Magnetic properties of Co–Cu nanowire arrays fabricated in different conditions by SC electrodeposition

Magnetic Co–Cu alloy nanowires with low Cu content were prepared by SC electrodeposition in pores of anodic aluminum oxide templates. The as-deposited Co–Cu nanowires, with a diameter of 15 nm, show distinctive magnetic anisotropy as an applied magnetic field parallel to the axis of nanowires. With increase in the molar ratio of Co and Cu, the coercivity along nanowire axis increases and reaches a maximum value of 1977.5 Oe at the Co/Cu molar ratio of 60:1, but the maximum value of coercivity increases to 1743.6 Oe with the decrease of frequency to 2 Hz.     

Thickness-dependent magnetic properties of Ni81Fe19, Co90Fe10 and Ni65Fe15Co20 thin films

We present results of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy measurements in thin magnetic films of the alloys Ni₈₁Fe₁₉, Co₉₀Fe₁₀ and Ni₆₅Fe₁₅Co₂₀ that are commonly used in magnetoelectronic devices. The films were sandwiched between layers of Ta. At room temperature the critical thickness for all the films to become ferromagnetic is in the range 11–13 Å. In Co₉₀Fe₁₀ the coercivity and the anisotropy field both depend strongly on layer thickness.     

Structure and magnetic properties of the intermetallic La2Co17−xMox (x=0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) and La2Co16−yFeyMo (y=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6) compounds

The effect of Mo and Fe atoms on the crystal structure and magnetic properties of the intermetallic La₂Co_17−xMo_x (x=0.5, 1, 1.5, 2), and La₂Co_16−yFe_yMo (y=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6) compounds have been studied by X-ray diffractometry, magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy. All samples belong to the rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure and their lattice parameters a and c increase both with Mo and Fe content. From the La–Co–Mo samples only the one with x=0.5 presents planar anisotropy, whereas from the La–Co–Fe–Mo samples only the y=1 has uniaxial anisotropy. The magnetization M_S and the Curie temperature T_C decrease upon Mo substitution, whereas the anisotropy field H_A does not change significantly. In the Fe-substituted compounds M_S increases, but the Curie temperature increases slightly for 0⩽y⩽4 but decreases in y=6. The low temperature M–T curve shows that the samples La₂Co_16.5Mo_0.5, and La₂Co₁₀Fe₆Mo present a spin reorientation transitions at 70 and 260 K, respectively. Mössbauer samples were obtained for all Fe-containing samples in the temperature range 20–300 K. Above 260 K a jump in the values of the hyperfine fields and quadrupole splitting parameters is observed which can be associated to the spin reorientation.     

Relaxation process and ferromagnetic resonance investigation of ferrofluids with Mn–Zn and Mn–Fe mixed ferrite particles

The magnetic relaxation processes in two ferrofluids with Mn_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄ (sample F1) and Mn_0.6Fe_0.4Fe₂O₄ (sample F2) mixed ferrite particles, dispersed in n-decan and kerosene, respectively, are investigated through the determination of components χ′ and χ′′ of the complex magnetic susceptibility in the range of (2–30) MHz. The values of the saturation magnetization of the two ferrofluids are M_∞=5.28 kA/m for sample F1 and M_∞=10.99 kA/m for sample F2. A maximum of the imaginary component χ′′ was observed for both samples at frequencies of tens MHz. This maximum was assigned to relaxation processes of Néel type.The effective anisotropy constant K of the particles from the studied samples was evaluated, using both static and dynamic measurements and the values were found to be K₁=6.12×10³ J m⁻³ for the ferrofluid F1, and K₂=5.60×10³ J m⁻³ for the ferrofluid F2. From ferromagnetic resonance measurements, and based on the theoretical values computed for the Lande factor (g), the effective anisotropy constants for the mixed ferrite particles in the studied ferrofluids and the anisotropy field values were determined using a new method. The values obtained in this way for the anisotropy constants K₁ and K₂ are compared to the ones determined from magnetic relaxation measurements.     

Magnetoresistance in thin wires with granular structure

We report on studies of magnetotransport properties and structure at 5–300 K temperature region in glass-coated microwires prepared from immiscible (Co₁₀Cu₉₀ and Co₂₉Ni₂₅Mn₁Cu₄₅) elements. The crystalline structure consists of nanocrystals of Co (Ni) and Cu with average grain size below 30 nm. Considerable magnetoresistance (MR) (up to about 18%) is found in Co₁₀Cu₉₀ microwires depending on fabrication parameters. Magnetic field dependence of MR of Co₁₀Cu₉₀ microwires is completely un-hysteretic showing monotonic decay with magnetic field. On the other hand, MR (up to about 4%) is also found in as-prepared and annealed Co₂₉Ni₂₅Mn₁Cu₄₅ microwires. Annealing of Co₂₉Ni₂₅Mn₁Cu₄₅ microwires (973 K) results in increasing of the coercivity (H_c) from 65 up to 750 Oe. Annealed Co₂₉Ni₂₅Mn₁Cu₄₅ sample exhibits considerable hysteresis on magnetic field dependence of MR. Neutron and X-ray diffraction allows to attribute changes in magnetic properties and MR after annealing of Co₂₉Ni₂₅Mn₁Cu₄₅ microwires to the decomposition of the metastable phase.     

Ferromagnetic order and spin-glass behavior in multi-metallic compound Ni1.125Co0.375[Fe(CN)6] · 6.8H2O

Multi-metallic Prussian blue compound Ni_1.125Co_0.375[Fe(CN)₆] · 6.8H₂O has been synthesized. The Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature and IR spectra study revealed that the metal ions are bonded through cyanide ligand and the presence of low spin Fe^III(S = 1/2) and high spin Fe^III(S = 5/2) ions, as showed in these structure: Fe^III(S = 1/2)-CN-(Co^II/Ni^II)(96%) and Fe^III(S = 5/2)-NC-(Co^II/Ni^II) (4%). The Curie constant of C = 3.00 cm³ K mol⁻¹ and Weiss paramagnetic Curie temperature of θ = 16.43 K were observed in fitting according to Curie–Weiss law. These results indicate that there existed a ferromagnetic exchange interaction in the complexes. The observed value of coercive field (H_c) and remanent magnetization (M_r) at 4 K for the compound are 497 Oe and 1.03 Nβ. The presence of spin-glass behaviours in the compound is ascribed mainly to domain mobility or domain growth under different cooling conditions.     

Magnetic properties of GdCo12B6 compound under high pressures

The effects of hydrostatic pressure up to 10 kbar on Curie temperature T_C, compensation temperature T_COMP and spontaneous magnetization M_S of ferrimagnetic GdCo₁₂B₆ compound have been studied. Two antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices that are carrying magnetization of typically 0.42 μ_B/Co atom and 7 μ_B/Gd cancel out at compensation temperature at about 50 K and magnetic ordering temperature T_C=163±2 K. The volume dependence of intrinsic magnetic properties of the GdCo₁₂B₆ compound has been determined by studying it under hydrostatic pressure. The observed increase of M_S with pressure (dM_S/dp=+0.005 μ_B kbar^?1 at 5 K) is attributed predominantly to the pressure induced decrease of Co magnetic moments. The crucial role of Co in this behavior is confirmed by the change of sign of the pressure slope at temperatures above T_COMP and by the fact that the estimated decrease of m_Co is also quite comparable with pressure induced decrease of M_S in YCo₁₂B₆ (dM_S/dp=?0.007 μ_B kbar^?1). The decrease of m_Co is also responsible for the increase of T_COMP with pressure (dT_COMP/dp=+0.06 K kbar^?1). The decrease of T_C with pressure (dT_C/dp=?0.55 K kbar^?1) is comparable to the decrease observed on RCo₁₂B₆ compounds with non-magnetic R and can be attributed to the volume dependence of Co–Co exchange interactions. The remarkable role of the hybridization as a consequence of small distances between Co and B atoms could be a background of this rather unexpected volume stability of magnetic properties.     

Structure and magnetic properties of co-sputtered Co–C thin films

We studied the structure and magnetic properties of co-sputtered Co_1−xC_x thin films using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a SQUID magnetometer. These properties were found to depend critically on deposition temperature, T_S, and composition, x. Generally, phase separation into metallic Co and graphite-like carbon phases proceeds with increasing T_S and decreasing x. Plan view and cross-sectional TEM images of the films prepared showed that Co grains about 10–20 nm in diameter and 30–50 nm in height are three-dimensionally separated by graphite-like carbon layers 1–2 nm thick. Optimum magnetic properties with saturation magnetization of 380 emu/cc and coercivity of 400 Oe were obtained for a film with x=0.5 and T_S=350°C.     

High-frequency magnetoresonance absorption in amorphous magnetic microwires

The Fe₆₉Si₁₆B₁₀C₅, Co₇₅Si₁₀B₁₅, Co₆₈Mn₇Si₁₀B₁₅ amorphous microwires have been studied by the magnetoresonance absorption technique in the X (9.5 GHz), K (20–27 GHz) and Q (30–37 GHz) frequency bands. The specimens under study were metal threads of about 5 μm in diameter coated with dielectric Pyrex layer with thickness 5 μm. The dependences of magnetic resonance spectra on frequency and wire orientation have been measured. The analysis of the resonance signal parameters has revealed that well-known classical equations for FMR in a cylindrical-shaped sample could not be applied for these microwires. It is shown that due to the skin depth effect the model of hollow cylindrical tube has to be applied to explain the experimental results in the frequency range measured. The values of saturation magnetization, g-factor and anisotropy field have been estimated from the frequency dependence of the field for resonance.     

Magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction of Lu2Fe17 single crystal

The magnetic properties of Lu₂Fe₁₇ single crystal have been studied by means of magnetization, susceptibility and magnetostriction measurements. The unusual magnetic behavior with two magnetic phase transitions has been observed in magnetic fields up to 50 Oe. The magnetostriction of the Lu₂Fe₁₇ compound has the maximum at temperature T≈285 K at which the paraprocess makes the main contribution to the magnetization.     

Influence on magnetic properties of substitution of Co for Fe in TbFe11.3Nb0.7

The magnetic properties of Tb(Fe_1−xCo_x)_11.3Nb_0.7 compounds with x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.3 have been investigated. All compounds studied crystallize in the ThMn₁₂-type of structure. Substitution of Co for Fe leads to a contraction of the unit-cell volume. The Curie temperature clearly increases with increasing Co content from 551 K for x=0 to 831 K for x=0.3. The magnetic moment of the transition-metal sublattice increases with increasing Co content from 22.2 μ_B/f.u. for x=0 to 23.1 μ_B/f.u. for x=0.3. As the temperature increases, a spin reorientation from easy-plane to easy-cone is found in all compounds investigated. The spin-reorientation temperatures T_sr have been derived from the temperature dependence of the magnetization in a low field and decrease monotonously with increasing Co content. The easy magnetization direction at room temperature has been determined by X-ray diffraction on magnetically-aligned powder samples. The influence of the substitution of Co for Fe on the magnetic anisotropy is discussed in terms of crystal-field theory.     

Enhanced magnetocaloric effect in a Co-doped Heusler Mn50Ni37Co3In10 unidirectional crystal

A high-pressure optical zone-melting technique was employed to grow a Mn-rich Heusler Mn₅₀Ni₃₇Co₃In₁₀ unidirectional crystal in the present study. It was found that the Co-doped Mn₅₀Ni₃₇Co₃In₁₀ unidirectional crystal showed a low magnetic hysteretic loss and a widened working temperature interval in the vicinity of the martensitic transformation. The inverse magnetic entropy change (∆S_M) reached 7.84 Jkg⁻¹K⁻¹ around 237.5 K under a magnetic field change of 30 kOe, and the corresponding effective refrigeration capacity (RC_eff) was about 127.2 Jkg⁻¹. The experimental results demonstrated a high potential to develop high-performance Mn-rich Heusler Mn–Ni–In magnetocaloric materials by means of Co doping in combination with the high-pressure optical zone-melting fabrication technique.     

Soft magnetic properties of FeCo films with Co underlayer

Bilayered Fe₆₅Co₃₅ (=FeCo)/Co films were prepared by facing targets sputtering with 4πM_s∼24 kg. The soft magnetic properties of FeCo films were induced by a Co underlayer. H_c decreased rapidly when the Co underlayer was 2 nm or more. The films showed well-defined in-plane uniaxial anisotropy with the typical values of H_ce=10 Oe and H_ch=3 Oe, respectively. High frequency characteristics of the films show the films can work at 0.8 GHz with real permeability as high as 250.     

Superparamagnetic properties of C60Co3 complexes

Preparation of fullerites containing cobalt and analyses of reactions based on semiempirical quantum calculations are described. The magnetic properties of thermally treated C₆₀Co₃ samples: Curie constant (C≈3500 emu K/mol Oe) temperature and field dependencies of magnetization and nonequilibrium effects of magnetization are interpreted in terms of superparamagnetic blocking model of the compound.     

Structural and magnetic properties of BCC Fe/Co (0 0 1) superlattices

In thin layered Fe/Co (0 0 1), grown on MgO (0 0 1), both Fe and Co crystallize in the body-centered cubic (BCC) structure, as seen in a series of superlattices where the layer thickness of the components is varied from two to twelve atomic monolayers. These superlattices have novel magnetic properties as observed by magnetization and polarized neutron reflectivity measurements. There is a significant enhancement of the magnetic moments of both Fe and Co at the interfaces. Furthermore, the easy axis of the system changes from [1 0 0] for films of low cobalt content to [1 1 0] for a Co content exceeding 33%. No indication of a uniaxial anisotropy component is found in any of the samples. The first anisotropy constant (K₁) of BCC Co is found to be negative with an estimated magnitude of 110 kJ/m³ at 10 K. In all cases, the magnetic moments of Fe and Co have parallel alignment.     

Magnetic domain structure in small diameter magnetic nanowire arrays

Fe_0.3Co_0.7 alloy nanowire arrays were prepared by ac electrodepositing Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ into a porous anodic aluminum oxide (PAO) template with diameter about 50 nm. The surface of the samples were polished by 100 nm diamond particle then chemical polishing to give a very smooth surface (below ±10 nm/μm²). The morphology properties were characterized by SEM and AFM. The bulk magnetic properties and domain structure of nanowire arrays were investigated by VSM and MFM respectively. We found that such alloy arrays showed strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with easy axis parallel to nanowire arrays. Each nanowire was in single domain structure with several opposite single domains surrounding it. Additionally, we investigated the domain structure with a variable external magnetic field applied parallel to the nanowire arrays. The MFM results showed a good agreement with our magnetic hysteresis loop.     

High coercivity Nd2(Fe,Co)14C-type ribbons prepared by melt spinning

Melt-spun Nd₁₃Dy₂Fe_77−xCo_xC₆B₂ (x=0, 5, 10, 15, 20) ribbons with a high coercivity more than 2 T have been obtained. It was found that the ribbons quenched at the optimum wheel speed 15 m/s (as-spun ribbons) mainly consist of ferromagnetic 2 : 14 : 1 phase and paramagnetic NdC₂ phase, and the ribbons spun at 25 m/s and subsequently annealed at 973 K for 15 min (as-annealed ribbons) are primarily composed of the magnetic 2 : 14 : 1 and 2 : 17 phases. The magnetization process of as-spun ribbons controlled by a pinning of the domain wall is different from that of as-annealed ribbons determined by a nucleation of the reverse domain. This significant difference originates possibly from the existence of paramagnetic NdC₂ phase acting as a pinning center in as-spun ribbons. In the as-annealed ribbons, the substitution of Co for Fe leads to increase of remanence (μ₀M_r), maximum energy product ((BH)_max) from 0.67 T, 9.7 MGOe for x=0 to 0.84 T, 14.4 MGOe for x=10, respectively. A coercivity of 2.74 T is obtained for as-quenched Nd₁₃Dy₂Fe_77−xCo_xC₆B₂ (x=0) ribbons.     

Hot-pressed and die-upset Pr-Co magnets produced from mechanically activated alloys

Anisotropic die-upset PrCo₅-based magnets were produced by hot pressing and subsequent die-upsetting of alloy powders activated by high-energy ball milling. In addition to the PrCo₅ major phase the magnets contained Pr₂Co₁₇, even when prepared from a stoichiometric 1:5 alloy. Hard magnetic properties can be improved by partial Sm substitution for Pr and partial Cu substitution for Co. A higher cobalt/rare-earth ratio as well as the addition of Fe was found to be unfavorable for the deformation-induced anisotropy. The largest values of remanence, intrinsic coercivity and maximum energy product in hot-pressed magnets were obtained for Pr_0.7Sm_0.3Co_5.5 (7.8 kG, 14.1 kOe and of 13.1 MGOe) and in die-upset magnets for Pr_0.9Sm_0.1(Co_0.98Cu_0.02)₅ (9.2 kG, 10.5 kOe and 16.7 MGOe).     

Structure and electrochemical properties of Sm0.5Sr0.5Co1 − xFexO3 − δ cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Crystal structure, thermal expansion coefficient, electrical conductivity and cathodic polarization of compositions in the system Sm_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1 − xFe_xO_3 − δ with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.9 were studied as function of Co / Fe ratio and temperature, in air. Two phases, including an Orthorhombic symmetry for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 and a cubic symmetry for 0.5 ≤ x ≤ 0.9, were observed in samples of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1 − xFe_xO_3 − δ at room temperature. The adjustment of thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) to electrolyte, which is one of the main problems of SSC, could be achieved to lower TEC values with more Fe substitution. High electrical conductivity above 100 S/cm at 800 °C was obtained for all specimens, so they could be good conductors as cathodes of IT-SOFC. The polarization behavior of SSCF as a function of Fe content was evaluated by means of AC impedance using LSGM electrolyte. It was discovered that the Area Specific Resistance (ASR) of SSCF increased as the amount of substitution of Fe for Co increased. When the amount of Fe reached to 0.4, the highest ASR was obtained and then the resistance started decreasing above that. The electrode with a composition of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 − δ showed high catalytic activity for oxygen reduction operating at temperature ranging from 700 to 800 °C.     

Enhanced mangnetoelectric voltage in multiferroic particulate Ni0.83Co0.15Cu0.02Fe1.9O4−δ/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 composites – dielectric,piezoelectric and magnetic properties

Multiferroic particulate composites of Ni_0.83Co_0.15Cu_0.02Fe_1.9O_4−δ– NCCF and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) were prepared conventional ceramic method. The generic formulae x NCCF + (1−x) PZT where x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mole fractions. The presence of two phases in multiferroic was confirmed with XRD technique. The dielectric constant and loss tangent were studied as a function of frequency (100 Hz to 1 M Hz) and temperature (30–500 °C). The piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ were also studied on these particulate composites. The hysteresis behaviour was studied to understand the magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization (Ms) and magnetic moment (μ_B). The static magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient was measured as a function of dc magnetic bias field. A high value of ME output (3151 mV/Oe.cm) was obtained in the composite containing 50% highly magnetostrictive ferrite component NCCF – 50% highly piezoelectric ferroelectric component PZT. These multiferroic particulate composites are used as phase shifters, magnetic sensors, cables etc.