Yb14ZnSb11: charge balance in zintl compounds as a route to intermediate Yb valence
The results of thermodynamic, transport, and x-ray diffraction measurements of single crystals of the new compound Yb14ZnSb11 are presented. These data indicate an intermediate Yb valence scenario, with a spin fluctuation temperature of approximately 85 K. The compound is weakly metallic and is isostructural with the charge-balanced Zintl compound Yb14AlSb11. The intermediate Yb valence can be qualitatively accounted for by considering the charge counting arguments of the nonmetallic parent, and charge balance in Zintl-related materials appears to be a viable route to designing other compounds with intermediate valence constituents.
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