Superconducting phase transition in YNiGe3, a non-f-electron reference to the unconventional superconductor CeNiGe3

A polycrystalline sample of YNiGe3, being a non-magnetic isostructural counterpart to the unconventional pressure-induced superconductor CeNiGe3, was studied by means of specific heat and electrical resistivity measurements at temperatures down to 360 mK and in magnetic fields up to 500 Oe. The compound was found to exhibit an ambient-pressure superconductivity below Tc = 0.46 K. The superconducting state in YNiGe3 is destroyed by magnetic field of the order of 500 Oe.Comment: to appear in Solid State Communication

On the crystal structure of Sc2MB6 (M = Rh, Ir) compounds

Ternary samples SC2MB6 and ScMB4 (M = Rh, Ir) were synthesized and studied by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction. The crystal structure of the ternary boride SC2RhB6, Y2ReB6 structure type, Pbam space group, a = 8.9144(8) angstrom, b = 11.2105(10) angstrom, c = 3.4833(3) angstrom, Z = 4, V=348.10(5) angstrom(3), rho =4.917 g cm(-3), mu = 8.216mm(-1) was refined to R=0.0193, wR2 = 0.0518 from single crystal X-ray diffraction data (Bruker SMART 100 CCD diffractometer, 573 reflections with I > 2 sigma(I-o)). The lattice parameters for the isotypic Sc2IrB6 compound are a = 8.9149(18) angstrom, b = 11.211(19) angstrom, c = 3.48367(13) angstrom (X-ray powder diffraction, Image Plate Huber G 670 camera). No evidence of formation of the ternary ScMB4 (M = Rh, Ir) compounds with YReB4 structure type was obtained

Single-crystal investigation of the compounds NdRu2Si2 and NdRh2(Si,Ge)2

The crystal structures for two compounds were determined from single-crystal X-rap diffraction: NdRu2Si2, 14/mmm space group, a=4.189(1), c=9.754(8) Angstrom, V=171.16 Angstrom(3), rho=7.811 g/cm(3), mu = 240.7 cm(-1), R = 0.0379 for 114 reflections and NdRh2(Si,Ge)(2), 14/mmm space group, a = 4.182(1), c=9.829(4) Angstrom, V = 171.90 Angstrom(3), rho = 8.708 g/cm(3), mu = 330.1 cm(-1), R = 0.0533 for 152 reflections. Both structures belong to the CeGa2Al2 type of structure

Single crystal investigation of Sm2(Ru,Os)3Si5

The crystal structure of Sm-2(Ru,Os)(3)Si-5 was refined from single crystal diffraction (P41mnc space group, a = 10.730(5) Angstrom, c = 5.707(3) Angstrom.) to R = 0.0635 for 456 reflections with F-o>4sigma(F-o). The compound belongs to the U2Mn3Si5-type structure

Single-crystal investigation of the neodymium rhodium germanides NdRh2Ge2, Nd2Rh3Ge5 and NdRh0.79Ge0.54

The crystal structures for three compounds were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction: NdRh2Ge2, I4/mmm space group, a=4.153(1) Angstrom, c=10.363(5) Angstrom, V=178.73 Angstrom (3), d=9.202 g/cm(3), mu =39.66 mm(-1), R=0.0460 for 118 reflections (CeGa(2)AI(2) structure type); Nd2Rh3Ge5, C2/m space group, a=11.610(9), b=5.929(4), c=12.133(9) Angstrom, beta =119.7(1)degrees, V=725.43 Angstrom (3), d=8.791 g/cm(3), mu =40.95 mm(-1), R=0.0374 for 600 reflections (Lu2Co3Si5 structure type); NdRh0.79Ge0.54, Pm-3m space group, a=3.995(2) Angstrom, V=63.76 Angstrom (3), d=36.235 g/cm(3), mu =152.95 mm(-1), R=0.0342 for 63 reflections (defect CaTiO3 structure type