Magnetic properties of hexagonal RNi4B (R=Ce, Nd, Gd, Dy) compounds

Magnetic properties of the intermetallic phases RNi4B (R=Ce, Nd, Gd and Dy) are presented. Dependence of the magnetic moment on magnetic field H up to 6 T and on temperature in the range 4–300 K has been studied. CeNi4B is paramagnetic, while RNi4B alloys with R=Nd, Gd, Dy are ferromagnetic with TC=12, 35 and 15 K, respectively. In the paramagnetic region CeNi4B follows the Curie–Weiss law with μeff=0.52 μB/f.u. and θ=−10.7 K. The magnetic moments of rare earths are reduced in comparison with free ion values. The coercivity HC of these compounds is in the range 1.2–6 mT at T=4.2 K.