Structural and magnetic investigation of nonstoichiometric YFe10V2 and its interstitial carbide prepared by arc-melting

A far-from-equilibrium preparation route and using a particular combination of starting materials led us to obtain nonstoichiometric Y(Fe,V)12 and its interstitial carbide. Structural analysis and EDAX results reveal the formation of the main 1:12 phase with the ThMn12-type structure, with 13-15% vacancies at the 3d metal sites. Insertion of interstitial carbon increases the TC and magnetization of the 1:12 phase, whereas the unit cell volume remains unchanged. The effects of vacancies and interstitial carbon on the Moessbauer hyperfine fields and isomer shifts are discussed with reference to the calculated quantities. (orig.)