Structural and magnetic properties of R2Fe17-xAlxC compounds (R identical to Ho, Y or Sm)

The single-phase compounds of R2Fe17-xAlxC (x=0-8; R identical to Ho, Y or Sm) were fabricated by arc melting. Their structural and magnetic properties have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrate that all compounds have a single phase with a hexagonal Th2Ni17-type or a rhombohedral Th2Zn17-type structure. The substitution of Al atoms leads to increase in the lattice constants and the unit-cell volume. The Curie temperature is found to change slightly when xor=5. Samples of Sm2Fe17-xAlxC with x