A series of RNiSn compounds, where R = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Lu, with the TiNiSi structure type (space group Pnma) was synthesized and the electrical transport properties were investigated by means of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements in the temperature range 80-380 K. All of the investigated compounds exhibit metallic-like conductivity. Electronic structure calculations based on the Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FLAPW) method were carried out to obtain the density of states (DOS) for the investigated compounds, from which the electrical properties were explained.

The binary system Lu-Ni was studied by means of X-ray powder diffraction and metallographic analysis in the whole concentration range. The presence of Lu 2 Ni 17 (Th 2 Ni 17 type), LuNi 5 (CaCu 5 type), LuNi 4 (own type), LuNi 2 (MgCu 2 type), and LuNi (FeB type) was confirmed and three new binary compounds, LuNi 3 (PuNi 3 type), Lu 3 Ni 2 (Er 3 Ni 2 type) and Lu 3 Ni (Fe 3 C type), were found. The crystal structures of the latter were refined to R Bragg = 0.03-0.04. Electronic structure calculations performed for Lu 3 Ni confirmed the metallic character of the bonding, with some additional electron density between Lu and Ni atoms.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract