Magnetic and electrical transport properties of Ce5RhGe2

We report a comprehensive investigations of the electronic structure and magnetic properties for Ce5RhGe2, that crystallizes in orthorhombic Y2HfS5-type structure. This novel phase was found to be ferromagnetic-type with the Curie temperature T-c of 11.5 K in coexistence with spin-glass-like phase, displayed in the magnetic H - T phase diagram. The resistivity and magnetic susceptibility data also exhibit characteristic features of spin fluctuations at temperatures higher than T-c. A combined experimental and theoretical study based on x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data together with ab initio band structure calculations indicate a mixed valence of Ce ions due to strong hybridization between Ce 4f states and conduction band. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.