PREPARATION, STRUCTURE DETERMINATION AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF A NEW MISFIT LAYER COMPOUND - GADOLINIUM CHROMIUM SULFIDE

(GdS)1.27CrS2 is a new misfit layer compound in which two types of slabs, \GdS\ and \CrS2\, alternate along the stacking direction c over arrow pointing right. The crystal structure of this compound has been determined by a composite approach which leads to average structures and their relative arrangement. The two sublattices are orthorhombic with the same b and c parameter. The misfit character stems from the different geometry in the 2-D lattices, square for GdS and hexagonal for CrS2. The ratio of GdS to CrS2 (1.27) is determined by the 2xa(CrS2)/a(GdS) one. Linear suceptibility behavior is given and compared to those of similar compounds (LaS)1.19CrS2 and (NdS)1.23CrS2.