Study of Electrical Conduction Behaviour of the System Sr1-xLaxSn1-xCoyO3 (x = y ⩽ 0.5; x ⩽ 0.5, y = 0.00; x = 0.00; y ⩽ 0.05)

Single phase solid solution forms in the Sr_1-xLaSn_1-xCo_yO₃ (x = y) system for x⩽0.05 in the samples prepared by solid state ceramic method. A few compositions were prepared in the Sr_1-3x/2La_xSnO₃ and SrSn_1-yyCo_yO_3-y/2 to understand the role of La³⁺ and Co³⁺ in the electrical conduction behaviour of the system. Resistivity increases with incorppration of La³⁺ ions and decreases with doping of Co³⁺ ions. These results have been explained in terms of the defect structures of these materials.     

Magneto‐transport properties of polycrystalline YBa2(Cu1‐xMx)3O7‐δ (M = B and Mn)

The magnetic and transport properties of polycrystalline YBa₂ (Cu_1‐xM_x)₃ O_7‐δ (M = B and Mn) superconductor was investigated. Samples of YBa₂(Cu_1‐xB_x)₃O_7‐δ doped with several concentrations of boron B(x = 0.05 and 0.1) were investigated using magnetization measurements. A YBa₂(Cu_1‐xMn_x)₃O_7‐δ sample doped with Mn with concentration of x = 0.02 was investigated using current‐voltage (I‐V) measurements. Our results on the YBa₂(Cu_1‐xB_x)₃O_7‐δ samples reveal a considerable increase in the hysterisis width of the magnetization, M versus the applied magnetic field H with increasing boron concentration. The lower critical field was also found to be enhanced by boron doping. The critical current density, J_c was found to be significantly enhanced in the Mn‐doped sample. The enhancement of J_c was found to be more significant at the lower temperatures for all applied magnetic fields used (0 Oe, 300 Oe, and 500 Oe). Thus, chemical doping is suggested to enhance the vortex pinning forces in the YBCO samples. From the resistivity (R‐T) measurements, chemical doping of the samples was found to have no significant effect on the critical temperature, T_c. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Phase Formation,Solid Solution Range and Substitution of La for Ba in La1+zBa2‐zCu3Oy

The phase formation, solid solution range and the substitution of La for Ba in La_1+zBa_2‐zCu₃O_y (La123) system are investigated systematically for obtaining and understanding the optimum condition to prepare La123 superconductors with higher Tc. The solid solution ranges of La_1+zBa_2‐zCu₃O_y are z=0.20‐0.70 in air and z=0 in N₂. Atmosphere of air or O₂ is favourable for the substitution of La for Ba. The substitution is suppressed when La_1+zBa_2‐zCu₃O_y are sintered and cooled in N₂ . It is found that sintering and cooling procedure in N₂ atmosphere is one key procedure to prepare single phase high‐quality LaBa₂Cu₃O_y superconductor with higher Tc.     

Studies on electrical conduction behavior of La1‐3xCaxBaxSrxMnO3 synthesized by chemical route

In the manganite La_1‐xM_xMnO₃ (M = Ca, Ba, Sr) the doping concentration introduces a mixed valency (Mn³⁺, Mn⁴⁺) which governs the magnetic and electrical properties of the compound. The perovskite oxides La_1‐3xCa_xBa_xSr_xMnO₃ (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10) were prepared by chemical method. Single‐phase formation is confirmed by XRD studies. The electrical behavior of compositions with x = 0.00, 0.05 and 0.10 in the system La_1‐3xCa_xBa_xSr_xMnO₃ was studied in the temperature range 300‐420 K. It is observed that conductivity decreases with increasing temperature as well as dopants concentration. Metallic behavior of these compositions decreases with increasing dopants concentration (x). The microstructures of these samples have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (© 2007 WILEY ‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Microwave dielectric properties of La(1‐2x/3)Bax(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics

This study examined the potential applications of microwave dielectric properties of La_(1‐2x/3)Ba_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics in rectenna. The La_(1‐2x/3)Ba_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid‐state method with various sintering temperatures. An apparent density of 6.62 g/cm³, a dielectric constant of 20.3, a quality factor of 51,700 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of ‐78.2 ppm/K were obtained for La_2.98/3Ba_0.01(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1550 °C for 4 h. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

X‐ray studies on quaternary system RbXK1‐XBrYCl1‐Y

Single crystals of the quaternary crystalline solid solution system Rb_xK_1‐xBr_yCl_1‐y have been grown by melt technique for three different compositions y = 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75, keeping x = 0.5 and X‐ray diffraction studies have been carried out for each case independently, using spherically ground single crystals. The results indicate an enhancement of Debye‐Waller B(total) factors for the compositions y = 0.25 and 0.75 whereas for the intermediate composition, y = 0.5, the factor B(total) is close to the end member value. This experimental investigation show that for this composition, the crystalline solid solution behaves like an end member crystal.     

Influence of polymerizing agent on structure and spectroscopic properties of nano‐crystalline La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 powders

Strontium‐doped lanthanum manganite (La_1‐xSr_xMnO₃ or LSM) is the material most widely used on solid oxide fuel cells cathode. In this work, nano‐scale La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ powders have been synthesized by polymeric precursor‐based methods using different polymerizing agents with the aim of evaluating the influence of this change in the final powder. The powders calcined at 700 °C for 2 h have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to investigate the quality of both synthesis routes. It is shown that the crystal structure and morphology of the particles are significantly dependent on the preparation conditions. Single phase and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ nano‐crystalline particles less than 30 nm were obtained using ethylene glycol as polymerizing agent. FTIR results have been indicated that only the powder obtained using gelatin presented small traces of hydroxyl groups on its surface. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal Structure of (Cr,Cu)(Sr,La)2(La,A)Cu2O8‐δ (1212‐type) and (Cr,Cu)Sr2(Y,Ce)2Cu2O10‐δ (1222‐type) Phases

Conditions of the synthesis, crystal structures, mechanical properties, electrical resistivities and magnetizations of cuprates with the general formula (Cr,Cu)(Sr,La)₂(La,A)Cu₂O_8‐δ where A=Ca or Sr of 1212‐type and (Cr,Cu)Sr₂(Y,Ce)₂Cu₂O_10‐δ of 1222‐type were investigated. The compositions of the cuprates and an amount of the impurity phases in the samples were determined. Rietveld refinement of the structure was carried out. It was found that the formal charges of Cu (FC_Cu) calculated from the electroneutrality of refined phase compositions do not achieve value optimal for the appearence of superconducting phases.     

Interplay between phase formation mechanisms and magnetism in the Sr2FeMoO6–δ metal‐oxide compound

Double perovskites with the structural formula A₂BB′O_6±δ, especially the strontium ferromolybdate Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ, have attracted a lot of attention due to their unique magnetic and electrical properties and a possible application in spintronic devices. However, a strict correlation between the functional characteristics of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ and its synthesis technology has been lacking up to date. Thus, we have studied in the present work the crystallization kinetics of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ using reagents with different pre‐history as well as the structural and magnetic properties of the obtained compounds. Differences in the crystallization kinetics as well as higher magnetic inhomogeneity of Sr₂FeMoO_6–δ synthesised from a mixture of MoO₃, Fe₂O₃, SrCO₃ in comparison with the compound synthesised from the SrFeO_2.5 and SrMoO_4–y precursors have been found and interpreted. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of large La1‐xPbxMnO3+δ (x=0.32–0.35) crystals

Large crystals of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ with small La(Pb)‐ deficiency of about 0.005‐0.01 at.% were grown by high temperature solution growth method. The structure of the grown crystals was determined as rhombohedral with R‐3 space group by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The surface morphology of the crystals and the exact chemical composition was examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis methods, respectively. The IR‐transmission spectrum reveals the presence of Mn³⁺O₆‐ and Mn⁴⁺O₆‐ octahedra in the lattice of La_0.63Pb_0.37Mn O_3+δ crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystallization features of YBa2Cu3O7‐δ in the Y2BaCuO5‐BaCuO2‐CuO and Y2Cu2O5‐BaCuO2 systems

Based on the data of X‐ray phase and microstructure analysis, the sample composition was optimized in order to provide maximum size of the textured macrograins of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ and of the crystallites in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO, Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems. The growth rate has been studied and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ growth activation energy has been calculated for the samples of Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+2.3CuO, Y₂BaCuO₅+3BaCuO₂+0.6CuO, and Y₂Cu₂O₅+3.5BaCuO₂ compounds in the temperature range of 1240‐1270K for the case of use of the Y₂Cu₂O₅ and Y₂BaCuO₅ precursors with an average grain diameter of 10 μm and 1mm. A crystallization mechanism of YBa₂Cu₃O_7‐δ in the Y₂BaCuO₅‐BaCuO₂‐CuO and Y₂Cu₂O₅‐BaCuO₂ systems in the case of different sizes of Y₂BaCuO₅ and Y₂Cu₂O₅ precursor grains was proposed and validated. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Phase Formation,Crystal Structure and Electrical Properties of La212 Type Compound Substituted by Silver or Praseodymium

The La212 type compounds substituted by silver or praseodymium are prepared by solid state reaction method. It is found that compounds La_2‐xSr_xCa_0.5Pr_0.5Cu₂O₆, La_1.6Pr_0.4Ca_1‐xSr_xCu₂O₆ and La_2‐xPr_xCa_0.5Sr_0.5Cu₂O₆ can be formed for x=0.4‐1.1, 0‐0.5 and 0‐1.5, respectively. A new member of La212 type compounds, La_2‐xAg_xCaCu₂O₆ is also prepared. Their structures are verified by Rietveld structure refinement to belong to the structure type of La212 cuprate oxide with space group I4/mmm. Their electrical properties are investigated. La_1.65Ag_0.35CaCu₂O₆ displays metal‐like behavior and its resistivity decreases with the decrease of temperature from 300K to 4.2K.     

Novel nontoxic nanopigments based on zirconia and rare earth mixed oxides

This paper embodies the result of the investigations carried out on the synthesis of zirconia‐ rare earth mixed oxide pigments: ZrCe_1‐xY_xO_4‐δ and ZrCe_1‐xPr_xO_4‐δ by the solution combustion method and their characterization by X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometric analysis, thermal analysis, reflectance spectral data and surface area measurements. The synthesized nano pigments possess low a and high b and exhibit yellow color when doped with Y and changes from yellow to orange‐red color when doped with Pr, with increase in x values. These pigments show maximum reflectance of 90% when the wavelength is above 550 nm. Due to the homogeneity of the phase formed and resistance to water, acids and alkali, the rare earth mixed oxides developed are found to be promising candidates as nontoxic pigments. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of Pb on the properties of Sr2YRu1‐xCuxO6 crystals grown from PbO‐PbF2 solutions at high temperatures

Single crystals of Sr₂YRu_1‐xCu_xO₆ with x=0 and x=0.1 were grown using PbO‐PbF₂ based solutions at different temperatures in the range 1150–1350°C. The influence of Pb from the solutions and the Cu from the solid solutions of Sr₂YRu_1‐xCu_xO₆ on the resulting crystals was studied using microstructure and magnetic property measurements. The peaks in the powder X‐ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra do not change in the case of x=0 crystals but shift in the presence of Cu. A diamagnetic transition indicative of superconductivity was observed in the presence of Cu and an antiferromagnetic behavior with x=0. Based on these results it is concluded that Pb may not be incorporated in the crystals and even if it does the influence is not observed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

X‐ray powder diffraction structural characterization of Ba1‐xEuxTiO3 ternary oxides

The single‐phase Ba_1‐xEu_xTiO₃ (0.1≤x≤0.4) samples have been synthesized by solid state reaction under high pressure and ‐temperature. X‐ray powder diffraction data was determined by MS Modeling using Reflex Powder Indexing technique. The Ba_1‐xEu_xTiO₃ series exhibited an interesting orthorhombic‐tetragonal‐cubic structural transformation as Eu composition increases, the distinct change of the X‐ray diffraction peak profile in the vicinity of 45.5º is characteristic of structural transformation. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,morphology and structure of the dense (Y1‐xEux)2O3 spherical shape particles

The method to decrease of the porosity (densification) of crystalline spherical particles of the solid substitution solution, obtained by the method of precipitation from aqueous solution followed by low temperature crystallization of the amorphous intermediate product was proposed. The comparative analysis of morphology and structure of the particles before and after densification have been carried. It has been established that porosity of (Y_1‐xEu_x)₂O₃ particles has decreased 5 times compared to their initial state. It has been shown that densification process of the (Y_1‐xEu_x)₂O₃ spherical particles changes their morphology and structure: the size of the crystals doubles, the number and area of crystalline boundaries decrease, the intercrystalline spaces, which forming pores, are almost absent.     

Resistance and inductance studies of Bi2−xPbxCa2Sr2Cu3Oy superconducting compounds

Bi_2−xPb_xCa₂Sr₂Cu₃O_y compounds with (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.4) were prepared by solid state reaction. The resistance and inductance results showed that transition temperature increases with increase in lead concentration. The highest value of T_c(0) observed is 109 K for Bi_1.70Pb_0.30Ca₂Sr₂ · Cu₃O_y. The change of inductance per unit volume at liquid nitrogen temperature as a function of composition showed maximum change in x = 0.30 Pb-doped sample. The results showed that the inductance change is maximum in samples which also showed highest T_c.     

Synthesis and properties of α‐Fe2O3 nanorods

We report synthesis of α‐Fe₂O₃ (hematite) nanorods by reverse micelles method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as surfactant and calcined at 300 °C. The calcined α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The result showed that the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods were hexagonal structure. The nanorods have diameter of 30‐50 nm and length of 120‐150 nm. The weak ferromagnetic behavior was observed with saturation magnetization = 0.6 emu/g, coercive force = 25 Oe and remanant magnetization = 0.03 emu/g. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Rapid synthesis of dendrite‐ and platelet‐like α‐Fe2O3 via a hydrothermal oxidation route

Dendrite and platelet‐like α‐Fe₂O₃ microcrystals were synthesized by the oxidation reaction of K₄Fe(CN)₆and NaClO₃ through a simple hydrothermal method. The structures and morphologies of the as‐prepared samples were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experiment results show that NaOH played an important role in controlling the morphology of the final products. The possible mechanism was discussed to elucidate the formation of different morphologies of the α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructures. Besides, the magnetic property of the dendrite α‐Fe₂O₃ microstructure was characterized by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical properties of non‐centrosymmetric mixed crystals K2(La1‐x Cex)(NO3)5 · 2 H2O (x = 0.0 – 1.0)

Large single crystals of optical quality of the non‐centrosymmetric orthorhombic potassium rare earth nitrate mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O were grown at 38 °C from diluted HNO₃. For crystals with x = 0.0, 0.19, 0.38 and 0.66 refractive indices and their dispersion were determined with an error less than 1 · 10^–4 in the wavelength range 0.404 – 1.083 μm by the prism method. Phase matching conditions for collinear SHG frequency conversion were analysed in detail, including calculation of the effective nonlinear optical susceptibility. By an appropriate choice of the fraction x of cerium the mixed crystals K₂(La_1–x Ce_x)(NO₃)₅ · 2 H₂O allow an adjustment of non‐critical type I phase matching conditions to a desired wavelength of the fundamental wave within the range 1.055(4) – 1.107(6) μm. Non‐critical type II phase matching can be tuned in the wavelength range 0.949(2) – 0.931(2) μm. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)