Competing magnetic interactions in the orthorhombic GdNiAl3

Magnetization and heat capacity measurements of ternary rare earth intermetallic compound GdNiAl3 demonstrate para to ferromagnetic transition at Tc=165.5K. In addition multiple short range magnetic transitions observed below Tc are suggestive of competing interactions in this compound. As a result of this a weak Griffiths phase type behaviour is observed in the paramagnetic region. This complex behaviour is rather supported by the random orientation of Ni centered tricapped trigonal prisms with additional Al atoms in the structure. Heat capacity and resistivity data display an interesting peak at 72 K, which is highly unaffected by magnetic fields up to 90KOe.