Yb14ZnSb11: Charge balance in Zintl compounds as a route to intermediate Yb valence

The results of thermodynamic, transport, and x-ray diffraction measurements of single crystals of the new compound Yb14ZnSb11 are presented. These dat a indicate an intermediate Yb valence scenario, with a spin fluctuation tem perature of approximately 85 K. The compound is weakly metallic and is isos tructural with the charge-balanced Zintl compound Yb14AlSb11. The intermedi ate Yb valence can be qualitatively accounted for by considering the charge counting arguments of the nonmetallic parent, and charge balance in Zintl- related materials appears to be a viable route to designing other compounds with intermediate valence constituents.