Thermal conductivity and magnetic properties of the B substituted Ca3Co4O9

In this study, we reported the effects of the boron (B) substitution into the Ca site in the Ca₃Co₄O₉ system on the electrical, thermal and magnetic properties between 300 K and 5 K. The results indicated that the B-substitution into the system caused an increase of resistivity due to the decrease on carrier concentration. Thermal conductivity decreased for the x = 0.5 B-substituted sample and then increased with increasing the B-content. Analysis on the thermal conductivity of samples showed that the phonon–phonon interaction term is the dominant component in the total thermal conductivity for all the samples. It was found that the point defect contribution to the thermal conductivity increased by increasing the B-content. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility showed a paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and ferrimagnetic behavior below 20 K for unsubstituted sample. But, the magnetization decreased in the B-substituted samples. The substitution of B into the Ca site destroyed the interlayer coupling, which resulted in the decrease of the ferromagnetic behavior. The susceptibility data was fitted using Curie–Weiss law with temperature independent term and the μ_eff values were calculated to be 1.42 μ_B and 3.89 μ_B for unsubstituted sample and the highest B-substitution, respectively.     

Hard magnetic properties of anisotropic Sm-Fe-N magnets produced by compression shearing method

Anisotropic Sm-Fe-N bulk magnets were produced by the compression shearing method using a hardened steel plate and a tungsten-carbide (WC) plate. It was found that the magnets retained the original Sm₂Fe₁₇N₃ phase structure without any appreciable decomposition of the Sm₂Fe₁₇N₃ phase. The anisotropic Sm-Fe-N bulk magnet produced using a WC plate had a higher density and higher crystallographic alignment of the Sm₂Fe₁₇N₃ phase than that produced using a hardened steel plate, and exhibited high maximum energy products of 228 kJ/m³ with a high coercivity of 0.88 MA/m.     

Ground state electronic and magnetic properties of RCrSb3 (R=La, Ce, Nd, Gd and Dy): A first principles study

The electronic density of states (DOS) and magnetic moments of rare-earth antimonides (RCrSb₃) have been studied by the first principles full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method based on density functional theory (DFT). For the exchange-correlation potential, the LSDA+U method is used. The effective moments of LaCrSb₃, CeCrSb₃, NdCrSb₃, GdCrSb₃, and DyCrSb₃ were found to be , , , and respectively. The exchange-splittings of Cr-3d state electrons and 4f-states of rare earth elements were analyzed to explain the magnetic nature of these systems. The Cr atom plays a significant role on the magnetic properties due to the hybridization between Cr-3d and Sb-5p state orbitals. The results obtained are compared and found to be in close agreement with the available data.     

Influence of rare-earth ions on the structure and magnetic properties of barium W-type hexaferrite

Barium W-type hexaferrite with composition Ba_0.95R_0.05Mg_0.5Zn_0.5CoFe₁₆O₂₇ where R=Y, Er, Ho, Sm, Nd, Gd, and Ce ions has been prepared by the double-sintering ceramic technique. Structure of the prepared samples has been characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The XRD patterns at room temperature show the presence of secondary phase with the intensity of the secondary phase increasing with increasing ionic radius of the rare earth (RE) ions. The variation of the magnetic susceptibility (χ_M) with temperature in the range 300–750 K at different magnetic field intensities (1280, 1733 and 2160 Oe) was studied by using Faraday's method. The results show that the Curie temperature (T_C) increases regularly with increasing RE ionic radius then decreases again, after which it reaches maximum value at Sm ion of radius ≈1.04 Å. This behavior was explained on the basis of the changes in Fe³⁺–O–Fe³⁺ superexchange interaction. The effective magnetic moment μ_eff. of the investigated samples was discussed in view of varying the RE element as well as the magnetization of different sublattices.     

Magnetoelastic properties of ErMn6Sn6 intermetallic compound

The thermal expansion and magnetostriction of polycrystalline sample of the ErMn₆Sn₆ intermetallic compound with hexagonal HfFe₆Ge₆-type structure are investigated in the temperature range of 77 K to above 400 K. The thermal expansion measurement of the sample shows anomalous behavior around its T_N=340 K. The isofield curves of volume magnetostriction also reveal anomalies at paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-ferrimagnetic phase transitions. In the antiferromagnetic state, the transition to ferrimagnetism can be induced by an applied magnetic field. The threshold field for the metamagnetic transition H_th increases from 0.18 T at 84 K to about 1 T around 220 K, and then decreases monotonously to T_N. This behavior is well consistent with that observed earlier on magnetization curves attributed to exchange-related metamagnetic transition rather than the anisotropy-related one. Furthermore, the low H_th values suggest that the Mn-Mn coupling in ErMn₆Sn₆ is not so strong. The experimental results obtained are discussed in the framework of two-magnetic sublattice by bearing in mind the lattice parameter dependence of the interlayer Mn-Mn exchange interaction in this layered compound. From the temperature dependence of magnetostriction values and considering the magnetostriction relation of a hexagonal structure, we attempt to determine the signs of some of the magnetostriction constants for this compound.     

Magnetoelastic properties of GdMn6Sn6 intermetallic compound

We studied the thermal expansion and magnetostriction of polycrystalline samples of GdMn₆Sn₆ intermetallic compound with hexagonal HfGe₆Fe₆-type structure in the temperature range of 77-520 K. The thermal expansion measurement of the sample shows anomalous behavior around its T_C=434 K and T_M=309 K, possibly the point of collapse-like reduction of Mn moments. In addition, the isofield curves of anisotropic and volume magnetostriction reveal anomalies around paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase transition. The obtained experimental results are discussed in the framework of two-magnetic sublattices by bearing in mind the lattice parameter dependence of interlayer Mn-Mn exchange interaction in this layered compound. From the temperature dependence of magnetostriction values and considering the magnetostriction relation of a hexagonal structure, we attempt to determine the signs of some of the magnetostriction constants as well as a comparison of their orders of magnitude for this compound.     

Ultrathin multilayer of Fe and Ge: structure and magnetic properties

Metal-semiconductor multilayers are interesting, artificial structures as prospective candidates for spin injection devices. A Fe–Ge multilayer sample with very thin individual layers (few crystallographic planes) has been deposited by sputtering on Si[1 0 0] substrate. We have characterized the structure of this multilayer sample using X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectometry and neutron reflectometry. The magnetic moment density in the ferromagnetic Fe layer has been obtained by polarized neutron reflectometry and the bulk magnetic behavior of the thin film by SQUID magnetometer measurements. We found that the film is a soft ferromagnet at room temperature with a substantially reduced magnetic moment of the Fe atoms.     

Low-frequency complex magnetic susceptibility of magnetic composite microspheres in colloidal dispersion

A procedure is presented to determine the permanent magnetic dipole moment of composite microspheres containing magnetic nanoparticles with a blocked magnetic dipole moment. The composite particles are dispersed in a solvent, and the complex magnetic susceptibility is measured from 0.1 to 1000 Hz using a highly sensitive new setup. Composite particles with a permanent magnetic dipole moment are revealed by a characteristic frequency that corresponds to the Brownian rotation of the microspheres. From measured susceptibility spectra, we calculate the permanent magnetic dipole moment of recently developed cobalt ferrite-doped silica and latex microspheres.     

Intrinsic magnetic inhomogeneity of Eu substituted La0.7Pb0.3Mno3 single crystals

The study of magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the crystals of (La_1−yEu_y)_0.7Pb_0.3MnO₃ system has been carried out. Eu ions enter the crystals being in trivalent nonmagnetic state. Europium ions possessing of smaller ionic radius in comparison with La ions, induce local distortions of Mn–O–Mn bonds in the system that cause random distribution of magnetic exchange interactions in magnitude and, probably, in sign. The competition of magnetic interactions leads to the appearance of the inhomogeneous magnetic state in the crystals. The enhancement of concentration of Eu ions results in decrease of the Curie temperature and broadening of the inhomogeneous magnetic state area. At y=0–0.4 the coexistence of the paramagnetic phase with conductivity of the polaronic type and the ferromagnetic metallic phase is observed in a bounded temperature interval both above and below T_C. Below T_C the increasing of y up to 0.6 induces the magnetic state representing the coexistence of two different FM phases. These phases are spatially separated due to frustration of FM and AFM exchange interactions on phase boundaries. Above T_C, up to 1.6T_C ferromagnetic clusters exist in a paramagnetic matrix similar to the case of samples with y=0–0.4. Concerning electric properties, the samples with y=0–0.4 reveal the metal–insulator transition at temperature that practically coincides with T_C. The sample with y=0.6 has conductivity of insulator character up to the lowest temperatures. For all investigated compositions y=0–0.6 the CMR effect is observed in the area where the inhomogeneous magnetic state exists. The effect is determined by different conductivity of the coexisting phases, as well as by sensitivity of the inhomogeneous state to external magnetic field.     

Effects of different annealing atmospheres on magnetic properties in La2CoMnO6 single crystals

We have successfully synthesized the high-quality single crystals of double perovskite La₂CoMnO₆ by flux method and investigated the effects of different annealing conditions on the magnetic properties. In an as-grown crystal, ferromagnetic order along the c axis arises below 204 K, and the spin-glass-type behavior inherent from ionic disorders is also observed. Upon annealing in different gas environments, the reconstructed magnetic states induce a metamagnetic transition (after Ar annealing), and increase Curie temperature (after O₂ annealing). After quenching, the magnetic transition temperature decreases significantly, comprising lots of defects and disorders. Our results provide adequate procedures to control magnetic properties of double-perovskite compounds.     

Effect of codoping with C or N on electronic structures and magnetic properties of ZnO:Cu

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we investigated systematically the electronic structures and magnetic properties of ZnO:Cu. The results indicate that Cu-doped ZnO prefers a ferromagnetic ground state and behaves like a half-metallic ferromagnet. The magnetic moment mainly localizes at Cu atom and the rest mainly comes from the spin polarized O atoms. It has been found that the ferromagnetic stability can be enhanced slightly by substituting an oxygen atom with one N atom; while the ferromagnetic stability can be weakened by replacing one O atom with a C atom. Due to absence of magnetic ion and the 100% spin polarization of the carriers in ZnO:Cu, one can expect that Cu-doped ZnO would be a useful half-metallic ferromagnet both in practical application and in theoretical studies.     

Thermal stability,magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Gd55Co35M10 (M = Si,Zr and Nb) melt-spun ribbons

The thermal stability, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Gd₅₅Co₃₅M₁₀ (M = Si, Zr and Nb) melts-pun ribbons were studied. The relatively high reduced glass transition temperature (T_x1/T_m > 0.60) and low melting point (T_m) resulted in excellent glass forming ability (GFA). The Curie temperatures (T_C) of melt-spun amorphous ribbons Gd₅₅Co₃₅M₁₀ for M = Si, Zr and Nb were 166, 148 and 173 K, respectively. For a magnetic field change of 2 T, the values of maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M)^max for Gd₅₅Co₃₅Si₁₀, Gd₅₅Co₃₅Zr₁₀ and Gd₅₅Co₃₅Nb₁₀ were found to be 2.86, 4.28 and 4.05 J kg⁻¹K⁻¹, while the refrigeration capacity (RC) values were 154, 274 and 174 J kg^–1, respectively. The RC_FWHM values of amorphous alloys Gd₅₅Co₃₅M₁₀ (M = Si, Zr and Nb) are comparable to or larger than that of LaFe_11.6Si_1.4 crystalline alloy. Large values of (−ΔS_M)^max and RC along with good thermal stability make Gd₅₅Co₃₅M₁₀ (M = Si, Zr and Nb) amorphous alloys be potential materials for magnetic cooling operating in a wide temperature range from 150 to 175 K, e.g., as part of a gas liquefaction process.     

Electronic,structural and magnetic properties of TbO under pressure: FP-LAPW study

ABSTRACT

Using the framework of the density functional theory, we calculated electronic, magnetic and structural properties of terbium oxide (TbO) in rocksalt (RS), cesium chloride (CsCl) and zincblende (ZB). Full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the local spin density approximation (LSDA) and generalized gradient (PBE-GGA) approximations are used. Magnetic and non-magnetic calculations are performed and a modified version of Becke and Johnson (mBJ) exchange potential has been used to calculate the band gaps. We found that, although TbO is stable in a ferromagnetic state, it is stable in RS phase at ambient condition. Both LSDA and PBE-GGA calculations revealed that the three structures are metallic. However, using the mBJ calculation, it is clear that RS and CsCl phases of TbO compound are metallic, while ZB phase is found to be an insulator in the spin-up case and a semiconductor in the spin-down case at ambient pressure.     

A study of thermal, dielectric and magnetic properties of strontium malonate crystals

Crystals of strontium malonate (SrC₃H₂O₄) were grown in silica gel by the single diffusion technique. The thermo gravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies were carried out to investigate the thermal stability of the crystal. The dielectric behavior of the title compound crystal was investigated by measuring the dielectric parameters - dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity as a function of four frequencies −1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 1 MHz at temperatures ranging from 50 to 170 °C. Results indicate that the title compound is thermally stable up to about 409 °C and is a promising low ε_r-value dielectric material. The magnetic behavior of the crystal was also explored using a vibrating sample magnetometer.     

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of Cr monodoped and (Cr, Al) codoped ZnO

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we investigated systematically the electronic structures and magnetic properties of Cr monodoped and (Cr, Al) codoped in ZnO. The results indicate that Cr monodoped in ZnO favors a spin-polarized state with a total magnetic moment of 7.50μ_B per supercell and the magnetic moment mainly comes from the unpaired 3d electrons of Cr atoms. In addition, it was found that the ferromagnetic exchange interaction between Cr atoms is short-ranged in Cr monodoped ZnO. Interestingly, the ferromagnetic stability can be enhanced significantly by codoping Al_Zn. We think that the enhancement of ferromagnetic stability should be attributed to the additional electrons introduced by Al_Zn codoping.     

Magnetic and optical properties of nitroxide radicals and their lanthanide complexes

This paper reports the structural, magnetic and optical properties of three series of lanthanide complexes [Ln(radical)₄](ClO₄)₃, [Ln(radical)₂(NO₃)₃] and [Ln(radical)(hfac)₃] (Ln=Gd(III), La(III) or Eu(III)) with nitronyl or imino nitroxide radicals.The magnetic properties of the gadolinium complexes were studied. Along the series, most gadolinium(III) complexes exhibit antiferromagnetic Gd^III-radical interaction. These results are discussed.The full absorption and luminescence spectra of some lanthanide complexes and their uncoordinated free radical ligands were measured. The rich vibronic structure in luminescence and absorption spectra indicates that several excited states define the absorption spectra between 400 and 800 nm. Qualitative trends can be established between magnetic ground state properties and the energies and vibronic structure of the title compounds.     

Study on magnetic properties of nanocrystalline La-, Nd-, or Gd-substituted Ni–Mn ferrite at low temperatures

The effects of rare-earth ions with different radii and magnetic moments on the magnetic properties of Ni–Mn ferrite are investigated. X-ray diffraction pattern has shown the presence of cubic structure of spinel ferrite for all samples. The values of M_s and H_c are decreasing with increasing of testing temperatures for all samples. The H_c value of Ni_0.7Mn_0.3La_0.1Fe_1.9O₄ reaches 1082 Oe at 2 K. Mössbauer spectra tested at 273 K indicate the presence of superparamagnetism for samples calcined at 873 K.     

Preparation, optical properties, magnetic properties and thermal stability of core-shell structure cobalt/zinc oxide nanocomposites

Cobalt nanoparticles coated with zinc oxide can form composite spheres with core-shell structure. This coating process was based on the use of silane coupling with agent 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (HS-(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃, MPTS) as a primer to render the cobalt surface vitreophilic, thus it renders cobalt surface compatible with ZnO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to gain insight into the way in which the MPTS is bound to the surface of the cobalt nanoparticles. The morphological structure, chemical composition, optical properties and magnetic properties of the product were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscope and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). It was found that the Co/ZnO core-shell structure nanocomposites exhibited both of favorable magnetism and photoluminescence properties. Results of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) indicated that the thermal stability of cobalt/zinc oxide was better than that of pure cobalt nanoparticles.     

Structure and magnetic properties of FeCo nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanotubes grown by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition is a simple technique for preparing magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanotubes. We employed alloy catalysts when growing carbon nanotubes to control the composition and magnetic properties of encapsulated nanoparticles. Single-crystal nanoparticles were successfully encapsulated in carbon nanotubes, and their crystal structure varied depending on the composition of the alloy catalysts. The coercive force of nanoparticles also varied according to the composition of the catalysts.     

Spin-polarized structural, electronic and magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors Cd1−xMnxTe in zinc blende phase

We have investigated the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) Cd_1−xMn_xTe (for x=0.75 and 1.0) in the zinc blende (B3) phase by employing the ab-initio method. Calculations were performed by using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals (FP-L/APW+lo) method within the frame work of spin-polarized density functional theory (SP-DFT). The electronic exchange-correlation energy is described by generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have calculated the lattice parameters, bulk modulii and the first pressure derivatives of the bulk modulii, spin-polarized band structures, and total and local densities of states. We estimated the spin-exchange splitting energies Δ_x(d) and Δ_x(pd) produced by the Mn3d states, and we found that the effective potential for the minority spin is more attractive than that of the majority spin. We determine the s-d exchange constant N₀α (conduction band) and p-d exchange constant N₀β (valence band) and these somewhat agree with a typical magneto-optical experiment. The value of calculated magnetic moment per Mn impurity atom is found to be 4.08 μ_B for Cd_0.25Mn_0.75Te and 4.09 μ_B for Cd_0.0Mn_1.0Te. Moreover, we found that p-d hybridization reduces the local magnetic moment of Mn from its free space charge value of 5.0 μ_B and produces small local magnetic moments on the nonmagnetic Cd and Te sites.