A Ce2Pd2In single crystal was synthesized employing the Czochralski growth method from a stoichiometric melt. It was found to crystallize in the tetragonal MO2FeB2-type structure.
The investigation by means of X-ray diffraction, magnetization, specific heat, and electrical resistivity measurements revealed two successive magnetic phase transitions at around 4.5 and 4.1 K in the possibly slightly off-stoichiometric (Pd rich) crystal. Ferromagnetic ground state changes into the paramagnetic state through an intermediate antiferromagnetic phase.
The measured magnetization and specific heat data were discussed in the view of first principles calculations of crystal field for Ce2Pd2In. Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy confining Ce moments into the c-axis has rather high energy exceeding 5 meV.
Full ordered Ce-4f(1) moments 2.14 mu(B) do not indicate any Kondo-type interaction, no many body enhancement of the Sommerfeld coefficient can be deduced.