Synthesis, characterization and physical properties of ternary intermetallic compounds in the R-T-X systems (R = Yb, Eu; T = Cu, Pd; X = Zn, In, Sn, Bi)

The research work is focused primarily on the study of phase equilibria and discovery of new ternary compounds in R–T–X systems (where R = Yb, Eu; T = Cu, Pd; X = Zn, Sn, In, Bi); and the study of their physical properties. These studies are driven by the interesting physical properties stated in the literature for ternary compounds in these systems. The detailed study of ternary phase diagrams is a powerful means to establish phase equilibria and to discover new ternary compounds. It also offers the possibility to successfully synthesize single phase materials surrounding the region of these ternary compounds from the comprehensive knowledge of phase equilibria. The thesis is divided into six chapters with the first part explaining the experimental methods and characterization techniques employed to synthesize and analyze intermetallic compounds. It also explains the methods for measurement of physical properties for selective compositions in the ternary systems explained in the later four chapters. The remaining four chapters illustrate the main part of research work done during the course of PhD. Of these, the first two chapters describe the investigation of phase equilibria at 600 oC and compound formation in the Yb-based ternary systems i.e., (1) Yb–Pd–In and Yb-Pd-Bi (2) Yb–Cu–Zn systems. The third and fourth chapters describe the field of existence in the YbCu5-xZnx and YbCu5-xSnx solid solutions and the comparison of their physical properties with YbCu5-xAux and YbCu5-xInx systems respectively. The last chapter describes the crystal chemistry and physical properties of Eu2Pd3Sn compound. Finally, the whole thesis is concluded in the form of brief summary.