Effects of the substitution of gadolinium for neodymium on the crystal and magnetic properties of the Nd1−xGdxCo4B compounds

The crystal and magnetic properties of the Nd_1−xGd_xCo₄B compounds for 0?x?1 have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, magnetization and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. These compounds crystallize in a hexagonal CeCo₄B-type structure with the P6/mmm space group. The substitution of Gd for Nd leads to a decrease of the unit-cell parameter a and the unit-cell volume V, while the unit-cell parameter c remains almost constant. Magnetic measurements indicate that all samples are ordered magnetically below room temperature. The Curie temperatures determined by the DSC technique increase linearly as Nd is substituted by Gd. The saturation magnetization at 5 K decreases upon the Gd substitution up to x=0.6, and then increases again.     

Magnetic properties of RNi5−xCux intermetallics

The magnetic properties have been studied for the series of RNi_5−xCu_x intermetallics with R=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu; x  ?2.5. Compositional dependences of magnetic susceptibility for the Pauli paramagnets (R=Y, La, Ce, Lu) and the Curie temperature for ferromagnets (R=Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) have maximum at x=0.2–0.4$x=0.2–0.4$ and 1, respectively. The substitution of Cu for Ni is accompanied by decreasing spontaneous magnetic moment and increasing coercive force of all ferromagnetic RNi_5−xCu_x but GdNi_5−xCu_x. These results are explained in the frame of band magnetism, random local crystal field, and domain wall pinning theories.     

Low-field AC susceptibility in Pr1−xHoxMn2Ge2

We report the structure and magnetic properties of Pr_1−xHo_xMn₂Ge₂ (0.0≤x≤1.0) germanides by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques and AC magnetic susceptibility measurements. All compounds crystallize in the ThCr₂Si₂-type structure with the space group I4/mmm. Substitution of Ho for Pr leads to a linear decrease in the lattice constants and the unit cell volume. The samples with x=0 and x=0.8 have spin reorientation temperature. The results are collected in a phase diagram.     

Structure and magnetic phase diagram of mixed rare-earth Nd1−xTbxFe10.5Mo1.5 compounds

The structural and magnetic properties of Nd_1−xTb_xFe_10.5Mo_1.5 (x=0$x=0$, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) compounds have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. All the investigated compounds crystallize in the tetragonal ThMn₁₂-type structure with I4/mmm space group. The lattice parameters a, c and the unit-cell volume V decrease with increasing x. The Curie temperatures T_C are almost independent x. There exists a unique spin-reorientation transition for the end compositions of Nd_1−xTb_xFe_10.5Mo_1.5 compounds with x=0$x=0$ and x=1$x=1$, while two spin-reorientation transitions are observed for x=0.2–0.8$x=0.2–0.8$. The room-temperature magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Nd_1−xTb_xFe_10.5Mo_1.5 compounds changes from uniaxial to planar with increasing x content. Based on magnetic measurements, a magnetic phase diagram of Nd_1−xTb_xFe_10.5Mo_1.5 compounds is constructed. By minimizing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, a theoretical magnetic phase diagram for the Nd_1−xTb_xFe_10.5Mo_1.5 system is derived, showing a reasonable agreement with the observations.     

Magnetocaloric properties of (La0.67−xGdx)Sr0.33MnO3 polycrystalline nanoparticles

In this paper, magnetic property and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in nanoparticles perovskite manganites of the type (La_0.67−xGd_x)Sr_0.33MnO₃ (x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20) synthesized by using an amorphous molecular alloy as precursor have been reported. From the magnetic measurements as function of temperature and magnetic applied field, we have discovered that the Curie temperature (T_C) of the prepared samples is found to be strongly dependent on Gd content. The Curie temperature of samples is 358.4, 343.2, and 285.9 K for x=0.1, 0.15, and 0.2, respectively. A large magnetocaloric effect close to T_C has been observed with a maximum of magnetoentropy change in all the samples, ∣ΔS_M∣_max of 1.96 and 4.90 J/kg K at 2 and 5 T, respectively, for a substitution rate of 0.15. In addition, the maximum magnetic entropy change observed for samples with different concentration of Gd, exhibits a linear dependence with the applied high magnetic field. These results suggest that (La_0.67−x Gd_x)Sr_0.33MnO₃ (x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20) compounds could be a suitable candidate as working substance in magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.     

The influence of substitution of Co for Mn on magnetism of the HoMn6−xCoxSn6 compounds (0⩽x⩽0.25)

We have studied the effects of Co substitution for Mn on the structure and magnetic properties of the HoMn_6−xCo_xSn₆ compounds (0?x?0.25) with HfFe₆Ge₆-type structure (space group P6/mmm) by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. A monotonic decrease of the lattice parameters a and c is observed with increasing Co content. While the compounds with x=0 and 0.05 exhibit ferrimagnetism in the whole temperature range, the compounds with 0.1?x?0.15 show ferrimagnetism, helimagnetism and re-entrant ferrimagnetism with decreasing temperature. For the compounds with x=0 and 0.05, the spin reorientation temperature is observed. A metamagnetic transition from helimagnetic magnetic ordering to ferrimagnetism is observed for the compounds with x=0.1 and 0.2. The results are summarized in the HoMn_6−xCo_xSn₆ magnetic phase diagram.     

Influence of partial rare-earth substitution for Sm in the giant intrinsic magnetic hardness compound SmCo2Ni3

The phenomenon of giant intrinsic magnetic hardness is investigated in compounds R_1−x Sm _x Co₂Ni₃ with R=Y, Pr, Gd, Tb, Er. Partial Er substitution for Sm actually increases magnetic hardness while all other substitutions decrease magnetic hardness. The strength of coercivity is thus dependent on both the sign and magnitude of the crystal field interaction. The temperature dependence of coercivity is complex in the case of Pr substitution as a result of competing effects from thermal activation and a decrease in anisotropy at low temperatures. This study has been supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.     

A magnetic, magnetostrictive and Mössbauer study of Tb0.3Dy0.7−xPrx(Fe0.9Al0.1)1.95 alloys

The effect of Pr substitution for Dy on the magnetization, magnetostriction, anisotropy and spin reorientation of a series of Tb_0.3Dy_0.7−xPr_x(Fe_0.9Al_0.1)_1.95 alloys (x=0, 0.1, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35) at room temperature has been investigated. It was found that the magnetization and magnetostriction of the homogenized Tb_0.3Dy_0.7−xPr_x(Fe_0.9Al_0.1)_1.95 alloys decreases drastically with increasing x and the magnetostrictive effect disappears for x>0.2, but the spontaneous magnetostriction λ₁₁₁ increases approximately linearly with increasing x. Moreover, the magnetostriction exhibits slightly bigger value at x=0.1 than the free alloys and is saturated more easily with the magnetic field H, showing that a small amount of Pr substitution is beneficial to a decrease in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The analysis of the Mössbauer spectra indicated that the easy magnetization direction in the {1 1 0} plane deviates slightly from the main axis of symmetry with Pr concentration x, namely spin reorientation. Comparing with the Al substitution, the effect of Pr substitution for Dy on the spin reorientation is smaller.     

Heat capacity measurements of itinerant electron magnetism in Y3Ni13−xCOxB2 system

The heat capacity of the Y₃Ni_13−xCo_xB₂ series has been measured from 300 mK to RT. The magnetic ordering phase transitions have been characterized as second-order type and the T_c's determined. The electronic contribution to the low-temperature heat capacity for x=0 yields an electronic constant γ=54 mJ mol K², which is higher than those of YNi₅ and YNi₄B, proving experimentally that its density of states at the Fermi surface is larger than in those other compounds. The substitution of Ni by Co increases γ linearly. Electronic band calculations could explain these features.     

Magnetic properties of the Ce2Fe17−xMnx helical magnets up to high magnetic fields

Magnetic properties of the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x, x=0–2, alloys in magnetic fields up to 40 T are reported. The compounds with x=0.5–1 are helical antiferromagnets and those with 1<x?2 are helical ferromagnets or helical antiferromagnets at low and high T, respectively. Mn ions in the system carry average magnetic moment of 3.0±0.2 μ_B that couple antiparallelly to the Fe moments. Easy-plane magnetic anisotropy in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x compounds weakens upon substitution of Mn for Fe. The absolute value of the first anisotropy constant in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x helical ferromagnets decreases slower with increasing temperature than that calculated from the third power of the spontaneous magnetization. Noticeable magnetic hysteresis in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x, x=0.5–2, helical magnets over the whole range of magnetic fields reflects mainly irreversible deformation of the helical magnetic structure during the magnetization of the compounds. A contribution from short-range order (SRO) magnetic clusters to the magnetic hysteresis of the helical magnets has been also estimated.     

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.     

Monodispersed nanocrystalline Co1–xZnxFe2O4 particles by forced hydrolysis: Synthesis and characterization

Zinc-substituted cobalt ferrites, Co_1–xZn_xFe₂O₄, were for the first time successfully prepared by forced hydrolysis method. The obtained materials are single phase, monodispersed nanocrystalline with an average grain size of about 3 nm. These materials are superparamagnetic at room temperature and ferrimagnetic at temperature lower than the blocking temperature. When the zinc substitution increases from x=0 to 0.4, at 4.2 K, the saturation magnetization increases from 72.1 to 99.7 emu/g. The high saturation magnetization of these samples suggests that this method is suitable for preparing high-quality nanocrystalline magnetic ferrites for practical applications.     

Magnetism, magnetocaloric effect and positive magnetoresistance in Fe-doped antipervoskite compounds SnCMn3−xFex (x=0.05-0.20)

The effects of Fe substitution on the structure, magnetic properties, magnetocaloric effect and positive magnetoresistance (MR) effect in antipervoskite compounds SnCMn_3−xFe_x (x=0.05-0.20) have been investigated systematically. Partial substitution of Fe for Mn leads to the monotonic reduction in both the Curie temperature T_C and saturated magnetization (M_S). It can be attributed to the reduction of electronic density of state at the Fermi energy by Fe-doping. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M) and positive MR gradually decrease as x increases, due to the broadening of magnetic phase transition. The refrigerant capacity increases initially with x≤0.05, then decreases gradually as x increases further, which is suggested to originate from the competition between the decreasing −ΔS_M and broadening temperature span. Our result indicates that the chemical doping on Mn site is an effective method for manipulating the properties of antiperovskite compounds AXMn₃.     

Magnetic properties and specific heat of Dy1−xLaxNi2 compounds

Magnetic and specific heat measurements have been carried out on polycrystalline series of single-phase Dy_1−xLa_xNi₂ (0?x?1) solid solutions. The compounds have a Laves-phase superstructure (space group F4¯3m) with the lattice parameter gradually increasing with decreasing Dy content. The samples with x?0.8 are ferromagnetic with the Curie temperature below 22 K. At high temperatures, all solid solutions are Curie-Weiss paramagnets. The Debye temperature, phonon and conduction electron contributions as well as a magnetic contribution to the heat capacity have been determined from specific heat measurements. The magnetocaloric effect was estimated from specific heat measurements performed in a magnetic field of 0.42 and 4.2 T.     

Magnetic properties of R3Co29Si4B10 (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy) borides

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of quaternary rare-earth intermetallic borides R₃Co₂₉Si₄B₁₀ with R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. All compounds crystallize in a tetragonal crystal structure with the space group P4/nmm. Compounds with R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm are ferromagnets, while ferrimagnetic behavior is observed for R=Gd and Dy. The Curie temperatures vary between 149 K and 210 K. The Curie temperatures in R₃Co₂₉Si₄B₁₀ (R=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy) compounds are roughly proportional to the de Gennes factors.     

The magnetic behavior of La1−xTbxMn2Si2 (0≤x≤0.3) in weak magnetic fields

The structure and magnetic properties of La_1−xTb_xMn₂Si₂ (0≤x≤0.3) were studied by X-ray powder diffraction and DC magnetization measurements. All the compounds crystallize in ThCr₂Si₂-type structure. Substitution of Tb for La led to a linear decrease in the lattice constants and the unit-cell volume. A ferromagnetic phase for x≤0.15, and an antiferromagnetic phase for x=0.3 have been observed at about room temperature, whereas the compounds with x=0.2 and 0.25 exhibit a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetism to antiferromagnetism.     

Ferromagnetism in MnxGe1−x films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Mn_xGe_1−x thin films were prepared by magnetron sputtering with a substrate temperature of 673 K and subsequently annealed at 873 K. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that all samples had a single Ge cubic structure. No films showed clear magnetic domain structure under a magnetic force microscope (MFM). Atom force microscope (AFM) measurements showed that the films had an uniform particle size distribution, and a columnar growth pattern. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicated that the valences of both Mn and Ge atoms increase with the Mn concentration. The resistance decreased with increasing temperature, suggesting that the films were typical semiconductors. Magnetic measurements carried out using a Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) showed that all samples exhibited ferromagnetism at room temperature. There was a small concentration of Mn₁₁Ge₈ in the films, but the ferromagnetism was mainly induced by Mn substitution for Ge site.     

Structure and magnetic properties of TbFe6−xGa6+x compounds

The TbFe_6−xGa_6+x compounds (x=0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.45) have been prepared and studied by X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. The structure of the compound TbFe_6−xGa_6+x transfers from the orthorhombic ScFe₆Ga₆-type structure (space group Immm) (x=0 and 0.5) to the tetragonal ThMn₁₂-type structure (space group I4/mmm) (x=1.0 and 1.5) and the volume of the unit cell increases as Ga content increases. The lattice parameters are a=0.85551, b=0.8626 and c=0.50717 nm for TbFe₆Ga₆, and a=0.86938 and c=0.50918 nm for TbFe_4.55Ga_7.45.The magnetization measurements indicate all the TbFe_6−xGa_6+x compounds have magnetic ordering. The Curie temperatures decrease from 492 K for TbFe₆Ga₆ to 327 K for TbFe_4.55Ga_7.45. The magnetization of the TbFe_6−xGa_6+x decreases with temperature decreases below its magnetic ordering temperature due to the increasing Tb-sublattice magnetization which is antiparallel to the Fe-sublattice magnetization.     

Magnetic structure and phase diagram of the frustrated spinel Cd1−xZnxCr2Se4

In attempt to characterise the magnetic ordering in the whole composition range of the Cd_1−xZn_xCr₂Se₄ system, various magnetic measurements were performed on both crystalline and polycrystalline samples with 0?x?1. The magnetic properties of the system are typical of a ferromagnet below x=0.4 and of a complex antiferromagnet one above x=0.6. In this work the intermediate region was carefully studied. The variations of both M(T) and χ_ac at low fields suggest that transitions from ferromagnetic to Gabay–Toulouse ferromagnetic-spin-glass mixed phase at low temperature occur in the range 0.41?x?0.58. The high-temperature susceptibility measurements show that for the whole concentration range the system obeys Curie–Weiss laws. The results can be explained by the coexistence of competing interactions (ferromagnetic between nearest neighbours and antiferromagnetic between higher order neighbours) and disorder due to the random substitution between zinc and cadmium ions in the tetrahedral sites of the spinel lattice. An experimental magnetic phase diagram of the system is established.     

Magnetism on Mg1−xZnxCyNi3

The magnetic phase diagram for Mg_1−xZn_xC_yNi₃ has been tentatively constructed based on magnetization and muon spin relaxation (μSR) measurements. The superconducting phase was observed to fade as x (y) increases (decreases). The low y samples show early stages of long-range ferromagnetism, or complete long-range ferromagnetism. In the phase diagram, the ferromagnetic phase exists in addition to the superconducting phase, suggesting that there is some correlation between superconductivity and ferromagnetism, even though the coexistence of ferromagnetism and superconductivity is not observed from the μSR measurements down to 20 mK for the superconducting sample (T_c=2.5 K, (x, y)=(0, 0.9)).