Annealing dependence of magnetic properties in nanostructured Sm0.5Y0.5Co5

Nanocrystalline Sm_0.5Y_0.5Co₅ powders with high coercivity H_C and enhanced remanence M_r were prepared by mechanical milling and subsequent annealing. Annealing temperatures T ranging from 973 to 1173 K, and times t ranging from 1 to 5 min were used. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and DC-magnetization measurements were carried out to study the microstructure and magnetic properties of these samples. XRD patterns demonstrate that the average grain size D of the nanocrystalline powders depends on the annealing temperature T and time t: D ranges from 11 nm (for T=973 K and t=1 min) to 93 nm (for T=1173 K and t=5 min). Magnetic measurements performed at room temperature indicate high coercivity values (H_C>955 kA/m), and enhanced remanence (M_r/M_max>0.5) for all samples. A strong annealing-induced grain size dependence of these magnetic properties was found.     

Thermal transport in the oxygenated magnetic superconductor, Eu1.5Ce0.5RuSr2Cu2O10+δ

The thermal conductivity and thermopower are reported for a hole doped Eu_1.5Ce_0.5RuSr₂Cu₂O_10+δ sample that has been annealed at 1100 K under an oxygen pressure of 54 atm. At T_c=45 K superconductivity and weak ferromagnetism coexist (T_m=180 K). Weak features in the thermopower, S(T), and thermal conductivity, κ(T), are observed both at T_m and at T^*=140 K. The thermopower begins to decrease sharply toward zero at T_c, and there is an extremely sharp increase of about 30% in the thermal conductivity at T_c. This “first order” transition may be related to the sudden appearance of a spontaneous vortex phase at T_c. A small shoulder is observed in κ(T) in the temperature range T=5–13 K.     

Direct measurement of the magnetocaloric effect in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3

Polycrystalline perovskite La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ was synthesized by a sol–gel method. Its adiabatic temperature change ΔT_ad induced by a magnetic field change was measured directly. At 268 K, near its Curie temperature T_C, ΔT_ad of La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ induced by a magnetic field change of 2.02 T reaches 2.4 K. The latent heat Q and magnetic entropy change −ΔS_M induced by a magnetic field change were calculated from the temperature dependence of ΔT_ad and zero-field heat capacity C_p. The maximum values of Q and −ΔS_M in La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ induced by a magnetic field change of 2.02 T are 1.85 J g⁻¹ and 6.9 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The former is larger than the phase transition latent heat of heating or cooling, which is about 1.70 J g⁻¹.     

Interplay of structure and magnetism in ruthenocuprates: a Raman scattering and dilatometry study

We present a Raman scattering and dilatometry study of polycrystalline samples of the magnetic superconducting ruthenocuprates RuSr₂Gd_2−xCe_xCu₂O_10+δ (RuGd₁₂₂₂) and RuSr₂GdCu₂O₈ (RuGd₁₂₁₂). In the Raman spectra a high-temperature diffusive-like laser-tail develops below the magnetic ordering temperature (T_M) into an underdamped peak which shifts up to 130 cm⁻¹. A line assigned to O(Ru) phonons hardens, narrows and strengthens strongly below T_M. Finally, a phonon peak appears below T_M at 590 cm⁻¹. These three magnetic-order-dependent features are observed for RuGd₁₂₁₂ and for RuGd₁₂₂₂ with x=1.0, but do not appear for x=0.5. Dilatometry measurements, on the other hand, evidence a change of the expansion coefficient at T_M. These results point to a structural effect accompanying the magnetic order, and suggest a complex interplay of spin and lattice degrees of freedom in these ruthenocuprates.     

Anisotropic dielectric properties of PbYb1/2Ta1/2O3 single crystals

PbYb_1/2Ta_1/2O₃ single crystals were obtained for the first time. They were grown by the flux method. The PbOPbF₂B₂O₃ system was used as a solvent. Dielectric investigations were carried out in 1 0 0_c, 1 1 0_c and 1 1 1_c pseudocubic directions. These studies pointed to anisotropy of dielectric properties. Frequency-independent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima related to the antiferroelectric–paraelectric (AFE—PE) phase transition are observed for all directions at 562 K. The frequency-dependent ε′(T) and ε″(T) maxima near 400 K related to the ferroelectric (FE)–AFE phase transition are observed only in 1 1 1_c direction. The hysteresis loops were observed in this direction only. These results point that ferroelectric relaxor properties appear only in 1 1 1_c direction. We propose to consider the ferroelectric phase as ferrielectric one.     

The unusual magnetotransport properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 with Nb2O5 addition

Enhancements of the low-field (LFMR) and high-field magnetoresistance (HFMR) were observed in the manganite system prepared by doping Nb₂O₅ into La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ powders. The maximum MR ratios at 77 K with H=1 T and 1 kOe are 30% and 20% for the 0.07 molar ratio doped sample, which are 1.7 times and 1.6 times as large as that for LSMO, respectively. An MR effect up to 6.5% was also found for the sample with x=0.03 at room temperature (RT). The spin-dependent tunneling and scattering at the interfaces of grain boundaries are responsible for the LFMR while the HFMR originates from a noncollinear spin structure in the surface layer. With increasing x, the Curie temperature (T_C) decreases monotonically from 364 to 154 K while the temperature T_P related to the peak resistivity decreases firstly to a minimum of 204 K (x=0.06) and then rises up to 240 K (x=0.1). There is a maximum resistivity ρ for the sample with x=0.06, which is higher than that for LSMO by five orders of magnitude. It is due to the enhancement of spin-dependent and independent scattering and tunneling effects on the interfaces of grain boundaries and inside the grains.     

Magnetic properties of YCo5 (70%wt)+Y2Co17 (30%wt) nanocomposite powders at low temperatures

Nanostructured YCo₅ (70%wt)+Y₂Co₁₇ (30%wt) composite powders were prepared by mechanical milling and subsequent annealing at 1073 K for 1.5 min. The average grain size D of the YCo₅ and Y₂Co₁₇ phases, obtained from XRD data, was 14 and 12 nm, respectively. The temperature dependence of the magnetic properties was studied by DC magnetization measurements at temperatures T ranging from 3 to 300 K. Hysteresis loops (H_max=70 kOe) show that both the coercivity H_C and the squareness σ_r/σ_max are temperature-dependent. The coercivity increases from 12 kOe at room temperature to 18 kOe at T=3 K. The observed enhanced remanence (σ_r/σ_max>0.5) indicates that a strong exchange coupling is present at all temperatures used in this study. The maximum magnetization σ_max changes little with temperature and has a value of about 70% of the effective saturation magnetization of the title compound.     

Thermodynamic properties of the clathrate-type silver-oxide Ag6O8AgHF2

We report normal-state and superconducting properties of the clathrate-type silver-oxide Ag₆O₈AgHF₂. We present electrical resistivity, DC- and AC-susceptibility and specific-heat measurements of single crystalline Ag₆O₈AgHF₂. In the normal state, Ag₆O₈AgHF₂ exhibits metallic conductivity and a phase transition near 110 K, possibly a structural phase transition as observed in the related compound Ag₆O₈AgNO₃. The onset of superconductivity of our samples is observed around 1.2–1.5 K, and the H–T phase diagram is determined for the first time. The upper critical field H_c2(0) is estimated to be about 2000–2200 Oe and the coherence length ξ_GL(0) to be 40 nm.     

Handling the particle size and distribution of Fe3O4 nanoparticles through ball milling

A series of samples consisting of spinel Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with controlled particle sizes and increasing concentration has been obtained through ‘mild’ ball milling (BM) experiments by using an organic carrier liquid. We have succeeded in producing quite narrow particle size distributions with mean values d7–10 nm by an appropriate choice of the milling time for each concentration. The method proved to be practical to tailor the final particle size without formation of undesirable phases. All samples showed superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, with transition to a blocked state at T_B10–20 K. The mean value and distribution width of the size distributions for the three samples studied were obtained from M(H) cycles recorded at T>T_B showing good agreement with X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy results. The effect of increasing interparticle interactions was to shift T_B upwards, as inferred from magnetization measurements. Mössbauer spectra at low temperatures showed no evidence of enhanced spin disorder.     

超声强化合成MgFe2O4纳米颗粒及其机理研究

用超声水解方法制备MgO纳米颗粒,用化学沉淀法制备α-Fe₂O₃纳米颗粒,将MgO/α-Fe₂O₃混合体常温下超声活化2h,400℃固相合成制备出MgFe₂O₄纳米颗粒.通过X射线衍射和透射电子显微镜测试产品的化学成分、晶体结构和形貌尺寸,分析声化学反应机理及其影响因素.研究结果表明:所制备的MgFe₂O₄为尖晶石铁氧体,颗粒尺寸分布在20-30nm之间,粒度分布均匀;超声空化效应提高了化学反应活性、增加反应物的比表面积和反应物之间的接触面积,促进固相合成反应速度,降低反应温度,实现了一般条件下难以完成的化学反应.     

Intergranular properties of YBCO and BSCCO ceramic superconductors at low fields

Isothermal low-field AC susceptibility measurements have been used to analyze the intergranular critical current density J_c(T) on sintered, non-oriented YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ ceramic samples at zero field. Below the critical temperature, potential variations, J_c(T) ≈ (1−t_j)^m with t_j = T/T_j, have been found, T_j being the onset of grain's coherence, but with different exponents, supporting that different mechanisms limit the intergranular J_c values. Moreover, the effect of texture has been also considered on Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ ceramics grown by the laser floating zone method, which have stronger intergranular junctions. Their high-temperature behaviour is limited by intrinsic effects, while at low temperatures the quality of the junctions is the limiting factor. The temperature dependence of the χ′(h₀) extrapolation at zero filed has also been correlated with the evolution of the intergranular penetration depth, λ_J(T).     

Enhanced magnetic properties of Nd–Fe–B thin films crystallized by heat treatment

Nd₂Fe₁₄B Φ phase crystallites were formed in Nd_16.7Fe_65.5B_17.8 thin films prepared by RF sputtering with subsequent heat treatment. The 2 μm-thick films were deposited onto 0.1 mm Mo sheets at an average substrate temperature (T_s) of 365°C. The enhanced magnetic properties of the magnetically anisotropic thin films were investigated using different heating rates (h_r) of 10°C, 20°C, 50°C and 100°C/min in an annealing experiment. Transformation from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase is clearly manifested by the formation of fine crystallites embedded as a columnar matrix of Nd₂Fe₁₄B phase. High-resolution scanning electron microscope data of the cross-section of the annealed films show columnar stacking of Nd₂Fe₁₄B crystallites with sizes <500 nm. Transmission electron microscope observations revealed that the microstructure of these films having out-of-plane magnetization consists of uniformly distributed Φ phase with grain size around 400 nm together with small Nd rich particles. This grain size of Φ phase is comparable to the single domain particle diameter of Nd₂Fe₁₄B. Significant change in _iH_c, 4πM_r and 4πM_s with h_r was confirmed. Annealing conditions with a heating rate of 50°C/min to an annealing temperature (T_a) of 650°C for 30 min was consequently found to give optimum properties for the NdFeB thin films. The resulting magnetic properties, considered to be the effect of varying h_r were _iH_c= 1307–1357 kA/m, 4πM_r=0.78–1.06 T and 4πM_s=0.81–1.07 T.     

γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花的合成、微结构与磁性

利用溶剂热/热分解的方法合成出微结构可控的γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳结构纳米花.分析表明NiO壳层是由单晶结构的纳米片构成,这些纳米片不规则地镶嵌在γ-Fe_2O_3核心的表面.Fe3O4/Ni(OH)_2前驱体的煅烧时间对γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳体系的晶粒生长、NiO相含量和壳层致密度均有很大的影响.振动样品磁强计和超导量子干涉仪的测试分析表明,尺寸效应、NiO相含量和铁磁-反铁磁界面耦合效应是决定γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花磁性能的重要因素.随着NiO相含量的增加,磁化强度减小,矫顽力增大.在5 K下,γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花表现出一定的交换偏置效应(H_E=46 Oe),这来自于(亚)铁磁性γ-Fe_2O_3和反铁磁性NiO之间的耦合相互作用.与此同时,这种交换耦合效应也进一步提高了样品的矫顽力(H_C=288 Oe).     

超细颗粒γ-Fe2O3微粉包钴前后的各向异性

本工作利用穆斯堡尔谱并配合其它研究手段,测量了超细γ-Fe₂O₃微粉在包钴和不包钴两种情况下的各向异性常数K;观察到前者比后者的各向异性常数K增加30％左右。对普通针状包钴型γ-Fe₂O₃磁粉矫顽力增大的原因提供了进一步的说明。 关键词：     

AgI(α-Fe2O3)复合离子导体相转变温度相互影响的研究

通过测量AgI(α-Fe₂O₃)复合离子导体的直流和交流电导率,发现α-Fe₂O₃的Morin转变温度随着AgI含量的增加而降低,电导率测量的结果与磁化率测量和M?ssbauer谱测量结果定性的符合。α-Fe₂O₃也使AgI的α→β相转变温度显著下降。结果表明复合离子导体二相材料各自存在的相转变温度彼此产生影响。 关键词：     

Anisotropic magnetic susceptibility of single crystal Ca2Y2Cu5O10 with edge-sharing CuO2 chain

We report a successful crystal growth of Ca₂Y₂Cu₅O₁₀ and anisotropic behavior of magnetic susceptibility associated with an antiferromagnetic phase transition. Single crystals were obtained by the floating-zone method using an infrared radiation furnace. Composition and structural characterization shows that the grown crystals are qualified for physical measurements. The magnetic susceptibility along each crystallographic axis shows a typical behavior of antiferromagnetic phase transition at T_N=31 K, and the ordered magnetic moments are found to lie along the b-axis.     

Coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagentic order in Er2O2Bi with anti-ThCr2Si2 structure

We investigated the coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order in the compound Er₂O₂Bi with anti-ThCr₂Si₂-type structure through resistivity, magnetization, specific heat measurements and first-principle calculations. The superconducting transition temperature T_c of 1.23 K and antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN of 3 K are observed in the sample with the best nominal composition. The superconducting upper critical field H_c2(0) and electron-phonon coupling constant λ_e−ph in Er₂O₂Bi are similar to those in the previously reported non-magnetic superconductor Y2O2Bi with the same structure, indicating that the superconductivity in Er₂O₂Bi may have the same origin as in Y₂O₂Bi. The first-principle calculations of Er₂O₂Bi show that the Fermi surface is mainly composed of the Bi 6p orbitals both in the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic state, implying minor effect of the 4f electrons on the Fermi surface. Besides, upon increasing the oxygen incorporation in Er₂O_xBi, Tc increases from 1 to 1.23 K and T_N decreases slightly from 3 K to 2.96 K, revealing that superconductivity and antiferromagnetic order may compete with each other. The Hall effect measurements indicate that hole-type carrier density indeed increases with increasing oxygen content, which may account for the variations of T_c and T_N with different oxygen content.     

钙钛矿型锰氧化物(La$lt;sub$gt;0.8$lt;/sub$gt;Eu$lt;sub$gt;0.2$lt;/sub$gt;)$lt;sub$gt;4/3$lt;/sub$gt;Sr$lt;sub$gt;5/3$lt;/sub$gt;Mn$lt;sub$gt;2$lt;/sub$gt;O$lt;sub$gt;7$lt;/sub$gt;的磁性和电性研究

采用传统固相反应法制备钙钛矿型锰氧化物 (La_0.8Eu_0.2)_4/3Sr_5/3Mn₂O₇多晶样品, X-射线衍射分析表明, 样品(La_0.8Eu_0.2)_4/3Sr_5/3Mn₂O₇结构呈现良好的单相. 通过磁化强度随温度的变化曲线(M-T)、不同温度下磁化强度随磁场的变化曲线(M-H)和电子自旋共振谱发现: 在300 K以下, 随着温度的降低, 样品先后经历了二维短程铁磁有序转变 (T_C^2D ≈ 282 K)、三维长程铁磁有序转变(T_C^3D ≈ 259 K)、奈尔转变(T_N ≈ 208K)和电荷有序转变(T_CO ≈ 35 K); 样品 (La_0.8Eu_0.2)_4/3Sr_5/3Mn₂O₇在T_N以下, 主要处于反铁磁态; 在T_C^3D达到370 K时, 样品处于铁磁-顺磁共存态, 在370 K以上时样品进入顺磁态. 此外, 分析电阻率随温度的变化曲线(ρ-T)得到: 样品在金属-绝缘转变温度(T_P ≈ 80 K)附近出现最大磁电阻值, 其位置远离T_C^3D, 表现出非本征磁电阻现象, 其磁电阻值约为61%. 在T_CO以下, 电阻率出现明显增长, 这是由于温度下降使原本在高温部分巡游的e_g电子开始自发局域化增强所致. 通过对 (La_0.8Eu_0.2)_4/3Sr_5/3Mn₂O₇的ρ-T 曲线拟合, 发现样品在高温部分的导电方式基本遵循小极化子的导电方式. 关键词： 磁性 电性 金属-绝缘转变温度 电子自旋共振     

Sign reversal of anisotropic magnetoresistance and anomalous thickness-dependent resistivity in Sr2CrWO6/SrTiO3 films

High-quality Sr₂CrWO₆ (SCWO) films have been grown on SrTiO₃ (STO) substrate by pulsed laser deposition under low oxygen pressure. With decrease of the film thickness, a drastic conductivity increase is observed. The Hall measurements show that the thicker the film, the lower the carrier density. An extrinsic mechanism of charge doping due to the dominance of oxygen vacancies at SCWO/STO interfaces is proposed. The distribution and gradient of carrier concentration in SCWO films are considered to be related to this phenomenon. Resistivity behavior observed in these films is found to follow the variable range hopping model. It is revealed that with increase of the film thickness, the extent of disorder in the lattice increases, which gives a clear evidence of disorder-induced localization charge carriers in these films. Magnetoresistance measurements show that there is a negative magnetoresistance in SCWO films, which is considered to be caused by the magnetic scattering of magnetic elements Cr³⁺ and W⁵⁺. In addition, a sign reversal of anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) in SCWO film is observed for the first time, when the temperature varies across a characteristic value, T_M. Magnetization—temperature measurements demonstrate that this AMR sign reversal is caused by the direction transition of easy axis of magnetization from the in-plane ferromagnetic order at T > T_M to the out-of-plane at T < T_M.