Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties in the Nd2O3-Gd2O3 mixed system synthesized at 1200°C

Phase relation studies in the Gd2O3-Nd2O3 system have been performed on (Gd1-xNdx)(2)O-3 samples (0 <= x <= 1) with the purpose of performing a systematic study of the composition effects on their structural and magnetic properties. All the samples were synthesized by calcination of the related oxalates at 1200 degrees C in order to ensure the complete decomposition of the oxalates. Five phase regions, namely an A-type hexagonal, a B-type monoclinic, a C-type cubic solid solution and two biphasic mixtures of the former three phase fields were detected in this system. The magnetic susceptibility measurements showed the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions in all samples. The Curie-Weiss temperature shows a nonlinear dependence on concentration. Deduced effective magnetic moments are close to the free ion values. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.