich part of the phase diagram have been determined in two isothermal sections at 700 and 750 °C and in a liquidus projection. A reaction scheme has been derived in the form of a Schulz-Scheil diagram. Phase equilibria are characterized by three ternary compounds: τ(1)-BaRhGe(3) (BaNiSn(3)-type) and two novel phases, τ(2)-Ba(3)Rh(4)Ge(16) and τ(3)-Ba(5)Rh(15)Ge(36-x), both forming in peritectic reactions.