Structure, magnetic properties and Mössbauer spectroscopy of GdRhSn

Polycrystalline GdRhSn was obtained by a reaction of the elements in a sealed tantalum tube in a high-frequency furnace. The sample was investigated by X-ray diffraction on powder and a single crystal: ZrNiAl type, space group image, image pm, image, 454 F2 values and 14 variables. Both crystallographically independent rhodium atoms have a tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination, i.e. [Rh1Sn3Gd6] and [Rh2Sn6Gd3]. The shortest distances occur for the Rh–Sn contacts (274 and 283 pm). Together the rhodium and tin atoms build up a three-dimensional [RhSn] network in which the gadolinium atoms fill distorted hexagonal channels. The magnetic and electronic properties of GdRhSn have been studied by means of magnetic AC and DC susceptibility measurements as well as 119Sn and 155Gd Mössbauer spectroscopy. A transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic state with non-collinear magnetic ordering takes place at image.