A neutron powder diffraction study of the system La2(Co1−xFex)16Ti for x=0.0, 0.2, and 0.4

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Abstract
The nuclear and magnetic structures of La2(Co1−xFex)16Ti have been studied by neutron powder diffraction for the compositions x=0.0,0.2,0.4. The compound crystallizes with the symmetry of space group R3̄m. Site occupancy results show significant departures from a purely statistical distribution, with the Ti atoms located in sites which interact weakly with La, and with the Co atoms occupying preferentially the sites with strong La interaction. These results are consistent with the enthalpies of formation of equiatomic alloys of rare earth and 3d elements. The spin ordering at all compositions and temperatures is ferromagnetic. At room temperature the moments are aligned along the c axis for the compositions x=0.0 and x=0.2, and form an angle of about 57° with c for x=0.4. This tilt angle is a function of temperature and the moment is aligned along c at 11 K, moving gradually towards the a,b plane as the temperature increases.