Magnetic and thermodynamic properties of $Nd2Ni2Pb$

We report magnetic and thermodynamic measurements for $Nd2Ni2Pb$⁠, one of the recently discovered $R2Ni2Pb$ family of layered intermetallics. A specific heat jump at 19 K corresponds to an antiferromagnetic transition involving crystal-field-split Nd levels. Magnetization measurements show this phase to have a canted structure, with a metamagnetic transition to an aligned phase occurring in $H=3T$ at low temperatures. The single antiferromagnetic phase stands in contrast to the more complex magnetic structures and multiple transitions in the heavy-rare-earth members of this family.