Structural phase transitions in YPtGe2 and GdPtGe2

Abstract

The germanides YPtGe₂ and GdPtGe₂ were synthesized from REGe₂ precursor compounds and platinum by arc-melting and their structures were studied on the basis of temperature-dependent single crystal X-ray diffraction data. At room temperature both germanides adopt the orthorhombic YIrGe₂ type structure, space group Immm, with enhanced U₁₁ displacement parameters for the Ge1 atoms. Below 174 and 145 K, respectively, satellite reflections emerge in the diffraction patterns, giving rise to modulations. The low-temperature structures were refined in the superspace group Pnnn(1/2,1/2,γ)qq0 (48.1.11.3). The structural phase transition is also evident in the magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and resistivity data. The high- and low-temperature modifications are discussed on the basis of a group–subgroup scheme.