Structure and magnetic properties of Ce2Co17-xSix compounds

The structural and magnetic properties of Ce2Co17-xSix compounds for Si con centrations up to x = 4 were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and magn etic measurements. The easy magnetization direction is parallel to the c-ax is in all compounds. The Co moments and the Curie temperatures decrease str ongly with increasing Si concentration. From magnetic measurements made on magnetically aligned powders, we have determined the concentration dependen ce of the anisotropy constant. The values of K-1 increase up to x = 2 and t hen strongly decrease with increasing x. This behaviour is discussed in ter ms of preferential site occupation by Si. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.