Magnetoelectric perovskite (Bi0.5Pb0.5)(Fe0.5Zr0.5)O3: Preparation,structural and magnetic properties

The perovskite (Bi_0.5Pb_0.5)(Fe_0.5Zr_0.5)O₃ was synthesized by solid-state reaction in an attempt to find magnetoelectric materials, in which ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism coexist. This complex perovskite has been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction in combination with magnetic measurements. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbam with a ～ √2a_p, b ～ 2√2a_p and c ～ 2a_p (with a_p ～ 4.057 Å). The field and temperature dependence of the magnetization combined with neutron diffraction data showed antiferromagnetic behavior with the Neel temperature, T_N ～ 450 K. Rietveld refinements of neutron powder diffraction data collected at different temperatures, between 10 and 700 K, have been carried out in order to extract information about the thermal evolution of the nuclear and magnetic structures. A distorted orthorhombic perovskite structure was found within the whole temperature interval. The Bi/Pb and Fe/Zr ions were found to be partially ordered over the perovskite A-site and disordered over the B-site. The neutron diffraction patterns of the (Bi_0.5Pb_0.5)(Fe_0.5Zr_0.5)O₃ sample showed evidence of a long-range magnetic ordering below T_N with a propagation vector k = (0,0,0) and an antiferromagnetic arrangement of the magnetic moments of the Fe³⁺ cations in the B-site. This is consistent with an A_y-type magnetic structure. The factors governing the structural and magnetic properties of (1 ? x)BiFeO₃–xPbZrO₃ solid solutions are discussed and compared with those of pure BiFeO₃ and PbZrO₃. A solid solution strategy for developing magnetoelectric properties in BiFeO₃-based compounds is described, with the aim of realizing both a spontaneous polarization and magnetization at room temperature.     

Magnetic behavior in the system LaxGd1−xTiO3

Solid solutions were prepared encompassing the entire composition range between LaTiO₃ and GdTiO₃. An anomaly in the magnetization-temperature data associated with magnetic ordering within the Ti³⁺ sublattice was observed for the phases La_0.5Gd_0.5TiO₃LaTiO₃. La_0.3Gd_0.7TiO₃GdTiO₃ appear to be two sublattice ferrimagnets. Anomalies in the magnetization-temperature curves observed for the compositions La_0.6Gd_0.4TiO₃La_0.8Gd_0.2TiO₃ are consistent with spin glass behavior. The saturation magnetization of GdTiO₃ at 4.2K was measured to be 5.8 ± 0.2 μ_B/formula unit. Susceptibility data analyzed using the mean field model show a dramatic decrease in the strength of the ferromagnetic Ti³⁺Ti³⁺ exchange on the dilution of the Gd³⁺ sublattice by even 5% La³⁺.     

Anomalous High Temperature Structural Behavior of Potential Multifunctional Material SmCo0.5Cr0.5O3

Crystal structure parameters of the mixed cobaltite–chromite SmCo_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ in the temperature range of 298–1173 K were derived from in situ high-resolution X-ray synchrotron powder diffraction data. Similar to the parent SmCoO₃ compound, SmCo_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ reveals anomalous thermal expansion reflected in abnormal temperature dependence of the unit cell dimensions and the selected interatomic distances and angles. These anomalies are associated with temperature induced changes of spin state of Co³⁺ ions and coupled insulator-metal transition. Observed decreasing behavior of the bandwidth W points on the increasing population of the exited spin states of Co³⁺ ions in SmCo_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ with increasing temperature. First principle calculations revealed antiferromagnetic ground state of SmCo_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ as the most stable.     

Local A‐Site Layering in Rare‐Earth Orthochromite Perovskites by Solution Synthesis

Cation size effects were examined in the mixed A‐site perovskites La_0.5Sm_0.5CrO₃ and La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ prepared through both hydrothermal and solid‐state methods. Atomically resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the transmission electron microscope shows that while the La and Sm cations are randomly distributed, increased cation‐radius variance in La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ results in regions of localised La and Tb layers, an atomic arrangement exclusive to the hydrothermally prepared material. Solid‐state preparation gives lower homogeneity resulting in separate nanoscale regions rich in La³⁺ and Tb³⁺. The A‐site layering in hydrothermal La_0.5Tb_0.5CrO₃ is randomised upon annealing at high temperature, resulting in magnetic behaviour that is dependent on synthesis route.     

Preparation, structural study from neutron diffraction data and magnetism of the disordered perovskite Ca(Cr0.5Mo0.5)O3

We report on the preparation and characterization of the Ca(Cr_0.5Mo_0.5)O₃ perovskite, obtained in the search of the hypothetical double perovskite Ca₂CrMoO₆. This material was prepared in polycrystalline form by solid state reaction in H₂/Ar flow. It has been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetic measurements. Ca(Cr_0.5Mo_0.5)O₃ crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pbnm (No. 62) space group, with the unit-cell parameters a=5.4110 (4) Å, b=5.4795 (5) Å, c=7.6938 (6) Å. There is a complete disordering of Cr³⁺ and Mo⁵⁺ over the B-site of the perovskite, and the (Cr,Mo)O₆ octahedra are tilted by 12.4° in order to optimize the Ca-O bond lengths. The magnetic susceptibility is characteristic of a ferrimagnetic behavior, with T_C=125 K, and a small saturation magnetization at T=5 K, of 0.05 μ_B/f.u.     

Comparison of magnetocaloric properties of the Mn2−xFexP0.5As0.5 (x = 1.0 and 0.7) compounds

The Mn_2−xFe_xP_0.5As_0.5 compounds (x = 0.7 and 1.0) studied exhibit the magnetic phase transitions, which are accompanied by a magnetic entropy change. For x = 1 the PM–FM transition is of the first order one with a weak (2–3 K) thermal hysteresis in the vicinity of T_C = 275 K. The Mn_1.3Fe_0.7P_0.5As_0.5 compound possesses two magnetic transitions: the second-order PM–FM transition at T_C = 190 K, followed by the FM–AFM transition at T_N = 90 K, leading to normal and inverse magnetocaloric effects, respectively. The maximum values of magnetic entropy change are equal to 17 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ in MnFeP_0.5As_0.5 and 5 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ in Mn_1.3Fe_0.7P_0.5As_0.5 for a field change of 5 T. The magnetic entropy changes were calculated using both the isofield magnetization curves versus temperature and the isothermal magnetization curves versus applied magnetic field. The magnetocaloric effect in MnFeAs_0.5P_0.5 is discussed in the terms of both the thermodynamic Maxwell relation and the Clausius–Clapeyron equation.     

Behavior of Mn3+ ions in four-layered hexagonal (Sr1−x−yLaxBay)MnO3

Stoichiometric four-layered hexagonal (4H) (Sr_1?x?yBa_xLa_y)MnO₃ was synthesized using a standard ceramic technique. Rietveld analysis at room temperature indicated that the Mn–O(1) distance increased and the Mn–O(2) distance decreased with the increase in x. The samples were n-type semiconductors and exhibited hopping conductivity in a small-polaron model below 533 K. The Mn³⁺ ion acted as a donor and the electron transfer became active through the Mn³⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺ path. The samples were antiferromagnetic and the Néel temperature (T_N) was constant regardless of y when x was fixed to 0.3, whereas T_N shifted to a high temperature when y was fixed to 0.02. The face-sharing Mn³⁺–O(2)–Mn⁴⁺ interaction strengthened as the Mn–O(2) distance decreased, and T_N shifted to a high temperature as a result.     

Transport, magnetic, internal friction, and Young's modulus in the Y-doped manganites La0.9−xYxTe0.1MnO3

The resistivity, magnetization, internal friction, and Young's modulus for the polycrystalline samples La_0.9−xY_xTe_0.1MnO₃ (x=0, 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) have been investigated. All samples have rhombohedral crystallographic structure with the space group . The Curie temperature T_C of the studied samples decreases with increasing Y-doping level. For the samples with x=0,0.05 and 0.10, the temperature dependence of the resistivity ρ(T) exhibits two metal-insulator transitions (MIT) at T_p1 (which is close to its Curie temperature T_C) and T_p2 (which is below T_p1). When the doping level to 0.15, these two MIT temperatures are suppressed and an upturn at low temperatures below T* is observed from the ρ(T) curve. A change of Young's modulus E is observed in the vicinity of T_C accompanied by a broad peak of the internal friction Q⁻¹ for all studied samples. The values of the relative Young's modulus ΔE increase with increasing Y-doping level at the low temperatures. These results are discussed in terms of the local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion by the substitution of smaller Y³⁺ ions for larger La³⁺ ions and the increased bending of the Mn-O-Mn bond with decreasing the average ionic radius of the A-site element 〈r_A〉 and the tolerance factor t, resulting in the narrowing of the bandwidth, the decrease of the mobility of e_g electrons and the weakening of double-exchange (DE) interaction.     

Hopping conductivity of distorted K2NiF4-type (Ca1+xNd1−x)CrO4

Orthorhombic distorted K₂NiF₄-type (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) was synthesized using a standard ceramic technique. The cell parameters (a and c) decreased, whereas the cell parameter (b) increased with the increase in x. The variation in the global instability index (GII) indicated that the crystal stability of (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ was not influenced by the Cr⁴⁺ ion content. At all temperatures, the electrical conductivity (σ) of (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ increased with the increase in x. (Ca_1+xNd_1?x)CrO₄ was a p-type semiconductor and exhibited hopping conductivity in a small-polaron model in the temperature range of 290 K ≤ T ≤ 713 K. The Cr⁴⁺ ion acts as an acceptor, and the electron transfer through the Cr³⁺–O–Cr⁴⁺ path becomes active as a result of the Cr⁴⁺ ion content and the Cr–O(1) distance.     

Comparative study regarding the formation of La1-xSrxCrO3 perovskite using unconventional synthesis methods

The synthesis of strontium-doped lanthanum chromite, La_1−xSr_xCrO₃ (x=0.1 and 0.3), used as an interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), was investigated using two unconventional synthesis methods: (1) organic precursors’ method based on the thermal conversion of complex combination resulted in the oxidation reaction of 1,2-ethanediol by La³⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cr³⁺ nitrates; (2) combustion synthesis based on the exothermic redox reaction of La³⁺, Sr²⁺ and Cr³⁺ nitrates with urea and glycine as fuels. We also used a mixture of urea and glycine as fuel. The samples were characterized by means of thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction.     

Reduction properties of phases in the system La0.5Sr0.5MO3 (M=Fe, Co)

Phases formed by the reduction of compounds of the type La_0.5Sr_0.5MO₃ (M=Fe, Co) have been characterized by means of temperature programmed reduction, X-ray powder diffraction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and Fe K-, Co K-, Sr K-, and La L_III-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The results show that treatment of the material of composition La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO₃ (which contains 50% Fe⁴⁺ and 50% Fe³⁺) at 650 °C in a flowing 90% hydrogen/10% nitrogen atmosphere results in the formation of an oxygen-deficient perovskite-related phase containing only trivalent iron. Further heating in the gaseous reducing environment at 1150 °C results in the formation of the Fe³⁺-containing phase SrLaFeO₄, which has a K₂NiF₄-type structure, and metallic iron. The material of composition La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ is more susceptible to reduction than the compound La_0.5Sr_0.5FeO₃ since, after heating at 520 °C in the hydrogen/nitrogen mixture, all the Co⁴⁺ and Co³⁺ are reduced to metallic cobalt with the concomitant formation of strontium- and lanthanum-oxides.     

High-temperature calorimetry of (La1−xLnx)PO4 solid solutions

The enthalpy increment of the monazite-type solid solutions of LaPO₄ with NdPO₄, EuPO₄ and GdPO₄ has been measured by drop calorimetry at T = 1000 K. The results show deviations (excess enthalpy) from ideal behaviour that have been interpreted in terms of lattice strains resulting from the ion size effects of substitution of La³⁺ by Ln³⁺. For (La_0.5Gd)_0.5PO₄ also the temperature dependence has been determined for T = (515 to 1565) K, indicating that the excess enthalpy decreases with increasing temperature.     

Propriétés magnétiques et conductibilité electrique des composés ternaires Cr3Se4−xTex

Electrical conductivity, magnetization and magnetic structure of the Cr₃Se_4?xTe_x compounds (x = 0.5; 1; 1.5; 2; 2.5; 3; 3.5) of B8 type structure are studied. For x ? 1, a spontaneous magnetization σ_s is observed. σ_s at 4.2 K and T_c, the Curie temperature, both regularly increase with increasing x parameter. The compound Cr₃Se_3.5Te_0.5 is antiferromagnetic (T_N = 55 K). Neutron diffraction shows no relative ordering of the two kinds of anions in powdered Cr₃SeTe₃ on which antiferro- and ferromagnetic modes are simultaneously observed at 4.2 K, as on Cr₃Te₄. Electrical resistivity measurements show that all compounds exhibit metallic behavior. In the range 4.2–300 K, each curve ? = f(T) has a sharp point T_R near the magnetic order temperature. The results are discussed in terms of the nature of ions. The ferromagnetic character of Cr-anion-Cr right angle superexchange increases from selenium to tellurium.     

Magnetic properties of Cu0.5Fe0.5 ? x Ga x Cr2S4 solid solutions

Solid solutions between ferrimagnet Cu_0.5Fe_0.5Cr₂S₄ (T _C = 347 K) and antiferromagnet Cu_0.5Ga_0.5Cr₂S₄ (T _N = 31 K) have been synthesized, and their magnetic properties studied. Both compounds belong to the A _0.5 ⁺ A _0.5 ³⁺ Cr₂X₄ group with the 1 : 1 order of A⁺ and A³⁺ ions in the tetrahedral spinel sites. Measurements on a SQUID magnetometer over wide ranges of fields (0.05?C40 kOe) and temperatures (5?C300 K) provided a deeper insight into the nature of magnetism and cation distribution in the studied samples.     

Synthèse et propriétés magnétiques de solutions solides entre l'oxyde de chrome CrO2 et l'oxyhydroxyde de cobalt CoOOH

Solid solutions of general formula (1 ? x)CrO₂, xCoOOH have been prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under very high pressure conditions (80 kb). Cr⁶⁺O₃ and CoCr⁶⁺O₄ were used as starting materials. Homogeneous ferromagnetic phases were obtained when 0 ? x ? 0.5. X ray powder patterns clearly demonstrate the isotype with InOOH, an orthorhombic distorted rutile type structure. The results of the magnetic measures performed on samples with different compositions indicate that part of the Cr⁴⁺ cation have been reduced to Cr³⁺ and that the general formula of the solid solutions should be written Cr⁴⁺_1?(x+y)Cr³⁺_yCo²⁺_xO₂H_x+y.     

Size confinement and magnetization improvement by La3+ doping in BiFeO3 quantum dots

Nanometric multiferroic samples Bi_1−xLa_xFeO₃; 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.40 were prepared using ceramic method. Structural and magnetic properties were investigated using XRD, TEM, magnetic susceptibility and M–H loop. The decrease in the lattice parameters is due to the difference between the ionic radii of Bi and La and this effect is compensated by the change in the atomic weight of the two elements which is reflected as a decrease in the density. The obtained results showed that all samples were antiferromagnetic in character. The small values of remnant and saturation magnetization indicated the canted type antiferromagnetism. Maximum coercivity H_c = 5265 Oe was obtained at x = 0.25. The magnetic susceptibility measurements show its size dependence due to long range spin arrangement. Improvement of the magnetization of BiFeO₃ is achieved by La³⁺ at different doping levels. The obtained quantum dot size of the crystallites enhances their use in spintronic devices.     

Crystal structure and electrical conductivity of lanthanum-calcium chromites-titanates La1−xCaxCr1−yTiyO3−δ (x=0-1, y=0-1)

Five series of perovskite-type compounds in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ with the nominal compositions y=0, x=0-0.5; y=0.2, x=0.2-0.8; y=0.5, x=0.5-1.0; y=0.8, x=0.6-1.0 and y=1, x=0.8-1 were synthesized by a ceramic technique in air (final heating 1350 °C). On the basis of the X-ray analysis of the samples with (Ca/Ti)?1, the phase diagram of the CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃-CaCr^IVO₃ quasi-ternary system was constructed. Extended solid solution with a wide homogeneity range is formed in the quasi-ternary system CaCr^IVO₃-CaTiO₃-LaCr^IIIO₃. The solid solution La_{(1−x′−y)}Ca_(x′+y)Cr^IV_x′Cr^III_{(1−x′−y)}Ti_yO₃ exists by up to 0.6-0.7 mol fractions of CaCr^IVO₃ (x^′<0.6-0.7) at the experimental conditions. The crystal structure of the compounds is orthorhombic in the space group Pbnm at room temperature. The lattice parameters and the average interatomic distances of the samples within the solid solution ranges decrease uniformly with increasing Ca content. Outside the quasi-ternary system, the nominal compositions La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃, La_0.2Ca_0.8TiO₃, La_0.4Ca_0.6Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ and La_0.3Ca_0.7Cr_0.2Ti_0.8O₃ in the system La_1−xCa_xCr_1−yTi_yO₃ were found as single phases with an orthorhombic structure. In the temperature range between 850 and 1000 °C, the synthesized single-phase compositions are stable at pO₂=6×10⁻¹⁶-0.21×10⁵ Pa. Oxygen stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the separate compounds were investigated as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The chemical stability of these oxides with respect to oxygen release during thermal dissociation decreases with increasing Ca-content. At 900 °C and oxygen partial pressure 1×10⁻¹⁵-0.21×10⁵ Pa, the compounds with x>y (acceptor doped) are p-type semiconductors and those with x<y (donor doped) and x=y are n-type semiconductors. The type and level of electrical conductivity are functions of the concentration ratios of cations occupying the B-sites of the perovskite structures: [Cr³⁺]/[Cr⁴⁺] and [Ti⁴⁺]/[Ti³⁺]. The maximum electrical conductivity at 900 °C and pO₂=10⁻¹⁵ Pa was found for the composition La_0.1Ca_0.9TiO₃ (near 50 S/cm) and in air at 900 °C for La_0.5Ca_0.5CrO₃ (close to 100 S/cm).     

Dual-mode luminescence of Er3+/Yb 3+ codoped LnP0.5V0.5O4 (Ln=Y,Gd, La) for highly sensitive optical nanothermometry

The luminescence properties of 2%Er³⁺/15%Yb³⁺ doped LnP_0.5V_0.5O₄ (LnPVO₄) (Ln = Y, Gd, La) phosphors, synthesized via the traditional citric-assisted Sol gel method, are studied under light excitations of 980 nm and 325 nm to generate the ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2–⁴I_15/2 transitions via up- and downshifting mechanisms, respectively. The phase purity of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We present herein a comparative study of the spectral and temperature sensing properties of LnPVO₄: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ (Ln = Y, Gd, La) phosphors. The crystal field effects on the up-shifting luminescence and on the thermometric parameters are investigated by the substitution of Er³⁺ ions on Y³⁺, Gd³⁺ or La³⁺ sites in the YPVO₄, GdPVO₄ and LaPVO₄ hosts respectively. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique was used to study the temperature sensing behavior of the phosphors. This study showed that downshifting emission gives the highest thermal sensitivities and the greatest thermal resolution compared to downshifting emission. These outcomes indicate that these materials are preferred for use in the luminescence temperature sensing in a down-conversion process to provide the greatest performance.     

Structure and magnetic order in the series BixRE1−xFe0.5Mn0.5O3 (RE=La,Nd)

The influence of Bi³⁺ on the structural and magnetic properties of the rare-earth-containing perovskites REFe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ (RE=La,Nd) was studied, and the limit of bismuth substitution was determined to be x≤0.5 in Bi_xRE_1−xFe_0.5Mn_0.5O_3+δ (RE=La,Nd) at ambient pressure. Crystal structures in both La and Nd series were determined to be GdFeO₃-type Pnma with the exception of the Bi_0.3La_0.7Fe_0.5Mn_0.5O₃ sample, which is monoclinic I2/a in the a⁻b⁻b⁻ tilt scheme. The samples undergo a transition to G-type antiferromagnetic order along with a weak ferromagnetic component, mixed with cluster-glass type behavior. The substitution of bismuth into the lattice results in a drop in T_N relative to the lanthanide end-members. Long range ordering temperatures T_N in the range 240-255 K were observed, with a significantly lower ordered magnetic moment in the case of lanthanum (M∼1.7-1.9 μ_B) than in the case of neodymium (M∼2.1 μ_B).     

Sol–gel synthesis of nanocrystalline Zn1−xNixFe2O4 ceramics and its structural,magnetic and dielectric properties

Zn_1?xNi_xFe₂O₄ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) nanoparticles are prepared by sol–gel method using urea as a neutralizing agent. The evaluation of XRD patterns and TEM images indicated fine particle nature. The average crystallite size increased from 10 to 24 nm, whereas lattice parameters and density decreased with increasing Ni content (x). Infrared spectra showed characteristic features of spinel structure along with a strong influence of compositional variation. Magnetic measurements reveal a maximum saturation magnetization for Zn_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ (x = 0.5); however, reduced value of magnetization is attributed to the canted spin structure and weakening of Fe³⁺(A)–Fe³⁺(B) interactions at the surface of the nanoparticles. Impedance analysis for different electro-active regions are carried out at room temperature with Ni substitution. The existence of different relaxations associated with grain, grain boundaries and electrode effects are discussed with composition. It is suggested that x = 0.5 is an optimal composition in Zn_1?xNi_xFe₂O₄ system with moderate magnetization, colossal resistivity and high value of dielectric constant at low frequency for their possible usage in field sensor applications.