Phase study and magnetic behavior of a new series of ternary borides (RE1−xRhx)Rh3B2 (RE=Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er)

Abstract
A new series of ternary borides with the formula (RE1xRhx)Rh3B2 (RE=Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) has been prepared. Their crystal structure which derives from the CeCo3B2‐type is hexagonal with the P6̄2m space group. A large homogeneity range is observed (i.e., 0.29≤x≤0.52 for the Nd compounds). The Y and La compounds show for x=0.43 a strong itinerant‐electron ferromagnetism (TC≂12–14 K). A great enhancement of μeff and θp occurs in the Y compound doped with 0.5 at. % Fe. The compounds with magnetic rare earth ions are ferromagnetic with TC growing up to 15 K and show a large increase of μeff due to a superimposed itinerant‐electron paramagnetism. This itinerant magnetism can be attributed to the 4d conduction electrons of rhodium.