Eu valence transition behavior in the nano form of EuPd2Si2
Autor: | Iyer, Kartik K, Basu, Tathamy, Paulose, P. L., Sampathkumaran, E. V. |
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Rok vydání: | 2018 |
Předmět: | |
Druh dokumentu: | Working Paper |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jmmm.2018.06.039 |
Popis: | The compound EuPd2Si2 is a well-known valence-fluctuating compound with a largest variation of Eu valence in a narrow temperature interval (around 150 K). The ball-milled form of this compound was investigated to understand the Eu valence behavior in the nanoform. The compound is found to retain the ThCr2Si2-type tetragonal structure after ball-milling leading to a reduction in particle size, typically falling in the range 10 - 100 nm. We find that there is a qualitative change in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility for such small particles, with respect to that known for bulk form. To understand this microscopically, Mossbauer spectra as a function of temperature were taken. The Mossbauer spectrum of the nanocrystalline compound is essentially divalent-like at room temperature, but becomes distinctly bimodal at all temperatures below 300 K, unlike that of the bulk form. That is, there is a progressive transfer of intensity from divalent position to trivalent position with a gradual decrease of temperature. We attribute it to a first-order valence transition, with extreme broadening by defects in the nano specimen. Thus, there is a qualitative change in the valence behavior in this compound as the particle size is reduced by ball-milling. Such a particle size study is reported for the first time for a Eu-based mixed-valent compound. Comment: JMMM (in press) |
Databáze: | arXiv |
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