Crystal growth of off-stoichiometric Co2Cr1-xAl1+x Heusler compounds: Avoiding the solid state miscibility gap

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • A. Omar - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • F. Börrnert - , Chair of Physical Metrology, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology, Ulm University (Author)
  • M. Haft - , Chair of Physical Chemistry / Measurement and Sensor Technology, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • S. Hampel - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • W. Löser - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • B. Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • S. Wurmehl - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

Co2CrAl is predicted as a promising candidate for half-metallic ferromagnetism. Unfortunately, synthesis of the stoichiometric composition is a challenge as the samples prepared so far using various techniques suffer from formation of secondary phases and consequently anomalous physical properties. Off-stoichiometric compounds have been explored as a possible approach to avoid the secondary phase precipitation. The Co2Cr0.8Al1.2, Co2Cr0.6Al1.4 and Co2Cr0.4Al1.6 compositions were synthesized using Floating Zone (FZ) technique as they melt incongruently. The secondary phase fraction was reduced as Cr was partially substituted by Al. FZ-grown Co2Cr0.4Al1.6 was obtained as a single phase, signifying that the composition is out of the two-phase region. Furthermore, combining the data with an earlier work on annealing of spinodally decomposed samples, valuable insight into the extent of immiscibility was obtained.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-108
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of crystal growth
Volume498
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • A1. Off-stoichiometry, A1. Phase diagram, A1. Spinodal decomposition, A2. Floating zone technique, B2. Heusler compounds