Transition from Mixed-Valence to Trivalent Cerium State in Ce(Ni,Cu)Al Series

In this work we present the study of the part of Ce(Ni,Cu)Al series from the pure CeNiAl to 30% of copper concentration, which illustrates the transition from mixed-valence state of CeNiAl to the trivalent state in CeCuAl. The work is based on X-ray diffraction, magnetization and specific heat measurement. The results indicate smooth transition between the mixed-valence and trivalent cerium state. The specific-heat data reveal increase of the Sommerfeld γ coefficient with copper concentration.