Preparation and magnetic properties of Fe–Ag granular alloy

An aqueous solution of AgNO₃ in the presence of ammonia and Fe(CO)₅ is sonicated under a H₂/Ar mixture, yielding a nanostructured homogeneous phase of Ag/Fe₂O₃. This composite material is further reduced at 300°C under hydrogen to produce the nanophased Fe/Ag solid mixture. The as-prepared material, as well as the reduced mixture, is analyzed by various conventional methods. Magnetization loops, ESR, Mössbauer, and magnetoresistance measurements are also conducted to determine the magnetic properties of the products.     

Structural and magnetic properties of nanostructured Mn–Al–C magnetic materials

Pre-alloyed Mn_50+x−yAl_50−xC_y   (x=0$x=0$, 2, 4, 6, 8; y=0$y=0$, 1.7, 3) powders were mechanically milled (MM), and the as-milled powders subsequently annealed at temperatures from 350 to 600 °C to produce the ferromagnetic metastable L1₀-structured τ-phase. Bulk Mn₅₄Al₄₆ specimens were also annealed under the same conditions for comparison. The effects of the Mn concentration and C additions on phase formation, microstructure, magnetic properties, as well as on the magnetization mechanism of the Mn–Al–C alloys were systematically investigated. It was found that the magnetic properties are strongly dependent both on the fraction of the τ-phase and its microstructure. There exists a strong influence of the microstructural refinement, due to the ball milling, on the rate of ε-phase to τ-phase transformation and on the stability of the τ-phase. The kinetics of formation and subsequent decomposition of the magnetic τ-phase were markedly different in the MM and bulk alloys. Both remanence curves and δM plots showed no exchange coupling among the τ-phase nanograins. The mechanism for the magnetization process was determined to be domain wall pinning.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Fe–Ni mecanosynthesized alloys

Fe_100???x Ni _x samples with x?=?22.5, 30.0 and 40.0 at.% Ni were prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) with milling times of 10, 24, 48 and 72 h, a ball mass to powder mass (BM/PM) ratio of 20:1 and rotation velocity of 280 rev/min. Then the samples were sintered at 1,000°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission Mössbauer spectrometry (TMS). From the refinement of the X ray patterns we found in this composition range two crystalline phases, one body centered cubic (BCC), one face centered cubic (FCC) and some samples show FeO and Fe₃O₄ phases. The obtained grain size of the samples shows their nanostructured character. Mössbauer spectra were fitted using a model with two hyperfine magnetic field distributions (HMFDs), and a narrow singlet. One hyperfine field distribution corresponds to the ferromagnetic BCC grains, the other to the ferromagnetic FCC grains (Taenite), and the narrow singlet to the paramagnetic FCC grains (antitaenite). Some samples shows a paramagnetic doublet which corresponds to FeO and two sextets corresponding to the ferrimagnetic Fe₃O₄ phase. In this fit model we used a texture correction in order to take into account the interaction between the particles with flake shape and the Mössbauer $\upgamma$ -rays.     

Structural and magnetic–luminescent properties of carbon-doped aluminum oxide

Physics of the Solid State - Three-phase (corundum + δ phase + amorphous phase) amorphous–nanocrystalline powders of pure and carbon-doped Al2O3 (x C = 1.07–6.6 wt %) have been...     

Structural and magnetic properties of Ga-substituted Co2−W hexaferrites

Precursor powders of BaCo₂Fe_16-xGa_xO₂₇ with 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 were prepared using high-energy ball milling, and the effects of chemical composition on the structural and magnetic properties of the powders sintered at 1300 °C were investigated using x-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). XRD patterns of all samples indicated crystallization of pure BaCo₂−W (BaCo₂Fe₁₆O₂₇) hexaferrite phase. SEM measurements revealed large step-like formations with hexagonal crystallites. The magnetic data revealed small fluctuations of the saturation magnetization below the value 72.56 emu/g corresponding to the unsubstituted sample. The coercive field H_c of all samples ranged between 70 Oe and 130 Oe, indicating soft magnetic phase. Curie temperature determined from the thermomagnetic curves of the samples decreased from 485 °C at x = 0.0 down to 451 °C at x = 0.6. Also, the thermomagnetic curves revealed the presence of a minority magnetic phase with enhanced superexchange interaction, and the occurrence of complex magnetic phase transitions associated with spin reorientation transitions above room temperature.     

Structural,electrical and magnetic properties of Zr–Mg cobalt ferrite

Spinel cobalt ferrite, CoFe_2−xM_xO₄ has been synthesized by substitution of the combination of metallic elements M=Zr–Mg by the microemulsion method using polyethylene glycol as a surfactant. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the substitution results in shrinkage of the unit cell of cobalt ferrite due to higher binding energy of the synthesized samples. The energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis confirms the stoichiometric ratios of the elements present. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the minimum temperature required for the synthesis of these substituted compounds is 700 °C. A two-point probe method was employed for the measurement of the electrical resistivity in a temperature range of 293±5 to 673±5 K. It appears that there is a decrease in the number of Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ pairs at the octahedral sites due to the substitution and corresponding migration of some of the Fe³⁺ ions to tetrahedral sites, consequently increasing the resistivity and the activation energy of hopping of electron at the octahedral sites. The susceptibility data also suggest migration of Fe³⁺ to tetrahedral site in the initial stage, which results in an increase in A–B interactions leading to large increase in the blocking temperature (T_B) as observed in samples having dopant content x=0.1.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Dy2Co17—xMnx compounds

Using x-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements, we have studied the structural and magnetic properties of Dy₂Co_17-xMn_x (x=0∽5) compounds with a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. With an increasing Mn concentration x, the unit-cell volume V was found to increase linearly. The Curie temperature T_c decreases linearly, and the saturation magnetization M_s at 5K first increases slightly for x<1, then decreases rapidly for x>1 with a further increase of Mn concentration x. In compounds for x=1～3, a spin reorientation was found. A magnetic diagram of the compounds is given.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of Co–Zn magnetic fluid

Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (with x varying from 0 to 0.7) nanoparticles to be used for ferrofluid preparation were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The fine particles were suitably dispersed in transformer oil using oleic acid as the surfactant. The magnetization (M_s) and the size of the particles were measured at room temperature. The magnetization (M_s) was found to decrease with the increase in zinc substitution. The magnetic particle size (D_m) of the fluid was found to vary from 11.19 to 4.25 nm decreasing with the increase in zinc substitution.     

Structural and magnetic properties of nano-crystalline Ni–Zn ferrites synthesized using egg-white precursor

Nano-crystalline nickel–zinc ferrites of different compositions; Ni_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.0–1.0) were prepared by a precursor method involving egg-white and metal nitrates. An appropriate mechanism for the egg-white-metal complexation was suggested. Differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer and AC-magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out to investigate chemical, structural and magnetic aspects of Ni–Zn ferrites. XRD confirmed the formation of spinel cubic structure. The average crystallite size was calculated using line broadening in XRD patterns. Structural parameters like lattice constant, X-ray density, bond lengths and inter-cationic distance were determined from XRD data. TEM showed agglomerated particles with average size agreed well with that estimated using XRD. FT-IR spectra confirm the formation of spinel structure and further lends support to the proposed cation distribution. Zn-content was found to have a significant influence on the magnetic properties of the system. The changes in the magnetic properties can be attributed to the influence of the cationic stoichiometry and their occupancy in the specific sites.     

Structural and magneto-transport properties of LCMO–STO composites

A manganite matrix-based composite series, (1 ? x)La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃(LCMO) ? (x)SrTiO₃ (STO), has been prepared by the solid state route. Influence of STO phase on structural and magneto-transport properties of LCMO phase has been investigated. By X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform of infrared spectroscopy, we find that there is no interdiffusion between the LCMO and STO phases. Measurements of resistivity on these samples reveal that the parent sample shows a distinct metal–insulator (M–I) transition of intrinsic type at a temperature close to the Curie temperature, whereas composite samples show two possible transitions, intrinsic as well as extrinsic. The series exhibits a conduction threshold at x = x _m ～ 20%, up to which extrinsic M–I transition temperature decreases along with an increase in extrinsic magnetoresistance; whereas, above x _m these trends of variation are reversed.     

Structural and thermodynamic properties of AlB2 compound

We employ a first-principles plane wave method with the relativistic analytic pseudopotential of Hartwigsen, Goedecker and Hutter (HGH) scheme in the frame of DFT to calculate the equilibrium lattice parameters and the thermodynamic properties of AlB₂ compound with hcp structure. The obtained lattice parameters are in good agreement with the available experimental data and those calculated by others. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, obtained successfully are the dependences of the normalized lattice parameters a/a₀ and c/c₀ on pressure P, the normalized primitive cell volume V/V₀ on pressure P, the variation of the thermal expansion α with pressure P and temperature T, as well as the Debye temperature \Theta_D and the heat capacity C_V on pressure P and temperature T.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of Fe100−xNix-SiO2 granular alloy solid using a sol-gel method

The preparation of Fe_100−xNi_x-SiO₂ (x = 0, 20, 60, 80) granular solid using a sol-gel method is investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and electron transmission micrography. Pure Fe metal, Fe₄₀Ni₆₀ and Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ ultrafine alloy particles dispersed in Fe-SiO₂, Fe₄₀Ni₆₀-SiO₂ and Fe₂₀Ni₈₀-SiO₂ granular solid have been fabricated which are confirmed by the result of the XRD and the Mössbauer spectrums. The evolution of the magnetic properties for the Fe₄₀Ni₆₀-SiO₂ and Fe₂₀Ni₈₀-SiO₂ granular solid during reducing are described in detail and explained by using superparamagnetism, single-domain and multidomain theory.     

Structural and optical properties of WO3–PbO–B2O3 glass-ceramic

The WO₃–PbO–B₂O₃ glasses and glass ceramics are prepared and investigated with the help of XRD, density, molar volume, UV–visible and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD pattern reveals the glassy behavior up to 4% concentration of WO₃ and ceramic behavior of the prepared samples with concentration of WO₃ >4%. Band gap of glass samples decreases with increase in the WO₃ concentration from 0–5%. The samples with WO₃ concentration >5% do not respond to UV–visible absorption. The density and molar volume measurements show the compaction of structure of the samples, which is due to the formation of BO₄ groups. FTIR spectroscopy shows the formation of BO₄ group and W–O–W bending vibration at high concentration of WO₃.     

Sol–gel synthesis and luminescent properties of SiO2/Zn2SiO4 and SiO2/Zn2SiO4:V composite materials

Undoped and vanadium-doped Zn₂SiO₄ particles embedded in silica host matrix were prepared by a simple solid-phase reaction after the incorporation of ZnO and ZnO:V nanoparticles, respectively, in silica monolith using the sol–gel method with supercritical drying of ethyl alcohol in two steps. After supercritical drying and annealing in the temperature range between 1423 and 1473 K in an air atmosphere, the photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a band centered at about 760 nm in the case of non-doped Zn₂SiO₄ which is attributed to energy transfer from Zn₂SiO₄ particles to NBOHs interface defects. In the case of vanadium doped Zn₂SiO₄, the PL reveals a band centered at about 540 nm attributed to the vanadium in the interfaces between Zn₂SiO₄ particles and SiO₂ host matrix. Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) measurements show different origins of the emission bands. The PLE band (～240–350 nm) may be understood as an energy transfer process from O^2? to V⁵⁺ which occurs intrinsically in the vanadyl group.     

Single-electron tunneling in granular Ag–SiO2films

Current transport properties of thin Ag–SiO₂granular films were studied. In spite of very simple device structures (i.e., just sandwiching the granular film with Al electrodes), clear Coulomb blockade and Coulomb staircase structures were observed in the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. The observedI–Vcharacteristics were qualitatively explained by a double-barrier and a triple-barrier tunnel-junction model.