Magnetic, electrical and thermodynamic properties of RE₈Pd ₂₄In

Investigations of magnetic, transport and thermodynamic properties of RE₈Pd₂₄In (RE=Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm) are reported through measurements of X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity (ρ(T)), magnetic susceptibility (χ(T)), magnetization (σ(μ0H)) and heat capacity (Cp(T)). These ternary compounds have the cubic AuCu ₃-type structure. Compounds with RE=Gd and Tb order antiferromagnetically (AF) and exhibit magnetic transitions observed in their χ(T) and Cp(T). ρ(T) results for the Gd and Tb compounds indicate a minimum above the magnetic phase transition temperature TN, and an increase in ρ(T) upon further cooling as a precursor of AF order at lower temperatures. χ(T) data at high temperatures follow the CurieWeiss relation for all compounds and give effective moment values close to those expected for the free RE³⁺-ion. Enhanced values of the electronic contribution to the heat capacity were observed for Gd₈Pd₂₄In and Tb ₈Pd₂₄In.