R2Co3-xSix (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) and R2Ni3-xSix (R = Gd-Er), new series of La2Ni3-type phases

Abstract In this study, we have expanded our previous work on the Gd 2 (Co 3-x Si x ) solid solution to form the family of R 2 ( T 3-x Si x ) compounds with a wide range of the rare earth metals (Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) by variation of the composition and, where necessary, the transition element (Co and Ni). We report the crystallographic and the magnetic properties of this La 2 Ni 3 -type series. The R 2 Co 3-x Si x compounds with R  = Pr, Nd, Sm and Gd, undergo ferro- or ferrimagnetic transitions at T C ranging from 64 K (Nd) to 338 K (Gd) and the R 2 Ni 3-x Si x phases with R  = Gd-Er display ferromagnetic order below T C from 96 K (Gd) to 7 K (Er).