Neutron diffraction studies on structural and magnetic properties of RE{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} (RE=La, Ce)
We report the crystallographic properties of RE{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} (RE=La, Ce) synthesized by arc melting. Rietveld refinement on the powder neutron diffraction (ND) data suggest both compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the non-centrosymmetric Er{sub 2}RhSi{sub 3} type structure having hexagonal space group P6{sup ¯}2c. In the crystal structure of RE{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3}, two dimensional arrangements of nickel and germanium atoms lead to the formation of hexagonal layers with rare earth atoms sandwiched between them. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed in low fields exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering in cerium compound around (T{sub o}=) 3.2 K. Neutron diffraction measurements at 2.8 K (i.e., at T<T{sub o}) neither show any change in the intensities of the diffraction lines nor indicate the appearance of any new diffraction lines in the Q-range of 0.47–7.34 Å{sup −1}, thus ruling out any long-range magnetic order. - Graphical abstract: The compounds La{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} and Ce{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} crystallize in the Er{sub 2}RhSi{sub 3} type. Magnetic susceptibility show antiferromagnetic ordering for Ce{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} at 3.2 K and neutron diffraction confirms the absence of long range ordering. - Highlights: RE{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} (RE=La, Ce) crystallize in the ordered superstructure of the AlB{sub 2} type. Magnetic susceptibility measurements exhibit antiferromagnetic ordering in Ce{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3}. Structure and magnetism of RE{sub 2}NiGe{sub 3} (RE=La, Ce) are studied by neutron diffraction.