Peculiarities of structural disorder in Zr- and Hf-containing Heusler and half-Heusler stannides

The structural phase transition in half-Heusler - Heusler stannides ZrNiSn-ZrNi2Sn and HfNiSn-HfNi2Sn was studied using XRD and EPM analyses, electrical and magnetic properties measurement. The influence of the disordering and defects in crystal structure on the physical properties was analyzed. The performed electronic structure calculations are in good agreement with electrical and magnetic behaviors and allowed to explain limited solubility in these phases. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.