Synthesis and physical properties of Sm2PdGe3 in a context of RE2PdGe3 family

In this study, we present the crystallographic and magnetic characterization of a new intermetallic compound Sm₂PdGe_3, which was synthetized by a two stage method employing an eutectic alloy. The investigations carried out exhibited, that Sm₂PdGe₃ crystallize in AlB₂-type structure with lattice parameters a = 4.2189(1) Å and c = 4.1031(2) Å. This compound can be classified as a cluster-glass with a spin freezing temperature T_f = 10.5 K. Furthermore, there were carried out the analysis of the role of the rare earth (RE) elements on the structural parameters of RE₂PdGe₃ and draw a correlation between the RE radius and the unit cell parameters. We show that a deviation from the ideal 1:3 Pd:Ge ratio is necessary to synthesize RE₂PdGe₃ with smaller RE elements.