Role of atomic environment in the magnetic and transport properties of amorphous Ce-Al alloys

We investigate the relationship between atomic structure and electronic properties in amorphous Ce-Al alloys. Structural analysis reveals that Ce 25 Al 75 exhibits predominantly Ce-Al nearest-neighbor interactions, while Ce 50 Al 50 shows a splitting Ce-Ce distribution, indicating the coexistence of two structural motifs. These distinct local atomic environments of Ce atoms strongly influence their electronic behavior. The electrical resistivity exhibits a –log T dependence characteristic of the Kondo effect, which is suppressed under applied magnetic fields. Notably, Ce 25 Al 75 displays a stronger negative magnetoresistance and magnetic field sensitivity than Ce 50 Al 50 , suggesting a more coherent Kondo scattering environment. Magnetic susceptibility χ ( T ) continues to increase at low temperatures under low fields, suggesting uncompensated magnetic moments or weakly hybridized Ce sites. Magnetization reveals partially localized f -electron states, with field-induced alignment hindered by structural disorder and hybridization variation. These phenomena are closely linked to the local atomic environment of Ce.