Cerium valence change in the solid solutions Ce(Rh1-xRux)Sn

The solid solutions Ce(Rh1-xRux)Sn were investigated by means of susceptibility measurements, specific heat, electrical resistivity, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and 119Sn Moessbauer spectroscopy. Magnetic measurements as well as XAS data show a cerium valence change in dependence on the ruthenium content. Higher ruthenium content causes an increase from 3.22 to 3.45 at 300 K. Furthermore χ and χ-1 data indicate valence fluctuation for cerium as a function of temperature. For example, Ce(Rh0.8Ru0.2)Sn exhibits valence fluctuations between 3.42 and 3.32 in the temperature range of 10 to 300 K. This could be proven by using the interconfiguration fluctuation (ICF) model introduced by Sales and Wohlleben. Cerium valence change does not influence the tin atoms as proven by 119Sn Moessbauer spectroscopy, but it influences the electrical properties. Ce(Rh0.9Ru0.1)Sn behaves like a typical valence fluctuating compound, and higher ruthenium content causes an increase of the metallic behavior. (orig.)