Structural, Physical, Theoretical and Spectroscopic Investigations of Mixed‐Valent Eu2Ni8Si3 and Its Structural Anti‐Type Sr2Pt3Al8

Abstract

Eu2Ni8Si3 and its anti-type representative Sr2Pt3Al8 were synthesized from the elements. They crystallize in the tetragonal crystal system with space group P42/nmc and with lattice parameters of a=997.9(1) and c=747.6(1) pm (Eu2Ni8Si3) as well as a=1082.9(2) and c=823.3(2) pm (Sr2Pt3Al8). Both compounds were investigated via single crystal X-ray diffraction, indicating slight Si/Ni mixing for the silicide. Sr2Pt3Al8 exhibits a temperature independent magnetic susceptibility, suggesting superimposed dia- and Pauli-paramagnetic contributions. The independent Al and Pt sites of the platinide were further characterized by 27Al and 195Pt solid-state NMR spectroscopy, which were assigned with the help of electronic structure calculations. ICOHP calculations and Bader charges were used to analyze the bonding situation. Eu2Ni8Si3 in contrast is paramagnetic with a ferromagnetic transition at TC= 46.9(2) K and exhibits an effective magnetic moment of μeff= 6.61(1) μB per Eu atom. The latter is in line with an intermediate valence that was further proven by 151Eu Mößbauer spectroscopic investigations. At 300 K, the refined Eu2+/Eu3+ ratios are 60%/40%, at 78 K 62% and 38% (Eu2+/Eu3+) are observed, being in line with the ratio deduced from the magnetic susceptibility. Finally, at 6 K a ratio of 68% Eu2+ and 32% Eu3+ was observed. Below the Curie temperature, the Eu2+ signal shows a full magnetic hyperfine splitting, with an internal magnetic field value of B0=28.4 T.