Single step thermal decomposition approach to prepare supported γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles supported on MgO (macro-crystalline and nanocrystalline) were prepared by an easy single step thermal decomposition method. Thermal decomposition of iron acetylacetonate in diphenyl ether, in the presence of the supports followed by calcination, leads to iron oxide nanoparticles supported on MgO. The X-ray diffraction results indicate the stability of γ-Fe₂O₃ phase on MgO (macro-crystalline and nanocrystalline) up to 1150 °C. The scanning electron microscopy images show that the supported iron oxide nanoparticles are agglomerated while the energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicates the presence of iron, magnesium and oxygen in the samples. Transmission electron microscopy images indicate the presence of smaller γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on nanocrystalline MgO. The magnetic properties of the supported magnetic nanoparticles at various calcination temperatures (350-1150 °C) were studied using a superconducting quantum interference device which indicates superparamagnetic behavior.     

Pressure induced phase transition of nanocrystalline and bulk maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) to hematite (α-Fe2O3)

Phase transition and bulk moduli of bulk and nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ were studied using synchrotron X-ray diffraction under high pressure. Contrary to most other nanomaterials, nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ begins to transform into α-Fe₂O₃ at the same pressure as bulk γ-Fe₂O₃, which is caused by a special structure of γ-Fe₂O₃, in which there exist vacancies of crystal. It is believed that phase transition starts from a certain site of vacancy because of the stress concentration at vacancy sites. Compared to bulk material, nanocrystalline γ-Fe₂O₃ has a larger bulk modulus, which is ascribed to the large ratio of surface to volume.     

Preparation of superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in nonaqueous medium by γ-irradiation

Superparamagnetic γ-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystallites have been prepared by γ-irradiating ferrocene in the presence of isopropyl alcohol to get Fe nanoparticles in nitrogen atmosphere and at room temperature, followed by oxidization in air to obtain γ-Fe₂O₃. The final black powder was characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). From XRD pattern and XPS spectrum, we can confirm to get γ-Fe₂O₃. The particle size is several nanometers as shown in TEM image. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurements exhibited that the γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles display superparamagnetism. However, a trace black powder was obtained in kerosene oil using the same method. A possible formation mechanism of the γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles was suggested.     

Preparation and characterization of iron oxide thin films by spray pyrolysis using methanolic and ethanolic solutions

Iron oxide thin films have been obtained by spray pyrolysis using 100% methanolic and ethanolic solutions of iron tri-chloride. The films were deposited onto ITO-coated glass substrates. The preparative conditions have been optimized to obtain compact, pin-hole-free and smooth thin films which are adherent to the substrate. The structural, morphological and compositional characterizations have been carried out by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The films deposited using ethanolic solution results into pure hematite; α-Fe₂O₃ thin films, however, films deposited using methanolic solution consists of hematite and maghemite-c phases of iron oxide. The films are nanocrystalline with particle size of 30-40 nm. The optical absorbance of the film was of the order of 10⁵ cm⁻¹. The optical band gap of films was found to be 2.26 and 2.20 eV for the films deposited using methanolic and ethanolic solutions, respectively.     

Influence of Si-N interlayer on the microstructure and magnetic properties of γ′-Fe4N films

The (γ′-Fe₄N/Si-N)_n (n: number of layers) multilayer films and γ′-Fe₄N single layer film synthesized on Si (1 0 0) substrates by direct current magnetron sputtering were annealed at different temperatures. The structures and magnetic properties of as-deposited films and films annealed at different temperatures were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results showed that the insertion of Si-N layer had a significant influence on the structures and magnetic properties of γ′-Fe₄N film. Without the addition of Si-N lamination, the iron nitride γ′-Fe₄N tended to transform to α-Fe when annealed at the temperatures over 300 °C. However, the phase transition from γ′-Fe₄N to ?-Fe₃N occurred at annealing temperature of 300 °C for the multilayer films. Furthermore, with increasing annealing temperature up to 400 °C or above, ?-Fe₃N transformed back into γ′-Fe₄N. The magnetic investigations indicated that coercivity of magnetic phase γ′-Fe₄N for as-deposited films decreased from 152 Oe (for single layer) to 57.23 Oe with increasing n up to 30. For the annealed multilayer films, the coercivity values decreased with increasing annealing temperature, except that the film annealed at 300 °C due to the appearance of phase ?-Fe₃N.     

Crystal growth of Co ferrite on fine acicular γ-Fe2O3 particles

Highly coercive magnetic powder was obtained by growing cobalt ferrite on the surface of γ-Fe₂O₃ particles in highly alkaline suspensions containing cobalt and ferrous ions in a Co/Fe molar ratio = $\text{1}\text{2}$. The mechanism of the growth and the structure of cobalt ferrite on γ-Fe₂O₃ were studied by X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction techniques. Results show that crystals of cobalt ferrite CoFe₂O₄ with a spinel type crystal structure of lattice constant 8.415 Å grew epitaxially on γ-Fe₂O₃. The acicular direction of the epitaxially grown Co-γ-Fe₂O₃ as well as γ-Fe₂O₃ was in the [$\text{1}$01] direction. It was found that from the lattice constant value and the half width of X-ray diffraction peaks, the lattice constant epitaxially grown Co γ-Fe₂O₃ may be attributed to two kinds of crystals, viz., seed γ-Fe₂O₃ ($\text{a = 8.35 ～ 8.37}\text{A}\text{?}$) which was partly reduced to Fe₃O₄, and surface layer CoFe₂O₄ ($\text{a = 8.415}\text{A}\text{?}$). The crystal growth in the interface between the seed crystals and the growth layer was affected by the crystal structure of the seed crystals. The lattice constant of CoFe₂O₄ which was located in the vicinity of the interface was almost equal to that of the seed crystals.     

Comparative study of Pt, Au and Ag growth on Fe3O4(0 0 1) surface

The epitaxial growth of Pt, Au and Ag layers on Fe₃O₄(0 0 1) as a function of temperature and thickness have been studied. The layers were deposited by sputtering in an ultra high vacuum chamber and the structural properties were investigated by Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction, X-ray reflectivity and diffraction, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Our studies give evidence for three different growth behaviours depending both on the nature of the metals and the temperature. Comparison between the growth modes of the three metals will be discussed in relation with surface and interfaces energies.     

Pulsed-laser deposition of smooth thin films of Er, Pr and Nd doped glasses

Thin films of complex oxides have been obtained by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) from glass targets belonging to the system Li₂O-Al₂O₃-P₂O₅-(RE)₂O₃, with RE = Nd, Pr, Er. The films were deposited on quartz, silicon and ITO/glass substrates using a F₂ laser (λ = 157 nm, ι ≈ 20 ns) for ablation in vacuum. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the oxide films were investigated through IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. The laser wavelength was found to be the key parameter to obtain thin films with very smooth surface. In this way new possibilities are opened to grow multilayer structures for photonic applications.     

Nanostructure evolution in cluster-assembled WO x films synthesized by radio-frequency assisted laser ablation

We deposited WO _x films by radio frequency assisted pulsed laser deposition (RF-PLD). We explored the roles of substrate temperature and ambient gas pressure-composition on film nanostructure to maximise the film surface area in view of gas sensing applications. A W target was ablated in highly reactive O₂ at 5 Pa and 700 Pa, as well as in a mixed oxygen-helium atmosphere at 700 Pa. Corning glass was used as the substrate, at increasing temperatures. Process parameters such as laser fluence and wavelength, radio-frequency power, target to substrate distance were kept fixed. The influence of the deposition parameters on roughness, morphology, nanostructure, and bond coordination of the deposited films were studied by Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Nanoparticle formation, the development of an extended, open nanostructure and its evolution toward compact films are discussed.     

Synthesis,characteristics and sonocatalytic activities of calcined γ-Fe2O3 and TiO2 nanotubes/γ-Fe2O3 magnetic catalysts in the degradation of Orange G

In this work, γ-Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ NTs/γ-Fe₂O₃ composites with good magnetism and sonocatalytic activity were prepared by a facile polyol method and utilize the principle of isoelectric point method, respectively. The structural and magnetic features of the prepared calcined γ-Fe₂O₃ and composite catalysts were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface analysis, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and zeta potential analysis. The effects of calcination temperature on γ-Fe₂O₃ phase variation, physical properties and sonocatalytic properties were investigated. The porosity, specific surface area, band gap energy and sonocatalytic activity of γ-Fe₂O₃ were gradually decreased with calcination temperature increased. TiO₂ NTs/γ-Fe₂O₃ with appropriate composition and specific structural features possess synergetic effects such as efficient separation of charge carriers and hydroxyl radicals produced by heterogeneous fenton and fenton-like reactions. This enhanced the sonocatalytic activity for the degradation of Orange G under ultrasonic irradiation. The sonocatalytic reactions obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics. All these information provide insight into the design and development of high-efficiency catalyst for wastewater treatment.     

包钴型γ-Fe2O3磁粉矫顽力的研究

包钴型γ-Fe₂O₃磁粉分为包钴γ-Fe₂O₃(简记为Co-γ-Fe₂O₃)和包钴包亚铁γ-Fe₂O₃(简记为CoFe-γ-Fe₂O₃)两种,它们的矫顽力可比γ-Fe₂O₃磁粉的提高100至400Oe左右,本工作对这两种磁粉矫顽力增大的原因作了探讨,认为它们矫顽力增大的机制不同:CO-γ-Fe₂O₃矫顽力增大是由于表面包覆一层Co(OH)₂使表面各向异性增大,而CoFe-γ-Fe₂O₃则是由于表面包覆的是钴铁氧体,γ-Fe₂O₃与钴铁氧体之间发生耦合作用,使矫顽力增大。     

Corrosion behaviour of sintered NdFeB coated with Al/Al2O3 multilayers by magnetron sputtering

Al/Al₂O₃ multilayers were deposited on sintered NdFeB magnets to improve the corrosion resistance. The amorphous Al₂O₃ films were used to periodically interrupt the columnar growth of the Al layers. The structure of the multilayers was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the columnar structure was effectively inhibited in the multilayers. Subsequent corrosion testing by potentiodynamic polarization in 3.5 wt.% NaCl and neutral salt spray test (NSS) revealed that the Al/Al₂O₃ multilayers had much better corrosion resistance than the Al single layer. Furthermore, for multilayers with similar thickness, the corrosion resistance was improved as the period decreased.     

Synthesis and characterization of β-Ga2O3 nanostructures grown on GaAs substrates

β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures including nanowires, nanoribbons and nanosheets were synthesized via thermal annealing of gold coated GaAs substrates in N₂ ambient. GaAs substrates with different dopants were taken as the starting material to study the effect of doping on the growth and photoluminescence properties of β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures. The nanostructures were investigated by Grazing Incident X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, room temperature photoluminescence and optical absorbance. The selected area electron diffraction and High resolution-TEM observations suggest that both nanowires and nanobelts are single crystalline. Different growth directions were observed for nanowires and nanoribbons, indicating the different growth patterns of these nanostructures. The PL spectra of β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures exhibit a strong UV-blue emission band centered at 410 nm, 415 nm and 450 nm for differently doped GaAs substrates respectively. A weak red luminescence peak at 710 nm was also observed in all the samples. The optical absorbance spectrum showed intense absorption features in the UV spectral region. The growth and luminescence mechanism in β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures are also discussed.     

Sonochemically synthesized core-shell structured Au–Pd nanoparticles supported on γ-Fe2O3 particles

A sample of Au–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles supported on γ-Fe₂O₃ was synthesized in a sonochemically one-pot process. The structural analyses of the synthesized sample were performed by the techniques of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectrometry. Results indicated that the synthesized sample formed a core-shell structure in which a gold core was surrounded by a thin palladium shell. The reaction rate constant for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene of the present sample showed higher value than that of Pd nanoparticles supported on γ-Fe₂O₃ and core-shell structured Au–Pd nanoparticles supported on SiO₂. The present sample is a promising catalyst material which has a high catalytic activity.     

Role of oxygen impurity in growth and magnetic properties of Ni83Fe17 permalloy thin films

To study the influence of oxygen impurities in the sputtering atmosphere on microstructure, and the magnetic and magnetotransport properties, thin films of Ni₈₃Fe₁₇ were deposited under dc magnetron sputtering technique into which regulated oxygen gas was introduced. The partial pressure of oxygen was varied from 2×10⁻⁷ to 3×10⁻⁶ mbar. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate the reduction of grain growth with increasing the oxygen partial pressure. The grain microstructure and the composition were confirmed through high resolution transmission electron microscopy attached with Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Transition from canted to rectangular magnetic hysteresis loop was observed through magnetization measurements for samples prepared under higher oxygen partial pressure which implies the structural changes in the magnetic domain formation. These observations were further confirmed through the measurements of anisotropic magnetoresistance properties.     

Synthesis and characterization of tantalum nitride films prepared by cathodic vacuum arc technique

Tantalum nitride films were deposited on silicon wafer and steel substrates by cathodic vacuum arc in N₂/Ar gas mixtures. The chemical composition, crystalline microstructure and morphology of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. According to the results, film composition and microstructure depends strongly on the N₂ partial pressure and the applied negative bias (V_s).     

Synthesis,deposition and characterization of tin selenide thin films by thermal evaporation technique

Tin selenide alloy was synthesized by following simple chemical reaction method, at comparatively lower temperature of 100 °C, from alkaline medium using SnCl₂.2H₂O and selenium as source materials. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the particle size of the synthesized product is in nanometer scale. Using the reaction product as source material, the SnSe films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature, 150 °C, 250 °C, 350 °C and 450 °C. Structural, elemental, optical, surface morphological and electrical properties of the as deposited films were studied by X-ray diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, UV-Vis-NIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Hall effect measurement techniques and the relevant details have been obtained.     

Effect of crystallinity of ZnO buffer layer on the properties of epitaxial (ZnO:Al)/(ZnO:Ga) bi-layer films deposited on c-sapphire substrate

Bi-layer ZnO films with 2 wt.% Al (AZO; ZnO:Al) and 4 wt.% Ga-doped (GZO; ZnO:Ga) were deposited on the ZnO buffered and annealed ZnO buffered c(0 0 0 1)-sapphire(Al₂O₃) substrates respectively by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). The effect of crystallinity of ZnO buffer layer on the crystallinity and electrical properties of the AZO/GZO bi-layer thin films was investigated. It was seen that the crystallinity of ZnO buffer layer had a great influence on the orientation and defect density of AZO/GZO bi-layer thin films from X-ray Diffraction (XRD) peaks and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) images. In a word, it was found in the films that more preferred c-axis orientation texture and reduction of the defects such as stacking faults and dislocations, with increasing of the crystallinity of ZnO buffer layer.     

Novel carbon nanotube iron oxide magnetic nanocomposites

A novel magnetic nanocomposite of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles decorated multiwalls carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was synthesized for the first time by a simple chemistry precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the composite was characterized by X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), TEM and EDS. The results of XRD and TEM show that γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles is immobilized on the side wall of the MWNTs, the size of most of the particle is <5 nm.The EDS analysis shows that the atomic ratio of Fe to O is 2:3. The magnetization curves of the MWNTs and γ-Fe₂O₃ decorated MWNTs were measured by VSM at room temperature, which indicate that the saturated magnetization (Ms), remanence (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) of the decorated MWNTs are much larger than those of MWNTs, and the decorated MWNTs exhibit well magnetic properties.     

Piezoresponse force microscopy and magnetic force microscopy characterization of γ-Fe2O3-BiFeO3 nanocomposite/Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 multiferroic bilayers

The multiferroic behavior of epitaxial γ-Fe₂O₃-BiFeO₃ (composite)/Bi_3.25La_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ bi-layered heterostructures grown on SrRuO₃/SrTiO₃ (1 1 1) substrates has been studied using piezoresponse force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy and magnetometry. The ferroelectric domain structure is ascribed to the BiFeO₃ phase while the magnetism originates in the γ-Fe₂O₃ phase of the composite layer. Our studies demonstrate the presence and switching of magnetic and ferroelectric domains within the same area of the sample. This confirms the presence of multiferroic behavior at the nanoscale in our γ-Fe₂O₃-BiFeO₃ nanocomposite thin films.