Synthesis and structural, magnetic, electric, and thermoelectric characterization of layered Rh1-xIrxTe2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

Crystallographic analysis and thermoelectric studies of solid solutions Rh1-xIrxTe2 (0 <= x <= 1) are reported. All compositions show layered structures belonging to the P (3) over bar m1 space group at room temperature. IrTe2 presents a first-order phase transition from the hexagonal to the triclinic lattice (P (1) over bar space group), which is monitored by synchrotron radiation x-ray powder diffraction. In the cooling-down process the transition appears at 240 K while in the warming-up process it begins at 280 K, showing a remarkable hysteresis. All compositions show a strong metallic behavior with enhanced Pauli paramagnetism and two regimes in the electrical resistivity. These regimes are associated with electron-electron scattering (at low temperature rho similar to T-2) and electron-phonon coupling (higher temperatures rho similar to T). The Seebeck coefficient shows hole-type carriers for all the compounds.

Automated summary

Crystallographic analysis and thermoelectric studies were conducted on solid solutions Rh1-xIrxTe2 (0 <= x <= 1). The structures of all compositions were found to be layered at room temperature, exhibiting metallic behavior and two regimes in electrical resistivity. Additionally, IrTe2 exhibited a first-order phase transition with remarkable hysteresis.