Intermediate valence behaviour of the ternary Cerium–Nickel–Phosphide, Ce2Ni12P7

The crystal structure of Ce2Ni12P7 (Zr2Fe12P7 type) was determined from X-ray powder diffraction data: full profile refinement, hexagonal unit cell, space group P 6 ¯ , a = 9.1008 ( 4 ) Å , c = 3.7362 ( 1 ) Å , R B = 0.026 , R p = 0.055 . The results of the magnetic and electrical resistivity measurements indicate a strong f–d hybridization of the 4f electrons of the cerium atom. Analysis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy experiments proved these findings, and the Ce valence in this compound was derived as υ = 3.23 – 3.21 at 10 K and room temperature, respectively.