Magnetic and electronic properties of NdNi5−xCux compounds

Abstract The NdNi5−xCux compounds crystallize in a CaCu5-type structure for x ⩽ 2 . Band structure calculations show that the magnetic moments, at 0 K, for Ni (2c) and (3 g) sites decrease when increasing Ni content and are nil for x ≅ 2 . XPS measurements, at room temperature, show the presence of unfilled Ni3d band in the entire composition range, in agreement with paramagnetic studies. The magnetic behaviour of nickel is analysed in models which take into account the electron correlation effects in d bands.