Effect of the spin and valence states of cobalt ions on the kinetic properties of Ho1 ? xSrxCoO3 ? δ and Er1 ? xSrxCoO3 ? δ compounds

The electrical conductivity and Seebeck effect in ceramics based on cobaltites Ho_{1 − x} Sr _x CoO_{3 − δ} (x = 0.65, 0.75, 0.85, 0.95) and Er_{1 − x} Sr _x CoO_{3 − δ} (x = 0.75, 0.85, 0.95) with a perovskite-like structure have been investigated in the temperature range T > 77 K. All the compounds under study are characterized by the variable-range-hopping conductivity with the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity corresponding to the Mott law. It has been found that, in the Ho_0.35Sr_0.65CoO_{3 − δ} compound, thermally excited Co³⁺ ions contribute to the electrical conductivity with an increase in temperature to 250 K. The Seebeck coefficient of the systems studied decreases as the strontium concentration and temperature increase. It has been shown that, for an adequate explanation of this behavior, proper allowance must be made for the splitting of the 3d levels, as well as for the charge disproportionation of the cobalt ions.     

Structural phase transitions and sodium ordering in Na0.5CoO2: a combined electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy study

The nonstoichiometric Na_xCoO₂ system exhibits extraordinary physical properties that correlate with temperature and Na concentration in its layered lattice without evident long-range structure modification when conventional crystallographic techniques are applied. For instance, Na_0.7CoO₂, a thermodynamically stable phase, shows large thermoelectric power; water-intercalated Na_0.33CoO₂·1.3H₂O is a newly discovered superconductor with T_c∼4 K, and Na_0.5CoO₂ exhibits an unexpected charge ordering transition at around T_co∼55 K. Recent studies suggest that the transport and magnetic properties in the Na_xCoO₂ system strongly depend on the charge carrier density and local structural properties. Here we report a combined variable temperature transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering investigation on structural transformations in Na_0.5CoO₂ single crystals. A series of structural phase transitions in the temperature range from 80 to 1000 K are directly identified and the observed superstructures and modulated phases can be interpreted by Na-ordering. The Raman scattering measurements reveal phase separation and a systematic evolution of active modes along with phase transitions. Our work demonstrates that the high mobility and ordering of sodium cations among the CoO₂ layers are a key factor for the presence of complex structural properties in Na_xCoO₂ materials, and also demonstrate that the combination of electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements is an efficient way for studying the cation ordering and phase transitions in related systems.     

Electrochemical de-intercalation, oxygen non-stoichiometry, and crystal growth of NaxCoO2−δ

We report a detailed study of de-intercalation of Na from the compound Na_xCoO_2−δ using an electrochemical technique. We find evidence for stable phases with Na contents near the fractions x?1/3, 1/2, 5/8, 2/3, and 3/4. Details regarding the floating-zone crystal growth of Na_0.75CoO₂ single crystals are discussed as well as results from magnetic susceptibility measurements. We observe the presence of significant oxygen deficiencies in powder samples of Na_0.75CoO_2−δ prepared in air, but not in single crystal samples prepared in an oxygen atmosphere. The oxygen deficiencies in a Na_0.75CoO_2−δ sample with δ∼0.08 remain even after electrochemically de-intercalating to Na_0.3CoO_2−δ.     

Spin state transition in Ca-doped Na0.7CoO2 with the nominal Co valence below 3.16

In order to clarify the nature of the transition around 300 K in Ca-doped Na_0.7CoO₂, the magnetism of Na_0.7Ca_yCoO₂ with y=0.035 and 0.07 was investigated in a positive muon spin rotation and relaxation (μ⁺SR) experiment. Transverse field μ⁺SR measurements showed that the spin state of the Co ions in Na_0.7Ca_0.07CoO₂ changes at around 300 K; i.e. the exponential relaxation rate vs. T curve exhibited a large maximum around 300 K with an accompanying small peak in the muonic Knight shift, whereas no changes were found in the asymmetry, similar to [Ca₂CoO₃]_0.62[CoO₂] at around 400 K.Although the spin-density-wave (SDW) state exists for Na_xCoO₂ with x≥0.75 at low temperatures, zero-field μ⁺SR spectra in the Ca-doped samples showed no muon spin precessions down to 1.8 K but only fast relaxations indicating disorder. This is probably because the Ca²⁺ ions in the Na planes alter the charge and/or spin distribution in the CoO₂ planes. As a result, the SDW order is hindered, as the nominal Co valence is decreased below 3.16.     

High thermoelectric power in a NaxCoO2 thin film prepared by sputtering with rapid thermal annealing

Na_xCoO₂ thin films were fabricated by means of RF-magnetron sputtering. We measured and analyzed the thermal properties and changes of the Na_xCoO₂ crystal structure by XRD, SEM, Raman spectra, and XPS analyses. Sodium ions diffused from the bulk of the thin film to the surface as the temperature increased. The diffused Na ions reacted with oxygen ions and Na₂O was formed on the surface of the thin film, resulting in a decrease of the carrier concentration and a change of the crystal structure from a layer to a spinel structure. The Seebeck coefficient of the Na_xCoO₂ thin film annealed at 550 °C is larger than the value (100 μV/K) for single crystal NaCo₂O_4.     

Charge ordering and elastic anomalies in NaxCoO2

We report in-plane resistivity and elastic constant C₃₃ measurements on the Na_0.8CoO₂ and Na_0.5CoO₂ systems. An ordering transition is found at T₀=280 K for Na_0.8CoO₂. The temperature dependence of the elastic constant C₃₃ propagating perpendicular to the CoO₂ layers is interpreted, in a phenomenological approach, as being due to the anharmonicity of atomic vibrations. The effective Grüneisen parameter γ_eff deduced directly from the temperature dependence of C₃₃ exhibits important changes at the charge ordering, magnetic and metal-insulator phase transitions.     

Improvement of refrigerant capacity of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 material with a few percent Co doping

The influence of first and second order magnetic phase transitions on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and refrigerant capacity or relative cooling power (RCP) of La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ and La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃ materials has been investigated. Large low-field-induced magnetic entropy changes are observed in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ and La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃ materials. The La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ material experiences a large entropy change with a first-order magnetic phase transition at the Curie temperature, T_C. On the other hand, La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃ displays a smaller entropy change with a second order phase transition. While a first-order magnetic transition material induces a larger MCE (7.528 J/kg K at 5 T) at T_C, this is limited to a narrow temperature range, resulting in a relatively small RCP (218 J/kg), while the Co-doped second-order magnetic transition material induces a smaller MCE (7.14 J/kg K for 5 T), but it is spread over a broader temperature range, resulting in a larger RCP (308 J/kg). The maximum magnetoresistance (MR, defined as ρ(0)/ρ(H)-1) under a field of 5 T is about 206% and 333% for La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ and La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃, respectively. The refrigeration capacity (RCP) is enhanced in La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃ (by about 41%) due to small changes from Co doping. The magnetocaloric features of these materials at lower magnetic fields (MCE=3.163 for La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.95Co_0.05O₃ and 4.63 J/kg K for La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ at 1 T), and the high RCP and MR can provide some ideas for exploring novel magnetic refrigerants that can operate with permanent magnets rather than superconducting ones as the magnetic field source.     

Characterization of Na-substituted LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode materials for lithium-ion battery

Highly crystalline layered Li_1?xNa_xNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (x?=?0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) materials are synthesized by molten salts method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, and electrochemical measurement, respectively. ICP, SEM, and EDS results show that Na ions are incorporated in LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂. Rietveld refinement results show that suitable Na substitution leads to stable layered structure by full Na occupying in Li layer and further attributes to low cation mixing. Electrochemical studies demonstrate that the Na-substituted LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ shows improved rate capability and cycling performance compared to that of pure LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂.     

Magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance properties in Co-based (Co0.402Fe0.201Ni0.067B0.227Si0.053Nb0.05)100−xCux (x=0–1) glassy alloys

The magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance properties of amorphous Co-based (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x (x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) ribbons were investigated. Cu additions changed the crystallisation temperature (T_x) and the Curie temperature (T_C). The saturation magnetisation (M_s) and coercivity (H_c) for alloys were in the range of 65.51–38.49 emu/g and 1.99–6.84 A/m, respectively. Under an applied magnetic field change of 2.2 T, the (?ΔS_M)^max for (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x with x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 are 0.77, 0.71, 0.89 and 0.67 Jkg^?1 K^?1, respectively. The values of refrigeration capacity (RC) for the as-spun glassy alloys are comparable with those of previously studied Fe-based metallic glasses such as Fe₈₀B₁₀Zr₉Cu₁, (Fe_0.76B_0.24)₉₆Nb₄ and Fe₈₂Ni₂Zr₆B₁₀. In addition, the maximum magnetoresistance (MR) values for (Co_0.402Fe_0.201Ni_0.067B_0.227Si_0.053Nb_0.05)_100?xCu_x with x = 0, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 are found to be 110, 38, 23 and 1% around the Curie temperatures under an applied magnetic field change of 1 T, respectively. With good RC, negligible hysteresis due to very low coercivity values and large magnetoresistance, these Co-based amorphous alloys can be used as the high temperature magnetic refrigerants and multifunctional applications working in the temperature range of 450–600 K.     

Reduced magnetic disorder at low temperature in Ca3Co2O6 via zinc substitution

ABSTRACT

The compound Ca₃Co₂O₆ undergoes a transition into a spin-density wave (SDW) state near 24?K. Below ～10?K, this unstable SDW state coexists with a nearly- degenerate commensurate antiferromagnetic state as well as short-range magnetic order. Clear signatures of this strong magnetic disorder have been observed in the response of entropy to changing magnetic field and temperature. We performed a calorimetry study of Ca₃Co₂O₆ and Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ in order to compare their entropic responses at low temperature. Our results for Ca₃Co₂O₆ reveal that ΔS(T, H)?≡?S(T, H)?S(T, H?=?0) increases as either temperature or magnetic field increase. In contrast, ΔS data for Ca₃Co_1.9Zn_0.1O₆ were relatively unresponsive to changes in temperature or field, suggesting that Zn substitution may reduce the low-temperature magnetic disorder observed in Ca₃Co₂O₆. These results are discussed within the context of two cases (Ca₃Co₂O₆ under applied pressure and Ca_2.75R_0.25Co₂O₆ (R?=?Dy, Lu)) in which a single magnetic ground state is stabilised.     

The effect of some transition metal oxides on the physical properties of K0.5Na0.5Nb0.95Ta0.05O3 ceramics

Abstract

Both K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃ (KNNTO) and (K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃)_0.99-M_0.01, M = Co₃O₄ and Mn₂O₃ (M/KNNTO) Ferromagnetic behaviour was observed for some M/KNNTO compounds. The hardness and compressive strength of all investigated samples are given. Comparisons with similar materials are discussed. Ceramics were synthesised using a solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples revealed that the crystal structure is orthorhombic. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was performed. Polarisation hysteresis curves indicated a disruption of ferroelectric order with the addition of M into KNNTO ceramics. The dielectric properties of the investigated ceramics have been studied as a function of frequency and temperature.     

Co-substitution effect on the structural,electrical, and electrochemical properties of nanostructured Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>MnP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75)

Cobalt-nickel-manganese pyrophosphate nanostructures with formula Co_xNi_1-xMnP₂O₇ were prepared via the hydrothermal method at 150 °C, with further calcinations at 500 °C. A structural analysis of Co_xNi_1-xMnP₂O₇ samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of Co substitution on the structural, electrical, and electrochemical properties of Co_xNi_1-xMnP₂O₇ is reported. The electrochemical results show that the specific capacity increases from 59 to 205 mAh/g with increasing Co content. This study demonstrates the Co substitution effect on the mixed electrical conductivity. The temperature dependence of the dc electrical conductivity, for both pure and Co²⁺-doped samples, obeys the Arrhenius law. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity for the materials exhibited a Jonscher’s universal power law. The plots of pre-exponent (n) versus temperature suggested that the conduction mechanism can be described using correlated barrier hopping model. The improved electrical conductivity and electrochemical proprieties of Co_xNi_1-xMnP₂O₇ nanomaterials could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of nickel and cobalt ions. The best results have been obtained for the composition x(Co) = 0.75, where the electrical conductivity is maximum, and the Co_0.75Ni_0.25MnP₂O₇ demonstrates the highest specific capacity, implying their promising potential applications in the energy storage.     

The effect of pressure on the spin density wave transition in the layered cobaltites [Ca2CoO3]0.62[CoO2] and [Ca2Co4/3Cu2/3O4]0.62[CoO2]

In order to investigate the pressure effect on the magnetism in the layered cobaltites, positive muon spin rotation and relaxation μ⁺SR experiments have been carried out up to 1.3 GPa using c-aligned polycrystalline samples of [Ca₂CoO₃]_0.62[CoO₂] and [Ca₂Co_4/3Cu_2/3O₄]_0.62[CoO₂]. A transverse field μ⁺SR experiment indicates that the transition temperature to an incommensurate spin density wave IC-SDW state is independent of hydrostatic pressure up to 1.3 GPa for the both compounds. Furthermore, there are no changes in the spontanious muon precession frequency in zero field at 5 K even under 1.3 GPa. These results strongly suggest that the IC-SDW exists not in the rocksalt-type block ([Ca₂CoO₃] and/or [Ca₂Co_4/3Cu_2/3O₄]) but in the CoO₂ plane.     

Magnetocaloric effects in Ni-Mn-X based Heusler alloys with X=Ga, Sb, In

The Mn-based Heusler alloys encompass a rich collection of useful materials from highly spin-polarized systems to shape memory alloys to magnetocaloric materials. In this work we have summarized our studies of magnetostructural transitions from paramagnetic austenite to ferromagnetic martesite phases at TMC in Ni₂MnGa-based alloys (Ni₂Mn_0.75Cu_0.25-xCo_xGa, Ni₂Mn_0.70Cu_0.30Ga_0.95Ge_0.05, Ni₂Mn_1-xCu_xGa, Ni_2+xMn_1-xGa, and Ni₂Mn_0.75-xCu_xGa), and martensitic transitions from the ferromagnetic austenite to the martesite state in off-stoichiometric Ni-Mn-(In/Sb) Heusler alloys. The phase transition temperatures and respective magnetic entropy changes (ΔS) depend on composition in these systems and have been determined from magnetization measurements in the temperature interval 5-400 K, and in magnetic fields up to 5 T. It is shown that, depending on the composition and doping scheme the “giant” ΔS=40-60 J/(kgK) (for a field change of 5 T) can be observed in the temperature range (300-360 K) for the Ga-based alloys. The interplay between or coupling of the various transitions in Ni₂Mn(Mn,X) systems with X=Sb and In leads to exchange bias effects, giant magnetoresistance, and both inverse and “normal” magnetocaloric effects.     

Magnetization and Specific Heat of UCo0.95T0.05Al (T = Fe, Ni) Single Crystals

We present the first single-crystal study of Fe and Ni doped U(Co_1-x T _x )Al compounds in comparison to the parent compound, the itinerant 5f-electron metamagnet UCoAl. Magnetization and specific-heat data measured in the temperature range of (1.8-300) K and in fields up to 10 T are analyzed and discussed. Both compounds exhibit a strong uniaxial anisotropy with the dominating magnetic response along the c-axis of the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure. Ni substitution yields an increase of the critical field for metamagnetism; UCo_0.95Fe_0.05Al is ferromagnetic below 30 K. Temperature evolution of the entropy change between 0 and 10 T points to involvement of magnetic correlations or spin fluctuations in the paramagnetic compounds UCoAl and UCo_0.95Ni_0.05Al.     

First-order phase transition characteristic of the high temperature metal–semiconductor transition in [Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>CoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>0.62</Subscript>[CoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Transportation and thermodynamic properties of misfit-layered polycrystalline [Ca₂CoO₃]_0.62[CoO₂] were measured in order to clarify the nature of metal– semiconductor transition (MST) at T _MS≈400 K, above which the simultaneous decrease of resistivity and increase of thermopower with temperature give rise to a great enhancement of thermoelectric power factor up to 1000 K. A first-order phase transition characteristic around T _MS was revealed by anomalies of resistivity, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal expansion. The first-order characteristic of the MST can be rationalized from the Virial theorem at an itinerant to localized electron transition in the narrow e ^T band within the [CoO₂] plane. Above T _MS, the reduction of the retained delocalized states within the matrix of localized states and the enhancement of charge carrier effective mass with increasing temperature might account for the considerable enhancement of the thermopower.     

Mössbauer study of Na0.82Co0.99Fe0.01O2

We studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy the Na_0.82CoO₂ compound using 1% ⁵⁷Fe as a local probe which substitutes for the Co ions. Mössbauer spectra at T=300 K revealed two sites which correspond to Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. The existence of two distinct values of the quadrupole splitting instead of a continuous distribution should be related with the charge ordering of Co⁺³, Co⁺⁴ ions and ion ordering of Na(1) and Na(2). Below T=10 K part of the spectrum area, corresponding to Fe⁴⁺ and all of Fe³⁺, displays broad magnetically split spectra arising either from short-range magnetic correlations or from slow electronic spin relaxation.     

Synthesis of monolayers and bilayers of cobalt oxyhydrates (Na,K) x (H2O) y CoO2− δ

Potassium sodium cobalt oxyhydrates (Na,K)_x(H₂O)_yCoO_{2? δ} were synthesized from γ-Na_0.7CoO₂ by using aqueous KMnO₄ solution in a one-pot process. Chemical and structural analyses revealed that a partial or even almost complete replacement of K⁺ for Na⁺ in the alkaline layers occurs. Direct formation of the c ≈ 13.9 Å phase is apparently associated with the larger size of K⁺ (～1.4 Å) as compared to Na⁺ (～1.0 Å). Formation of (Na,K) _x (H₂O) _y CoO_{2? δ} not only involves de-intercalation, oxidation and hydration processes, but also an ion exchange reaction. Based on a systematic study, the phase formation of (Na,K) _x (H₂O) _y CoO_{2? δ} with c ≈ 19.6 Å is a slow process, particularly when using aqueous KMnO₄ solution with low molar ratio of KMnO₄/Na. When comparing the Co K-edge X-ray absorption spectra of (Na,K) _x (H₂O) _y CoO_{2? δ} with those of Na _x (H₂O) _y CoO₂ obtained from Br₂/CH₃CN solution, the edge energy of the main peak of the bilayered hydrate is found to be 3.5 eV higher than that of the monolayered hydrate for (Na,K) _x (H₂O) _y CoO_{2? δ}. In contrast, the edge energy of the main peak of the bilayered hydrate is 0.4 eV lower than that of the monolayered hydrate for Na _x (H₂O) _y CoO₂. In addition, the hydration behavior of monolayered of (Na,K) _x (H₂O) _y CoO_{2? δ} is different from that of Na _x (H₂O) _y CoO₂. These results seem to suggest that they are two different systems.     

Gd,Co共掺杂对BiFeO3陶瓷电输运和铁磁特性的影响

采用快速液相烧结法制备BiFeO₃和Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_1-xCo_xO₃ (x= 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2)陶瓷样品,研究Gd, Co共掺杂对BiFeO₃微观结构, 介电性能和铁磁性的影响. X射线衍射谱表明:所有样品的主衍射峰与纯相BiFeO₃相符合且 具有良好的晶体结构,随着Co³⁺掺杂量x的增大, Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_1-xCo_xO₃样品的主衍射峰(104)与(110)逐渐相互重叠, 当x大于0.1时, 样品呈现正方晶系结构; J-V特性显示Gd³⁺, Co³⁺共掺杂有效地降低BiFeO₃陶瓷的漏导电流,其降低幅度为1-2个数量级; 当f=10³ Hz时, Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃的介电常数是BiFeO₃的6倍, 而Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_0.95Co_0.05O₃和 Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_0.85Co_0.15O₃样品的介电损耗最小,均为0.01.室温下, Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_1-xCo_xO₃样品磁性与BiFeO₃相比显著增强. 在磁场为30 kOe的作用下,Bi_0.95Gd_0.05Fe_1-xCo_xO₃ (x= 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2)的剩余磁化强度M_r分别是BiFeO₃的34, 60, 105, 103, 180倍.样品磁性增强的主要原因是Gd, Co掺杂使BiFeO₃的晶格结构发生变化导致BiFeO₃自身储存的磁性能被释放, Gd³⁺的4f电子与Fe³⁺或Co³⁺的3d电子自旋相互作用及样品中存在局域的 Fe-O-Co磁耦合三者共同作用的结果.     

Charge ordering in charge-compensated Na0.41CoO2 by oxonium ions

Charge ordering behavior is observed in the crystal prepared through the immersion of the Na_0.41CoO₂ crystal in distilled water. Discovery of the charge ordering in the crystal with Na content less than 0.5 indicates that the immersion in water brings about the reduction of the Na_0.41CoO₂. The formal valence of Co changes from +3.59 estimated from the Na content to +3.50, the same as that in Na_0.5CoO₂. The charge compensation is confirmed to arise from the intercalation of the oxonium ions as occurred in the superconducting sodium cobalt oxide bilayer-hydrate [K. Takada, et al. J. Mater. Chem. 14 (2004) 1448]. The charge ordering is the same as that observed in Na_0.5CoO₂. It suggests that the Co valence of +3.50 is necessary for the charge ordering.