Crystal structure and physical properties of CePd4Sn: A new magnetically ordered Kondo lattice

Highlights: •CePd4Sn and LaPd4Sn form in a new crystal structure type. •Chemical bonding is characterized by strong Pd–Pd and Pd–Sn interactions. •Two different Ce sites in the lattice result in two extreme magnetic states. •A new Kondo lattice with valence instabilities. •Two coexisting ground states. -- Abstract: We report on the synthesis, crystallographic analysis, and physical properties of the new intermetallic compound CePd4Sn. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmce space group with cell dimensions a = 9.003(4) Å, b = 23.613(3) Å, c = 8.265(3) Å, Z = 16, Pearson code oS96 and adopts a site exchange variant of the Dy2Ni7Sn3 type. Chemical bonding is characterized by strong Pd−Pd and Pd−Sn interactions. The structure can be presented as a packing of condensed cerium polyhedra. The 4f-electron part of the electrical resistivity is in evidence of incoherent Kondo scattering near and below room temperature that originates from the Ce3+ local moment. The magnetic susceptibility demonstrates stable moment behavior down to ∼100 K. Magnetic ordering, presumably of an antiferromagnetic nature, occurs below TN = 0.9 K