Vacancy‐induced minority‐spin states in half‐metallic Heusler alloys

Ferromagnetic full Heusler alloys containing Co are amongst the most studied half‐metallic systems. Several studies recently have been concentrated on the effect of defects and impurities. We focus in this Letter on the case of vacancies in these alloys. We show that the occurrence of vacancies at the sites occupied by Co atoms can destroy half‐metallicity and alters the Slater–Pauling rule. Such defects are likely to occur since they result to the C1_b lattice structure of the semi‐Heusler alloys. Contrary, the appearance of vacancies at the other sites keeps the half‐metallic character of the parent alloys. Thus for realistic devices it is important to prevent the appearance of vacancies during the growth of thin films. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Band structure calculations for Heusler phase Co2YBi and half-Heusler phase CoYBi (Y=Mn, Cr)

We have studied the electron structure and magnetic properties of Heusler phase Co₂YBi and half-Heusler phase CoYBi (Y=Mn, Cr) by using the full-potential linearized-augmented plane-wave (FLAPW) method. Co₂MnBi and Co₂CrBi are predicted to be half-metallic magnetism with a total magnetic moment of 6 and 5 μ_B, respectively, well consistent with the Slater-Pauling rule. We also predict CoMnBi to be half-metallic magnetism with a slight compression. The gap origin for Co₂MnBi and Co₂CrBi is due to the 3d electron splitting of Mn (Cr) and Co atoms, and the gap width depends on Co electron splitting. The atom coordination surroundings have a great influence on the electron structure, and consequently the Y site in the X₂YZ structure has a more remarkable electron splitting than the X site due to the more symmetric surroundings. The investigation regarding the lattice constant dependence of magnetic moment shows that the Co magnetic moment exhibits an opposite behavior with the change of the lattice constant for Heusler and half-Heusler alloys, consequently leading to the different variation trends for total magnetic moment. The variation of total and atom magnetic moment versus lattice constant can be explained by the extent of 3d electron splitting and localization of Mn (Cr) and Co atoms for both the series of alloys.     

Defects-driven appearance of half-metallic ferrimagnetism in Co-Mn-based Heusler alloys

Half-metallic ferromagnetic full-Heusler alloys containing Co and Mn, having the formula Co₂MnZ where Z is a sp element, are among the most studied Heusler alloys due to their stable ferromagnetism and the high Curie temperatures which they present. Using state-of-the-art electronic structure calculations we show that when Mn atoms migrate to sites occupied in the perfect alloys by Co, these Mn atoms have spin moments antiparallel to the other transition metal atoms. The ferrimagnetic compounds, which result from this procedure, keep the half-metallic character of the parent compounds and the large exchange-splitting of the Mn impurities atoms only marginally affects the width of the gap in the minority-spin band. The case of [Co_1−xMn_x]₂MnSi is of particular interest since Mn₃Si is known to crystallize in the Heusler L2₁ lattice structure of Co₂MnZ compounds. Robust half-metallic ferrimagnets are highly desirable for realistic applications since they lead to smaller energy losses due to the lower external magnetic fields created with respect to their ferromagnetic counterparts.     

Spin‐polarized electron gas in Co2M Si/SrTiO3 (M = Ti,V, Cr,Mn, and Fe) heterostructures

Spin‐polarized density functional theory is used to study the TiO₂ terminated interfaces between the magnetic Heusler alloys Co₂Si (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe) and the non‐polar band insulator SrTiO₃. The structural relaxation at the interface turns out to depend systematically on the lattice mis‐ match. Charge transfer from the Heusler alloys (mainly the M 3d orbitals) to the Ti d_xy orbitals of the TiO₂ interface layer is found to gradually grow from M = Ti to Fe, resulting in an electron gas with increasing density of spin‐polarized charge carriers. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effects of Co on the Néel temperature and thermal expansion in dilute CrFe alloys

The Néel temperature and thermal expansion characteristics of dilute CrFe alloys containing Co have been investigated. It has been found that the Néel temperature of Cr_99-xFe₁Co_x alloys (0.5?x?1) increases with increasing Co content and that these ternary alloys exhibit a large spontaneous volume magnetostriction, indicating Invar characteristics around room temperature. These behaviors are extremely different from those of CrFe and CrCo binary alloys.     

Theoretical study of the electronic and magnetic properties of Co2Cr1−xVxAl

We have investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of the doped Heusler alloys Co₂Cr_1−xV_xAl(x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) using first-principles density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) scheme. The calculated results reveal that with increasing V content the lattice parameter slightly increases; both cohesive energy and bulk modulus increase with increasing x. The magnetic moment of the Co(Cr) sites increases with V doping; the total spin moment of these compounds linearly decreases. We also have performed the electronic structure calculations for Co₂Cr_1−xV_xAl with positional disorder of Co-Y(Cr,V)-type and Al-Y(Cr,V)-type. It is found that formation of Al-Y-type disorder in Co₂Cr_1−xV_xAl alloys is more favorable than that of Co-Y-type disorder. Furthermore, we found that Co₂Cr_1−xV_xAl of the L2₁-type structure have a half-metallic character. And the stability of L2₁ structure will enhance, however, the Curie temperature decreases as the V concentration increases. The disorder between Cr(V) and Al does not significantly reduce the spin polarization of the alloys Co₂Cr_1−xV_xAl.     

Full-Heusler合金X2YGa(X=Co,Fe,Ni;Y=V,Cr,Mn)的电子结构、磁性及半金属特性的第一性原理研究

利用基于密度泛函理论的全势线性缀加平面波方法,结合广义梯度近似,对full-Heusler X₂YGa(X=Co,Fe,Ni;Y=V,Cr,Mn)合金的电子结构、磁性及半金属特性进行了研究,并讨论了自旋-轨道耦合作用对它们的影响.计算结果表明,自旋-轨道耦合作用对full-Heusler X₂YGa(X=Co,Fe,Ni;Y=V,Cr,Mn)合金的电子结构,磁性与半金属特性的影响很小. 当未考虑自旋-轨道耦合作用时,Co₂VGa,Co₂CrGa,和Fe₂CrGa合金为半金属或准半金属铁磁体,加入自旋-轨道耦合作用后体系的自旋极化率将降低1%左右, 它们依然保持很高的自旋极化率.Fe₂MnGa,Co₂MnGa,Ni₂CrGa和Ni₂MnGa合金为一般铁磁体,Fe₂VGa和Ni₂VGa合金为顺磁体. 关键词： 半金属特性 自旋-轨道耦合 Heusler合金 全势线性缀加平面波方法(FLAPW)     

NMR study of some heusler alloys containing Co and Mn

The⁵⁹Co and⁵⁵Mn NMR were measured at 4.2 K by spin echo technique. The hyperfine fields in Co₂ MnAl and Co₂MnSb were determined, and it was suggested that in the Co₂MnZ compounds the Co hyperfine field depends on Z. The magnitude of the hyperfine field at Mn dilutely dissolved in Co₂TZ by replacing T (T=Ti, V, Cr, Fe) was found to be larger by 30–80 kOe than that in Co₂MnZ with the same Z. The hyperfine field at Co dilutely dissolved in X₂ MnZ (X=Ni, Cu) by replacing X had a value quite near to that in Co₂MnZ.     

Mechanism for enhancing dispersion of Co3O4 nanoparticles in Co/SiO2 Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst by adding glycol to impregnating solution: a quick‐XAFS study

In situ Co K‐edge quick‐EXAFS (QEXAFS) coupled with temperature‐programmed oxidation as well as ex situ XAFS was applied to investigating the mechanism for enhancing the dispersion of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles in a calcined Co/SiO₂ Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalyst prepared by adding triethylene glycol (TEG) to a Co(NO₃)₂.6H₂O impregnating solution. Ex situ Co K‐edge XAFS indicated that, regardless of whether the catalysts were prepared with or without using TEG, the hexaaqua Co (II) complex was formed in impregnated samples which then underwent the dehydration process to some extent during the subsequent drying step at 393 K. In situ QEXAFS and ex situ EXAFS results also indicated that small oxide clusters were formed in the TEG‐modified catalyst calcined at ～400–470 K which interacted with polymer species derived from TEG. Since the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis activity of the TEG‐modified catalyst increased with an increase in the calcination temperature in a similar temperature range [Koizumi et al. (2011), Appl. Catal. A, 395 , 138–145], it was suggested that such an interaction enables the clusters to be distributed over the support surface uniformly, resulting in enhancing their dispersion. After combustion of polymer species, Co₃O₄‐like species were formed, and agglomeration of the Co₃O₄‐like species at high calcination temperatures was suppressed by the addition of TEG to the impregnating solution. It was speculated that the addition of TEG induced the formation of some surface silicate which worked as an anchoring site for Co₃O₄ and Co⁰ nanoparticles during calcination and H₂ reduction, respectively.     

Alloy formation of Co/Ni/Pt(1 1 1)

The initial growth and alloy formation of ultrathin Co films deposited on 1 ML Ni/Pt(1 1 1) were investigated by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). A sequence of samples of d_Co Co/1 ML Ni/Pt(1 1 1) (d_Co = 1, 2, and 3 ML) were prepared at room temperature, and then heated up to investigate the diffusion process. The Co and Ni atoms intermix at lower annealing temperature, and Co-Ni intermixing layer diffuses into the Pt substrate to form Ni-Co-Pt alloys at higher annealing temperature. The diffusion temperatures are Co coverage dependent. The evolution of UPS with annealing temperatures also shows the formation of surface alloys. Some interesting LEED patterns of 1 ML Co/1 ML Ni/Pt(1 1 1) show the formation of ordered alloys at different annealing temperature ranges. Further studies in the Curie temperature and concentration analysis, show that the ordered alloys corresponding to different LEED patterns are Ni_xCo_1−xPt and Ni_xCo_1−xPt₃. The relationship between the interface structure and magnetic properties was investigated.     

Half-metallic behavior of Co2YZ (Y = V,Cr; Z = Al,Ga) under pressure: a DFT study

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Co-based Heusler compounds Co₂YZ (Y = V, Cr; Z = Al, Ga) under pressure are studied using first principles density functional theory. The calculations are performed within generalized gradient approximation. The total magnetic moment decreases slightly on compression. Under application of external pressure, the valence band and conduction band are shifted downward which leads to the modification of electronic structure. There exists an indirect band gap along Г–X for all the alloys studied. Co₂CrAl shows half-metallic nature up to 85 GPa. After this pressure transition from true half-metallic behavior to nearly half-metallic behavior is observed and at 90 GPa it shows metallic behavior. Co₂CrGa shows nearly half-metallic behavior at ambient pressure, but true half-metallic behavior is observed as pressure is increased to 100 GPa. For Co₂VGa, true half-metallic to nearly half-metallic transition is observed at 40 GPa and around 100 GPa, Co₂VGa shows metallic behavior. For Co₂VAl, true half-metallic behavior is not observed at ambient as well as higher pressures. The half metal-to-metal transition in Co₂VAl and Co₂CrAl is accompanied by quenching of magnetic moment.     

Influence of vacancies on the electronic structure of Co ZrSn Heusler alloys

The electronic structure of the Co_2-xZrSn Heusler alloys has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS valence band spectra can be compared with ab initio electronic structure calculations using the linearized muffin-tin orbital (LMTO) method. The calculated magnetic moments per Co atom agree well with the moments obtained from experiment. The LMTO calculations also show the energy shifts of the Co, Zr and Sn valence electron states towards the Fermi level when the concentration of vacancies increases in these alloys. Received 9 March 1999 and Received in final form 6 May 1999     

Co3O4 Hollow Nanoparticles and Co Organic Complexes Highly Dispersed on N‐Doped Graphene: An Efficient Cathode Catalyst for Li‐O2 Batteries

Rechargeable Li‐O₂ batteries are promising candidates for electric vehicles due to their high energy density. However, the current development of Li‐O₂ batteries demands highly efficient air cathode catalysts for high capacity, good rate capability, and long cycle life. In this work, a hydrothermal‐calcination method is presented to prepare a composite of Co₃O₄ hollow nanoparticles and Co organic complexes highly dispersed on N‐doped graphene (Co–NG), which acts as a bifunctional air cathode catalyst to optimize the electrochemical performances of Li‐O₂ batteries. Co–NG exhibits an outstanding initial discharge capacity up to 19 133 mAh g^?1 at a current density of 200 mA g^?1. In addition, the batteries could sustain 71 cycles at a cutoff capacity of 1000 mAh g^?1 with low overpotentials at the current density of 200 mA g^?1. Co–NG composites are attractive as air cathode catalysts for rechargeable Li‐O₂ batteries.     

Electronic, magnetic and transport properties of Co2TiZ (Z=Si, Ge and Sn): A first-principle study

We have studied the electronic structure, magnetic and transport properties of some Co based full Heusler alloys, namely Co₂TiZ (Z=Si, Ge and Sn), in the frame work of first-principle calculations. The calculations show that Co₂TiZ (X=Si, Ge and Sn) are to be half-metallic compounds with a magnetic moment of 2 μ_B, well consistent with the Slater-Pauling rule. The electronic structure results reveal that Co₂TiZ has the high density of states at the Fermi energy in the majority-spin state and show 100% spin polarization. Our results also suggest that both the electronic and magnetic properties in these compounds are intrinsically related to the appearance of the minority-spin gap. The origin of energy gap in the minority-spin states is discussed in terms of the electron splitting of Z (Z=Si, Ge and Sn) and 3d Co atoms and also the d-d hybridization between the Co and Ti atoms. The transport properties of these materials are discussed on the basis of Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivity coefficients and thermal conductivity coefficients.     

Influence of crystal structure,ligand environment and morphology on Co L‐edge XAS spectral characteristics in cobalt compounds

The electronic structure of a material plays an important role in its functionality for different applications which can be probed using synchrotron‐based spectroscopy techniques. Here, various cobalt‐based compounds, differing in crystal structure, ligands surrounding the central metal ion and morphology, have been studied by soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Co L‐edge in order to measure the effect of these parameters on the electronic structure. A careful qualitative analysis of the spectral branching ratio and relative intensities of the L₃ and L₂ peaks provide useful insight into the electronic properties of compounds such as CoO/Co(OH)₂, CoCl₂.6H₂O/CoF₂.4H₂O, CoCl₂/CoF₂, Co₃O₄ (bulk/nano/micro). For further detailed analysis of the XAS spectra, quantitative analysis has been performed by fitting the spectral profile with simulated spectra for a number of cobalt compounds using crystal field atomic multiplet calculations.     

亚铁磁Heusler合金Mn2CoGa和Mn2CoAl掺杂Cr,Fe和Co的局域铁磁结构

通过实验和计算的方法研究了Mn₂CoM_xGa_1-x 和Mn₂CoM_xAl_1-x (M=Cr, Fe, Co)掺杂系列合金样品. 研究发现, 在共价作用的影响下, Fe和Co原子占A位, 使被取代的MnA (-2.1 μ_B)变成MnD (3.2 μ_B), 在最近邻的强交换作用下亚铁磁基体中形成了MnB-CoC-MnD局域铁磁性结构, 使分子磁矩的增量最高可达6.18 μ_B. Fe, Co 掺杂后建立同样的局域铁磁结构, 居里温度的变化趋势却不同. 实验观察到Mn₂Co_1+xAl_1-x中掺杂容忍度高达x=0.64, 远高于在Mn₂CoGa中(x=0.36)的结果; 以及随着Al的减少, 合金由B2有序向A2混乱转变等现象, 为共价作用对合金结构稳定的影响提供了证据. 磁测量中发现Cr掺杂后磁矩增量高达3.65 μ_B以及居里温度快速上升的反常现象, 意味着对占位规则的违背.     

First principles study on the electronic structure of the two chain compounds of [ M(N3)2(HCOO)][(CH3)2NH2] (M=Fe and Co)

First principles calculations have been performed to study the electronic structure and the ferromagnetic properties on the two chain compounds of [M(N₃)₂(HCOO)][(CH₃)₂NH₂] (M=Fe and Co). The relative stability of the ground state, the density of states and the electronic band structure are examined. The results reveal that antiferromagnetism (AFM) state is the ground state and ferromagnetism (FM) state is the metastable one for both of them. The two compounds exhibit semiconductor character with small gap in the FM state, while metallic in the AFM state. In the FM state, the magnetic moments mainly arise from the Fe and Co ions with little contribution from the nearest-neighboring N and O atoms due to the hybridization between the Fe or Co 3d states and the nearest-neighboring N and O 2p states.     

Carbon‐Encapsulated Tube‐Wire Co3O4/MnO2 Heterostructure Nanofibers as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

This study presents a general approach for the synthesis of carbon‐encapsulated wire‐in‐tube Co₃O₄/MnO₂ heterostructure nanofibers (Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C) via electrospinning followed by calcination. The as‐synthesized Co₃O₄/MnO₂@C is investigated as the sodium‐ion batteries anode material, which not only exhibits a high reversible capacity of 306 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ over 200 cycles, but also shows a cycling stability of 126 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 800 mA g⁻¹. The excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the contribution from carbon‐encapsulated outer‐tube Co₃O₄ and inner‐wire MnO₂ heterostructures, which offer a large internal space and good electrical conductivity. The present work can be helpful in providing new insights into heterostructures for sodium‐ion batteries and other applications.     

Soft X-ray magnetic circular dichroism of Heusler-type alloy Co2MnGe

Co and Mn 2p core absorption (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra have been measured for the ferromagnetic ternary alloy Co₂MnGe. The observed Co 2p XAS spectrum can be understood on the basis of the unoccupied Co 3d partial density of states, whereas the overall features of the Mn 2p XAS and XMCD spectra have been partly reproduced by the Mn 2p⁵3d⁶ final state multiplets. We have found that the orbital polarization of the Co 3d and even the Mn 3d states are recognizable, which suggests that a spin-orbit coupling should be taken into account in the energy band structure in order to reproduce the half metallic nature of this alloy.     

Interrelation between inhomogeneity and cyclability in O3‐NaFe1/2Co1/2O2

O3‐NaFe_1/2Co_1/2O₂ shows initial capacity of 160 mAh/g and an average operating voltage of 3.1 V (vs. Na) with good cyclability, and is a promising candidate of the cathode materials for sodium‐ion secondary batteries (SIBs). Here, we found that the cyclability of the slowly‐cooled sample is much worse than that of quenched one, even though the former sample keeps the O3‐type structure. The energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) images suggest that the slow‐cooled sample (Na_x Fe_1–yCo_y O₂) is inhomogeneous in the Fe concentration (1 – y), perhaps triggered by the Na deficiency (1 – x). We ascribed the poor cyclability in the slowly‐cooled sample to the concentration inhomogeneity (Δy). The Δy is further responsible for the fluctuation of the lattice constants (a and c), as revealed by the Williamson–Hall plot. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)