Structure and properties of a novel boride (V0.92Fe0.08)2FeB2 with partially ordered U3Si2-type

X-ray single-crystal structure analysis was performed for the novel compound V1.84Fe1.16B2 ≡ (V1-xFex)2FeB2 at x = 0.08 (P4/mbm; a = 0.555931(9) nm, c = 0.306781(5) nm; U3Si2-type). Consequently, structural identity is obvious between (V0.92Fe0.08)2FeB2 and the precipitates V∼2Fe∼1B2 earlier identified in the UGISTAB215XH permanent magnet. Magnetic and 57Fe Mossbauer studies of (V0.92Fe0.08)2FeB2 reveal a magnetically ordered ground state with Tc∼110 K. Mossbauer spectra point towards a ferrimagnetic spin arrangement. Enthalpy of formations (DFT calculations) for (Fe,V), VB, V3B2, and the hypothetical solution V3-xFexB2 (x Calculation of the electron localization function elf yielded a very high value (ϒ ∼0.75) between boron atoms documenting strong covalent bonding. The Young's modulus E (from nano-indentation) for V1.84Fe1.16B2 is 442 GPa. The higher anisotropy in the ternary boride V2FeB2 is concluded from the significantly higher difference between C11 and C33 in V2FeB2 (192.1 GPa) with respect to V3B2 (117.0 GPa).