LAUSR

The superconducting phase transition at $$T_\mathrm{c} = 2.3$$Tc=2.3 K was observed for the electrical resistivity $$\rho ({T})$$ρ(T) and magnetic susceptibility $$\chi (T)$$χ(T) measurements in the ternary compound La$$_{5}\hbox {Ni}_{2}\hbox {Si}_{3}$$5Ni2Si3 that crystallizes in the hexagonal-type structure. Although a single-phase character with the nominal stoichiometry of the synthesized sample was confirmed, a small trace of the La–Ni phase was found, being probably responsible for the superconducting behaviour in the investigated compound. The magnetization loop recorded at $${T} = 0.5$$T=0.5 K resembles a star-like shape which indicates that the density of the critical current can be strongly suppressed by a magnetic field. The low-$$T _{\rho }(T)$$Tρ(T) and specific heat $${C}_\mathrm{p}({T})$$Cp(T) data in the normal state reveal simple metallic behaviour. No clear evidence of a phase transition to any long- or short-range order was found for $$C_\mathrm{p}(T)$$Cp(T) measurements in the T-range of 0.4–300 K.