Crystal structure and physical properties of (Ti,Sc)NiSn and (Zr,Sc)NiSn solid solutions

Crystal structure, electrotransport and magnetic properties for Ti 1− x Sc x NiSn and Zr 1− y Sc y NiSn solid solutions were studied. Stability ranges of the limited solubility for these phases were established. All alloys of these solid solutions crystallize with the MgAgAs structure type. A gradual semiconductor–semimetal transition was observed in the resistivity when increasing the Sc content for these substitutional series of alloys. The samples with small Sc content have quite a high positive thermopower value at elevated temperatures. The room temperature magnetic susceptibility of the (Ti,Sc)NiSn solid solution samples shows enhanced paramagnetism, while the (Zr,Sc)NiSn ones are characterized by weak Pauli paramagnetism.