A structural study and some magnetic properties of YCo12-xFexB6 (x=0-4.5) solid solution

We report on the effects of Fe substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the YCo12-xFexB6 series of compounds by combining scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray powder diffraction and magnetic measurements. The rhombohedral R3m structure of the YCo12-xFexB6 is retained up to about x = 4.5 Fe atom per formula unit, a value that we assign to the estimated solubility limit for polycrystalline samples. The unit cell is found to expand regularly upon increasing the iron content with a rate of 1.55 A3 per Fe atom, the expansion being larger along the basal plane. Clues for the preferential substitution scheme of Fe for Co are discussed. It is also shown that Fe for Co substitution induces dramatic changes on the magnetic properties such as a strong decrease of the ordering temperature and a significant reduction of the spontaneous magnetization.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The effects of Fe substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of the YCo12-xFexB6 series of compounds were investigated, revealing regular expansion of the unit cell and dramatic changes in magnetic properties upon Fe substitution.