Effect of Fe substitution on the structural, magnetic and electron-transport properties of half-metallic Co2TiSi

The structural, magnetic and electron-transport properties of Co2Ti1−xFexSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5) ribbons prepared by arc-melting and melt-spinning were investigated. The rapidly quenched Co2Ti0.5Fe0.5Si crystallized in the cubic L21 structure whereas Co2Ti0.75Fe0.25Si and Co2TiFe0Si showed various degrees of B2-type disorder. At room temperature, all the samples are ferromagnetic, and the Curie temperature increased from 360 K for Co2TiSi to about 800 K for Co2Ti0.5Fe0.5Si. The measured magnetization also increased due to partial substitution of Fe for Ti atoms. The ribbons are moderately conducting and show positive temperature coefficient of resistivity with the room temperature resistivity being between 360 μΩcm and 440 μΩcm. The experimentally observed structural and magnetic properties are consistent with the results of first-principle calculations. Our calculations also indicate that the Co2Ti1−xFexSi compound remains nearly half-metallic for x ≤ 0.5. The predicted large band gaps and high Curie temperatures much above room temperature make these materials promising for room temperature spintronic and magnetic applications.