Magnetoelectric characterization of xNi0.75Co0.25Fe2O4-(1−x)BiFeO3 nanocomposites

Magnetoelectric (ME) nanocomposites containing Ni_0.75Co_0.25Fe₂O₄-BiFeO₃ phases were prepared by citrate sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed phase formation of xNi_0.75Co_0.25Fe₂O₄-(1−x)BiFeO₃ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) composites on heating at 700 °C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of powders of nano order size and the crystal size was found to vary from 30 to 85 nm. Dispersion in dielectric constant (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ) in the low-frequency range have been observed. It is seen that nanocomposites exhibit strong magnetic properties and a large ME effect. On increasing Ni_0.75Co_0.25Fe₂O₄ contents in the nanocomposites, the saturation magnetization (M_S) and coercivity (H_C) increased after annealing at 700 °C. The large ME output in the nanocomposites exhibits strong dependence on magnetic bias and magnetic field frequency. The large value of ME output can be attributed to small grain size of ferrite phase of nanocomposite being prepared by citrate precursor process.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of the conductive Co(1−x)NixFe2O4/polyaniline microsphere composites

Core-shell Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄/polyaniline nanoparticles, where the core was Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄ and the shell was polyaniline, were prepared by the combination of sol-gel process and in-situ polymerization methods. Nanoparticles were investigated by Fourier transform spectrometer, X-ray diffraction diffractometer, Scanning electron microscope, Differential thermal analysis and Superconductor quantum interference device. The results showed that the saturation magnetization of pure Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were 57.57 emu/g, but Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄/polyaniline composites were 37.36 emu/g. It was attributed to the lower content (15 wt%), smaller size and their uneven distribution of Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in the final microsphere composites. Both Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄ and PANI/Co_(1−x)Ni_xFe₂O₄ showed superparamagnetism.     

Magnetic properties of xNi0.53Cu0.12Zn0.35Fe1.88O4+(1−x)BaTiO3 nanocomposites

The nanocrystalline Ni_0.53Cu_0.12Zn_0.35Fe_1.88O₄ and BaTiO₃ powders were prepared using Microwave-Hydrothermal (M-H) method at 160 °C/45 min. The as synthesized powders were characterized using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The size of the powders that were synthesized using M-H system was found to be ∼30 and ∼50 nm for ferrite phase and ferroelectric phases, respectively. The powders were densified using microwave sintering method at 900 °C/30 min. The ferrite and ferroelectric phases were observed from XRD and morphology of the composites was observed with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).The magnetic hysteresis loops were recorded using the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM).The frequency dependence of real (μ′) and imaginary (μ″) parts of permeability was measured in the range of 1 MHz-1.8 GHz. The permeability decreases with an increase of BaTiO₃ content at 1 MHz. The transition temperature (T_C) of ferrite was found to be 245 °C. The T_C of composite materials decreases with an increase in BaTiO₃ content.     

Magnetic and dielectric properties of Ni0.8Co0.1Cu0.1Fe2O4+PZT composites

Magnetoelectric composites of Ni_0.8Co_0.1Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄ and Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) were prepared by using conventional ceramic method. The measured values of saturation magnetization (M_s) and magnetic moments (μ_B) are in accordance with the volume fraction of ferrite content in the composite. The dielectric constant of the composites decreases with frequency. The plots of dielectric constant () against temperature (T) show a peak at their respective transition temperatures. The ME output was measured by varying dc bias magnetic field. A large ME output signal of 776 mV/cm was observed for 35% ferrite +65% ferroelectric composite. The magnetoelectric (ME) response is found to be dependent on the content of ferrite phase.     

Dielectric properties and magnetoelectric effect of (x)NiFe2O4+(1−x)Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 composites

Magnetoelectric composites of NiFe₂O₄ and Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ were prepared using conventional double-sintering ceramic method. The phase formation of magnetoelectric composites was confirmed by XRD technique. Variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent at room temperature with frequency in the range 100 Hz-1 MHz has been studied. Also the variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent with temperature and composition at fixed frequencies of 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 1 MHz is reported. The static value of the magnetoelectric conversion factor was measured as a function of intensity of the magnetic field. The ME voltage coefficient of about 430 μV/cm Oe was observed for 15% NiFe₂O₄+85% Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ composite. All the samples show linear variation of magnetoelectric conversion in the presence of static magnetic field.     

Study of magnetic properties and magnetoelectric effect in (x) Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4+(1−x)PZT composites

Magnetoelectric (ME) composites consisting of ferrite phase (x) Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄+ferroelectric phase (1−x)Pb Zr_0.8Ti_0.2O₃ (Lead Zirconate Titanate—PZT) in which x (mol%) varies between 0 and 1 (0.0≤x≤1.0) was synthesized by double sintering ceramic method. The presence of constituent phases of ferrite, ferroelectric and their composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The hysteresis measurement was used to study magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (M_S) and magnetic moment (μ_B). The existence of single domain (SD) particle in the ferrite phase and mixed (SD+MD) particle in the composites was studied from AC susceptibility measurements. ME voltage coefficient for each mol% of ferrite phase was measured as a function of applied DC magnetic field and at the same time influence of magnetic field on ME response and resistivity of composites was studied. The maximum ME voltage coefficient of 0.84 mV/cm Oe was observed for 15% of ferrite phase and 85% of ferroelectric phase in the composites.     

A study on magnetoelastic properties of Tb3 (Fe28−xCox) V1.0 (x=0, 3, 6) compounds

In this work, The magnetoelastic properties of polycrystalline samples of Tb₃ (Fe_28−xCo_x) V_1.0 (x=0, 3, 6) intermetallic compounds are investigated by means of linear thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements in the temperature range of 77–515 K under applied magnetic fields up to 1.5 T. The linear thermal expansion increases with the Co content. The well-defined anomalies observed in the linear thermal expansion coefficients for Tb₃ (Fe_28−xCo_x) V_1.0 (x=0, 3, 6) compounds are associated with the magnetic ordering temperature for x=0 and spin reorientation temperatures for x=3, 6. Below transition temperatures, the value of the longitudinal magnetostriction (λ_Pa) at 1.6 T increases with Co content.     

Antiferromagnetic phase transition in garnet-type AgCa2Co2V3O12 and AgCa2Ni2V3O12

Antiferromagnetic phase transition in two vanadium garnets AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂ and AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂ has been found and investigated extensively. The heat capacity exhibits sharp peak due to the antiferromagnetic order with the Néel temperature T_N=6.39 K for AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂ and 7.21 K for AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂, respectively. The magnetic susceptibilities exhibit broad maximum, and these T_N correspond to the inflection points of the magnetic susceptibility χ a little lower than T(χ_max). The magnetic entropy changes from zero to 20 K per mol Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions are 5.31 J K⁻¹ mol-Co²⁺-ion⁻¹ and 6.85 J K⁻¹ mol-Ni²⁺-ion⁻¹, indicating S=1/2 for Co²⁺ ion and S=1 for Ni²⁺ ion. The magnetic susceptibility of AgCa₂Ni₂V₃O₁₂ shows the Curie-Weiss behavior between 20 and 350 K with the effective magnetic moment μ_eff=3.23 μ_B Ni²⁺-ion⁻¹ and the Weiss constant θ=−16.4 K (antiferromagnetic sign). Nevertheless, the simple Curie-Weiss law cannot be applicable for AgCa₂Co₂V₃O₁₂. The complex temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility has been interpreted within the framework of Tanabe-Sugano energy diagram, which is analyzed on the basis of crystalline electric field. The ground state is the spin doublet state ²E(t₂⁶e) and the first excited state is spin quartet state ⁴T₁(t₂⁵e²) which locates extremely close to the ground state. The low spin state S=1/2 for Co²⁺ ion is verified experimentally at least below 20 K which is in agreement with the result of the heat capacity.     

Electrical properties and spin fluctuations studies of Y(Co1−xNix)2 compounds

Synthesis by arc melting, the structural and the electric properties of Y(Co_1−xNi_x)₂ alloys were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and four probe dc electrical measurements. XRD analysis (300 K) shows that all samples crystallize in a cubic MgCu₂-type structure. The lattice parameters linearly decrease with Ni content. Electrical resistivity for the Y(Co_1−xNi_x)₂ intermetallic series was measured in a temperature range of 15-1100 K. The parameters involved in the dependence of resistivity on temperature were determined. Residual, phonon and spin fluctuations resistivity were separated from electrical resistivity using both the Matthiesen formula and the Bloch-Gruneisen formula. The spin fluctuations resistivity of the Y(Co_1−xNi_x)₂ series are compared to the mean square amplitudes of spin fluctuations previously calculated by the Linear Muffin Tin Orbital-Tight Binding Approach method for these series in the literature. The contribution of spin fluctuations to total resistivity ρ_sf is proportional to T² at low temperatures. The proportionality parameter strongly reduces across the Y(Co_1−xNi_x)₂ series.     

Thermal, electrical, and electrochemical properties of Lanthanum-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5 Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ

Crystal structure, thermogravimetry (TG), thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), electrical conductivity and AC impedance of (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5)_1-xLa_xCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSLCF; 0.05?x?0.20) were studied in relation to their potential use as intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) cathode. A single cubic pervoskite was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The TEC of BSLCF was increasing slightly with the increasing content of La, and all the compounds showed abnormal expansion at high temperature. Proved by the TG result, it was associated with the loss of lattice oxygen. The electrical conductivity, which is the main defect of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5 Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF), was improved by La doping, e.g., the compound of x=0.20 demonstrated a conductivity of σ=376 S cm⁻¹ at 392 °C. The increase of electrical conductivity resulted from the increased concentration of charge carrier induced by La doping. In addition, the AC impedance revealed the better electrochemical performance of BSLCF. For example, at 500 °C, the sample with composition x=0.15 yielded the resistance values of 2.12 Ω cm², which was only 46% of BSCF.     

Magnetic properties of Ni-substituted BiFeO3

BiFe_1−xNi_xO₃ ceramic powders with x up to 0.10 have been prepared by the sol-gel technique. The band gap of BiFeO₃ is 2.23 eV, and decreases to 2.09 eV for BiFe_0.95Ni_0.05O₃ and BiFe_0.90Ni_0.10O₃. The Mössbauer spectra show sextet at room temperature, indicating the magnetic ordering and the presence of only Fe³⁺ ions. Superparamagnetism with blocking temperature of 31 K for BiFe_0.95Ni_0.05O₃ and 100 K for BiFe_0.90Ni_0.10O₃ was observed. Enhanced magnetization at room temperature have been observed (1.0 emu/g for BiFe_0.95Ni_0.05O₃ and 2.9 emu/g for BiFe_0.90Ni_0.10O₃ under magnetic field of 10,000 Oe), which is one order larger than that of BiFeO₃ (0.1 emu/g under magnetic field of 10,000 Oe). The enhanced magnetization was attributed to the suppression of the cycloidal spin structure by Ni³⁺ substitution and the ferrimagnetic interaction between Fe³⁺ and Ni³⁺ ions.     

Piezoelectric, dielectric and magnetic properties of (1-x)Pb[Zr, Ti, (Mg1/2W1/2), (Ni1/3Nb2/3)]O3+x(Ni, Co, Cu)FeO4 composites

The phase structure, microstructure, piezoelectric properties, dielectric characteristic and the ME effect of magnetoelectric Pb[Zr_0.23Ti_0.36+0.02(Mg_1/2W_1/2)+0.39(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)]O₃ (PZT)+xNi_0.8Co_0.1Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄ (NCCF) composite ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method. The structural analysis of both the constituent phases and their composites was carried out by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed cubic spinel structure for ferrite phase and tetragonal perovskite structure for ferroelectric phase. The piezoelectric constant, dielectric constant, Curie temperature, remanent polarization and coercive electric field decreased with increase of ferrite content. The coercive field strength, saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization increased with increasing ferrite content.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of Au-coated amorphous Fe20Ni80 nanoparticles

Gold-coated nanoparticles of Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ (permalloy) have been synthesized by a microemulsion process. The as-prepared samples consist of ∼5 nm diameter particles of amorphous Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ that are likely encapsulated in B₂O₃. One or more Fe₂₀Ni₈₀@B₂O₃ particles are subsequently encapsulated in 8-20 nm gold nanospheres, as determined by TEM and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) line broadening. The gold shells were found to be under expansive strain. Magnetic data confirm the existence of a superparamagnetic phase with a blocking temperature, T_B, of ∼33 K. The saturation magnetization, M_S, of the as-prepared, Au-coated sample is ∼65 emu g⁻¹ at 5 K and ∼16 emu g⁻¹ at 300 K. The coercivity, H_C, is ∼280 Oe at 5 K.     

Study of the [(Co45Fe45Zr10)x(Al2O3)100−x/a-Si:H]m multilayer nanostructure by polarized neutron reflectometry

Polarized neutron reflectometry was used to investigate the amorphous multilayer nanostructures [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x/a-Si:H]_m, whose magnetic properties are dependent on the concentration of the magnetic constituent (x=34, 47 and 60 at%) as well as on the thicknesses of the metal-dielectric (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x and semiconductor a-Si:H layers. The average magnetization of the individual magnetic layer is found to be inhomogeneous with the magnetically active central part and two magnetically dead parts at the interfaces.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Mg(In2−xMnx)O4 system

We synthesized the Mn-doped Mg(In_2−xMn_x)O₄ oxides with 0.03?x?0.55 using a solid-state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples were in a good agreement with that of a distorted orthorhombic spinel phase. Their lattice parameters and unit-cell volumes decrease with x due to the substitution of the smaller Mn³⁺ ions to the larger In³⁺ ions. The undoped MgIn₂O₄ oxide presents diamagnetic signals for 5 K?T?300 K. The M(H) at T=300 K reveals a fairly negative-sloped linear relationship. Neither magnetic hysteresis nor saturation behavior was observed in this parent sample. For the Mn-doped samples, however, positive magnetization were observed between 5 and 300 K even if the x value is as low as 0.03. The mass susceptibility enhances with Mn content and it reaches the highest value of 1.4×10⁻³ emu/g Oe (at T=300 K) at x=0.45. Furthermore, the Mn-doped oxides with x=0.06 and 0.2, respectively, exhibit nonlinear magnetization curves and small hysteretic loops in low magnetic fields. Susceptibilities of the Mn-doped samples are much higher than those of MnO₂, Mn₂O₃ oxides, and Mn metals. These results show that the oxides have potential to be magnetic semiconductors.     

Synthesis and characterization of room-temperature ferromagnetism in Fe- and Ni-co-doped In2O3

Observation of room-temperature ferromagnetism in Fe- and Ni-co-doped In₂O₃ samples (In_0.9Fe_0.1−xNi_x)₂O₃ (0?x?0.1) prepared by citric acid sol-gel auto-igniting method is reported. All of the samples with intermediate x values are ferromagnetic at room-temperature. The highest saturation magnetization (0.453 μ_B/Fe+Ni ions) moment is reached in the sample with x=0.04. The highest solubility of Fe and Ni ions in the In₂O₃ lattice is around 10 and 4 at%, respectively. The 10 at% Fe-doped sample is found to be weakly ferromagnetic, while the 10 at% Ni-doped sample is paramagnetic. Extensive structure including Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), magnetic and magneto-transport including Hall effects studies on the samples indicate the observed ferromagnetism is intrinsic rather than from the secondary impurity phases.     

Study of dielectric and magnetic properties of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3-Mn0.3Co0.6Zn0.4Fe1.7O4 composite

Results of detailed structural, dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric studies of (x)PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃-(1−x)Mn_0.3Co_0.6Zn_0.4Fe_1.7O₄ composites where x=65, 70, 75 and 80 are shown in this work. Manganese substituted cobalt ferrites are known to exhibit large strain derivative (dx/dH) and on the other hand substitution of Zn in pure cobalt ferrite is known to enhance its permeability μ and permittivity ε. The choice of ferrite as Mn, Zn simultaneously substituted cobalt ferrite (MCZFO) is made keeping in view that for good magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient the magnetostrictive constituent phase of the composite should have large strain derivative (dx/dH) along with large permittivity and permeability. It is shown here that although the dielectric transition temperature changes significantly with change in the mole ratio of the two component phases, magnetic transition temperature (much less compared to the bulk cobalt ferrite) is relatively non-responsive to the changing molar ratio of the two component phases. In the vicinity of the magnetic transition temperature we observed an anomaly in tan δ vs. T plots, which indicates a possible magnetoelectric coupling in the samples. Magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (α_E) has been measured using static magnetoelectric method. Highest magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (α_E=0.312 mV/cmOe) is obtained for sample 80:20 at H_DC=1000 Oe.     

The structure and magnetic properties of Zn1−xNixFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion

Zn_1−xNi_xFe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion and then annealed at 700 °C for 4 h. The results of differential thermal analysis indicate that the thermal decomposition temperature is about 210 °C and Ni–Zn ferrite nanoparticles could be synthesized in the self-propagating combustion process. The microstructure and magnetic properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and Vibrating sample magnetometer. It is observed that all the spherical nanoparticles with an average grain size of about 35 nm are of pure spinel cubic structure. The crystal lattice constant declines gradually with increasing x from 0.8435 nm (x=0.20) to 0.8352 nm (x=1.00). Different from the composition of Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ for the bulk, the maximum M_s is found in the composition of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ for nanoparticles. The H_c of samples is much larger than the bulk ferrites and increases with the enlarging x. The results of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ annealed at different temperatures indicate that the maximum M_s (83.2 emu/g) appears in the sample annealed at 900 °C. The H_c of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ firstly increases slightly as the grain size increases, and presents a maximum value of 115 Oe when the grains grow up to about 30 nm, and then declines rapidly with the grains further growing. The critical diameter (under the critical diameter, the grain is of single domain) of Zn_0.3Ni_0.7Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles is found to be about 30 nm.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Ca1−x−yMgxCu2+yO3 influenced by isoelectronic substitution x

Phases of the composition Ca_1−x−yMg_xCu_2+yO₃ have been prepared for the first time. The compounds are isostructural with the known end-members CaCu₂O₃ and MgCu₂O₃ showing a two-leg spin-ladder-like connection of copper and oxygen atoms within the Cu₂O₃-layer. Opposite the spin ladders this layer is folded, which results in a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering of these phases. The Néel temperature can be adapted by variation of x in Ca_1−x−yMg_xCu_2+yO₃ between 24 and 80 K. Several structural features, which influence the magnetic ordering, are discussed.     

Magnetoresistive properties of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4 ferrites

The magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of spinel-type Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0, 0.2 and 0.4) ferrites are extensively investigated in this study. A large negative magnetoresistance (MR) effect is observed in Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ ferrites of spinel structure. These materials are either ferrimagnetic or paramagnetic at room temperature, and show a spin-(cluster) glass transition at low temperatures, depending on the chemical compositions. The MR curves as a function of magnetic fields, MR(H), are parabolic at all temperatures for paramagnetic polycrystalline ZnFe₂O₄. The MR for ZnFe₂O₄ at 110 K in the presence of 9 T applied magnetic field is 30%. On the other hand, MR(H) are linear for x=0.2 and 0.4 ferrimagnetic Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ samples up to 9 T. The MR effect is independent of the sintering temperatures, and can be explained with the help of the spin-dependent scattering and the Yafet–Kittel angle of Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites.