Magnetic order in Pr2Pd3Ge5 and possible heavy fermion behavior in Pr2Rh3Ge5

Abstract

We report our results on two new ternary intermetallic compounds Pr$_{2}$Pd$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$ and Pr$_{2}$Rh$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$ based on magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat, resistivity and magnetoresistance data. These compounds form in U$_{2}$Co$_{3}$Si$_{5}$-type orthorhombic structure (space group \textit{Ibam}). Pr$_{2}$Pd$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$ exhibits two magnetic transitions at T$_{N1}$ = 7.5 K and T$_{N2}$ = 8.3 K. In the magnetically ordered state Pr$_{2}$Pd$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$ exhibits a field induced metamagnetic transition and unusually large magnetoresistance. Pr$_{2}$Rh$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$ does not show any phase transition down to 0.5 K. It has a CEF singlet ground state, separated from the first excited state by about 10 K. The low lying crystal field excitations lead to exciton mediated electronic mass enhancement as evidenced by large Sommerfeld coefficient ($\gamma$ $\sim$ 80 mJ/mol K$^2$) in Pr$_{2}$Rh$_{3}$Ge$_{5}$.