Etude par effet Mössbauer de la structure hyperfine nucleaire de 121Sb dans Fe2O3α

Samples of α-Fe₂O₃ containing antimony impurities have been investigated with the ¹²¹Sb Mössbauer effect.The ¹²¹Sb⁵⁺ impurity parameters were compared with those recently obtained for ¹¹⁹Sn⁴⁺ in α-Fe₂O₃. The observed increase of the H(0) value may be related to the greater electronic population of the 5s-orbitals in the case of Sb⁵⁺ doping.     

Interactions magnetiques hyperfines pour les atomes d'impurete 121Sb5+ dans FeF3

The Mössbauer spectra of ¹²¹Sb⁵⁺ in the antiferromagnetic FeF₃ composition indicates the presence of a magnetic transfer region amongst the nucleus of the impurities of the antimony: H_eff(77°K) = 110 ± 15 kOe. The comparison of the value of H_eff observed on the nucleus of ¹¹⁹Sn⁴⁺ and of ¹²¹Sb⁵⁺ in the matrix of FeF₃ suggests a different mechanism of transference of the magnetic hyperfine region in relation to the position of the same pair of Mössbauer isotopes in the midst of the oxygen matrix.     

Rigid lattice NMR spectra of fast proton conductors H2Sb4O11-nH2O

Hydrated antimonic acids H₂Sb₄O₁₁ · 2H₂O and H₂Sb₄O₁₁ · 3H₂O are fast proton conductors with the same (Sb₄O₁₁)^2-covalent framework delimiting intercrossing channels. Using proton magnetic resonance in the very low temperature rigid-lattice regime we show that the channels of the structure are occupied by three species: oxonium ions (H₃O⁺), water molecules (H₂O) and hydroxylic protons (OH) attached to the framework. Quantitative analysis of the experimental spectra lead to a rewriting of the chemical formula, as (H₃O)_xSb₄O_11-y(OH)_y · zH₂O with x,y and z depending on the hydration state. Coexistence of oxonium ions and water molecules is compatible with the assumption of a Grotthuss-type mechanism for proton diffusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance of the completely dehydrated compound H₂Sb₄O₁₁ is also reported. The value of the second moment of the proton resonance line indicates that in this compound all the protons are attached to the (Sb₄O₁₁)^2- framework.     

Optical spectrum, local lattice structure and EPR g factors for Cr impurity ions in MgTiO3 and LiTaO3

On the basis of the 120×120 complete energy matrices for a d³ configuration ion in a trigonal ligand field, for Cr³⁺ ions doped in MgTiO₃ and LiTaO₃, the local structures and EPR g factors of the octahedral (CrO₆)⁹⁻ clusters have been studied, respectively. By simulating the calculated optical spectra and the EPR spectra data to the experimental results, local structure parameters are obtained. The calculated results show that although the local lattice structures around the M (M=Mg²⁺, Ta⁵⁺) ions are obviously different, after Cr³⁺ replacing the M, the local lattice structures around the Cr³⁺ ions are quite similar and close to those of the Cr₂O₃. This may be ascribed to the fact that the octahedral Cr³⁺ center in MgTiO₃:Cr³⁺ and LiTaO₃:Cr³⁺ systems and that in Cr₂O₃ exhibit similar octahedral (CrO₆)⁹⁻ clusters. Moreover, the corresponding theoretical values of the optical spectra have been reported. It is also found that the orbital reduction factor k is very important to understand the EPR g factors for Cr³⁺ ions doped in MgTiO₃ and LiTaO₃.     

Champs magnetiques hyperfins pour les atomes d'impurete 125Te6+ dans α-Fe2O3

Les interactions magnétiques hyderfines au niveau des noyaux d'impureté¹²⁵Te⁶⁺ dans α-Fe₂O₃ ont été examinées à l'aide de l'effet Mössbauer. Les résultats obtenus sont comparés aux données correspondantes pour les ions isoélectroniques ¹²¹Sb⁵⁺ introduits dans cette même matrice.     

Magnetic and structural studies of Cr2O5 and Cr3O8

The infrared spectra, indexed X-ray powder diffraction patterns, magnetic susceptibilities between 80 and 300 K, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectra at 80 and 300 K are reported for Cr₂O₅ and Cr₃O₈. The results indicate that both oxides are Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺ mixed-valence compounds which contain CrO₆ octahedra and CrO₄ tetrahedra in different ratios. The valence formula for Cr₂O₅ is Cr³⁺₂Cr⁶⁺₄O₁₅ and that of Cr₃O₈ is Cr³⁺₂Cr⁶⁺₇O₂₄. The X-ray powder data for Cr₂O₅ and Cr₃O₈ could be indexed on the basis of a monoclinic unit cell $\text{(a = 12.01(2), b = 8.52(1), c = 9.39(1)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{β = 92.0(1)°)}$ and an orthorhombic unit cell $\text{(a = 12.01(7), b = 36.60(7) and c = 3.82(1)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{)}$, respectively.     

Site occupancy and magnetic study of Al and Cr co-substituted Y3Fe5O12

Single-phased polycrystalline Y₃Fe_5−2xAl_xCr_xO₁₂ garnet samples (x=0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) have been prepared by the conventional ceramic technique. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples shows them to crystallize in the Ia3d space group and the corresponding lattice constant to decrease with increasing Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ contents (x). Mössbauer results indicate that Cr³⁺ substitutes for Fe³⁺ at the octahedral sites whilst Al³⁺ essentially replaces Fe³⁺ at the tetrahedral sites. This result indicates that co-doping of Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ does not affect the preferential site occupancy for separate individual substitution of either Cr³⁺ or Al³⁺. The magnetization measurements reveal that the Curie temperature (T_c) monotonically decreases with increasing x while the magnetic moment per unit formula decreases up to x=0.4 and then slightly increases for x=0.6. This reflects a progressive weakening of the ferrimagnetic exchange interaction between the Fe³⁺ ions at octahedral and tetrahedral sites due to co-substitution. The magnetic moment was calculated using the cations distribution inferred from the Mössbauer data and the collinear ferrimagnetic model, and was found to agree reasonably with the experimentally measured value. The phenomenological amplitude crossover, characterized by the temperature T*, has also been observed in the doped YIG and briefly discussed.     

EPR studies of highly pure,pure and doped chromium oxide powders

Abstract

EPR absorption measurements on ‘pure’, highly pure and A1₂O₃ doped Cr₂O₃ powder have been made. The EPR absorption in the ‘pure’ powders obtained below Ntel temperature is shown to be due to background magnetic impurities present in the powders and not due to superparamagnetism as suggested by earlier authors. No EPR absorption could be observed below Nkl temperature in highly pure powders (total background impurity concentration less than 5 ppm). ‘Pure’ powders or highly pure powders mixed with A1₂O₃ powder and annealed at high temperatures showed a symmetrical EPR absorption line at room temperature. The shape and the g value of this line are practically the same as those obtained for Cr³⁺ ions in Cr₂O₃ above Nee1 temperature or in other nonmagnetic crystals. It is concluded from these results that the impurities diffuse into Cr₂O₃ powder, the antiferro-magnetic coupling between some of the Cr³⁺ ions is broken and these Cr³⁺ ions become paramagnetic, even when the bulk of the material is in antiferromagnetic state. The variation of half-width of EPR lines with impurity concentration shows that the dipolar coupling between Cr³⁺ ions decreases with the increase in impurity concentration and when the impurity concentration is high the Néel temperature seems to shift to lower temperatures. A longer heat treatment of the ‘pure’ B powder resulted in the production of shining metal particles in the powder. The EPR of this powder showed excessive increase in the intensity of EPR absorption when the temperature of the powder was raised to a value just above the Néel temperature. A comparison of these reuslts with the work of earlier authors suggests that the shinning metal particles are those of chromium metal and are responsible for this increase in EPR absorption.     

Features of the local structural disorder in Li2O-CaF2-P2O5 glass-ceramics with Cr2O3 as nucleating agent

Li₂O-CaF₂-P₂O₅ glasses mixed with different concentrations of Cr₂O₃ (ranging from 0 to 1.0 mol%) were crystallized. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential thermal analysis and conventional spectroscopic techniques. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic studies reveal the presence of lithium phosphate, calcium phosphate and chromium phosphate (complexes of Cr³⁺, Cr⁵⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions) crystal phases. The study on DTA suggests that the crystallization is predominantly due to the surface crystallization when the concentration of nucleating agent Cr₂O₃ is around 0.8 mol%. The IR and Raman spectral studies of these samples indicate that the sample crystallized with 0.8 mol% Cr₂O₃ is more compact and possesses high rigidity due to the presence of chromium ions largely in tetrahedral positions.     

Jahn-teller effects in (3d)2 ions in Al2O3

APR experiments have been carried out on V³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺ ions in Al₂O₃ partly to remove discrepancies in earlier measurements, and partly to provide additional information necessary for the theoretical analysis which follows. We find |G_-| ～ 45± 10 cm^?1 and ～ 160±30 cm^?1 for V³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺ respectively. It is shown that all the data for both ions can only be explained satisfactorily if a moderately strong Jahn-Teller effect operates in the cubic ³T₁, ground state of the ion. Full details are given, γ is found to be 0.14 and 0.36 for V³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺ respectively and important contributions from second-order Jahn-Teller effects are also present. The results also show that it is necessary to use a multimode full-lattice model of the Jahn-Teller effect as the constraints of the cluster model are broken. The implications of the proposed model on thermal conductivity, phonon spectroscopy and optical measurements are also briefly discussed. It is also pointed out that some important errors exist in the literature concerning the interpretation of experimental data for these systems.     

Interactions hyperfines magnetiques et mecanisme de compensation de la charge pour les ions d'impurete 119Sn4+ dans Cr2O3

Mössbauer spectra of Cr₂O₃ sesquioxide doped with ¹¹⁹Sn⁴⁺ ions lead to the hypothesis of three non-equivalent magnetic sites for Sn⁴⁺. The identification of these sites has allowed to estimate the relative importance of exchange interactions between Cr³⁺ ions along [111] axis and in (111) plane.     

Mössbauer study of spin-spin relaxation of Fe3+ ions in the presence of other paramagnetic ions

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to study the influence of paramagnetic ions, viz. Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺ Mn²⁺, Gd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ on the spin-spin relaxation time of Fe³⁺ ions in amorphous frozen aqueous solutions. It is found that these ions shorten the relaxation time, but the effect is much smaller than suggested earlier on the basis of measurements of relaxation of Fe³⁺ in an α-Al₂O₃ matrix. It is also found that S-state ions have a greater influence on the relaxation time than other paramagnetic ions. The spectra obtained in presence of S-state impurity ions could only be fitted by allowing the individual transition probabilities to vary independently.     

Polymorphism in Bi2Sn2O7

Single crystals of Bi₂Sn₂O₇ were grown in a Bi₂O₃ flux. Phase transitions were identified at about 90 and 680° using X-ray, SHG, DSC, dielectric, and optical data. γ-Bi₂Sn₂O₇, which exists above 680°C is centric and cubic with a = 10.73 Å at 700°, and it probably has the ideal pyrochlore structure. β-Bi₂Sn₂O₇, which exists between 680° and about 90°C, is acentric but remains cubic with a = 21.40 Å. α-Bi₂Sn₂O₇, which exists from about 90°C to below room temperature, is acentric and noncubic, probably tetragonal with a = 21.328 and c = 21.545 Å. The α-β transition is first order, and the β-γ transition appears to be second order. Substitutions of Pb²⁺ or Cd²⁺ for Bi³⁺ and of Ga³⁺, Rh³⁺ Sc³⁺, In³⁺, Sb⁵⁺ Nb⁵⁺ or Ta⁵⁺ for Sn⁴⁺ lower the α-β transition temperature.     

Charge order melting and magnetic transition in Nd0.5(1+x)Ca0.5(1−x)Mn(1−x)CrxO3 system

The magnetic property of double doped manganite Nd_0.5(1+x)Ca_0.5(1−x)Mn_(1−x)Cr_xO₃ with a fixed ratio of Mn³⁺:Mn⁴⁺=1:1 has been investigated. For the undoped sample, it undergoes one transition from charge disordering to charge ordering (CO) associated with paramagnetic (PM)-antiferromagnetic (AFM) phase transition at T<250 K. The long range AFM ordering seems to form at 35 K, rather than previously reported 150 K. At low temperature, an asymmetrical M-H hysteresis loop occurs due to weak AFM coupling. For the doped samples, the substitution of Cr³⁺ for Mn³⁺ ions causes the increase of magnetization and the rise of T_c. As the Cr³⁺ concentration increases, the CO domain gradually becomes smaller and the CO melting process emerges. At low temperature, the FM superexchange interaction between Mn³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions causes a magnetic upturn, namely, the second FM phase transition.     

Combustion synthesized MgAl2O4:Cr phosphors—An EPR and optical study

Magnesium aluminate (MgAl₂O₄) doped with trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺) was synthesized by the combustion method. The prepared sample was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) adsorption isotherms and diffuse-reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy techniques. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and photoluminescence (PL) studies have been performed at room temperature and at 110 K. The EPR spectrum exhibit resonance signals at g=5.37, 4.53, 3.82, 2.26 and 1.96 characteristic of Cr³⁺ ions. The luminescence of Cr³⁺-activated MgAl₂O₄ exhibits a red emission peak around 686 nm from the synthesized phosphor particles upon 551 nm excitation. The luminescence is assigned to a transition from the upper ²E_g→⁴A_2g ground state of Cr³⁺ ions. By correlating EPR and optical data the crystal field splitting parameter (D_q), Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameter (B) and the bonding parameters have been evaluated and discussed. The bonding parameters suggests that the ionic nature of Cr³⁺ ions with the ligands and the Cr³⁺ ions are in distorted octrahedral environment.     

Magnetic anisotropy and saturation of LaFe12O19 and some related compounds

The saturation magnetization σ_s and uniaxial anisotropy constants K₁ and K₂ are measured on a polycrystalline, crystal-oriented sample of LaFe₁₂O₁₉ contaminated with known amounts of Fe₃O₄ and LaFeO₃. K₁ and K₂ increase strongly with decreasing temperature and the value of K₁ = (19–24) × 10⁵ erg/g at T = 0 shows that the substance is considerably more anisotropic than BaFe₁₂O₁₉ (K₁ ? 8·5 × 10⁵ erg/g) at low temperatures. The σ_s-T curve is more convex than that of BaFe₁₂O₁₉, so that σ_s is 11 per cent higher at room temperature but lower at T = 0. The value σ_s(T = 0) = 96·2 G cm³/g (19·2 μ_B/molecule) and the anisotropic behaviour are attributed to the presence of 1 Fe²⁺/molecule occupying the octahedral 2a sites in the magnetoplumbite lattice and having a uniaxial anisotropy of 10–15 cm^?1/ion.From measurements on polycrystalline, crystal-oriented samples of BaFe_10·8Fe²⁺_0·6Ti⁴⁺_0·6O₁₉ and BaFe_10·5Fe²⁺_1·0Sb⁵⁺_0·5O₁₉ it was found that, in comparison with LaFe₁₁Fe²⁺O₁₉, σ_s (T = 0) is smaller and K₁ is much smaller and much less temperature-dependent. The difference in anisotropic behaviour is attributed to a different distribution of the Fe²⁺ ions among the lattice sites due to the effective positive charge of the Ti⁴⁺ and Sb⁵⁺ ions.     

EPR study of the impurity paramagnetic centres in (CaO−Ga2O3−GeO2) glasses

The X-band EPR spectra of Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe³⁺ impurity ions in glasses of (CaO?Ga₂O₃?GeO₂) system are investigated in the 77÷300 K temperature range. The experimental data analysis yields the following results: (i) Impurity chromium ions are incorporated into the (CaO?Ga₂O₃?GeO₂) glasses network in Cr³⁺ (3d³,⁴F_3/2) paramagnetic valence state only and occupy the strong distorted oxygen coordinated octahedral sites. (ii) For all activated and non-activated (CaO?Ga₂O₃?GeO₂) glasses the iron impurity is present at concentration roughly 0.01 wt.%. Isotropic EPR signals atg _eff=4.29 andg _eff=2.00 are assigned to Fe³⁺ (3d⁵,⁶S_5/2) ions in the sites with strong rhombic distortion and in the sites with nearly cubic symmetry respectively. (iii) The manganese EPR spectrum in (CaO?Ga₂O₃?GeO₂) glasses is weakly dependent on temperature, doping procedure as well as manganese concentration. EPR spectra of impurity manganese ions in glasses with Ca₃Ga₂Ge₃O₁₂ and Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ compositions are virtually identical and belong to Mn²⁺ (3d⁵,⁶S_5/2) ions. Impurity manganese ions are incorporated into the (CaO?Ga₂O₃?GeO₂) glass network as isolated Mn²⁺ centres and clusters of Mn²⁺ ions.     

Effect of chromium substitution in Ca4Mn3O10

Ca₄Mn_3−xCr_xO₁₀ compounds were synthesized in order to investigate the role of an isoelectronic substitution in the layered manganite. Induced structural changes are mainly described as a distortion of the two types of octahedra in the n=3 RP structure. The results indicate that Cr³⁺ is not the only significant valence state for chromium ions. Electrical and magnetic characterization allow to conclude that chromium does not favour the double exchange mechanism in these compounds.     

Laser spectroscopy of spinel microcrystallites in a Cr3+ doped silicate glass

Laser spectroscopy of Cr³⁺ ions makes it possible to follow the crystallization process in a cordiente glass (52 SiO₂, 347 Al₂O₃, 12.5 MgO and 08 Cr₂O₃) Absorption and fluorescence are interpreted by structural considerations showing the variation of Cr³⁺ environment during heat treatment Fluorescence line narrowing is performed at 4 2 K giving information on the detailed crystal structure in MgAl₂O₄ spinel microcrystallites formed during heat treatment The splitting of the ²E level is close to 70 cm^?1 and the ¦2D¦ parameter ranges between 0 95 and 1 35 cm^?1 This wide distribution is associated with the well known disordered distribution of Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺ cations in MgAl₂O₄ spinels.     

Indication from NMR of Grotthuss mechanism for proton conduction in H2Sb4O11·nH2O

We have measured the second moment, the linewidth and the relaxation times T₁ and T₂ of the ¹H magnetic resonance signal from 4.2 to 380 K in the fact proton conductors H₂Sb₄O₁₁·nH₂O. Our results reveal that the high ionic conductivity of these materials is due to a Grotthuss-type proton diffusion mechanism with succession of molecular reorientations of H₃O⁺ ions or H₂O molecules and of proton jumps from H₃O⁺ to H₂O.