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Abstract:
A fast procedure to produce Lal by reduction of Lal(2) or Lal(3) in a
Na melt under argon at 550 degrees C is given. The structural studies
performed by means of powder X-ray diffraction as well as transmission
electron microscopy are consistent with previous single-crystal
results. Measurements of the electrical resistance on polycrystalline
samples reveal metallic behavior for Lal in the range 10-300 K. Upon
cooling, a small maximum in the resistivity has been observed at 67 K.
This anomaly disappears upon heating a sample, however, yielding a
hysteresis in rho(T) above 70 K. From the Pauli susceptibility, an
electron density of states at the Fermi level of about 0.3
eV(-1.)formula unit(-1) has been estimated, as compared with a value of
1.0 eV(-1.)formula unit(-1) derived from ab initio LMTO band structure
calculations.
