Colossal Magnetoresistance in a Rare Earth Zintl Compound with a New Structure Type: EuIn₂P₂

Single crystals of a new Zintl compound, EuIn 2 P 2, were grown from indium metal as a flux solvent. The compound crystallizes in the hexagonal P 6(3)/ mmc space group with a unit cell of a = 4.0829(6) Å, c = 17.595(4) Å, and Z = 2. It contains alternating Eu 2+ layers and [In 2 P 2 ] 2 - layers. This compound is paramagnetic at high temperatures with a magnetic transition at 24 K. In the magnetically ordered state, it shows large magnetic anisotropy. The temperature-dependent resistivity of this compound suggests interaction between conduction electrons and local spins. Negative colossal magnetoresistance of up to −398% (MR = {[ρ( H ) − ρ(0)]/ρ( H )} × 100%) at 5 T is observed at 24 K.