Low temperature study of micrometric powder of melted Fe50Mn10Al40 alloy

Melted Fe₅₀Mn₁₀Al₄₀ alloy powder with particle size less than 40 μm was characterized at room temperature by XRD, SEM and XPS; and at low temperatures by Mössbauer spectrometry, ac susceptibility, and magnetization analysis. The results show that the sample is BCC ferromagnetic but with a big contribution of paramagnetic sites, and presents super-paramagnetic and re-entrant spin-glass phases with critical temperatures of 265 and 35 K, respectively. The presence of the different phases detected is due to the disordered character of the sample and the competitive magnetic interactions. The obtained values of the saturation magnetization and the coercive field as a function of temperature present a behavior which indicates a ferromagnetic phase. However, the behavior of the FC curve and that of the coercive field as a function of temperature suggest that the dipolar magnetic interaction between particles contributes to the internal magnetic field in the same way as was reported for nanoparticulate powders.     

Pressure dependence of the magnetization in Pr5Si3

We report the low temperature magnetization and specific heat of single-crystal Pr₅Si₃ at ambient pressure under magnetic field up to 9 T and temperatures down to 3 K. Pr₅Si₃ orders ferromagnetically below . The ferromagnetic state is strongly anisotropic where the basal plane in the body-centered tetragonal crystal structure is the easy-magnetic plane. Under hydrostatic pressures up to 18 kbar the magnetization for temperatures down to 3 K and magnetic fields up to 9 T shows only a weak variation of the ordered moment and T_C. Magnetization loops at low magnetic fields show changes of the hysteresis loops, notably the emergence of shoulder at the coercive field, that are characteristic of a ferrimagnetic modulation that is stabilized under pressure.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni-rich Ni54Mn25.7Ga20.3 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy thin film

A Ni₅₄Mn_25.7Ga_20.3 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy thin film has been fabricated by using the RF magnetron-sputtering technique. The structure and magnetic properties of the film were systematically investigated. The results show that the film is in ferromagnetic martensite state at room temperature with the Curie temperature (T_c) of about 370 K. The saturation magnetization (M_s) of the film reaches 45 emu/g at 300 K, which is about 80% as large as that of Ni–Mn–Ga bulk material. The magnetization hysteresis loops significantly depend on temperatures. The residual magnetization (M_r) and the coercive force (H_c) increase with decreasing temperatures. The grains homogeneously distribute in the film. The microstructure of the film consists of martensite plates. The interface between the martensite variants is clear and straight, indicating a good mobility.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of NiFe2−xAlxO4 nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline Al-doped nickel ferrite powders have been synthesized by sol–gel auto-ignition method and the effect of non-magnetic aluminum content on the structural and magnetic properties has been studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the powders obtained are single phase with inverse spinel structure. The calculated grain sizes from XRD data have been verified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM photographs show that the powders consist of nanometer-sized grains. It was observed that the characteristic grain size decreases from 29 to 6 nm as the non-magnetic Al content increases, which was attributed to the influence of non-magnetic Al concentration on the grain size. Magnetic hysteresis loops were measured at room temperature with a maximum applied magnetic field of ≈1 T. As aluminum content increases, the measured magnetic hysteresis curves become more and more narrow and the saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization both decreased. The reduction of magnetization compared to bulk is a consequence of spin non-collinearity. Further reduction of magnetization with increase of aluminum content is caused by non-magnetic Al³⁺ ions and weakened interaction between sublattices. This, as well as the decrease in hysteresis was understood in terms of the decrease in particle size.     

Enhancement of magnetic anisotropy in mechanically attrited Cr2O3 nanoparticles

Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles of sizes from 24 to 12 nm were synthesized by mechanical grinding. Magnetic hysteresis loops were observed in the temperature range 5-300 K. Zero-field magnetization measurements showed two peaks, at low temperature in the range 36-52 K and at high temperature in the range 255-290 K. They were found to shift to higher temperatures as the particle size was reduced. This was ascribed due to the enhancement of the effective anisotropy constant with a decrease in particle size. The exchange bias was found to increase as the particle size became smaller. This is believed to arise due to an increase in uncompensated spins as a result of large surface area created.     

Electrical,structural, magnetic and transport properties of Zn2BaFe16O27 doped with Cu

Series of polycrystalline samples of Zn_2−xCu_xBaFe₁₆O₂₇ were prepared by usual ceramic methods, where x=0.0, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.4. X-ray analysis done at room temperature using CoK_α with λ=1.790 Å confirms the presence of W-type hexaferrite phase structure. Saturation magnetization and hysteresis loops curves measurements at room temperature were studied as a function of Cu²⁺ substitution. It can be seen that the Cu²⁺ content slightly decreases the saturation magnetization from 25 to 20 emu g⁻¹; all hysteresis loops are closed, which indicates low anisotropy field and low saturation magnetization field. The dc conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured in a range from room temperature up to T=750 K for all samples. The thermoelectric power decreases on increasing Cu²⁺ content, and the conductivity increases with temperature. The value of the charge-carrier concentration increases by increasing the temperature and Cu²⁺ content.     

Synthesis,characterization and magnetic properties of MFe2O4 (M=Co,Mg, Mn,Ni) nanoparticles using ricin oil as capping agent

We focused on obtaining MFe₂O₄ nanoparticles using ricin oil solution as surfactant and on their structural characterization and magnetic properties. The annealed samples at 500 °C in air for 6 h were analyzed for the crystal phase identification by powder X-ray diffraction using CuKα radiation. The particle size, the chemical composition and the morphology of the calcinated powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. All sintered samples contain only one phase, which has a cubic structure with crystallite sizes of 12–21 nm. From the infrared spectra of all samples were observed two strong bands around 600 and 400 cm⁻¹, which correspond to the intrinsic lattice vibrations of octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the spinel structure, respectively, and characteristic vibration for capping agent. The magnetic properties of fine powders were investigated at room temperature by using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The room temperature M–H hysteresis loops show ferromagnetic behavior of the calcined samples, with specific saturation magnetization (M_s) values ranging between 11 and 53 emu/g.     

Preparation and characterizations of SiO2-coated nanoparticles of Mn0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4

Core/shell nanoparticles consisting of a magnetic core of zinc-substituted manganese ferrite (Mn_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄) and a shell of silica (SiO₂) are prepared by a sol-gel method using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor material for silica and salts of iron, manganese and zinc as the precursor of the ferrite. Three weight percentages of the shell materials of SiO₂ are used to prepare the coated nanoparticles. The X-ray diffractograms (XRD) of the coated and uncoated magnetic nanoparticles confirmed that the magnetic nanoparticles are in their mixed spinel phase in an amorphous matrix of silica. Particles sizes of the samples annealed at different temperatures are estimated from the width of the (3 1 1) line of the XRD pattern using the Debye-Sherrer equation. The information regarding the crystallographic structure together with the particles sizes extracted from the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of a few selected samples are in agreement with those obtained from the XRD. HRTEM observations revealed that particles are coated with silica. The calculated thickness is in agreement with that obtained from the HRTEM pictures. Hysteresis loops observed in the temperature range 300 down to 5 K and Mössbauer spectra at room temperature indicate superparamagnetic relaxation of the nanoparticles.     

Structural and magnetic properties of MnxCo1−xFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles

We report on the structural and magnetic properties of nanoparticles of Mn_xCo_1−xFe₂O₄ (x=0.1, 0.5) ferrites produced by the glycothermal reaction. From the analysis of XRD spectra and TEM micrographs, particle sizes of the samples have been found to be about 8 nm (for x=0.1) and 13 nm (for x=0.5). The samples were characterized by DC magnetization in the temperature range 5-380 K and in magnetic fields of up to 40 kOe using a SQUID magnetometer. Mössbauer spectroscopy results show that the sample with higher Mn content has enhanced hyperfine fields after thermal annealing at 700 °C. There is a corresponding small reduction in hyperfine fields for the sample with lower Mn content. The variations of saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization and coercive fields as functions of temperature are also presented. Our results show evidence of superparamagnetic behaviour associated with the nanosized particles. Particle sizes appear to be critical in explaining the observed properties.     

Magnetic response of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles in polymer matrix

We report the magnetic properties of magnetic nano-composite, consisting of different quantity of NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in polymer matrix. The nanoparticles exhibited a typical magnetization blocking, which is sensitive on the variation of magnetic field, mode of zero-field-cooled/field-cooled experiments and particle quantity in the matrix. The samples with lower particle quantity showed an upturn of magnetization down to 5 K, whereas the blocking of magnetization dominates at lower temperatures as the particle quantity increases in the polymer. We examine such magnetic behaviour in terms of the competitive magnetic ordering between core and surface spins of nanoparticles, taking into account the effect of inter-particle (dipole-dipole) interactions on nanoparticle magnetic dynamics.     

Growth temperature dependence of the hysteretic behavior of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 thin films

Herein, a discussion of the effect of deposition temperature on the magnetic behavior of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ thin films. The thin films were grown by r.f. sputtering technique on (1 0 0) MgO single-crystal substrates at deposition temperatures ranging between 400 and 800 °C. The grain boundary microstructure was analyzed via atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images show that grain size (φ∼70-112 nm) increases with increasing deposition temperature, according to a diffusion growth model. From magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements at room temperature, coercive fields, H_c, between 37and 131 Oe were measured. The coercive field, H_c, as a function of grain size, reaches a maximum value of 131 Oe for φ ∼93 nm, while the relative saturation magnetization exhibits a minimum value at this grain size. The behaviors observed were interpreted as the existence of a critical size for the transition from single- to multi-domain regime. The saturation magnetization (21 emu/g<M_s<60 emu/g) was employed to quantify the critical magnetic intergranular correlation length (L_c≈166 nm), where a single-grain to coupled-grain behavior transition occurs. Experimental hysteresis loops were fitted by the Jiles-Atherton model (JAM). The value of the k-parameter of the JAM fitted by means of this model (k/μ_o∼50 A m²) was correlated to the domain size from the behavior of k, we observed a maximum in the density of defects for the sample with φ∼93 nm.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of ε-Fe3N nanoparticles synthesized by chemical vapor condensation process

ε-Fe₃N nanoparticles synthesized by chemical vapor condensation (CVC) are covered with shells of disordered Fe₃O₄ phase, as observed by a transmission electron microscopy. The zero-field cooling and field cooling temperature dependence of magnetization, ac susceptibility as a function of frequency, magnetic hysteresis loops, and the temperature dependence of resistivity of the ε-Fe₃N nanoparticles are systematically studied. The results indicate the existence of complex magnetic properties, such as superparamagnetic behavior, exchange bias, magnetic dipole interaction, and the possible coexistence of ferromagnetic and spin-glass-like states and/or disordered surface spins of the shells at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of resistivity ρ(T) for compacted ε-Fe₃N nanoparticles in a temperature range of 110 K< T< 300 K can be well described by the mechanism of fluctuation-induced tunneling conduction, while that below 110 K can be ascribed to conducting electrons scattered by localized magnetic moments and impurity as well as the influence of freezing of spin-glass-like moments and/or disordered surface spins of the shells.     

Structural and magnetic characteristics of Co1−xNix/2Srx/2Fe2O4 nanoparticles

Co_1−xNi_x/2Sr_x/2Fe₂O₄ (x=0–0.5 in steps of 0.1) ferrite nanoparticles have been synthesized at room temperature, without calcination, using a reverse micelle process. The site preference was determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy at 300 K. The hyperfine parameters were obtained, for the whole series of solid solutions. For the X≤0.20 samples, the spectra were fitted with two discrete sextets and for the X>0.20 samples, a magnetic hyperfine field distribution and a doublet were also imposed in the fit procedure. Hysteresis loops were measured using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer at 2 K and 300 K. The results indicate that the relative decrease in saturation magnetization of nanoparticles compared to the submicron particles could be attributed to a surface spin termination and disorder. Magnetic dynamics of the nanoparticles was studied by the measurement of ac magnetic susceptibility versus temperature at different frequencies and it is found that the results are well described by the Vogel–Fulcher model.     

Dependence of magnetic characteristics on sputtering-power and substrate-temperature in amorphous Tb40(FeCoV)60 films

The amorphous Tb₄₀(Fe₄₉Co₄₉V₂)₆₀ films were deposited at different sputtering powers and substrate temperatures. The microstructural and magnetic characteristics were investigated by means of field emission scan electron microscope, magnetic force microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer. Our results show that with increasing sputtering power, out-of-plane coercivity decreases monotonically while saturation magnetization has a maximum value of 231 kA/m for the sample prepared at 50 W. The as-deposited alloy films are amorphous, whereas the coercivity and saturation magnetization are strongly dependent on the substrate temperature. An out-of-plane hysteresis loop with coercivity below 22 mT and saturation magnetization over 290 kA/m is obtained combining dc power and substrate temperature. The dominant mechanism of room temperature coercivity appears to be domain wall pinning, rather than nucleation under all conditions measured. The variation of saturation magnetization is similar to that of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with either sputtering power or substrate temperature according to the difference of magnetic domain structure.     

Effect of grain size on the magnetic properties of superparamagnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles by co-precipitation process

Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (NZFO) spinel-type nanoparticles were directly fabricated by the chemical co-precipitation process using metal nitrate and acetate as precursors since nitrogen and carbon would be taken away in the forms of oxynitride and oxycarbide, respectively, after the precursors were annealed and then investigated in detail by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic measurement and Raman spectroscopy. XRD analysis indicates that the as-prepared nanocrystals are all of a pure cubic spinel structure with their sizes ranging from 20.8 to 53.3 nm, as well as peaks of some samples shifting to lower angles due to lattice expansion. Calculations from the derived XRD data indicate that the activation energy is 30.83 kJ/mol. The magnetic measurements show that these samples are superparamagnetic. The saturation magnetization increases with annealing temperature, which may be explained by super-exchange interactions of Fe ions occurring at A- and B-sites. The variation of coercivity with particle size is interpreted on the basis of domain structure and crystal anisotropy. Furthermore, these nanoparticles exhibit a redshift phenomenon at lower temperatures seen in the Raman spectra, which could be related to ionic substitution.     

Synthesis and magnetic characterization of Zn0.6Ni0.4Fe2O4 nanoparticles via a polyethylene glycol-assisted hydrothermal route

Zn-doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles (Zn_0.6Ni_0.4Fe₂O₄) have been prepared via a surfactant, polyethylene glycol assisted hydrothermal route. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and vibrating scanning magnetometry (VSM) were used for the structural, morphological, and magnetic characterizations of the product, respectively. TEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles have a narrow size distribution, with average particle size of 15±1 nm, which agrees well with the XRD based estimate of 14±2 nm. The absence of saturation and remanent magnetization, and coercivity in the high temperature region of the M-H curve and non-zero magnetic moments indicate superparamagnetism of the nanoparticles with a canted spin structure. The appearance of a peak on the temperature-dependent zero-field cooling magnetization curve at ∼190 K indicates the blocking temperature of the sample.     

Characterization of n-GaN dilute magnetic semiconductors by cobalt ions implantation at high-fluence

In this study, we present the structural and magnetic characteristics of cobalt ions implantation at a high-fluence (5×10¹⁶ cm⁻²) into n-GaN epilayer of thickness about 1.6 μm. The n-GaN was grown on sapphire by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Rutherford backscattering channeling was used for the structural study. After implantation, samples were annealed at 700, 800 and 900 °C by rapid thermal annealing in ambient N₂. XRD measurements did not show any secondary phase or metal related-peaks. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was performed as well to characterize structures. Well-defined hysteresis loops were observed at 5 K and room temperature using alternating gradient magnetometer AGM and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. Temperature-dependent magnetization indicated magnetic moment at the lowest temperatures and retained magnetization up to 380 K for cobalt-ion-implanted samples.     

Exchange bias effect in multiferroic Eu0.75Y0.25MnO3

The exchange bias phenomenon has been investigated in multiferroic Eu_0.75Y_0.25MnO₃. The material shows a weak ferromagnetism with cone spin configuration induced by external magnetic field below 30 K. Consequently, the electric polarization coming from the cycloid spin order below 30 K can be suppressed by external magnetic fields. The magnetic hysteresis loops after cooling in a magnetic field exhibit characteristics of exchange bias below the spin glassy freezing temperature (T_g)∼16 K. The exchange bias field, coercivity field, and remanent magnetization increase with increasing cooling magnetic field. The exchange bias effect is ascribed to the frozen uncompensated spins at the antiferromagnetism/weak ferromagnetism interfaces in the spin-glass like phase.     

Ferromagnetism and spin reorientation in Sm12Fe14Al5

The single crystal of the new ternary compound Sm₁₂Fe₁₄Al₅ was grown and its crystallographic and magnetic properties were investigated. Sm₁₂Fe₁₄Al₅ has a hexagonal structure of the space group p-3m1 and shows ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature of 245 K. The easy direction of magnetization is parallel to the c-axis at temperatures between 245 and 85 K; however, it changes to the c-plane below 85 K through a first-order-like phase transition. No saturation is observed in the magnetization curve even under the applied field of 55 kOe at 5 K. Sm₁₂Fe₁₄Al₅ seems to have a large coercive field at very low temperatures. The anisotropy field was estimated at 5 and 120 K and the saturation magnetization of low temperature phase is explained assuming a ferromagnetic coupling between Fe and Sm sublattices.     

Temperature dependence of magnetic properties of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles embeded in SiO2 matrix

Spinel ferrite NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (?25 nm) in SiO₂ matrix were prepared by sol–gel method. The phase and average crystallite size of the samples were determined by X-ray diffraction method and the particle size distributions were studied by a transmission electron microscope. Magnetic properties of the samples were investigated with different ferrite particle sizes and at various temperatures down to 10 K. Superparamagnetic properties were observed at room temperature when the particle size is less than 10 nm.In superparamagnetic state, the field dependence of magnetization follows Langevin function which was originally developed for paramagnetism. The effective anisotropy constant K_eff is found to increase significantly with the decrease in particle volume and an order of magnitude higher than that of the bulk samples when the particle size is below 5 nm due to the dominance of surface anisotropy. In case of nanosized systems, the effect of size reduction on the law of approach to saturation has also been studied in detail.