CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
As man evolve, the need for cleaner and sustainable source of energy increases. To achieve
this, one must first understand material characterization. In the area of material science different
materials are used for different purposes. Hence, the need to characterize materials according
to their chemical, mechanical, structural, thermal properties etc. Due to the techniques
available, the study of materials in order to classify them for technological application has
become easier. Materials must first undergo characterization before they can be properly
utilized. For the purpose of this work RhMnP, RhFeGe, RhFeSn which are Rhodium based half
Heusler compounds would be studied with reference to their structural, magnetic and electronic
properties.
1.0 Background of the study
Material science is an interdisciplinary field involving the properties of materials and its
applications to various areas of science and engineering. It includes elements of applied
physics and chemistry, as well as chemical, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering.
With significant media attention to nanoscience and nanotechnology in the recent years,
materials science has been propelled to the forefront at many universities, sometimes
controversially.
In materials science, rather than haphazardly looking for and discovering materials and
exploiting their properties, one instead aims to understand materials fundamentally so that
new materials with the desired properties can be created.
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The basis of all materials science involves relating the desired properties and relative
performance of a material in a certain application to the structure of the atoms and phases
in that material through characterization
1.1 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The aim of this study is to investigate the magnetic, electronic and structural properties of
RhYZ (Y = Mn, Fe; Z = P, Ge and Sn) half Heusler alloys.
The basic objective of investigating the Heusler alloy RhMnP, RhFeGe and RhFeSn are
as follow;
1 To know the magnetic and structural properties of the half Heusler alloy RhMnP,
RhFeGe, and RhFeSn (XYZ)
2 To give the adequate scientific information on the Heusler alloy RhMnP, ReFeGe
and RhFeSn.
3 To know the various applications of the Heusler alloy RhMnP, RhFeGe and RhFeSn.
1.2 RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
To understand the properties of RhMnP, RhFeGe, RhFeSn half Heusler alloys and predict
their possible application from first principles.
1.3 SCOPE OF STUDY
To investigate the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of RhMnP, RhFeGe and
RhFeSn half heusler alloy for the possibility of a robust and stable half metallic behavior
