Magnetocaloric properties of (La0.67−xGdx)Sr0.33MnO3 polycrystalline nanoparticles

In this paper, magnetic property and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in nanoparticles perovskite manganites of the type (La_0.67−xGd_x)Sr_0.33MnO₃ (x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20) synthesized by using an amorphous molecular alloy as precursor have been reported. From the magnetic measurements as function of temperature and magnetic applied field, we have discovered that the Curie temperature (T_C) of the prepared samples is found to be strongly dependent on Gd content. The Curie temperature of samples is 358.4, 343.2, and 285.9 K for x=0.1, 0.15, and 0.2, respectively. A large magnetocaloric effect close to T_C has been observed with a maximum of magnetoentropy change in all the samples, ∣ΔS_M∣_max of 1.96 and 4.90 J/kg K at 2 and 5 T, respectively, for a substitution rate of 0.15. In addition, the maximum magnetic entropy change observed for samples with different concentration of Gd, exhibits a linear dependence with the applied high magnetic field. These results suggest that (La_0.67−x Gd_x)Sr_0.33MnO₃ (x=0.10, 0.15, 0.20) compounds could be a suitable candidate as working substance in magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.     

Structural, AC, and DC magnetic properties of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4

Structural, AC and DC magnetic properties of polycrystalline Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.2, 0.4) samples sintered at various temperatures (1100-1300 °C), and various dwell times (0.2-15 h) have been investigated thoroughly. The bulk density of the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ samples increases as the sintering temperature (T_s) increases from 1100 to 1250 °C, and above 1250 °C the bulk density decreases slightly. The Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ samples show similar behavior of changes to that of Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ samples except that the bulk density is found to be highest at 1200 °C. The DC magnetization as a function of temperature curves show that the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ sample is ferrimagnetic at room temperature while the Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ sample is paramagnetic at room temperature. The T_c of Zn_0.80Co_0.20Fe₂O₄ sample is found to be 170 K from DC magnetization measurement. Separate measurement (AC magnetization), initial permeability as a function of temperature shows that the T_c of the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ sample is 353 K. Slight variation of T_c is observed depending on sintering condition. The initial permeability for the Zn_0.60Co_0.40Fe₂O₄ composition sintered at 1250 °C is found to be maximum.     

Investigations on structural and optical properties of Zn1−xGdxS nanoparticles

Zn_1−xGd_xS (x = 0.00, 0.02 and 0.04) nanoparticles were synthesized by facile chemical co-precipitation method using PVP as a surfactant. ZnS nanoparticles could be doped with Gd ions during synthesis without altering the XRD patterns of ZnS. Also, the pattern of the powders showed cubic zincblende structure. The particle size obtained from the XRD studies lies in the range 3-5 nm, whereas from TEM analysis it is 4 nm for x = 0.02 sample. The UV-Vis absorption spectra revealed that Zn_1−xGd_xS nanoparticles exhibit strong confinement effect as the blue shift in the absorption spectra with that of the undoped ZnS. The photoluminescence spectra showed enhanced luminescence intensity and the entry of Gd into host lattice.     

Magnetic properties of the Pr1−xGdxCo4B compounds

In this work, we have investigated the effect of the substitution of Gd for Pr on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Pr_1−xGd_xCo₄B compounds for 0?x?1 using X-ray powder diffraction, magnetic measurements, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These compounds have hexagonal CeCo₄B-type structure with the space group P6/mmm. The substitution of Gd for Pr leads to a decrease of the unit-cell parameters a and the unit-cell volume V, while the unit-cell parameter c increases slightly. Magnetic measurements indicate that all samples are ordered magnetically below room temperature. The Curie temperatures determined by DSC technique increase as Pr is substituted by Gd. The saturation magnetization at 5 K decreases upon Gd substitution up to x=0.6, and then increases again.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Mn substituted ludwigite Co3O2BO3

The needle shape single crystals Co_3−x Mn_xO₂BO₃ with ludwigite structure have been prepared. According to the X-ray diffraction data the preferable character of distinct crystallographic positions occupation by Mn ions is established. Magnetization field and temperature dependencies are measured. Paramagnetic Curie temperature value Θ=−100 K points out the predominance of antiferromagnetic interactions. Spin-glass magnetic ordering takes the onset at T_N=41 K. The crystallographic and magnetic properties of Co₃O₂BO₃:Mn are compared with the same for the isostructural analogs Co₃O₂BO₃ and CoO₂BO₃:Fe.     

Effects of the substitution of gadolinium for neodymium on the crystal and magnetic properties of the Nd1−xGdxCo4B compounds

The crystal and magnetic properties of the Nd_1−xGd_xCo₄B compounds for 0?x?1 have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, magnetization and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. These compounds crystallize in a hexagonal CeCo₄B-type structure with the P6/mmm space group. The substitution of Gd for Nd leads to a decrease of the unit-cell parameter a and the unit-cell volume V, while the unit-cell parameter c remains almost constant. Magnetic measurements indicate that all samples are ordered magnetically below room temperature. The Curie temperatures determined by the DSC technique increase linearly as Nd is substituted by Gd. The saturation magnetization at 5 K decreases upon the Gd substitution up to x=0.6, and then increases again.     

Magnetoresistive properties of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4 ferrites

The magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of spinel-type Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0, 0.2 and 0.4) ferrites are extensively investigated in this study. A large negative magnetoresistance (MR) effect is observed in Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ ferrites of spinel structure. These materials are either ferrimagnetic or paramagnetic at room temperature, and show a spin-(cluster) glass transition at low temperatures, depending on the chemical compositions. The MR curves as a function of magnetic fields, MR(H), are parabolic at all temperatures for paramagnetic polycrystalline ZnFe₂O₄. The MR for ZnFe₂O₄ at 110 K in the presence of 9 T applied magnetic field is 30%. On the other hand, MR(H) are linear for x=0.2 and 0.4 ferrimagnetic Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ samples up to 9 T. The MR effect is independent of the sintering temperatures, and can be explained with the help of the spin-dependent scattering and the Yafet–Kittel angle of Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites.     

Gd-doped SnO2 nanoparticles: Structure and magnetism

Gd-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles were chemically prepared doping 0-12.5% Gd into SnO₂ and calcined at 600 °C. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy measurements show the formation of single phase of Sn_1−xGd_xO₂ up to x=0.0625 while at x=0.125, an additional secondary phase of tetragonal GdO₂ (not cubic Gd₂O₃) is detected. The transmission electron microscopy studies show that the individual particles are single crystalline with an average size in the range of 10-12 nm. Magnetization measurements show the absence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering in all samples; however surface spin effects and enhanced Gd-O-Gd interactions are proposed to account for the observed magnetic properties of the samples.     

Near room temperature magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd100−xBx (x=0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 at%) alloys

The magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd-B alloys were examined with the aim to explore their potential application as magnetic refrigerants near room temperature. A series of Gd_100−xB_x (x=0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 at%) alloys were prepared by melt spinning. With the decrease in Gd/B ratio, Curie temperature (T_C) remains constant at ∼293 K, and saturation magnetization, at 275 K, decreases from ∼100 to ∼78 emu/g. Negligible magnetic hysteresis was observed in these alloys. The peak value of magnetic entropy change, (−ΔS_M)_max, decreased from ∼9.9 J/kg K (0-5 T) and ∼5.5 J/kg K (0-2 T) for melt-spun Gd to ∼7.7 J/kg K (0-5 T) and ∼4.0 J/kg K (0-2 T), respectively for melt-spun Gd₈₅B₁₅ and Gd₈₀B₂₀ alloys. Similarly, the refrigeration capacity (q) decreased monotonously from ∼430 J/kg (0-5 T) for melt-spun Gd to ∼330 J/kg (0-5 T) for melt-spun Gd₈₀B₂₀ alloy. The near room temperature magnetocaloric properties of melt-spun Gd_100−xB_x (0≤x≤20) alloys were found to be comparable to few first-order transition based magnetic refrigerants.     

Magnetocaloric properties of LaFe13−x−yCoxSiy and commercial grade Gd

The magnetocaloric properties of three samples of LaFe_13−x−yCo_xSi_y have been measured and compared to measurements of commercial grade Gd. The samples have (x=0.86, y=1.08), (x=0.94, y=1.01) and (x=0.97, y=1.07) yielding Curie temperatures in the range 276-288 K. The magnetization, specific heat capacity and adiabatic temperature change have been measured over a broad temperature interval. Importantly, all measurements were corrected for demagnetization, allowing the data to be directly compared. In an internal field of 1 T the maximum specific entropy changes were 6.2, 5.1 and 5.0 J/kg K, the specific heat capacities were 910, 840 and 835 J/kg K and the adiabatic temperature changes were 2.3, 2.1 and 2.1 K for the three LaFeCoSi samples respectively. For Gd in an internal field of 1 T the maximum specific entropy change was 3.1 J/kg K, the specific heat capacity was 340 J/kg K and the adiabatic temperature change was 3.3 K. The adiabatic temperature change was also calculated from the measured values of the specific heat capacity and specific magnetization and compared to the directly measured values. In general an excellent agreement was seen.     

Reentrant spin glass behavior and large initial permeability of Co0.5−xMnxZn0.5Fe2O4

A series of polycrystalline ferrites having nominal chemical composition Co_0.50−xMn_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ (0<x<0.4) have been synthesized by the solid-state reaction technique. The XRD analysis confirms single phase cubic spinel structure for all compositions. Lattice constant increases from 0.84195 to 0.84429 nm with the increasing Mn content and obeys Vegard's law. The average grain size increases by increasing both Mn content and sintering temperatures. Room temperature saturation magnetization increases for x=0.1 and decreases for increasing Mn content. The coercivity decreases with increasing Mn content due to the decrease of anisotropy constant. A reentrant spin glass behavior of these samples is observed from the zero field cooled magnetization measurements. The real part of the initial permeability increases by increasing both Mn content and sintering temperatures. This is due to the homogeneous grain growth and densification of the ferrites. The highest initial permeability 137 is observed for x=0.4 sintered at 1573 K on the other hand, the highest relative quality factor (2522) is obtained for the sample Co_0.2Mn_0.3Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ sintered at 1523 K. The Mn substituted Co_0.50−xMn_xZn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrites showed improved magnetic properties.     

High field magnetization of Pr1-xGdxNi single crystals

Magnetization measurements were carried out on Pr_1−xGd_xNi single crystals for x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 using pulsed magnetic fields up to 55 T and at 4.2 K. For the data observed along the c-axis there are clear indications of transitions, of the combined system of Pr and Gd moments, from a ferrimagnetic to a ferromagnetic state. The observed saturation magnetizations at 55 T and intermediate magnetizations at 1 T were well modeled assuming ferro- and ferri-magnetic structures, respectively.     

The influence of gallium on magnetocaloric effect in Gd60Tb40 alloys

The influences of gallium substitution for terbium in Gd₆₀Tb₄₀ on the phase formation, Curie temperature and magnetic entropy change have been investigated. A series of Gd₆₀Tb_40−xGa_x with x=0, 1, 3 and 5 alloys were prepared by arc-melting method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that a small amount of Ga substitution for terbium in Gd₆₀Tb₄₀ can form the solid solution (Gd, Tb). The Curie temperature (T_c) increases from 270 K for Gd₆₀Tb₄₀ to 297 K for Gd₆₀Tb₃₇Ga₃, while the maximum magnetic entropy changes ΔS_{M, max} decreases from 5.15 J/K kg for Gd₆₀Tb₄₀ to 3.32 J/K kg for Gd₆₀Tb₃₇Ga₃ with increasing the Ga content.     

Structure and magnetic entropy change of suck-cast Gd60Co26Al6Ge8 alloy

The Gd₆₀Co₂₆Al₆Ge₈ alloy has been prepared by the copper-mold suck-casting and its phase component has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). It is shown that this alloy consists of primary crystalline Gd₅Ge₃ phase and amorphous matrix. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and crystallization temperatures (T_x) occur at 292 and 320 °C, respectively. The maximal magnetic entropy change (ΔS_M) under 0-5 T field is about 7.6 J (kg⁻¹ K⁻¹) at 155 K and the refrigeration capacity (RC) is about 768 J kg⁻¹, which makes Gd₆₀Co₂₆Al₆Ge₈ bulk metallic glass matrix composite a promising candidate for magnetic refrigerant.     

Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Co1−xZnxFe2O4 prepared by forced hydrolysis method

Nanocrystalline zinc-substituted cobalt ferrite powders, Co_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0, 0.2, 0.4), were for the first time prepared by forced hydrolysis method. Magnetic and structural properties in these specimens were investigated. The average crystallite size is about 3.0 nm. When the zinc substitution increases from x=0 to x=0.4, at 4.2 K, the saturation magnetization increases from 72.1 to 99.7 emu/g and the coercive field decreases from 1.22 to 0.71 T. All samples are superparamagnetic at room temperature and ferrimagnetic at temperatures below the blocking temperature. The high value of the saturation magnetization and the very thin thickness of the disorder surface layer of all samples suggests that this forced hydrolysis method is suitable not only for preparing two metal element systems but also for three or more ones.     

Double metal-insulator peaks and effect of Sm substitution on magnetic and transport properties of hole-doped La0.85Ag0.15MnO3

La_0.85−xSm_xAg_0.15MnO₃ (x=0−0.2) ceramics were prepared using the conventional solid-state synthesis method to investigate the effect of Sm³⁺ substitution on magnetic and electrical transport properties. Magnetic susceptibility versus temperature measurements showed all samples exhibit ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition with Curie temperature, T_c decreasing from 283 K (x=0) to 164 K (x=0.2) with increasing Sm³⁺. The observed slope in susceptibility, χ′ versus temperature curves below T_c indicates the possible presence of FM and AFM phases in the metallic region. In addition, a deviation from the Curie-Weiss law above T_c in 1/χ′ versus T curves indicates the existence of a Griffith's phase in the x=0.05−0.2 samples due to the Sm³⁺ ion substitution. The Griffith temperature, T_G was found to decrease from 295 K (x=0.05) to 229 K (x=0.2). Electrical resistivity measurements of the samples in zero field showed transition from metallic behavior to insulating behavior as the temperature was increased. For x=0, two metal-insulator, MI transition peaks were observed at T_p1=282 K and at T_p2=250 K. Both peaks shifted to lower temperatures with the increase in Sm³⁺. The relative resistivity of the first peak to the second peak decreases with increasing Sm³⁺ for x>0.05 while at x=0.2 the T_p1 peak was strongly suppressed. Magnetoresistance, MR was observed to weaken with Sm³⁺ substitution. The metallic region of the ρ(T) curve of the x=0−0.15 samples was fitted to the model of electron-electron and electron-magnon scattering while the insulating region was fitted to the variable range hopping, VRH model. The resistivity behavior indicated that the substitution of Sm³⁺ weakened the double exchange process and enhanced the Jahn-Teller effect. Our results indicated that the T_p1 peak is strongly related to the double-exchange mechanism while the T_p2 peak is suggested to originate from magnetic inhomogeneity.     

Influence of Co doping content on its valence state in Zn1−xCoxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) thin films

Zn_1−xCo_xO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) thin films grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates were prepared by a sol-gel technique. The effects of Co doped on the structural, optical properties and surface chemical valence states of the Zn_1−xCo_xO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD results show that the Zn_1−xCo_xO films retained a hexagonal crystal structure of ZnO with better c-axis preferred orientation compared to the undoped ZnO films. The optical absorption spectra suggest that the optical band-gap of the Zn_1−xCo_xO thin films varied from 3.26 to 2.79 eV with increasing Co content from x = 0 to x = 0.15. XPS studies show the possible oxidation states of Co in Zn_1−xCo_xO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05), Zn_0.90Co_0.10O and Zn_0.85Co_0.15O are CoO, Co₃O₄ and Co₂O₃, with an increase of Co content, respectively.     

Effect of Gd addition on the activation energies of Bi-2223 superconductor

We have investigated the effect of addition of Gd in Bi_1.8Pb_0.35Sr_1.9Ca_2.1Cu₃Gd_xO_y superconductor with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. The samples were prepared using the standard solid-state reaction method. The activation energies, irreversibility fields (H_irr), upper critical fields (H_c2) and coherence lengths at 0 K (ξ(0)) were calculated from the resistivity versus temperature (R-T) curves under DC magnetic fields up to 7 T. The superconducting transition temperature, T_c, and activation energy, U₀, were found to decrease with increase in Gd concentration and with increase in applied magnetic field. The offset transition temperature of the pure (Gd00) sample without applied magnetic field is 108 K, whereas for Gd05 sample, the offset transition temperature drops to 5 K with 7 T applied magnetic field. The activation energy of the Gd00 sample without applied magnetic field is 34,980 K, and for Gd05 sample with 7 T applied field it is 98 K. H_irr and H_c2 values also decrease with increase in Gd addition. The possible reasons for the observed degradation in microstructural and superconducting properties due to Gd addition were discussed.     

Monodispersed nanocrystalline Co1–xZnxFe2O4 particles by forced hydrolysis: Synthesis and characterization

Zinc-substituted cobalt ferrites, Co_1–xZn_xFe₂O₄, were for the first time successfully prepared by forced hydrolysis method. The obtained materials are single phase, monodispersed nanocrystalline with an average grain size of about 3 nm. These materials are superparamagnetic at room temperature and ferrimagnetic at temperature lower than the blocking temperature. When the zinc substitution increases from x=0 to 0.4, at 4.2 K, the saturation magnetization increases from 72.1 to 99.7 emu/g. The high saturation magnetization of these samples suggests that this method is suitable for preparing high-quality nanocrystalline magnetic ferrites for practical applications.     

Magnetocaloric effect in R2Fe17 (R=Sm,Gd, Tb,Dy, Er)

A series of R₂Fe₁₇ (R=Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) have been synthesized. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of these compounds has been investigated by means of magnetic measurements in the vicinity of their Curie temperature. The Curie temperature of Er₂Fe₁₇ is 294 K. The maximum magnetic entropy change of Er₂Fe₁₇ under 5 T magnetic field is ∼3.68 J/kg K. In the R₂Fe₁₇ (R=Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) system, the maximum magnetic entropy change under 1.5 T magnetic field is 1.72, 0.89, 1.32, 1.59, 1.68 J/kg K corresponding to their Curie temperature (400, 472, 415, 364, 294 K), respectively.