Phase-Transition and Magnetic Moment of the Gd³⁺ Ion in the Gd₂Fe₁₇ Compound

The structure and magnetic phase transitions of the Gd₂Fe₁₇ compound are investigated by using a differential thermal/thermogravimetric analyzer, x-ray diffraction, and magnetization measurements. The result shows that there are two phase structures for the Gd₂Fe₁₇ compound: the hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure at high temperatures (above 1243°C), and the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure, respectively. A method to measure the magnetic moments of the Gd-sublattice and the Fe-sublattice in the Gd₂Fe₁₇ compound is presented. The moments of the Gd-sublattice and the Fe-sublattice in the Gd₂Fe₁₇ compound from 77 to 500K are measured in this way with a vibrating sample magnetometer. A detailed discussion is presented.