X-ray phase and structural studies of Ce–Zn–Ga alloys

The phase composition of cast and annealed Ce–Zn–Ga alloys in the area up to 33.3 at.% Ce at a temperature of 400 °C was studied using X‑ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The existence of two solid solutions based on the binary compounds CeZn₂ and CeGa₂, and three ternary phases with the Ce₅Zn₂Ga₁₇, CeZnGa₄, and CeZn₂Ga₂ composition were confirmed. Additionally, seven new phases were synthesized for the first time, with the crystal structures of three fully determined. The CeZn_3.5Ga_0.5 phase crystallizes in the LaZn₄ structure type (space group Cmcm), the Ce₇Zn₂₀Ga₃ compound is isostructural to Ce₇Zn₂₁Si₂ (space group Pbam), and the Ce₃Zn₃₂Ga₄ phase completes the series of structures derived from the Th₂Ni₁₇ type (space group P63/mmc).