Magnetic and Transport Properties of Ferromagnet NdCrSb3

NdCrSb3, a compound containing alternating layers of Nd and Cr atoms in its structure, undergoes two ferromagnetic ordering transitions. At 107.8 K, ferromagnetic ordering of the Cr moments occurs; at 12.7 K, ferromagnetic ordering of the Nd and Cr moments occurs. Neutron diffraction studies place the magnetization axis for the ordered Cr moments along [010], and for the coupled Nd and Cr moments along [100]. These transitions are also observed in the temperature dependence of the dc magnetization, and as maxima in the χ‘ac and χ‘ ‘ac magnetic susceptibilities. Hysteresis loops at 2 and 40 K revealed saturation magnetization values of 3.70 and 2.37 μB/f.u. and coercive fields of 2100 and 400 Oe, respectively. The saturation magnetization of 3.7 μB at 2 K is the same as that determined from neutron diffraction studies. Both ferromagnetic ordering transitions are manifested as kinks in the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. Field-dependent resistivity measurements made between 2 and 130 K indicate negative magnetoresistance behavior with values up to −13%.