Growth conditions, electrical resistivity, microhardness and thermal properties of PrRh4.8B2 single crystals synthesized from high-temperature coppersolutions

PrRh4.8B2 single crystals were prepared from high temperature copper soluti ons by slow cooling method, using praseodymium tips, rhodium powders and bo ron powders as starting materials under helium flow. PrRh4.8B2 belongs to t he orthorhombic system with the space group Fmmm; a=0.9697(4)nm, b=0.5577(2 ) nm and c=2.564(3)nm. Vickers microhardness and electrical resistivity of the compound were measured, and oxidation resistivity of the compound at hi gh temperature in air was studied. Vickers microhardness (H-V) and the elec trical resistivity (rho) value on (001) plane with the orthorhombic system of PrRh4.8B2 were in the range of H-V = 6.12-7.32 GPa and rho = 670 x 10(-6 ) Omega.cm, respectively. The oxidation in air of PrRh4.8B2 crystals began to proceed at about 590 degrees C. Weight gain of the sample heated up to 1 200 degrees C in air is 13% and the identified oxidation product consisted of the PrBO3 (orthorhombic) and Rh (cubic).