Abnormal magnetic properties of the Ce24Co11 hexagonal phase

The lighter rare earth-cobalt and thorium-cobalt binary systems were revised on the rare earth or thorium side, by metallographic, electron microprobe and X-ray methods. In agreement with previous works, it is confirmed that, in these systems, the first intermetallic compound corresponds to the following stoichiometry: 3:1 for trivalent La, Pr and Nd; 7:3 for tetravalent Th; 24:11 for Ce. The electronic structure of Ce in the hexagonal (P63mc) Ce24Co11 phase was investigated via magnetic susceptibility measurements in the 4.2–1300 K temperature range. The results show that the Curie-Weiss law is not followed, no magnetic order occurs down to 4.2 K and a very small change in the thermal behaviour of the magnetic susceptibility appears above the melting point of the phase (750 K). The abnormally low values of the magnetic susceptibility of Ce24Co11 could be understood by assuming Co is a non-magnetic state and Ce in a temperature dependent mixed valence state.