Magnetism influenced by structural disorder in melt-spun DyMn6 − x Ge6 − x Fe x Al x (x = 2.5, 3)

Different chemical and/or geometrical orders were found in melt-spun DyMn_6???x Ge_6???x Fe _x Al _x with x = 2.5 and 3 having fully amorphous and mixed (crystalline and amorphous) structure, respectively. Thermal variations in magnetization M from liquid helium up to room temperature for both samples are similar. Magnetization value at zero field cooled curve reaches about 0.1 μ_B per formula unit at 2 K and then increases. Two maxima are visible, the first at 50 K (a sharp effect) and the second very broad ranging from 150 to 200 K. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry investigation revealed a remaining magnetic component in addition to a prevailing quadrupolar feature. Application of a weak external magnetic field causes an increase in the mean hyperfine magnetic field B _hyp and the volume fraction of magnetic component. This observation was confirmed by results of M(T), M(H) and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements. In short-range ordered crystallographic zones characteristic of melt-spun DyMn_6???x Ge_6???x Fe _x Al _x (x = 2.5, 3) alloys, the related magnetic ordering, called the mictomagnetism or the cluster spin glass appears.     

Negative differential conductance in nano-scale normal metal/superconductor/normal metal junctions featuring Fe1 + y Te1 − x Se x

Iron-based superconductors have been the subject of intensive study due to their high transition temperature and intriguing physical mechanisms. We describe a unique experimental approach to fabricate nano-scale normal metal/superconductor/normal metal junctions involving microcrystals of Fe₁ ?₊?_y Te₁ ?_??_x Se _x , for which we have observed a distinct phenomenon of negative differential conductance (NDC) dips along with multiple plateau features in differential conductance spectra. The evolution of the NDC dips and the plateau features is further explored as a function of both temperature and magnetic field, and their physical origin is discussed.     

57Fe Mössbauer study of La0.67Ca0.33Mn1 − x Fe x O3 CMR system

The structural changes of near-equiatomic α-FeCr alloys, ground in a vibratory mill in vacuum and in argon, were followed as a function of milling time. An amorphous phase forms in both cases but at a much faster rate when milling in argon than when milling in vacuum. Amorphisation by ball-milling of α-FeCr alloys is deduced to be an intrinsic phenomenon which is however speeded-up by oxygen. The amorphous phase crystallizes into a bcc Cr-rich phase and a bcc Fe-rich phase when annealed for short times.     

Physicochemical properties of LiAl x Mn2 − x O4 and LiAl0.05Mn1.95O4 − y F y cathode material by the citric acid-assisted sol–gel method

LiAl _x Mn_2 − x O₄ and LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_4 − y F _y spinel have been successfully synthesized by citric acid-assisted sol–gel method. The structure and physicochemical properties of this as-prepared powder were investigated by electronic conductivity test, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge test in detail. The electronic conductivity decreases with increasing of the content of doped Al. XRD patterns show that the diffraction of LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_4 − y F _y samples is similar, with all the peaks indexable in the Fd3m space group, and a little impurity appears in the LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_3.8F_0.2 sample. SEM reveals that all LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_4 − y F _y powders have the uniform, nearly cubic structure morphology with narrow size distribution which is less than 500 nm. Galvanostatic charge–discharge test indicates that LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O₄ has the highest discharge capacity and electrochemical performance among all LiAl _x Mn_2 − x O₄ samples after 50 cycles, and the initial discharge capacity of LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_4 − y F _y (y = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1) is 123.9, 124.6, 124.9, and 125.0 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, and their capacity retention ratios are 94.2%, 94.9%, 91.7%, and 89.9% after 50 cycles, respectively. EIS indicates that LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O_3.98F_0.02 have smaller charge transfer resistance than that of LiAl_0.05Mn_1.95O₄ corresponding to the extraction of Li⁺ ions.     

Critical behaviour of Ho 2 Fe 17 − x Mn x —magnetisation and Mössbauer spectroscopy

The magnetic properties of Ho₂Fe_17???xMn_x compounds (x = 0–2) of ferromagnetic ordering temperatures up to T_C ~344 K have been investigated by DC magnetization and Mössbauer effect measurements. The nature of the magnetic phase transitions and the critical behaviour around T_C has been investigated by analysis of the magnetisation data and the critical exponents β, γ and δ determined. The critical exponents are found to be similar to the theoretical values of the mean-field model for which β?=?0.5 and γ?=?1.0, indicating the existence of a long-range ferromagnetic interactions. The isothermal entropy changes ΔS around T_C have been determined as a function of temperature in different magnetic fields.     

Magnetic properties of U (Fe x Al1−x )2 and U(Fe y Ni1−y )2 compounds

The results of magnetic measurements and ferromagnetic resonance studies performed on U(Fe _x Al_1–x )₂ and U(Fe _y Ni_1–y )₂ compounds over a large temperature range are reported. The saturation magnetization decreases nearly linearly when substituting Fe by Al or Ni. In the composition range x<0.84 and y<0.81, the compounds are Pauli paramagnets, except in the region with y0.10. For UNi₂ two types of magnetic behaviours are shown. This compound can be both a ferromagnet withT _c =23.5 K and a Pauli paramagnet, depending on the crystal structure. Above the Curie temperatures, the reciprocal susceptibility for the compounds with x>0.84 and y>0.81 obeys a temperature dependence of the formX=X _o+C(T-) ^–1. The effective iron moments decrease when substituting iron by nickel or aluminium. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements show that theg values are not composition-dependent. A linear variation of the mean iron magnetization with the exchange field is observed. Finally, the magnetic behaviour of iron in these compounds is analysed.     

Morphology and magnetic properties of Fe x Co1−x /Co y Fe3−y O4 nanocomposites prepared by surfactants-assisted-hydrothermal process

Recently, we have demonstrated the successful synthesis of Fe _x Co_1−x /Co _y Fe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites with various alkaline solutions by using surfactants-assisted-hydrothermal (SAH) process. In this article, the synthesis of Fe _x Co_1−x /Co_yFe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites with their sizes varying between 20 nm and 2 μm was reported. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that the surfactants, pH, precipitator, and temperature of the system play important roles in the nucleation and growth processes. The magnetic properties tested by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature exhibit ferromagnetic behavior of the nanocomposites. These Fe _x Co_1−x /Co _y Fe_3−y O₄ nanocomposites may have a potential application as magnetic carriers for drug targeting because of their excellent soft-magnetic properties.     

Mössbauer study on Zn1 − x Fe x O semiconductors prepared by high energy ball milling

We present the preparation of massive Zn_1???x Fe _x O ternary oxides using the mechanical mill. The Fe atom is a particular dopant since it presents two different oxidation states which allow us to vary the starting materials: Fe₂O₃, $\upalpha $ -Fe or FeO. Parameters such as initial concentrations, atmosphere and milling times were varied. X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry (MS) were applied in order to analyze the structure evolution and iron incorporation in the wurtzite crystalline structure with milling time. At final stages, Fe atoms seem to be incorporated in the ZnO structure for those samples milled under Ar atmosphere. In all cases, two paramagnetic components, attributed to Fe atoms in both valence states, were observed by MS.     

Structural characterization and magnetic properties of NiMg3x/2Cr0.9Fe1.1 − x O4

Magnesium-substituted nickel–chrome ferrites have been studied using X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. A single cubic spinel phase was obtained in the range 0.0?≤?x?≤?0.4. The lattice parameter was found to decrease with the increase of Mg concentration. The Mössbauer spectra measured at 295 and 78 K of all samples showed magnetic patterns interpreted in term of the tetrahedral and octahedral sites occupancies. The magnetic hyperfine field of both sites decrease with the increase of the Mg concentration. The magnetic properties as a function of the Mg concentration have been explained on the basis of the cation distribution among the two crystallographic sites driven from the Mössbauer measurements.     

Mössbauer Study of La1−x Ca x Mn1−y 57Fe y O3 with x=0,0.25; y=0.01

Temperature dependent Mössbauer measurements are done on the samples of La_1–x Ca _x Mn_1–y ⁵⁷Fe _y O₃ with x=0 and 0.25, and y=0.01. With decreasing temperature, the specimen with x=0.25 shows a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition around 175 K. In the specimen x=0.0, the temperature dependence of both the center shift () and the recoilless fraction (f) can be fitted very well with the Debye theory with a _D=320±50 K. But for the specimens with x=0.25, f and show distinct deviations from the Debye behavior in the temperature range in which the resistivity shows a sharp decrease. Dips observed in both the f and around the transition temperature suggest that the Jahn–Teller distortion observed in these systems is dynamic in nature.     

Structural and magnetic study of bulk glassy Fe72 − x Co x B20Si4Nb4 alloys

The influence of the partial replacement of Fe by Co on the structural and magnetic properties of bulk-type glassy Fe_72???x Co _x B₂₀Si₄Nb₄ (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35) alloys has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Results show that the successive Co addition: (1) does not affect the mass density of the studied alloys, (2) affects appreciably the super cooled region, (3) modifies the magnetic properties, exhibiting soft magnetic behavior, (4) modifies the spin texture and disorder within the studied specimens.     

Mössbauer studies of GdFe2 − x Hf x alloys

GdFe_2???x Hf _x alloys, where x?=?0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.30, are produced by arc-melting of pure elements. The samples are investigated by x-ray diffraction and Fe⁵⁷ Mössbauer spectroscopy at 78 K and 300 K. We find that the alloy system GdFe_2???x Hf _x have the single phase cubic Cu₂Mg type structure in the whole concentration range. Mössbauer spectroscopic results show that all the samples studied are magnetically ordered at 78 K, and at room temperature. The room temperature spectra are fitted with two magnetic components where the direction of magnetization is along the [111] while the spectra at 78 K are fitted with four magnetic subspectra indicating a complex direction of magnetization for all samples under investigation. The average magnetic hyperfine field and the average isomer shift are found to decrease almost linearly with increasing the Hf concentration at 78 K and 300 K due to the replacement of Fe by nonmagnetic Hf.     

Local atomic arrangement in mechanosynthesized Co x Fe1−x−y Ni y alloys studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Mechanosynthesized Co _x Fe_1?x?y Ni _y alloys were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. In order to explain the shape of hyperfine magnetic field (HMF) distributions for the alloys, a local environment model based on a multinomial distribution was proposed. The model was in agreement with the XRD data and confirmed that the studied alloys were disordered solid solutions. It was successfully applied to describe the samples with bcc and fcc crystalline lattice type within the relatively broad range of components concentration. The results showed that the change of the crystalline lattice type does not cause an abrupt change of the HMF value. Moreover, a mean number of unpaired spins for the first coordination sphere may be used as a parameter to describe the HMF value experienced by ⁵⁷Fe nucleus. Finally, a set of the most probable atomic configurations and their corresponding contributions to the HMF distribution were obtained.     

The chemical stability and conductivity improvement of protonic conductor BaCe0.8 − x Zr x Y0.2O3 − δ

A series of BaCe_0.8???x Zr _x Y_0.2O_3???δ (BCZYx) (x?=?0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) powders were prepared by EDTA–citrate complexing sol–gel process in this paper. The electrical conducting behavior, as well as chemical stability, was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that all samples are homogenous perovskite phases. Observed from XRD patterns and thermogravimetric curves, the samples with x?≥?0.4 survive in the pure CO₂, while samples with various Zr contents all present structurally stable against steam at 800 °C. The Zr-free sample of BaCe_0.8Y_0.2O_3???δ possesses the maximum bulk conductivity, 4.25?×?10^?2 S/cm, but decomposes into Ba(OH)₂ and Ce_0.8Y_0.2O_3???δ in steam. A negative influence of increasing Zr content on the conductivity of BCZYx can be observed by impedance tests. Considering the effect of temperature on the bulk conductivity, BCZY0.4 is preferred to be applied in SOFC as a protonic conductor, ranging from 1.52?×?10^?4 to 1.51?×?10^?3 S/cm (500–850 °C) with E _a?=?0.859 eV, which is proved to be a good protonic conductor with t _H+?≥?0.9.     

Ferromagnetic resonance study of Y3−z Ca z Fe5−x−y Co x Ge y O12 films

Conclusions It has been found that the character of the magnetic anisotropy changes markedly when the Co + Ge YIG films are doped with calcium. For the induced uniaxial and in-plane anisotropy we observe an increasing departure from the predictions based on the two-parameter model and for the cubic anisotropy the constantK ₁ becomes dependent on the growth direction. As a source for the latter effect the octahedral or tetrahedral preference of Co ions depending on the growth direction may be considered. The measured linewidth proportional to frequency indicates the presence of a relaxation mechanism which is, probably, connected with octahedral Co³⁺ ions.The authors express their thanks to Dr. P. Görnert and M. Neviva for preparation of the LPE films and to Dr. P. Novák for valuable discussions.Dedicated to Jan Kaczér DrSc on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

Magnetic Parameters of Hg1–x Mn x Se1–y S y and Hg1–x Mn x Te1–y S y Crystals

The magnetic susceptibility of Hg_1–x Mn _x Se_1–y S _y and Hg_1–x Mn _x Te_1–y S _y crystals is investigated by the Faraday method at H = 3 kOe in the temperature interval T = 77–300 K. It is established that the specific features of are due to Mn–S–Mn–S, Mn–Se–Mn–Se, and Mn–Te–Mn–Te clusters and mixed Mn–Se–Mn–S and Mn–Te–Mn–S clusters of different sizes in which the indirect exchange antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn atoms is realized through chalcogen atoms. Based on the dependences 1/_Mn = f(T), the magnetic parameters are determined and their dependences on the crystal composition (x and y) are established.     

Elastic constants and mechanical stability of InxAl1 − xAsySb1 − y lattice-matched to different substrates

Based on a pseudopotential approach under the virtual crystal approximation, the elastic modulus of In_xAl_1???xAs_ySb_1???y quaternaries lattice-matched to InP, GaSb and InAs substrates has been investigated. Our findings show a reasonably good accord with experiment. The dependence of the elastic features of interest on the indium concentration x shows a monotonic behaviour when In_xAl_1???xAs_ySb_1???y is lattice-matched to InP substrate. In that case, the elastic constants have larger values and the material system of interest becomes less harder and its rigidity becomes weaker. The mechanical stability criteria is verified in terms of elastic constants and shows that In_xAl_1???xAs_ySb_1???y is mechanically stable for each x and substrate being considered here. The change in indium content x and the substrate is found to have no much effect on both the Poisson ratio and machinability. The present study showed that a proper choice of the indium composition x and substrate may provide more diverse opportunities as regards the elastic modulus of In_xAl_1???xAs_ySb_1???y.     

Heat treatment effects on spinel phase of Zn x Ni1 − x Fe2O4 and MnFe2O4 nanoferrites

We report the effects of heat treatment on Zn _x Ni_1???x Fe₂O₄ (x?= 0, 0.5 and 1.0) and MnFe₂O₄ ferrite nanoparticles. The as-prepared compounds were sintered from 400°C to 1100°C. Pure ZnFe₂O₄ (x?= 1.0) and MnFe₂O₄ could be obtained under low reaction temperature of 200°C. NiFe₂O₄ (x?= 0) and Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ (x?= 0.5) nanoferrites crystallized with single phase cubic spinel structure after annealing at 600°C. The single phase cubic spinel structure of these compounds was destroyed after annealing at temperature above 700°C. The magnetization measurements indicate superparamagnetic behavior of the nanosized compounds produced.     

Reduction of hematite with ethanol to produce magnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4, Fe1 − x O or Fe0 coated with carbon

The production of magnetic nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄ or Fe⁰ coated with carbon and carbon nanotubes was investigated by the reduction of hematite with ethanol in a Temperature Programmed Reaction up to 950°C. XRD and Mössbauer measurements showed after reaction at 350°C the partial reduction of hematite to magnetite. At 600°C the hematite is completely reduced to magnetite (59%), wüstite (39%) and metallic iron (7%). At higher temperatures, carbide and metallic iron are the only phases present. TG weight losses suggested the formation of 3–56 wt.% carbon deposits after reaction with ethanol. It was observed by SEM images a high concentration of nanometric carbon filaments on the material surface. BET analyses showed a slight increase in the surface area after reaction. These materials have potential application as catalyst support and removal of spilled oil contaminants.     

Effect of Co 2 + content on the magnetic properties of Co x Fe 3 − x O 4 /SiO 2 nanocomposites

Non-stoichiometric Co_xFe_3???xO₄/SiO₂ (x = 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1) nanocomposites have been prepared by sol-gel method. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of the obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature. As the Co^2?+? content increases, the average particle size of the spherical Co_xFe_3???xO₄ in the samples decreases and the lattice constants increases. The hyperfine fields for both A- and B-site decrease, while the fraction of Co^2?+? occupying the A-site increases. Magnetization measurements show the saturation magnetization and coercivity of Co_xFe_3???xO₄/SiO₂ decrease with increasing Co^2?+? content. The decrease in magnetization results from the weakened A-B interactions between Fe^3?+?, and the change in coercivity can be related to the variation of Co^2?+? at B-site and the decreasing particle size.