Crystallographic analysis and thermoelectric studies of solid solutions ${\mathrm{Rh}}_{1\text{−}x}{\mathrm{Ir}}_x{\mathrm{Te}}_2$ $(0\le x\le 1)$ are reported. All compositions show layered structures belonging to the $P\overline{3}m1$ space group at room temperature. ${\mathrm{IrTe}}_2$ presents a first-order phase transition from the hexagonal to the triclinic lattice ($P\overline{1}$ space group), which is monitored by synchrotron radiation x-ray powder diffraction. In the cooling-down process the transition appears at 240 K while in the warming-up process it begins at 280 K, showing a remarkable hysteresis. All compositions show a strong metallic behavior with enhanced Pauli paramagnetism and two regimes in the electrical resistivity. These regimes are associated with electron-electron scattering (at low temperature $\rho \sim T^2$) and electron-phonon coupling (higher temperatures $\rho \sim T$). The Seebeck coefficient shows hole-type carriers for all the compounds.

• Received 9 August 2021
• Revised 20 February 2022
• Accepted 24 February 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.105.104104