Electron work function in YNi3 − x T x (T = Cu,Fe, Mn; x = 0, 0.5) intermetallics

The electron work function in cast samples and cylindrical compacts of YNi_{3 ? x} T _x (T = Cu, Fe, Mn; x = 0, 0.5) intermetallics is determined using the contact potential difference method. A correlation is found between the electron work function and the electronegativity of elements substituting Ni in the YNi₃ structure.     

Epitaxial growth of titanium oxycarbide on MgO (0 0 1) substrates by pulsed laser deposition

Epitaxial TiC_xO_y thin films were grown on MgO (0 0 1) substrates by using pulsed laser deposition method. High-resolution X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine crystallinity and microstructure of epitaxial TiC_xO_y film on MgO. The chemical composition of the film is determined to be x ∼ 0.47 and y ∼ 0.69 by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the surface of TiC_xO_y film is very smooth with roughness of 0.18 nm. The resistivity of the TiC_xO_y film measured by four-point-probe method was about 137 μ Ω cm.     

Magnetic properties of La-Co substituted M-type strontium hexaferrites prepared by polymerizable complex method

Magnetic properties of La-Co substituted M-type strontium hexaferrites were studied. The samples were prepared by polymerizable complex method. Crystal structure of samples has been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Single-phase M-type strontium hexaferrites with chemical composition of Sr_1.05−xLa_xFe_12−xCo_xO₁₉ (x=0-0.4) were formed by heating at 1173 K for 24 h in air. Magnetic properties were discussed by measurements of M-H curves with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). La-Co substituted M-type strontium hexaferrites prepared by polymerizable complex method showed typical magnetic hysteresis of hard ferrite. The coercive force increased significantly by La-Co substitution with polymerizable complex method. Maximum coercive force achieved in this study is 8.0 kOe (640 kA/m). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the prepared ferrite particles have plate-like shape of diameter range between 20 and 500 nm.     

Electron work function of LaNi5 ? x T x (T = Al, Cu, Fe; x = 0, 1) intermetallics

The method of contact potential difference is applied to determine the electron work function of ingots and pellets (compacted powder) of LaNi_{5 ? x} T _x (T = Al, Cu, Fe; x = 0, 1) intermetallics at 293 K. A correlation is revealed between the electron work function and the heats of formation of the intermetallics and their hydrides.     

Fabrication and magnetic property analysis of monodisperse manganese-zinc ferrite nanospheres

Monodisperse Mn-Zn ferrite (Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄) nanospheres have been prepared via a simple solvothermal method. The as-synthesized samples were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), high-solution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), select area electron diffraction pattern (SAED), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results show that a large number of the high-purity Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ nanocrystallites were synthesized and these nanocrystallites oriented aggregated to nanospheres. The dependence of magnetic properties of Mn_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ nanospheres on the composition content x of Zn was studied. The maximum saturation magnetization value of the as-prepared sample (Mn_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄) reached 52.4 emu g⁻¹.     

Influence of Fe-doping on the structural,optical and magnetic properties of ZnO nanoparticles

Zn_1–xFe_xO (x=0–0.05) nanoparticles were synthesized without a catalyst by a two-step method. Fe was doped into ZnO by a source of metallic Fe sheets in a solid–liquid system at 80 °C, and the Zn_1−xFe_xO nanoparticles were obtained by annealing at 300 °C. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structural properties of the as-grown Zn_1−xFe_xO. The optical properties were determined by Infrared and Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The results confirm that the crystallinity of the ZnO is deteriorated due to Fe-doping. XPS results show that there is a mixture of Fe⁰⁺ and the Fe³⁺ in the representative Zn_0.95Fe_0.05O sample. The optical band gap of Zn_1−xFe_xO is enhanced with increasing of Fe-doping. Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in all the Fe-doped ZnO samples.     

A structural analysis of W-Sb mixed oxide catalyst

An investigation on the structure of W-Sb mixed oxide catalyst, W₁₂Sb_xO_y (x = 1, 3, 5), is proposed. The W-Sb mixed oxide powders were prepared by the calcination of aqueous precursors, antimony tartrate and ammoniummetatungstate, and characterized with scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and transmission electron microscope. At low content of Sb (x = 1), the W-Sb mixed oxide powder consisted of polyhedral particles, and their crystal structure was triclinic WO₃. At higher content (x = 3, 5), majority of the oxide powders were bar-shaped particles, consisting of triclinic WO₃ and tetragonal WO₃. With electron diffraction pattern and simulation, Sb incorporation into the cuboctahedral sites of perovskite-like WO₃ was proved and its effect on the phase transition from triclinic to tetragonal was discussed.     

Structural and optical properties of ZnO nanorods grown on MgxZn1−xO buffer layers

ZnO nanorod arrays were synthesized by chemical-liquid deposition techniques on Mg_xZn_1−xO (x = 0, 0.07 and 0.15) buffer layers. It is found that varying the Mg concentration could control the diameter, vertical alignment, crystallization, and density of the ZnO nanorods. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) data show the ZnO nanorods prefer to grow in the (0 0 2) c-axis direction better with a larger Mg concentration. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO nanorods exhibit that the ultraviolet (UV) emission becomes stronger and the defect emission becomes weaker by increasing the Mg concentration in Mg_xZn_1−xO buffer layers.     

Structural and magnetic properties of sol-gel Co2xNi0.5−x Zn0.5−xFe2O4 thin films

Nanocrystalline Co_2xNi_0.5−xZn_0.5−xFe₂O₄ (x=0−0.5) thin films have been synthesized with various grain sizes by a sol-gel method on polycrystalline silicon substrates. The morphology as well as magnetic and microwave absorption properties of the films calcined at 1073 K were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. All films were uniform without microcracks. The Co content in the Co-Ni-Zn films resulted in a grain size ranging from 15 to 32 nm while it ranged from 33 to 49 nm in the corresponding powders. Saturation and remnant magnetization increased with increase in grain size, while coercivity demonstrated a drop due to multidomain behavior of crystallites for a given value of x. Saturation magnetization increased and remnant magnetization had a maximum as a function of grain size independent of x. In turn, coercivity increased with x independent of grain size. Complex permittivity of the Co-Ni-Zn ferrite films was measured in the frequency range 2-15 GHz. The highest hysteretic heating rate in the temperature range 315-355 K was observed in CoFe₂O₄. The maximum absorption band shifted from 13 to 11 GHz as cobalt content increased from x=0.1 to 0.2.     

Study of structural, transport and magneto-resistive properties of La0.7Ca0.3−xCexMnO3 (0≤x≤0.2)

We have synthesized a series of La_0.7(Ca_0.3−xCe_x)MnO₃ (0≤x≤0.2) by standard solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement was carried out for structural studies and Rietveld refinement was done for structural analysis. The transport properties were studied using four probe technique. The temperature dependence of the resistivity was measured in the temperature range of 20 K to room temperature. It is found that all samples show a systematic variation in metal to insulator transition at transition temperature (T_P) and resistivity (ρ) with the relative concentration of hole and electron doping in the system. The samples showed varying amounts of colossal magnetoresistance depending upon temperature and applied magnetic field. The magnetoresistance values as high as 72% were observed in x=0 sample.     

Scattering parameters from an analysis of the hall electron mobility in Ga1−xAlxAs alloys

Hall mobilities in high purity epitaxial layers of n-type Ga_1?xA_xAs alloys with room-temperature electron concentrations in the range (5–10) × 10¹⁵ cm^?3 have been measured at 300 K for alloy compositions in the range 0? x ? 0.78. Models for the variation of various material parameters with composition are developed. The acoustic deformation potentials for the Π and X conduction band minima, the intervalley coupling constants for electron scattering among the X-X and L-X minima and the longitudinal optical phonon temperature for these scatterings and the polar optical scattering in the X minima have been determined from a theoretical fit to the experimental data. The electron mobilities in the Π, L and X minima are found to decrease with the composition in the range 0≦ x ? 0.45, show a minimum at x ? 0.50 and then increase again with composition. These mobility variations are reflected in the minimum in the Hall mobility at x ? 0.5 due to intense non-equivalent electron scattering involving the L and x minima. The minimum in the electron mobilities in the Π and X minima have been identified to occur mainly due to the space charge and intervalley scattering among the L and X minima, respectively. The number of equivalent x minima in Ga_1?x Al_x As alloys are estimated to be three and are, thus, situated at the zone edge.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles

Nickel zinc ferrite nanoparticles Ni_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ (x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5) have been synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the synthesis of single crystalline Ni_xZn_1−xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The lattice parameter decreases with increase in Ni content resulting in a reduction in lattice strain. Similarly crystallite size increases with the concentration of Ni. The magnetic measurements show the superparamagnetic nature of the samples for x=0.1 and 0.3 whereas for x=0.5 the material is ferromagnetic. The saturation magnetization is 23.95 emu/g and increases with increase in Ni content. The superparamagnetic nature of the samples is supported by the EPR and ac susceptibility measurement studies. The blocking temperature increases with Ni concentration. The increase in blocking temperature is explained by the redistribution of the cations on tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites.     

Study of Sm-doped ZnO samples sintered in a nitrogen atmosphere and deposited on n-Si(1 0 0) by evaporation technique

The samarium doping zinc oxide (Zn_1-xSm_xO) with (x=0.0, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.17) polycrystalline thin films have been deposited on n-Si(1 0 0) substrate using thermal evaporation technique. Ceramic targets for deposition were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction method and sintered in nitrogen atmospheres. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses show that the bulk and films features reveal wurtzite crystal structure with a preferential (1 0 1) crystallographic orientation and grows as hexagonal shape grains. According to the results of the Hall effect measurements, all the films show p-type conductivity, possibly a result of nitrogen incorporation into the Sm-doped ZnO samples. Magnetic measurements show that ferromagnetic behavior depends on the Sm³⁺ concentration. For a film with lower Sm₂O₃ contents (x=0.04), a phenomenon of paramagnetism has been observed. While, with further increase of Sm³⁺ contents (x=0.05) the ferromagnetic behavior has been observed at room temperature. However, at higher doping content of Sm³⁺, the ferromagnetic behavior was suppressed. The decrease of ferromagnetism with increasing doping concentration demonstrates that ferromagnetism observed at room temperature is an intrinsic property of Zn_1-xSm_xO films.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopic and magnetic characterization of cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanocrystals prepared by the molten-salt method

The local atomic arrangement and electronic structure of the Co-doped Zn_1−xCo_xO nanocrystal have been quantitatively examined along with its magnetic properties. According to our analysis using powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and Zn K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), phase-pure wurzite-structured Zn_1−xCo_xO nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized via the molten-salt method. The Co K-edge XAS analysis clearly demonstrates that all the Co²⁺ ions are substituted for the tetrahedral Zn sites of the Wurzite structure with a coordination number of 3.9 and a bond distance of 1.97 Å, ruling out the presence of magnetic impurity phase and Co-metal cluster. Magnetization measurements reveal that the present Zn_1−xCo_xO sample does not show any ferromagnetic transition down to 2 K. In this regard, we can conclude that Co-doped zinc oxide is not ferromagnetic but the previously reported ferromagnetism in this phase would be an extrinsic property.     

Preparation and characteristics of Sb-doped LiNiO2 cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Compounds LiNi_1−xSb_xO₂ (x=0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25) were synthesized by the two-step calcination method. The structural and morphological properties of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analysis confirms that the uniform solid solution has been formed in the as-prepared compounds without any impurities. It is shown that the crystal lattice parameters (a, c) of the Sb-doped compounds are bigger than those of pure LiNiO₂ and the Sb-doped compound with x=0.2 consists of spherical-like nanoparticles with a mean grain size of 50 nm. The electrochemical performances of as-prepared samples were studied via galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling tests. The compound with x=0.2 exhibits excellent capacity retention during the charge-discharge processes due to its reinforced structural stability, and a discharge capacity of 102.4 mAh/g is still obtained in the voltage range of 2.5-4.5 V after 20 cycles. Thermal analysis further confirms that the structural stability of LiNi_0.8Sb_0.2O₂ is superior to that of pure LiNiO₂.     

High temperature ferromagnetism of the vacuum-annealed (In1−xFex)2O3 powders

(In_1−xFe_x)₂O₃ (x = 0.02, 0.05, 0.2) powders were prepared by a solid state reaction method and a vacuum annealing process. A systematic study was done on the structural and magnetic properties of (In_1−xFe_x)₂O₃ powders as a function of Fe concentration and annealing temperature. The X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy results confirmed that there were not any Fe or Fe oxide secondary phases in vacuum-annealed (In_1−xFe_x)₂O₃ samples and the Fe element was incorporated into the indium oxide lattice by substituting the position of indium atoms. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions existed in the samples. Magnetic measurements indicated that all samples were ferromagnetic with the magnetic moment of 0.49-1.73 μ_B/Fe and the Curie temperature around 783 K. The appearance of ferromagnetism was attributed to the ferromagnetic coupling of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions via an electron trapped in a bridging oxygen vacancy.     

EPR of Yb3+ ions in Ba1−xLaxF2+x mixed crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of impurity Yb³⁺ ions (about 0.1 at.%) in mixed crystals BaF₂(1-x) plus LaF₃(x) have been investigated for different values of the concentrationx at a frequency of about 9.5 GHz by both continuous-wave (CW) EPR and electron spin echo methods. A spectrum of trigonal symmetry with a complex hyperfine structure is observed in “pure” BaF₂:Yb³⁺ (x=0). Upon admixture of small amounts of LaF₃ (x=0.001), additional EPR lines arise with intensities increasing with the increase ofx up to 0.005. These lines are attributed to trigonal centers including two rare-earth ions and two compensating fluorine ions. A further increase ofx results in a decrease of the total EPR spectrum intensity, and atx≥0.05 the CW resonance becomes practically unobservable. This may be due to the formation of rare-earth ion clusters with paramagnetic Yb³⁺ ions occurring in domains with a disordered structure of surroundings resulting in very broad EPR lines, which cannot be registered by CW EPR. Indeed, very broad (not less than 1 KG) EPR lines were observed by the electron spin echo method for concentrationsx<-0.02.     

Effect of Ni interlayer on stress level of CoSi2 films in Co/Ni/Si(1 0 0) bi-layered system

The effect of Ni interlayer on stress level of cobalt silicides was investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) show that low temperature formation of Co_1−xNi_xSi₂ solid solution was obtained while Ni interlayer was present in Co/Si system, which was confirmed by Auger electron spectrum (AES) and sheet resistance measurement. XRD was also used to measure the internal stress in CoSi₂ films by a 2θ_ψ − sin²ψ method. The result shows that the tensile stress in CoSi₂ films evidently decreased in Co/Ni/Si(1 0 0) system. The reduction of lattice mismatch, due to the presence of Ni in Co_xNi_1−xSi₂ solid solution, is proposed to explain this phenomenon.     

Synthesis of Ni1−xZnxO hollow structures by a facile method

By a sol–gel method, we obtained Ni_1−xZn_xO polycrystalline powders. The obtained Ni_1−xZn_xO was characterized by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope techniques. The characterized results showed that the obtained Ni_1−xZn_xO showed hollow structure. The grain sizes of the obtained hollow Ni_1−xZn_xO were quite uniform, typically in the range of 400–500 nm. This method is a simple and effective method for large-scale synthesis of hollow Ni_1−xZn_xO quasi-spheres. The present method is very promising for large-scale production because the method is only involves commercial Zn(AC)₂·2H₂O and NiCl₂·6H₂O powders and the reaction is achieved in an open system free of autoclave and organic chemical reagents. This template-free method is facile but effective and therefore it is very promising for large-scale industrial production.     

Optical properties and mechanical characteristics of transparent nanostructured Zn1−xMnxO thin films

Uniform and transparent thin films of Zn_1−xMn_xO (0?x?0.10) were fabricated by a sol-gel spin coating method. XRD results indicated the hexagonal structure of ZnO as the primary phase at all concentrations (x) of Mn. However, at x?0.035, Mn₃O₄ (tetragonal) is observed as the secondary phase, which was confirmed by selected-area electron diffraction patterns. SEM and TEM results showed a tendency of grains to arrange into wire-shaped morphologies, leading to elongated needle-like structures at high Mn addition. Increasing Mn content in the range 0?x?0.10 led to quenching of photoluminescence, increase in the band gap (E_g) from 3.27 to 3.33 eV, and increase in film thickness, refractive index and extinction coefficient of Zn_1−xMn_xO thin films. The residual stress evaluated was compressive in all cases and found to increase by an order of magnitude with addition of Mn. Furthermore, an overall increase in microhardness and yield strength of Zn_1−xMn_xO thin films at higher Mn concentrations is attributed to change in microstructures, presence of secondary phase and increase in film thickness.