Abstract
The synthesis, structural, magnetic, thermal, and transport properties are reported for polycrystalline PrIr3. At room temperature PrIr3 displays the rhombohedral space group 𝑅−3𝑚 and a PuNi3-type structure. At around 70 K a phase transition to a monoclinic 𝐶2/𝑚 structure is observed and continued cooling reveals temperature independent behavior of the unit cell volume. Further, PrIr3 undergoes a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with 𝑇𝑐=7.5K. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility follows the Curie-Weiss law with a positive Curie-Weiss temperature, and an effective moment that is close to the theoretical effective moment for a free Pr+3 ion. The structural transition introduces further complexity into the behavior of PuNi3-type materials and highlights the importance of temperature-dependent structural studies to complement physical property measurements in intermetallic compounds.
