  We present a detailed study on magnetic, thermodynamic and transport
properties of polycrystalline RAgAl3(R = Ce and Pr) compounds. Both compounds
crystallize in orthorhombic structure, which is distorted from the tetragonal
BaAl4 structure with the space group Cmcm. Heat capacity measurement indicates
the bulk magnetic ordering of the compounds. CeAgAl3 and PrAgAl3 order
ferromagnetically at TC = 3.8 K and 5.8 K, respectively as it was confirmed
from magnetic measurements. CeAgAl3 exhibits heavy Fermion behaviour. The
Schottky behaviour in heat capacity data was observed in both compounds. The
crystalline electric field (CEF) analysis of the magnetic parts of heat
capacity of CeAgAl3 and PrAgAl3 yielded to a CEF level scheme with three
doublets and nine singlets and with an overall splitting of 51 K and 180 K,
respectively. Fit yielded a magnetic doublet state for CeAgAl3, whereas for
PrAgAl3 a pseudo-doublet ground-state with an energy difference of 15 K has
been obtained. The resistivity measurements display a low temperature drop at
the magnetic ordering temperature of the compounds. Negative magnetoresistance
(MR) due to the ferromagnetic ordering has been observed for both Ce and Pr
compounds.
