Flux growth of Yb(6.6)Ir(6)Sn(16) having mixed-valent ytterbium

The compound Yb6.6Ir6Sn16 was obtained as single crystals in high yield from the reaction of Yb with Ir and Sn run in excess indium. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that Yb6.6Ir6Sn16 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P42/nmc with a = b = 9.7105(7) Å and c = 13.7183(11) Å. The crystal structure is composed of a [Ir6Sn16] polyanionic network with cages in which the Yb atoms are embedded. The Yb sublattice features extensive vacancies on one crystallographic site. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on single crystals indicate Curie-Weiss law behavior <100 K with no magnetic ordering down to 2 K. The magnetic moment within the linear region (<100 K) is 3.21 μB/Yb, which is ∼70% of the expected value for a free Yb(3+) ion suggesting the presence of mixed-valent ytterbium atoms. X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy confirms that Yb6.6Ir6Sn16 exhibits mixed valence. Resistivity and heat capacity measurements for Yb6.6Ir6Sn16 indicate non-Fermi liquid metallic behavior.