Abstract:
The relation between structure and properties in RE based intermetallic
compounds has been crucial to design materials for particular applications.1-2 Several
physical phenomena in the field of condensed matter physics such as superconductivity,3
Kondo behavior,4 heavy fermion, non-Fermi liquid behavior4 and topological insulator5
are well correlated with the structure of these compounds. These anomalous physical
properties mostly originate from the interactions between the localized 4f (or 5f) electrons
of the RE atoms and the delocalized conduction electrons.6-9 These interactions can be
controlled by various parameters such as doping,10 substitution of atoms,11 by applying
external pressure and/or temperature,12 and magnetic field,13 which may give rise to
diverse crystal structures, phase transitions and properties. In this context, AlB2 structure
drew attention of both chemists and condensed matter physicist since last two decades.
The compound consists of planar hexagonal network of boron atoms and the aluminium
atoms are embedded between adjacent parallel boron networks.14
