Stabilization of an FeSi-type modification of the ternary NiGa0.82Si0.18, NiGa0.84Ge0.16 and NiAl0.46Si0.54 phases

Abstract The NiGa 0.82 Si 0.18 , NiGa 0.84 Ge 0.16 and NiAl 0.46 Si 0.54 phases have been obtained from arc-melting of the elements. Crystal structures have been refined in a cubic symmetry ( P 2 1 3 space group, a  = 4.6197(6), 4.6393(2) and 4.5543(4) A, respectively) using powder X-ray diffraction data. Crystallographic relationship between the NiGa 0.82 Si 0.18 , NiGa 0.84 Ge 0.16 and NiAl 0.46 Si 0.54 compounds and all binary compounds in the Ni–Ga system have been established. The ternary compounds have been found to be thermally stable up to 1500 K, as was concluded by the DSC measurements. In addition, the NiGa 0.82 Si 0.18 and NiGa 0.84 Ge 0.16 phases each exhibit two exothermic transitions at 1136 K, 1367 K and 1043 K, 1389 K, respectively. NiAl 0.46 Si 0.54 shows one exothermic transition at 1287 K. From the magnetic susceptibility measurements all compounds have been found to be Pauli paramagnets.