Electronic transport and magnetic properties of the perovskites La0.8Sr0.2Co1−xFexO3; x ≤ 0.3

Transport and magnetic properties of LaCoO₃-based compounds, doped with 20% Sr and 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% Fe, were investigated by means of magnetization, resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements as well as by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. While the temperature dependence of the dc and ac magnetic susceptibilities reveals the presence of magnetic phase separation accompanied by spin-glass and cluster-glass behavior, the electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance characteristics indicate that the mesoscopic structure of the present compounds is rather well described as consisting of ferromagnetic, metallic grains embedded in an insulating matrix. The effect of the partial Co → Fe substitution on the bulk magnetic and transport properties, as well as on the local state of Co and Fe ions is discussed.     

Nonstoichiometry,point defects and magnetic properties in Sr2FeMoO6−δ double perovskites

The phase stability, nonstoichiometry and point defect chemistry of polycrystalline Sr₂FeMoO_6?δ (SFMO) was studied by thermogravimety at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C. Single-phase SFMO exists between ?10.2≤log pO₂≤?13.7 at 1200 °C. At lower oxygen partial pressure a mass loss signals reductive decomposition. At higher pO₂ a mass gain indicates oxidative decomposition into SrMoO₄ and SrFeO_3?x. The nonstoichiometry δ at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C was determined as function of pO₂. SFMO is almost stoichiometric at the upper phase boundary (e.g. δ=0.006 at 1200 °C and log pO₂=?10.2) and becomes more defective with decreasing oxygen partial pressure (e.g. δ=0.085 at 1200 °C and log pO₂=?13.5). Oxygen vacancies are shown to represent majority defects. From the temperature dependence of the oxygen vacancy concentration the defect formation enthalpy was estimated (ΔH_OV=253±8 kJ/mol). Samples of different nonstoichiometry δ were prepared by quenching from 1200 °C at various pO₂. An increase of the unit cell volume with increasing defect concentration δ was found. The saturation magnetization is reduced with increasing nonstoichiometry δ. This demonstrates that in addition to Fe/Mo site disorder, oxygen nonstoichiometry is another source of reduced magnetization values.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of randomly mixed and layer-ordered SrMn1−xGaxO3−δ perovskites

We report the synthesis of SrMn_1−xGa_xO_3−δ perovskite compounds and describe the dependence of their phase stability and structural and physical properties over extended cation and oxygen composition ranges. Using special synthesis techniques, we have extended the solubility limit of Ga³⁺ in the cubic perovskite phase to x≈0.33. Higher Ga concentrations lead to mixed phases until a single-phase ordered double-perovskite structure is obtained at x=0.5, i.e., Sr₂MnGaO_6−δ. In the cubic perovskite phase the maximum oxygen content is 3−x/2, which corresponds to 100% Mn⁴⁺. All maximally oxygenated solid solution compounds are found to order antiferromagnetically, with the transition temperature linearly decreasing as Ga content increases. Reducing the oxygen content introduces frustration into the magnetic system and a spin-glass state is observed for SrMn_0.7Ga_0.3O_2.5 below 30 K. The brownmillerite phase at low oxygen content, Sr₂MnGaO₅, is found to have Icmm crystallographic symmetry. At 12 K its magnetic structure is found to order in the Icm′m′ magnetic symmetry corresponding to a G-type antiferromagnetic structure of Mn³⁺ ions. At higher oxygen content, Sr₂MnGaO_5.5 is found to have Cmmm crystallographic symmetry with disordered oxygen vacancies. At 12 K two competing long-range magnetic structures are found for the Mn⁴⁺ sublattice having C_Im′m′m symmetry (G-type), and C_Pm′m′m symmetry (C-type), together with a G-type short-range magnetic correlations.     

Electron doping versus antisite defects: Structural and magnetic properties of Sr2−xLaxCrMoO6 and Sr2−xLaxCr1+x/2Mo1−x/2O6 perovskites

This study reports the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of Sr_2?xLa_xCrMoO₆ and Sr_2?xLa_xCr_1+x/2Mo_1?x/2O₆ samples. Although both series exhibit similar crystal structures, Sr_2?xLa_xCrMoO₆ samples present an effective electron doping revealed by a significant expansion of the unit cell with increasing x. In Sr_2?xLa_xCr_1+x/2Mo_1?x/2O₆ samples instead, the Cr-excess leads to a non electron doped system. Both series show a large amount of antisite defects whose number increases as La-content increases. Neutron diffraction patterns reveal the existence of long-range magnetic ordering for all samples but the magnetic peaks are very broad for Sr₂CrMoO₆ indicating a short coherence length of the magnetic ordering. This coherence length is increased upon replacing Sr by La. In both systems there is a clear increase of the magnetic transition temperature with increasing the La-content. The samples show ferromagnetic contributions at low temperature as deduced from the magnetic hysteresis loops typical of hard ferromagnetic materials. However, magnetic saturation is not achieved even at 5 T and the magnetic moment at this field is small. The ac magnetic susceptibility reveals the existence of several anomalies suggesting that these compounds are magnetically inhomogeneous. This is probably due to the presence of the large amount of structural defects not homogenously distributed.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Ho2Co17−xMx pseudobinary compounds

The homogeneity range of the pseudobinary system Ho₂Co_17−xM_x (M ≡; Ni, Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, Al) and the dependence of the lattice constants and the Curie temperature on composition were studied. Although Ho₂Co₁₇, Ho₂Ni₁₇ and Ho₂Fe₁₇ have identical crystal structures and similar lattice constants, the homogeneity range for the Th₂Ni₁₇-type compound in the Ho₂Co_17−xNi_x and Ho₂Co_17−xFe_x systems is limited to x < 5. The curves of Curie temperature versus composition have maxima at x values of 1, 3 and 0.9 for the systems Ho₂Co_17−xNi_x, Ho₂Co_17−xFe_x and Ho₂Co_17−xCu_x respectively. This suggests that the effect of nickel, iron and copper on the Co-Co exchange interaction in the cobalt sublattice at low concentrations may be different from that at high concentrations.     

The layered manganate Sr4−xBaxMn3O10: synthesis,structural and magnetic properties

The layered manganate Sr₄Mn₃O₁₀ has been synthesized and a partial substitution of Ba for Sr, leading to the solid solution Sr_4−xBa_xMn₃O₁₀ with 0≤x≤2.50, has been shown. This phase, isotypic to Ba₄TiPt₂O₁₀, crystallizes in the Cmca space group with a=5.4766(1) Å, b=12.4659(2) Å, c=12.5282(2) Å for x=0. The structural analysis of this oxide shows close relationships with the 9 L-hexagonal BaMnO₃ structure, both structures being built up from ‘Mn₃O₁₂’ trioctahedral units of face sharing octahedra, linked through their apices. The main difference between the two structures concerns the relative orientation of two successive Mn₃O₁₂ groups, leading to a layered structure for Sr₄Mn₃O₁₀ and to a tridimensional framework for 9 L-BaMnO₃. The detailed HREM study shows the existence of extended defects, mainly along (010), which correspond to shearing mechanisms and suggests the possible existence of other original members. These oxides show an antiferromagnetic transition at T_N=210–215 K.     

Synthesis and thermoelectric properties of Sr0.95La0.05TiO3−δ-TiO2 solid solutions

Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ solid solutions, combined with 10 mol% TiO₂, were prepared at different temperatures. When sintered at a suitable temperature, the Seebeck coefficient presents the same behavior at high temperatures as that of Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ ceramic. Otherwise, the Seebeck coefficient would be smaller. After introducing TiO₂, both of the thermal and electrical conductivity are reduced. The sample sintered at 1350 °C exhibits the highest ZT of about 0.2, which slightly larger than that of Sr_0.95La_0.05TiO_3?δ ceramic.     

Structure and magnetic properties of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films prepared by sol–gel method

La_1?xSr_xMnO₃ (x = 0.33) (LSMO) thin films have been fabricated successfully by sol–gel method on two different types of substrates, Si (111) and SrTiO₃ (STO) (001). Microstructure and magnetic properties of LSMO thin films have been investigated. The X-ray diffraction studies of the films confirm the pure phase of the LSMO thin films. In contrast with LSMO thin films on Si substrate, the performances of LSMO on STO substrate are superior both from structural and magnetic properties. For the samples deposited on STO substrate, highly preferred orientation as well as less strain and grain defects was found; in other aspect, the magnetization, the residual and saturation moment value, tended greater while a decreased coercive field required merely (saturation moment value was about five times and coercive field was only about 13 % of those on Si substrate). The Curie temperature of LSMO thin films on Si and STO substrates is estimated to be about 349.7 and 359 K, respectively.     

Preparation and properties of the systems Co1−xRhxS2, Co1−xRuxS2, and Rh1−xRuxS2

Members of the systems Co_1−xRh_xS₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) were prepared, and their crystallographic and magnetic properties studied. The observed ferromagnetic moments for compositions where x ≤ 0.2 indicate a ferromagnetic alignment between Co(3d⁷) and Rh(4d⁷) electrons. This is the first observation of localized behavior of 4d electrons in the pyrite structure. Members of the systems Co_1−xRu_xS₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) and Rh_1−xRu_xS₂ (0.5 ≤ x ≤ 1) were also prepared and their crystallographic and magnetic properties studied. From comparison with the Co_1−xRh_xS₂ system, it appears that the 4d electrons of Rh(4d⁷) are localized in the presence of Co(3d⁷) but are delocalized in the presence of Ru(4d⁶). The magnetic susceptibility of the Co_1−xRu_xS₂ system is sensitive to the homogeneity of the products and indicates that Ru(4d⁶) behaves as a diamagnetic ion.     

Magnetotransport properties of Mo substituted La0.7Ca0.3Mn1−xMoxO3 perovskites

We studied the effects of Mo substitution on the structural, transport, and magnetic properties of the La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xMo_xO₃ (x ≤ 0.1) samples. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the samples studied crystallize in the orthorhombic structure with space group Pbnm. Both particle size and morphology change significantly as the Mo content x varies. The metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) and Curie temperature (T_C) decrease monotonically as x increases. Magnetization data reveal that long-range FM ordering persists in all samples and the saturation moment decreases linearly as x increases. The smaller depression rate of dT_C/dx observed is mainly ascribed to the increased amount of Mn²⁺ ions with Mo doping, which opens the FM coupling between Mn²⁺–O–Mn³⁺ in the samples.     

The structure and properties of Li1−xHxNbO3

The properties of Li_1−xH_xNbO₃ have been studied as a function of x, temperature, and stoichiometry of the LiNbO₃ used for its preparation. X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis measurements, and infrared spectroscopy have been used. The intent of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the basic properties of this material, which has potential importance as a waveguide material in LiNbO₃ optical devices. An approximate phase diagram was constructed for the stoichiometric LiNbO₃HNbO₃ system. In one concentration range (0.56 ≤ x ≤ 0.75), particularly complex structural behavior was found: depending on x, samples undergo one, two, or three phase transitions with temperature, and the system appears to exhibit critical behavior. Samples made by proton exchange of congruent LiNbO₃ ([Li₂O]_0.486[Nb₂O₅]_0.514) show generally similar structural chemistry, with one exception: a new monoclinic phase, isomorphous with MnF₃, was found for 0.75 ≤ x ≤ 0.77. Possible reasons for the refractive index changes caused by proton exchange are discussed.     

The role of oxygen stoichiometry on phase stability, structure, and magnetic properties of Sr2CoIrO(6-δ)

The phase stability, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of perovskite-like nonstoichiometric Sr(2)CoIrO(6-δ) were studied. Oxygen deficiency can be well controlled and reversibly varied up to δ = 0.33. A single phase exists at least for partial oxygen pressures between 10(-5) and 1 bar at 1273 K, followed by phase decomposition at higher temperature with the elimination of metallic Ir and the formation of a new phase with approximately Sr(3)CoIrO(6) composition crystallizing in K(4)CdCl(6) structure type. The structural features of Sr(2)CoIrO(6-δ) are dependent on both temperature and oxygen content and were determined by synchrotron and neutron powder diffraction. Both the increasing amount of oxygen vacancies at constant temperature and increasing temperature at constant oxygen content result in the same higher crystal symmetry of Sr(2)CoIrO(6-δ): (1) The oxygen-stoichiometric phase Sr(2)CoIrO(6.00) is monoclinic (I2/m or P2(1)/n) at room temperature but cubic (Fm-3m) for Sr(2)CoIrO(5.67). (2) A sequence of phase transitions [Formula: see text] was observed for Sr(2)CoIrO(6.00) in air. All Sr(2)CoIrO(6-δ) compositions show weak ferromagnetism at low temperature with a canted but predominantly antiferromagnetic ground state. The magnetic ordering temperature decreases monotonously with increasing oxygen deficiency, while pronounced extrema are observed for the paramagnetic moment and the Curie-Weiss temperature at an oxygen deficiency δ ≈ 0.10, which corresponds to the P2(1)/n ? I2/m phase transformation.     

Electrochemical preparation and magnetic properties of submicron Co x Pb1−x dendrites

Magnetic dendrites of Co _x Pb_1−x were fabricated through potentiostatic electrochemical deposition on Cu substrates in boric acid solution at room temperature. The as-deposited dendrites were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrodeposition (ED), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM results indicate that the Co _x Pb_1−x dendrites are highly symmetrical in structures. The diameters of the branches are about 50 ~ 200 nm, and the backbones are continuous with lengths up to about 10 μm. XRD patterns show that the as-deposited dendrites are solid solutions. The annealing treatment can result in the recrystallization of these metastable alloys into two separate phases. TEM, ED, and EDS results also reveal that the backbones and the branches of the dendrites are composed of different amounts of cobalt. Magnetic measurements confirm that the as-deposited Co _x Pb_1−x dendrites have a softly ferromagnetic behavior, and a small coercive force (about 80 Oe). Also the saturation magnetizations of the Co _x Pb_1−x dendrites decrease rapidly with the temperature increasing.     

Weakly bound oxygen and its role in stability of solid solutions La1−x Sr x FeO3−δ

In the present study high-temperature X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and mass-spectrometry have been employed for investigation of samples in the La_1?x Sr _x FeO_3?δ family (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), the materials being solid solutions having perovskite structure. It has been shown that the loss of oxygen by the samples on heating to 1200°C in air (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) or in vacuum (x < 0.75) does not result in structural rearrangement of the solid solutions, but causes an increase in the lattice parameters. Heating of the compositions with x ≥ 0.75 in vacuum affords phases with ordered vacancies. The observed structural evolutions (growth of the unit cell parameter and vacancy ordering) are reversible, and on re-oxidation (on cooling in air or additional heating of the “vacuum” samples in air atmosphere) the original parameters of the oxides are recovered. The amount of oxygen evolved on heating increases in vacuum or in helium atmosphere, as compared to air, and also grows with rising strontium content, but under experimental conditions does not reach the maximum possible value (δ = x/2).     

Sr induced modification of structural,optical and magnetic properties in Bi1−xSrxFeO3 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) multiferroic nanoparticles

Multiferroic nanoparticles of Bi_1?xSr_xFeO₃ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) were prepared by a facile sol–gel route and the variation of their structural, optical, dielectric and magnetic properties on strontium concentration has been studied. XRD and TEM results confirm the phase purity of the samples having high degree of crystallinity and monodispersity. The average particle size shows an exponential decline with increase in Sr concentration. A shape transformation from a multifaceted polygon to a spherical one has been observed as Sr concentration in the sample increases to 5%. In the second derivative FTIR spectra, the intensity of vibration peak at ～593 cm^?1 that is characteristic of rhombohedral BiFeO₃ is seen to decrease after Sr doping. All the samples showed typical M–H behavior of a ferromagnet with saturation magnetization achieved within an applied magnetic field of 10 kOe. The sample with 3% Sr substitution displayed saturation and remanent magnetization values 1.37 emu/g and 0.32 emu/g respectively that are highest among all the samples studied. Presence of exchange coupling produced due to interaction between the antiferromagnetic core and ferromagnetic shell is also observed in all Bi_1?xSr_xFeO₃ nanoparticles.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis of Bi1−xSrxFeO3−δ perovskites

Bi_1?xSr_xFeO_3?δ perovskites synthesised by solid-state reaction in ambient atmosphere or in a closed vessel were analysed by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The evolution of the valence state of iron with both Bi/Sr ratio and oxygen content has been more particularly discussed. The samples are single phase and homogeneous for x ≤ 0.5 (Bi-rich) and x > 0.8 (Sr-rich). For intermediate Sr contents, the samples are less homogeneous and tend to contain both Bi-rich and Sr-rich phases. The appearance of Sr-rich phases for x > 0.5 corresponds to the appearance of Fe⁴⁺, to compensate for the lack of positive charges due to the replacement of Bi³⁺ by Sr²⁺.     

Electrical and electro-chemical characterisation of La0.99Fe1−x Ni x O3−δ perovskites

(LFN, 0<x<0.6) perovskites were synthesised by a solid-state route and were characterised by powder XRD, dilatometry, four-point DC conductivity measurements and electro-chemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on cone-shaped electrodes using a Ce_1.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (CGO10) electrolyte. All the compounds were of single phase, and they belong to either the cubic or the hexagonal crystal system. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) was in the range 10.7*10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ to 13.4*10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, which continued to increase with increasing nickel content. The highest electronic conductivity was measured for the composition giving a value of 670 S/cm at 380 °C. The highest electro-chemical performance was measured for the composition giving an area specific resistance as low as 5.5 Ωcm² at 600 °C based on EIS measurements on a cone-shaped electrode. Composite cathodes made from and CGO10 revealed a rather low performance due to an un-optimised micro-structure.

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