Magnetic behavior of Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂, a layered compound with distorted kagomé net

The magnetic behavior of the compound, Gd₃Ru₄Al₁₂, which was reported about two decades ago to crystallize in a hexagonal structure (space group P6₃/mmc), has not been investigated in the past literature despite interesting structural features (that is, magnetic layers and triangular as well as kagomé-lattice features favoring frustrated magnetism) characterizing this compound. We report here the results of studies of magnetization, heat capacity and magnetoresistance in the temperature range T  =  1.8-300 K. The results establish that there is a long-range magnetic order of antiferromagnetic type below (T _N  =) 18.5 K, despite a much larger value (~80 K) of paramagnetic Curie temperature with a positive sign characteristic of ferromagnetic interaction. We attribute this to geometric frustration. The most interesting finding is that there is an additional magnetic anomaly below ~55 K before the onset of long-range order in the magnetic susceptibility data. Concurrent with this observation, the sign of isothermal change in entropy, ΔS  =  S(0)  -  S(H), where H is the externally applied magnetic field, remains positive above T _N, with a broad peak. This observation indicates the presence of ferromagnetic clusters before the onset of long-range magnetic order. Thus, this compound may serve as an example of a situation in which magnetic frustration due to geometrical reasons faces competition from such magnetic precursor effects. There is also a reversal of the sign of  -ΔS in the curves for lower final fields (H  <  30 kOe) on entering the magnetically ordered state consistent with the entrance to an antiferromagetic state. The magnetoresistance behavior is consistent with the above conclusions.