Specific heat and anisotropic superconducting and normal-state magnetization of HoNi2B2C

The magnetization of single-crystal HoNi₂B₂C has been measured as a function of applied field (H) and temperature in order to probe the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in this complex layered system. The normal-state magnetic susceptibility of HoNi₂B₂C is highly anisotropic with a Curie-Weiss-like temperature dependence for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis and with a much weaker temperature dependence for H applied parallel to the c-axis, indicating that the Ho⁺³ magnetic moments lie predominately in the tetragonal a−b plane below 20 K. High-field magnetization (2000 Oe), low-field magnetization (20 Oe) and zero-field specific heat all give an antiferromagnetic ordering temperature of T_N=5.0 K. Remarkably, in 20 Oe applied field both superconductivity (T_c=8.0 K) and antiferromagnetism (T_N=5.0 K) clearly make themselves manifest in the magnetization data. From these magnetization data a phase diagram in the H−T plane was constructed for both directions of applied field. This phase diagram shows a non-monotonic temperature dependence of H_c2 with a deep minimum at T_N=5 K. The high-field magnetization data for H applied perpendicular to the c-axis also reveal a cascade of three phase transitions for T < 5 K and H < 15 000 Oe, contributing to the rich H versus T phase diagram for HoNi₂B₂C at low temperatures.     

过渡金属硼碳化物TM_3B_3C和TM_4B_3C_2稳定性和性能的理论计算

在过渡金属轻元素化合物中,寻找新的硬质或者超硬材料是当前的一个研究热点.目前寻找范围多集中在过渡金属硼化物、碳化物和氮化物等二元体系,三元相的研究则相对较少.本文以已知Nb_3B_3C和Nb_4B_3C_2结构为模板,采用元素替代法构建了29种TM_3B_3C (TM为过渡金属元素)结构和29种TM_4B_3C_2结构,采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法,成功找到了热力学、动力学以及力学都稳定的Ta_3B_3C和Ta4B_3C2两种新相.结构搜索计算确认了这两相为全局能量最优结构.能带结构和态密度的计算显示这两相均为导体,导电性主要源于Ta原子的d电子.这两种新相的硬度大约为26 GPa,说明Ta_3B_3C和Ta_4B_3C_2属于高硬度材料,但不是超硬材料.     

Synthesis and characterization of HgBa2Can−1CunO2n+2+δ (n = 1, 2, and 3)

We have successfully prepared the first three members of the mercury-based superconducting compounds Hg--- Ba₂Ca_n−1Cu_nO_2n+2+δ, namely Hg---1201, Hg---1212 and Hg---1223 with high purity and very good quality. T he influence of the synthesis parameters is studied in detail. Using the sealed quartz tube method, very simple procedures are found to ensure a 100% reproducibility of nearly 100% pure Hg---1201 and 85–90% Hg---1212 and Hg---1223. Oxygen annealing of the sample Hg---1201 at 300°C for 18 h results in an enhancement of its critical temperature up to 97 K. The symmetry of the first and second members is tetragonal with lattice parameters a = 3.8831 (1) Å, C = 9.5357 (2) Å, and A = 3.8624 (1) Å, C = 12.7045 (2) Å, respectively. X-ray diffraction lines of Hg---1223 can be indexed in a tetragonal cell with a = 3.8564 (1) Å and C = 15.8564 (9) Å as well as in an orthorhombic cell with lattice parameters a = 5.4537 (1) Å, B = 5.4247 (1) Å, and C = 15.8505 (7) Å.     

Phase formation and magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B-type Nd16Co76B8−xCx alloys and their hydrides

An attempt is made to synthesize Nd₂Co₁₄C compound by mechanical alloying Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x8) alloys and subsequent annealing. Phase formation and magnetic properties of Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x alloys and their hydrides are investigated. The Nd₂Co₁₄(B,C) phase with Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type structure is formed for Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x7) alloys, while NdCo₇C_δ phase with TbCu₇-type structure is observed in Nd₁₆Co₇₆C₈ alloy. The lattice parameter c of the Nd₂Co₁₄(B,C) phase decreases with increasing the carbon content. A limit volume of the unit cell to form the Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type structure is estimated to be 0.870 nm³. The spin-reorientation temperature T_SR increases with increasing the carbon content, due to an enhancement of magnetocrystalline anisotropy caused by carbon substitution for boron. After hydrogenation, the lattice expansion is observed for Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_x (0x7) alloys. The spin-reorientation temperature of Nd₁₆Co₇₆B_8−xC_xH_y (0x7) is much lower than that of the host alloys. Some structural and magnetic properties of hypothetic Nd₂Co₁₄C and Nd₂Co₁₄CH_y compounds are estimated by extrapolation.     

Neutron diffraction and electrical conductivity studies of Li2UI6 ionic conductor

The room and high temperature structures of Li₂UI₆ have been determined using the neutron powder diffraction. It has been shown that at 300 K, the compound crystallizes in trigonal unit cell with a = B = 7.3927(8), c = 13.826(2) Å with space group P-31c. Above the phase transition occuring at 775 K, the structure transforms into monoclinic C2/m space group with unit cell constants: a = 7.733(5), B = 13.234(7), C = 7.645(4) Å, β = 110.59(3) deg. The measurement of electrical conductivity as a function of temperature has been performed. Based on the crystallographic data, a discussion of the shape of observed conductivity curve has been carried out.     

Superconductivity at 27 K in Nb-1222 cuprate: NbSr2(GdCe)2Cu2Oy

Samples of NbSr₂Gd_2−xCe_xCu₂O_y have been prepared by solid state reaction. The X-ray powder diffraction patterns show that a single phase can be formed in the composition range of 0.49<x<0.51 that has TaSr₂ (NdCe)₂Cu₂O_y structure [1], the cell parameters being a=3.8669±0.0046 Å and c=28.742±0.0048 Å. Superconductivity was found by resistance measurements in the sample of NbSr₂Gd_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O_y: the onset transition temperature is 27.4 K, and zero resistance appears at approximately 13 K.     

Superconductivity in presence of localized magnetic moments. Case study of Er(Ni,Co)2B2C

Some recent results of magnetic and transport measurements on single crystals of the Er(Ni,Co)₂B₂C series will be presented and discussed, in particular, possible evidence of a superzone gap formation at the antiferromagnetic phase transition in pure ErNi₂B₂C, detailed anisotropic H–T phase diagrams and their modification with Co doping, and enhancement of the superconducting critical current in the weak ferromagnetic phase.     

A new layered cuprate superconductor: GaSr2(Y, Ce)2Cu2O9−δ

A new layered cuprate compound with a nominal composition of GaSr₂Y_2−xCe_xCu₂O_9−δ has been prepared. It crystallizes in a tetragonal lattice with cell parameters: a = 3.812 Å, c = 28.16 Å. The structure of the compound belongs to the same family of 1222 phase and is derived from that of GaSr₂LnCu₂O₇ by replacing the single Ln³⁺ layer with a double fluorite (Y, Ce)₂O₂ layer. Like other parent cuprate compounds of superconductors, the as-prepared samples showed antiferromagnetic and semiconducting behavior. After treatment under high oxygen pressure, the samples exhibited bulk superconductivity with transition temperatures between 12–14 K.     

Crystal structure and phase transitions of [(C2H5)4N]6Bi8Cl30

A new [(C₂H₅)₄N]₆Bi₈Cl₃₀ crystal of the family of alkylammonium halogenobismuthates was grown. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/m with a = 20.117(5), b = 12.682(3), c = 20.396(5) Å, β = 93.03(3), Z =2. The lattice consists of (C₂H₅)₄N⁺ cations and a new type of Bi₈Cl⁶⁻₃₀ anion. Dielectric studies revealed two closely-lying structural phase transitions around 241 K (on cooling). They were interpreted as due to a freezing of the rotational motions of tetraethylammonium cations.     

The incommensurate modulation in the Bi2Sr2−xCaxCuO6 superconductor, and its relation to the modulation in Bi2Sr2−xCaxCu2O8

The modulation of the (221) superconducting Bi₂Sr_2−xCa_xCuO₆ phase has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, using four-dimensional symmetry theory. The pseudo-orthorhombic diffraction pattern is a superposition of two twin related components, such that the main reflections with hkl and hk m superimpose, but the satellite hklm and hk m do not. The latter feature allows separation of the twin intensities. The modulation analysis in superspace group P:Aa:1 shows displacements similar to those observed in the 2212 compound [Y. Gao et al., Science 241 (1988) 954] but with generally larger displacements. In particular, the c-axis displacement amplitude of the Cu atoms is increased to almost 0.5 Å. This and the obliqueness of the q vector (q=0.214a^*+0.61c^*) indicate the absence of a restraining influence exerted by the CuO₂/Sr(Ca)/CuO₂ double layers in the multi-Cu layer phases.     

Crystal structures of stage-n iodine-intercalated compounds IBi2nSr2nCanCu2nOx

The crystal structure of stage-3 iodine-intercalated superconducting IBi₆Sr₆Ca₃Cu₆O_x has been determined by transmission electron microscopy to belong to the space group Pma2 with lattice parameters a=5.4Å, B=5.4Å and C=49.4Å. Ioidine atoms intercalated between every three Bi---O bilayers expand the distance between the Bi---O layers by 3.6Å and alter the atomic stacking across Bi---O layers from the staggered configuration characteristic of host superconducting Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x to an aligned configuration characteristic of stage-1 iodine-intercalated superconducting IBi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_x. Higher-stage intercalation has also been observed as stacking faults which predominantly contain both stage-2 and stage-3 phases. The space groups and c-axis dimensions of the higher-stage phases have been deduced to be Pma2 with c=3.6+15.3n Å when stage number n is odd, and Bbmb with c=2(3.6+15.3n) Å when n is even.     

Synthesis and superconductivity of (Pb0.5Cd0.5)(Sr0.9R0.1)2(R′0.7Ce0.3)2Cu2Oy

New Pb based layered superconducting cuprates (Pb_0.5Cd_0.5)(Sr_0.9R_0.1)₂(R′_0.7Ce_0.3)₂Cu₂O_y with (R,R′) = (Eu,Gd), (Eu,Dy) and (Nd,Gd), have been successfully synthesized. The structure of (Pb,Cd)(Sr,Eu)₂(Gd,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y is determined using XRD data. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern can be indexed by the tetragonal structure with lattice parameters a = 3.8250 Å, C = 29.2235 Å and a space group of I4/mmm. The effects of synthesis conditions on (Pb,Cd)(Sr,Eu)₂(Gd,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y are studied and a T_c(onset) of 26 K is obtained by resistance measurements. It is isostructural to the superconductor (Pb,Cu)(Sr,Eu)₂(Eu,Ce)₂Cu₂O_y.     

Structure determination, magnetic and optical properties of a new chromium(II) thioantimonate, [Cr((NH2CH2CH2)3N)]Sb4S7

The chromium(II) antimony(III) sulphide, [Cr((NH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N)]Sb₄S₇, was synthesised under solvothermal conditions from the reaction of Sb₂S₃, Cr and S dissolved in tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) at 438 K. The products were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.9756(7), b=10.5191(9), c=25.880(2) Å and β=90.864(5)°. Alternating SbS₃³⁻ trigonal pyramids and Sb₃S₆³⁻ semi-cubes generate Sb₄S₇²⁻ chains which are directly bonded to Cr(tren)²⁺ pendant units. The effective magnetic moment of 4.94(6)μ_B shows a negligible orbital contribution, in agreement with expectations for Cr(II):d⁴ in a ⁵A ground state. The measured band gap of 2.14(3) eV is consistent with a correlation between optical band gap and framework density that is established from analysis of a wide range of antimony sulphides.     

BaO-Li2O-B2O3三元系中BaB2O4-Li2B2O4和BaB2O4-Li2O截面相平衡关系的研究

本文用X射线和差热分析方法对BaO-Li₂O-B₂O₃三元系中的两个截面:BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄和BaB₂O₄-Li₂O作了研究。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄赝二元系中发现了一个新的化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄。化合物在930±3℃由包晶反应形成,并与Li₂B₂O₄形成共晶反应。共晶温度为797±3℃,共晶点组分为79mol％Li₂B₂O₄。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂O截面中也存在化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄,其包晶反应温度从930±3℃随Li₂O含量增加下降到908±3℃。在组分60mol％Li₂O处形成另一个新的化合物2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O。该化合物在630±3℃也是由包晶反应形成,并与Li₂O和Li₂CO₃分别形成共晶反应,共晶温度分别为400±3℃和612±3℃。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄和BaB₂O₄-Li₂O体系中都没有观察到固溶体。用计算机程序分别对化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄和2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O的X射线粉末衍射图案进行了指标化,其结果:4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄的空间群为Pmma,a=13.033?,b=14.630?,c=4.247?,每个单胞包含两个化合式单位;2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O的空间群为Pmmm,a=4.814?,b=9.897?,c=11.523?,每个单胞也含有两个化合式单位。 关键词：     

Observation of superconductivity (Tc = 50 K) in a new tetragonal alkaline-earth cuprate Sr0.8Ba1.2CuO3+δ, synthesised at ambient pressure

The ambient-pressure synthesis of a new tetragonal alkaline-earth superconducting cuprate, Sr_0.8Ba_1.2CuO_3+δ, from a cupro-oxycarbonate is reported. Magnetic-susceptibility measurements show the presence of a superconducting transition 50 K in a post-annealed sample. The crystal structure, refined from time-of-flight powder neutron-diffraction data was found to have an oxygen-deficient La₂CuO₄-type tetragonal T structure (a = 3.8988(3) Å and C = 12.815(3) Å) with oxygen vacancies located within the CuO₂ planes. Ordering of these oxygen vacancies is responsible for the observation of a superlattice in both neutron- and electron-diffraction measurements. An interpretation of the electron-diffraction patterns suggests that the superlattice in Sr_0.8Ba_1.2CuO_3+δ and also in the isostructural superconductor Sr₂CuO_3+δ are of an identical nature.     

Rietveld refinement and electronic structure studies for the Sm2FeMnO6 new complex perovskite

We report synthesis and crystalline structure study of the Sm₂FeMnO₆ new complex perovskite, by X-ray diffraction experiments and through the application of Rietveld refinement. Results revealed the crystallization of system in a structure given by Pmn21 (#31) space group and lattice parameters a=7.621(1) Å, b=5.675(3) Å and c=5.378(3) Å. Ab initio calculations of density of states (DOS) and electronic structure were carried out for this perovskite-like system by the density functional theory (DFT) and using the full-potential linearized augmented plane waves (FP-LAPW) method. All calculations were carried out using spin polarization. Material evidences a conductor-like character, predominantly due to d–xy Fe orbital of the spin down channel. Magnetic response of system has contributions of Fe and Mn spin up orientation. The calculated magnetic moment in cell was 34.48 μ_B and the magnetic moment in interstitial was 1.54 μ_B.     

Ba2(Cu0.7Cd0.3)O3: a new double-center perovskite structure

A new phase of Ba₂(Cu_0.7Cd_0.3)O₃ has been discovered. The composition of the phase was examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The phase exhibits a tetragonal structure with lattice constants a=4.077 Å and c=7.970 Å, and its space group is P4/mmm. We propose a double-center-perovskite structure model, which is similar to that of (Ba, Sr)₂CuO₂(CO₃) [1, 2]. The simulated XRD is close to the observed one. The analysis results of elemental analyzer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer reveal that the phase does not contain CO . The cuprate is an insulator, but its new cell structure and the large size of the CuO₂ planes seem to suggest a good reason for researching new superconductors. The roles of CdO in the solid state reaction and the formation of the new phase are discussed.     

Anisotropic dielectric properties of PbYb1/2Ta1/2O3 single crystals

PbYb_1/2Ta_1/2O₃ single crystals were obtained for the first time. They were grown by the flux method. The PbOPbF₂B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Dielectric investigations were carried out in 1 0 0_c, 1 1 0_c and 1 1 1_c pseudocubic directions. These studies pointed to anisotropy of dielectric properties. Frequency-independent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima related to the antiferroelectric–paraelectric (AFE—PE) phase transition are observed for all directions at 562 K. The frequency-dependent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima near 400 K related to the ferroelectric (FE)–AFE phase transition are observed only in 1 1 1_c direction. The hysteresis loops were observed in this direction only. These results point that ferroelectric relaxor properties appear only in 1 1 1_c direction. We propose to consider the ferroelectric phase as ferrielectric one.     

Preparation and structural study of LaMnO3 magnetic material

We report the crystallographic parameters of LaMnO₃ obtained from X-ray diffraction data and electronic properties predictions using the density functional theory (DFT). LaMnO₃ was prepared by the citrate precursor method (CPM). The initial solution was 0.1 M of each cation and the citrate nitrate relation was one. The solution was dried at 373 K; the yielded foam was annealed at 873 K and then was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Diffraction peaks show that the space group is R-3c (#167) with a=b =5.523 Å and c=13.324 Å (rhombohedrally distorted perovskite). Structural results of the Rietveld method have a matching of 97% with that obtained from the Structure Prediction Diagnostic Software. DFT calculation reveals a half-metallic character and its magnetic moment is about 2.0 μ_B.     

Crystallization kinetics of the Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 amorphous alloy

X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to study the annealing of the Fe₄₀Ni₃₈Mo₄B₁₈ amorphous alloy. The samples were isothermally annealed in the 858–878 K temperature range several times. Two crystalline phases were observed in the annealed samples: FeNi₃ and (Fe, Ni, Mo)₂₃B₆. Preliminary results indicate that assuming a linear relationship between the area under the main XRD peak associated with the FeNi₃ phase and its volume fraction, this can be fitted to a Johnson–Mehl–Avrami equation with an exponent n close to 1.0. Mössbauer results show a broad magnetic hyperfine field distribution in as-received samples and, consistent with XRD results, a sextet attributed to precipitates of FeNi₃ (B_hf=29.5 T) for long annealing times.