Magnetic properties of (Mo2/3Dy1/3)2AlC arc melted polycrystalline samples

Abstract

This study investigates the structural and magnetic properties of arc-melted (Mo2/3Dy1/3)2AlC polycrystalline samples, a member of the i-MAX phase family. Temperature-dependent magnetization and specific heat measurements confirm the low-temperature antiferromagnetic transitions around 14 K and 17 K. Neutron diffraction data collected at 4 K reveal the emergence of magnetic Bragg peaks that are not allowed in the paramagnetic space group C2/c, further confirming the presence of antiferromagnetic ordering. The detection of a secondary phase, DyAl2, is complicated by overlapping Bragg peaks with the monoclinic phase of (Mo2/3Dy1/3)2AlC in powder XRD patterns. However, magnetization and neutron diffraction data suggest the presence of DyAl2, evidenced by a ferromagnetic phase transition around 62 K.