Ternary pnictides with ThCr2Si2-type structure have gained an increased attention lately, in large part due to the discovery of high-Tc superconductivity in doped BaFe2As2. Many of these pnictides also exhibit diverse and often unconventional magnetic properties. Thus, among RCo2P2 (R = rare earth), only LaCo2P2 exhibits ferromagnetic ordering in the Co sublattice, while other representatives of this family demonstrate antiferromagnetic ordering of Co moments. By modifying the crystal and electronic structures of these materials via iso- and aliovalent substitutions, we have been able to defeat the antiferromagnetism in the Co sublattice. Thus, an aliovalent substitution of Eu for Pr results in the change from antiferromagnetic PrCo2P2 to ferromagnetic Pr0.8Eu0.2Co2P2, while a substitution of La for Ce in CeCo2P2 leads to metamagnetism in La0.4Ce0.6Co2P2. Mixed valence of Eu and Ce is observed in these materials. We also have obtained, for the first time, phase-pure RCo2As2 compounds, and demonstrated their ferromagnetic behavior.

Overcoming antiferromagnetism in the RCo<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub> series by controlling the crystal and electronic structures

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Overcoming antiferromagnetism in the RCo2P2 series by controlling the crystal and electronic structures

Overcoming antiferromagnetism in the RCo₂P₂ series by controlling the crystal and electronic structures