Structural, magnetic and electronic transport studies of RAgSn2 compounds (R = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) with Cu3Au-type

RAgSn2 compounds, where R = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er, were synthesized by arc-melting and subsequent annealing at 870 K. The formation of cubic phases with Cu3Au-type structure (space group ${\textit{Pm}}{\overline{3}}{\textit{m}}$ ) was studied. Magnetic property measurements showed that in paramagnetic state, the compounds with magnetic rare-earth atoms are Curie–Weiss paramagnets and order antiferromagnetically at low temperatures. YAgSn2 is a Pauli paramagnet in 100–300 K temperature range. The electrical properties of RAgSn2 compounds were investigated by means of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements in 4·2–300 K temperature range. All investigated compounds exhibit metallic type of conductivity. Electronic structure calculations based on full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method is also carried out to probe the magnetic and electronic structures of RAgSn2 compounds. Comparisons between experimental data and calculations are discussed.