CePd2Ga3 and CePd2Zn3 – Kondo lattices and magnetic behaviour

We report the single crystal properties of CePd2Zn3 and CePd2Ga3 compounds. The compounds were prepared by Bridgman method in high-frequency induction furnace. Both compounds adopt the hexagonal PrNi2Al3-type structure with a = 5.3914(2) A, c = 4.3012(2) A for CePd2Zn3 and a = 5.4106(8) A, c = 4.2671(8) A for CePd2Ga3, respectively. CePd2Zn3 orders antiferromagnetically below T N = 1.9 K. Magnetoresistance measurements revealed a crossover at B c = 0.95 T. CePd2Ga3 orders ferromagnetically at T C = 6.7 K. Applied hydrostatic pressure reduces the value of the Curie-temperature (rate ∂ T C / ∂ p = 0.9 K GPa − 1 ) down to 3.9 K at 3.2 GPa. Both compounds display a strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy with easy axis of magnetization perpendicular to the c-axis in the hexagonal lattice.