Synthesis and Characterization of NdCd₃P₃ and PrCd₃P₃

Geometrically frustrated magnetic systems frequently feature triangular or hexagonal arrangements of magnetic ions with competing magnetic interactions, which can give rise to exotic magnetic ground states. There are several material systems with these triangular/hexagonal structural motifs that have been studied extensively, but one material system that has remains underexplored is the phosphide family LnCd3P3, possessing well-separated Ln3+ ions set in a triangular lattice, which makes this system another avenue to study frustrated magnetism and the resulting exotic magnetic ground states. Previously, the properties of the LaCd₃P₃ and CeCd₃P₃ have been examined in detail, and the crystal structure of PrCd₃P₃ has been studied with X-Ray Diffraction. In this work, we first introduce a new method for synthesizing high quality polycrystalline samples of these LnCd₃P₃ compounds. We then expand the phase space by introducing NdCd_3­P₃. Finally, we present the data from resistivity, heat capacity, and magnetization measurements of polycrystalline samples of NdCd₃P₃ and PrCd₃P₃.