Synthesis of ternary phases in the C-Mg-Ni system by combustion

By applying the combustion synthesis technique on stoichiometric elemental powder compacts and subsequent suitable isothermal annealing treatements, the following three crystalline compounds were prepared: MgxCyNi3, MgNi2(C), Mg2Ni(C). The samples were analyzed by means of X-ray and synchrotron powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, coupled with electronic microprobe analyses. Their electric and magnetic properties were investigated between 1.5 and 300 K.