Structure and physical properties of the new pseudo-binary intermetallic compound Ti11(Sb, Sn)8

The new pseudo-binary intermetallic compound, Ti-11(Sb, Sn)(8), has been synthesized by reacting Ti and Sb in a Sn flux at 1100 degreesC and its structure determined from both single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction data (orthorhombic, Pnma, Z = 4, X-ray diffraction at 90 K: a = 14.6877(6) Angstrom, b = 5.5677(2) Angstrom, 17.7207(7) Angstrom, V = 1449.14(10) Angstrom (3), neutron diffraction at room temperature: a = 14.677(6) Angstrom, b = 5.577(3) Angstrom, c = 17.716 (6) Angstrom, V = 1450(1) Angstrom). The structure contains two differently oriented repeating layers and interstitial atoms that are closely connected to make linear chains aligned along the crystal 6 axis. The compound exhibits mixed site occupancies of Sb and Sn on the anion sites. The phase width (Sb/Sn ratio = 0.98-1.40) was determined by microprobe elemental analysis, The electrical resistivity of a single crystal as a function of temperature is anisotropic (rho (//b) =1 similar to 2 x 10(-1) m Omega .cm, rho (perpendicular tob) = 0.5 x 10(-1) m Omega .cm) and confirms that this compound is metallic. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show Pauli paramagnetism. (C) 2001 Academic Press.