Temperature–Frequency Dependence of the Dielectric Response in LuFe2O4 Multiferroics

Physics of the Solid State - The temperature–frequency spectra of the complex dielectric permittivity of the LuFe2O4 multiferroics have been studied in the temperature range 100–400 K...     

Correlation of electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties of the La0.85Ag0.15MnO3 manganite near the phase transition temperature

The correlation between electrical, magnetic, and lattice properties of manganites has been studied by analyzing the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of the La_0.85Ag_0.15MnO₃ manganite. The results have been discussed within the model of a phase-separated manganite in terms of the percolation theory. It has been shown that, from analyzing the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the electrical resistivity, it is possible to predict the behavior of the magnetization and specific heat, as well as the change of magnetic entropy near the phase transition temperature, and that the obtained agreement with experimental data for this analysis is quite reasonable.     

Mass spectrometric investigation of vaporization in the Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

The thermodynamics of vaporization in the Bi₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ quasibinary system was studied by high-temperature mass-spectrometry. The partial pressures of the constituents of a saturated vapor over the system at 1100 K were determined. Based on the experimental data, the following parameters were calculated: the activities of the components of the Bi₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ system condensed phase, the standard enthalpies of some heterogeneous reactions, and standard enthalpies of formation and enthalpies of formation for crystalline BiFeO₃ and Bi₂Fe₄O₉ from individual oxides. An optimal temperature for the solid-phase synthesis of bismuth ferrites from simple oxides is recommended.     

Chemical deposition of smooth nanocrystalline Y2O3 films from solutions of metal-organic precursors

A series of (Y(AcO)₃·4H₂O—Q—Solv) solutions (Q is monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), en, dien; Solv = MeOH, EtOH, Pr_iOH, BuOH) was studied to choose the metal-organic precursor for surface smoothing treatment of metallic tapes by chemical deposition of nanocrystalline yttria films. Based on the results of viscosity, wetting angle, and thermal stability measurements, a solution (Y(AcO)₃·4H₂O—dien—PrⁱOH) was proposed as a new metal-organic precursor. After chemical deposition of nanocrystalline yttria films about 300 nm thick on a Hastelloy C-276 metallic tape the surface roughness was reduced by a factor of 11 (from 9.0 to 0.8 nm on a surface area of 5×5 μm²).     

Search for anomalous interaction mean free paths of charge, 2≦Z≦18 projectile fragments in emulsions exposed to 1.8 A GeV40Ar ions

⁴⁰Ar-emulsion interactions are studied, to investigate the question of anomalons, in twoG- 5 emulsion stacks. In about 4600 primary interactions, projectile fragments of Z≧2 for all generations have been followed until they interact or leave the stack. After careful estimation of charges of these fragments, variation of their mean free paths is studied as a function of distance from the preceding interaction. Generation effect,N _h dependence and production angle effect are investigated. In addition multi-chain events are analysed separately. Our results do not show anomalons at the 6% level and are consistent with non-occurrence of anomalons. However, this experiment is not sensitive enough to rule out anomalons (with a mfp of the order of 2 to 3 cm) produced at about 1% (or less) level.     

Investigation of BiFeO3 Multiferroic thin films prepared by metalloorganic chemical vapor deposition

BiFeO₃ thin oriented films are grown on SrTiO₃(001) and ZrO₂(Y₂O₃)(001) substrates by metalloorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) in the temperature range T= 500–800°C. Iron dipivaloylmethanate Fe(thd)₃ and triphenylbismuth Bi(C₆H₅)₃ are used as volatile precursors. It is shown that the high thermal stability of Bi(C₆H₅)₃ leads to significant deviations of the Bi: Fe ratio in the film from their ratio in the precursor flow. An increase in the residence time of the precursor flow in the reactor makes this ratio close to unity. The film-substrate epitaxial relations are determined. It is found that the film orientation on the ZrO₂(Y₂O₃)(001) substrate changes with increasing temperature. Optical second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements show the presence of ferroelectric ordering in the films. A significant decrease in the Curie temperature due to epitaxial stress is found. At the same time, the magnetization noticeably increases as compared to a BiFeO₃ single crystal.     

Stability-Indicating LC–PDA Method for Determination of Picrosides in Hepatoprotective Indian Herbal Preparations of Picrorhiza kurroa

A liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of picroside-I and picroside-II in herbal preparations containing Picrorhiza kurroa as one of the ingradients. Resolution of picrosides was achieved on a reversed phase (C-18) endcapped bidentate column by using a mobile phase of acetonitrile: water (25:75 v/v). The detection of picrosides was carried out at 270 nm. The method was validated for precision, accuracy and robustness according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and is applicable for the quality control of preparations containing P. kurroa. Analysis of samples in forced degradation proved it to be applicable for stability evaluation. The linear regression analysis data showed good linear relationship (r ² = 0.9999 ± 0.0010 for picroside-I and 0.9997 ± 0.0012 for picroside-II) in the concentration range of 0.4–4.0 μg. The limit of detection and quantification for picroside-I and picroside-II were recorded to be 28.1 and 73.1 ng and 85.2 and 221.5 ng, respectively. Satisfactory recovery results were observed from the herbal preparations (97.5–100.5%). Intra- and inter- day precision of the method was acceptable, with relative standard deviation (%RSD) values in the range of 0.04–1.16% and 0.03–0.27%, respectively.