Structure and Magnetic Properties of Intermetallic Rare-Earth-Transition-Metal Compounds: A Review

This review discusses the properties of candidate compounds for semi-hard and hard magnetic applications. Their general formula is R1−sT5+2s with R = rare earth, T = transition metal and 0≤s≤0.5 and among them, the focus will be on the ThMn12- and Th2Zn17-type structures. Not only will the influence of the structure on the magnetic properties be shown, but also the influence of various R and T elements on the intrinsic magnetic properties will be discussed (R = Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, … and T = Fe, Co, Si, Al, Ga, Mo, Zr, Cr, Ti, V, …). The influence of the microstructure on the extrinsic magnetic properties of these R–T based intermetallic nanomaterials, prepared by high energy ball milling followed by short annealing, will be also be shown. In addition, the electronic structure studied by DFT will be presented and compared to the results of experimental magnetic measurements as well as the hyperfine parameter determined by Mössbauer spectrometry.