We have synthesized a new quaternary borocarbide PrPd2B2C and measured its magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat. The compound crystallizes in the LuNi2B2C-type tetragonal structure (space group {\it I4/mmm}). Above 100 K the magnetic susceptibility follows Curie-Weiss behavior with effective moment μeff = 3.60 μB, which is very close to the value expected for Pr3+ ions. We do not find evidence for magnetic or superconducting transition down to 0.5 K. Specific heat exhibits a broad Schottky type anomaly with a peak at 24 K, very likely related to crystal electric field (CEF) excitation. The magnetic properties suggest the presence of a singlet CEF ground state leading to a Van-Vleck paramagnetic ground state.
@article{arxiv.0809.4245,
title = {Magnetic behaviour of PrPd2B2C},
author = {V. K. Anand and A. Chaudhuri and S. K. Dhar and C. Geibel and Z. Hossain},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0809.4245},
year = {2009}
}