Enhanced structural and magnetic properties of microwave sintered Li–Ni–Co ferrites prepared by sol–gel method

The properties of lithium ferrites are very sensitive to chemical composition, synthesis method, and sintering techniques. Li–Ni–Co ferrites with compositional formula Li_(0.45-0.5x)Ni_(0.1)Co_xFe_(2.45-0.5x)O_4, where 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.1 in steps of 0.02 were prepared by chemical sol–gel method and sintered by microwave sintering technique. The x-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of single phase with spinel structure in all the samples. The structural parameter viz.lattice constant, crystallite size, and x-ray density for these samples were studied and compared with those measured from samples of similar composition prepared by the sol–gel method and sintered by conventional sintering technique. Enhancement in the magnetic properties like Curie temperature, hysteresis parameters was observed by employing sol–gel synthesis combined with microwave sintering. The results obtained and mechanisms involved are discussed in the paper.     

Preparation of nanostructured manganese-doped biphasic calcium phosphate powders via sol–gel method

Biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics doped with manganese (Mn-doped BCP) were prepared by using chemical doping via sol–gel technique. Four different concentrations of manganese (2, 5, 10, and 15 mol%) have been successfully incorporated into biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) phases. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the phases present in the Mn-doped BCP powders are hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate. The Mn-doped powders are more crystalline than Mn-free BCP powder as its crystallinity increased with increasing Mn content. Fourier transform infrared spectrum corresponded to this result as the peak resolutions of PO₄ bands are viewed with more intensity with the increased Mn. Particle size analysis resulted in nanoscale particles for the Mn-doped and Mn-free BCP powders. From field emission scanning electron microscope observation, Mn-doped BCP powders showed nanoscale individual particles but tightly agglomerated into microscale aggregates due to progressive fusion of particles. Hence, it can be concluded that Mn acts as calcination additives of the BCP powders.     

Study of NiCuZn ferrite powders and films prepared by sol gel method

This paper reports that a series of NiCuZn ferrite powders and films are prepared by using sol-gel method.The effects of raw material composition and the calcinate temperature on magnetic properties of them are investigated.The NiCuZn ferrite powders are prepared by the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis method and subsequently heated at 700 C～1000 C.The results show that NiCuZn ferrite powders with single spinel phase can be formed after heat-treating at 750 C.Powders obtained from Ni 0.4 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.4 Fe 1.9 O 4 gel have better magnetic properties than those from gels with other composition.After heat-treating at 900 C for 3 h,coercivity H c and saturation magnetization M s are 9.7 Oe (1 Oe=80 A/m) and 72.4 emu/g,respectively.Different from the powders,NiCuZn films produced on Si (100) from the Ni 0.4 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.4 Fe 2 O 4 gel formed at room temperature possess high properties.When heat-treating condition is around 600 C for 6 min,samples with low H c and high M s will be obtained.The minimal H c is 16.7 Oe and M s is about 300 emu/cm 3.In comparison with the films prepared through long-time heat treating,the films prepared through short heat-treating time exhibits better soft magnetic properties.     

Characterization,electrical conduction and stability of Yb-doped barium cerate prepared by sol–gel method

Ceramics powder of BaCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_2.975 was successfully prepared by sol–gel method. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the decomposition of the dried powder was completed at 1,000 °C. Three strongly exothermic peaks observed in differential thermogravimetric signal indicated three major stages of weight loss in the sample. The high crystallinity of sample with orthorhombic structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The loose particles size obtained from scanning electron microscope was in the range of 65–100 nm, which is almost in the same range as that observed in particle size distribution. The sample showed a dc conductivity of ~1.3 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 650 °C and the activation energy, E _a, was found to be 1.4 eV. Result of chemical stability test showed that the compound was unstable in atmosphere containing pure carbon dioxide.     

Particle size effects on magnetic properties of yttrium iron garnets prepared by a sol–gel method

We present detailed measurements of field—and temperature—dependence of magnetization in nanocrystalline YIG (Y₃Fe₅O₁₂) particles. The fine powders were prepared using sol–gel method. Samples with particle sizes ranging from 45 to 450 nm were obtained. We observe that the saturation magnetization decreases as the particle size is reduced due to enhancement of the surface spin effects. Below a critical diameter D_s≅190 nm, the particles become single domains and the coercive forces reaches a maximum at diameters close to the critical value. As the particle size decreases the coercivity diminishes and at D_p≃35 nm diameters the upper limit of superparamagnetic behavior is reached. A quantitative comparison of temperature and particle size dependence of coercivity shows a satisfactory agreement that is expected for an assembly of randomly oriented particles.     

Photoconductivity studies on nanoporous TiO2/dopamine films prepared by sol–gel method

Dopamine was encapsulated into nanoporous amorphous TiO₂ matrix by sol–gel method under atmospheric conditions. A second sample was obtained by the addition of the crown-ether 15C5 in this previous sample. Thin films were spin-coated on glass wafers. No heat treatment was employed in both films. All films were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electronic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, optical absorption and scanning electronic microscopy. Despite the films prepared with 15C5 were no calcined, a partial crystallization was identified. Anatase and rutile nanoparticles with sizes of 4–5 nm were obtained. Photoconductivity technique was used to determine the charge transport mechanism on these films. Experimental data were fitted with straight lines at darkness and under illumination wavelengths at 320, 400, and 515 nm. It indicates an ohmic behavior. Photovoltaic and photoconductivity parameters were determined from the current density vs. the applied-electrical-field results. Amorphous film has bigger photovoltaic and photoconductive parameters than the partially crystalline film. Results observed in the present investigation prove that the nanoporous TiO₂ matrix can protect the dopamine inhibiting its chemical instability. This fact modifies the optical, physical and electrical properties of the film, and is intensified when 15C5 is added.     

A new aluminum iron oxide Schottky photodiode designed via sol–gel coating method

A novel aluminum iron oxide(Al/AlFe2O4/p-Si) Schottky photodiode was successfully fabricated via the sol–gel coating process. The microstructure of the spinel ferrite(AlFe2O4) was examined by atomic force microscopy. The current–voltage characteristics of the fabricated photodiode were studied under dark and different illumination conditions at room temperature. By using the thermionic emission theory, the forward bias I–V characteristics of the photodiode are analyzed to determine the main electrical parameters such as the ideality factor(n) and barrier height(ΦB0) of the photodiode. The values of n and ΦB0 for all conditions are found to be about 7.00 and 0.76 eV, respectively. In addition,the values of series resistance(Rs) are determined using Cheung's method and Ohm's law. The values of Rs and shunt resistance(Rsh) are decreased with the increase of illumination intensity. These new spinel ferrites will open a new avenue to other spinel structure materials for optoelectronic devices in the near future.     

Properties of sol–gel prepared BaCeO3 solid electrolyte using acetate precursors

A sol–gel route was used to prepare Yb-doped BaCeO₃ at the relatively low temperature of 1,100 °C. At this calcination temperature, the carbonate residues were completely decomposed and the high crystallinity of Yb-doped BaCeO₃ powders with orthorhombic structure was obtained. The loose particles in nanosized range was observed from scanning electron micrographs but agglomerates with size ranging from 200 to 500 nm seem to dominate the bulk powder. Density of the pellet sintered at 1,400 °C for 24 h was about 95% of the theoretical density. Morphology of the fractured pellet revealed that the diameter of grains was between 1 and 3 μm. AC electrical conductivity of the sample in wet air was carried out using impedance spectroscopy in the range of 1 Hz to 10 MHz. At 300 °C, it was found that at high frequencies the imaginary values of the impedance were positive. The effect was attributed to the presence of an inductive element in the experimental setup.     

Capacitance–voltage and conductance–voltage characteristics of Ag/n-CdO/p-Si MIS structure prepared by sol–gel method

The frequency dependent electrical properties of Ag/n-CdO/p-Si structure has been investigated using capacitance–voltage (C–V) and conductance–voltage (G/ω–V) characteristics in the frequency range 10 kHz–1 MHz in the room temperature. The increase in capacitance at lower frequencies is observed as a signature of interface states. The presence of the interfaces states (N_SS) is also evidenced as a peak in the capacitance–frequency characteristics. Furthermore, the voltage and frequency dependence of series resistance were calculated from the C–V and G/ω–V measurements and plotted as functions of voltage and frequency. The distribution profile of R_S–V gives a peak in the depletion region at low frequencies and disappears with increasing frequencies. The values of interface state densities and series resistance from capacitance–voltage-frequency (C–V-f) and conductance–voltage-frequency (G/ω–V-f) measurements were obtained in the ranges of 1.44×10¹⁶–7.59×10¹² cm^?2 eV^?1 and 341.49–8.77 Ω, respectively. The obtained results show that the C–V-f and G/ω–V-f characteristics confirm that the interface states density (N_SS) and series resistance (R_S) of the diode are important parameters that strongly influence the electrical parameters in Ag/n-CdO/p-Si structures.     

Influence of acid catalysts on the structural and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline barium ferrite prepared by sol–gel method

BaFe₁₂O₁₉ powders with nanocrystalline size were prepared by sol–gel techniques. Nitric, hydrochloric, acetic and stearic acid were used to improve the magnetic properties. Amorphous gels were formed with Fe/Ba molar ratio of 10.5. Then powders were obtained by subsequent heat treatment at 800–1000 °C for 1 h. Barium ferrite powder was also synthesized by solid state reaction at 1210 °C. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments were conducted to evaluate structural properties of the samples. The value of the effective magnetic susceptibility was measured. The results show that the magnetoplumbite structure was formed in all of the powders. The TEM observation showed that the minimum particle size (20 nm) was produced with the stearic acid catalyst. The highest value of the effective magnetic susceptibility was achieved also using stearic acid.     

Effect of calcination atmosphere on photoluminescence properties of nanocrystalline ZrO2 thin films prepared by sol–gel dip coating method

Highly transparent and homogeneous nanocrystalline ZrO₂ thin films were prepared by the sol–gel dip coating method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of ZrO₂ thin films calcined in air, O₂ or N₂ shows the formation of tetragonal phase with varying crystallite size. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) gives Zr 3d and O 1s spectra of thin film annealed in air, which reveal zirconium suboxide component (ZrO_x, 0<x<2), Zr–O bond and surface defects. An average transmittance greater than 85% (in UV–vis region) is observed in all calcined samples. Photoluminescence (PL) reveals an intense emission peak at 379 nm and weak peaks at 294, 586 and 754 nm for ZrO₂ film calcined in air. An enhancement of PL intensity and red-shift is observed in films calcined in O₂ and N₂ atmosphere. This is due to the reconstruction of zirconium nanocrystal interfaces and vacancies, which help passivate the non-radiative defects. The oxygen deficient defect, which is due to the distorted Zr–O bond, is suggested to be responsible for photoluminescence. The defect states in the nanocrystalline zirconia thin films play an important role in the energy transfer process. The luminescence defects in the film make it suitable for gas sensors development and tunable lasers.     

Zinc oxide films prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films and micro- and nanostructures are very promising candidates for novel applications in emerging thin-film transistors, solar cells, sensors and optoelectronic devices. In this paper, a low-cost sol–gel spin coating technique was used to fabricate ZnO films on glass substrates. The sol–gel fabrication process of the ZnO films is described. The influence of precursor concentration on the material properties of the ZnO films was investigated. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry were employed to examine the structural properties of the ZnO films. The optical properties of the ZnO films were characterized with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The experimental results reveal that the precursor concentration in the sol–gel spin coating process exerts a strong influence on the properties of the ZnO films. The effects of the precursor concentration are discussed.     

Photoluminescent properties of Dy3+ in MgO-Ga2O3-SiO2 nano-glass-ceramic prepared by sol–gel method

The MgO-Ga₂O₃-SiO₂ (MGS) glass and glass-ceramic (GC) containing MgGa₂O₄ nanocrystals and Dy³⁺ ions were prepared by a simple sol–gel method. MgGa₂O₄ nanocrystals in MgO-Ga₂O₃-SiO₂ GC formed when the heating temperature reached 800 °C. The energy transfer from MgGa₂O₄ nanocrystals to Dy³⁺ was observed. It is important that the strong white light emission is observed corresponding to the excitation band gap of MgGa₂O₄ nanocrystals. As exciting Dy³⁺ ions, only weak yellow and blue emissions were observed.     

Two-layer light emitting diodes prepared by the sol–gel route

We have elaborated organic–inorganic hybrid light-emitting diodes (HLED). These devices emitting in the green are formed of two hybrid thin layers, exhibiting different functionalities, which are sandwiched between indium–tin oxide (ITO) and metallic electrodes. These layers have been prepared from silane precursors modified with hole transporting units and light-emitting naphthalimide moieties by the sol–gel technique. The hole transporting sol–gel layers exhibit about the same charge mobility as organic polymers having equivalent active units. The maximum external quantum efficiency of the best diode using LiF/Al cathode is about 1% and the luminance reaches 4000 cd · m ⁻² .     

Structures and local ferroelectric polarization switching properties of orthorhombic YFeO_3 thin film prepared by a sol–gel method

Orthorhombic YFeO_3 thin film was prepared on La_(0.67)Sr_(0.33)MnO_3/LaAlO_3 substrate by a sol-gel spin-coating method. The structures of the YFeO_3/La_(0.67)Sr_(0.33)MnO_3/LaAlO_3(YFO/LSMO/LAO) sample were detected by x-ray diffraction pattern, Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscope. The local ferroelectric polarization switching properties of the orthorhombic YFO film were confirmed by piezoresponse force microscopy(PFM) for the first time. The results show that the YFO film deposited on LSMO/LAO possesses orthorhombic structure,with ultra-fine crystal grains and flat surface. The leakage current of the YFO film is 8.39 × 10~(-4) A·cm~(-2) at 2 V,with its leakage mechanism found to be an ohmic behavior. PFM measurements indicate that the YFO film reveals weak ferroelectricity at room temperature and the local switching behavior of ferroelectric domains has been identified. By local poling experiment, polarization reversal in the orthorhombic YFO film at room temperature was further observed.     

Luminescence properties of green emission of SiO2/Zn2SiO4:Mn nanocomposite prepared by sol–gel method

Green light emitting Mn²⁺ doped Zn₂SiO₄ particles embedded in SiO₂ host matrix were synthesized by a sol–gel method. After the incorporation of ZnO:Mn nanoparticles in a silica monolith using sol–gel method with supercritical drying of ethyl alcohol in two steps, it was heat treated in air at 1200 °C for 2 h in order to obtain the SiO₂/α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn nanocomposites. The microstructure of phosphor crystals was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD results indicate that the pure phase α-Zn₂SiO₄ with rhombohedral structure was obtained after thermal treatment at 1200 °C. The SiO₂/α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn nanocomposites with a Mn doping concentration of 1.5 at% exhibit two broadband emissions in the visible range: a strong green emission at around 525 nm and a second one in the range between 560 and 608 nm. This nanocomposite with a Mn doping concentration of 0.05 shows the highest relative emission intensity. Upon 255 nm excitation, the luminescence decay time of the green emission of Zn₂SiO₄:Mn around 525 nm is 11 ms. The luminescence spectra at 525 nm (⁴T₁–⁶A₁) and lifetime of the excited state of Mn²⁺ ions-doped Zn₂SiO₄ nanocrystals are investigated.