Structural and physical properties of Mg3− x Zn x Sb2 (x=0–1.34)

The Mg3− x Zn x Sb2 phases with x=0–1.34 were prepared by direct reactions of the elements in tantalum tubes. According to the X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction, the Mg3− x Zn x Sb2 phases crystallize in the same P3¯m1 space group as the parent Mg3Sb2 phase. The Mg3− x Zn x Sb2 structure is different from the other substituted structures of Mg3Sb2, such as (Ca, Sr, Ba) Mg2Sb2 or Mg5.23Sm0.77Sb4, in a way that in Mg3− x Zn x Sb2 the Mg …