The "intermetallic compounds and hybrid materials" group studies the properties and crystallo-chemistry of two families of bulk solids: intermetallics and MOF-type (Metal-organic frameworks) hybrids.

The intermetallics studied by the group associate metallic elements with metalloids and can contain up to two magnetogenic elements (a metal from the 1st transition series and/or a lanthanide). They are the seat of physical phenomena that are interesting from the fundamental (quantum criticality, intermediate valence, frustrated magnetism, etc.) and applied (magnetocaloric materials, permanent magnets, sensors, etc.) points of view.

The work on hybrid materials concerns crystalline solids in which low-dimensional mineral entities (sheets, chains, etc.) are linked together by organic molecules with dicarboxylate groups. The MOFs studied by the group contain at least one magnetic cation (3d or 4f). Our research especially aims to develop multifunctional systems where the magnetic properties are in synergy with other physical properties such as, for example, systems with magneto-optical properties.

The two families of materials studied are very disparate from a crystallo-chemical point of view, and require various means of synthesis ranging from soft chemistry for hybrids to high-temperature metallurgy for intermetallics. However, they are studied using common and shared tools, in particular: X -ray and neutron diffraction, and Mössbauer spectrometry, along with magnetic measurements (AC and DC) and measurements of specific heat.

Currently the group is working on transversal topics to apply to these two families, including: Quantum criticality, Magnetocaloric effect, and Frustrated magnetism.

These materials are studied in collaboration with other teams from the laboratory: Surfaces and Spectroscopies; Materials with Themoelectric Properties and through national and international projects.

Part of the research is carried out using large instruments:

• Powder Neutron Diffraction in the Institut Laue Langevin
• Neutron Diffraction on a single crystal in the Paul Scherrer Institute
• XANES and XMCD under pressure and X-ray diffraction at the SOLEIL Synchrotron