High-temperature study of SrFe<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis></Subscript> perovskites

The structure of high-temperature SrFe_{1 − x} Mo _x O_{3 − z} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) phases was studied. Such studies are necessary to understand the mechanism of oxygen transport in membrane materials used for high-temperature oxygen separation.     

Magnetostriction of Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> = 0.27) crystals

The magnetostriction of Fe _x Mn_{1 − x} S (x = 0.27) single crystals in strong magnetic fields up to 120 kOe has been investigated. It has been found that the magnetostriction reaches colossal values (±3 × 10⁻⁴) atypical of compounds of 3d elements. It has been found that the magnetostriction changes sign when varying temperature and magnetic field; this behavior indicates an important role of the spin-phonon interactions in the formation of the magnetic order in solid solutions of iron-manganese sulfides.     

Transport properties and ferromagnetism of Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S sulfides

We have studied the resistivity and thermoelectromotive force (thermo emf) in a temperature range of T = 80–1000 K, the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization in a temperature range of T = 4.2–300 K at an external magnetic field of up to 70 kOe, and the structural characteristics of Co _x Mn_1?x S sulfides (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4). Anomalies in the transport properties of these compounds have been found in the temperature intervals ΔT ₁ = 200–270 K and ΔT ₂ = 530–670 K and at T ₃ ～ T _N. The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and resistivity, as well as the current-voltage characteristics, exhibit hysteresis. In the domain of magnetic ordering at temperatures below the Néel temperature (T _N), the antiferromagnetic Co _x Mn_1?x S sulfides possess a spontaneous magnetic moment that is explained using a model of the orbital ordering of electrons in the t _2g bands. The influence of the cobalt-ion-induced charge ordering on the transport and magnetic properties of sulfides has been studied. The calculated values of the temperatures corresponding to the maxima of charge susceptibility, which are related to a competition between the on-site Coulomb interaction of holes in various subbands and their weak hybridization, agree well with the experimental data.     

Evolution of the structure and magneto-optical properties of Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> films prepared by solid-state reactions

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the structure and the magnetic and magnetooptical properties of thin films Mn _x Fe_{3 ? x} O₄ prepared by solid-state reactions: isothermal annealing, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, and a combination of these two regimes. The regimes favorable for the formation of films close in composition and structure to the stoichiometric compounds MnFe₂O₄ or Fe₃O₄ are established. The features observed in the spectral response of the magneto-optical Faraday effect and of the magnetic circular dichroism of the MnFe₂O₄ films are considered in terms of the electronic transitions in magnetic ions, primarily Fe³⁺, which occupy octahedral positions in the spinel structure.     

Neutron diffraction study of quasi-one-dimensional spin-chain compounds Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>

We report the results of the DC magnetization, neutron powder diffraction and neutron depolarization studies on the spin-chain compounds Ca₃Co_2–x Fe _x O₆ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4). Rietveld refinement of neutron powder diffraction patterns at room temperature confirms the single-phase formation for all the compounds in rhombohedral structure with space group Rc. Rietveld refinement also confirms that Fe was doped at the trigonal prism site, 6a (0, 0, 1/4) of Co. The high temperature magnetic susceptibility obeys the Curie-Weiss law; the value of the paramagnetic Curie temperature (θ _p) decreases as the concentration of iron increases and it becomes negative for x = 0.4. No extra Bragg peak as well as no observable enhancement in the intensity of the fundamental (nuclear) Bragg peaks has been observed in the neutron diffraction patterns down to 30 K. No depolarization of neutron beam has been observed down to 3 K confirming the absence of ferro- or ferrimagnetic-like correlation.      

Fabrication and magnetic characterization of Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Pt<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> nanowire arrays

Co _x Pt_1−x (x≥0.7) alloy nanowires are grown into self-synthesized anodic alumina templates by electrodeposition. Magnetic and magnetization properties of Co _x Pt_1−x alloy nanowires are measured as functions of wire length, temperature, and field orientation. X-ray diffraction shows that as-prepared CoPt nanowires are of fcc polycrystalline structure. A crossover of easy axis of magnetization is observed from parallel to perpendicular of the nanowire axis as a function of length. The coercivity (H _c) and remanent squareness (SQ) of Co _x Pt_1−x nanowire arrays are derived from hysteresis loops measured at various angles (θ) between the field and wire axis. H _c(θ) and SQ(θ) curves show bell-shaped or otherwise bell-shaped behavior corresponding to the easy axis of their magnetization.     

Physical properties of Fe<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Dy<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Si crystals

The results of experimental investigation of magnetic and electric properties of Fe_1?x Dy _x Si crystals are reported. It is shown that the magnitude and position of the anomaly observed in the temperature dependences of magnetization are controlled to a considerable extent by the external magnetic field. It is found that the introduction of Dy ions leads to a weak magnetoresistive effect.     

Features of properties of microinhomogeneous PdMn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1− <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> alloys

Complex investigation of the properties of PdMn _x Fe_{1? x} ternary alloys with interacting magnetic and structural order parameters has been performed. It is shown that the complex structural and magnetic state near the transition from the atomically ordered PdFe ferromagnet to the intermetallic antiferromagnetic PdMn compound leads to unusual features not only in magnetic and lattice characteristics but also in electronic properties.     

Structure and Curie temperature of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The structures of Y₂Fe_17−x Cr _x are simulated by theab initio potentials. The site preference of Cr atom in Y₂Fe₁₇ is evaluated and the order is determined as 4f, 12j, which is close to the experimental result. Based on the site preference behavior, the calculated parameters and the atom sites of Y-Fe-Cr system are studied. The result corresponds well to observed data. Further, the DOS of the relaxed structures are calculated and the variation in Curie temperature is explained qualitatively by the spin-fluctuation theory.     

Synthesis and properties of Sn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles obtained by a proteic sol–gel method

Iron-doped SnO₂ nanoparticles with chemical formula Sn_1?xFe_xO_2?y (x =?0.02, 0.05 and 0.10 at%) were successfully produced by a proteic sol–gel method. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were performed to investigate the thermal behavior of the precursor powders as well as to select the appropriate calcination temperatures for oxide formation. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy studies were carried out to determine the valence state of the transition metal used as dopant. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of the synthesized materials were studied by X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results confirmed the formation of nanometric spherical particles of single-phased SnO₂ with rutile-type tetragonal structure. Iron doping was accomplished in the form of Fe³⁺ substituting for Sn⁴⁺ in the SnO₂ matrix, with the creation of oxygen vacancies to achieve charge balance. Band gaps of SnO₂ were found to be unaffected by the introduction of iron.     

Electrical conductivity and thermopower in Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> S sulfides

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the structural, electrical, and thermoelectrical properties of sulfides Co _x Mn_{1 ? x} S (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) in the temperature range 80–950 K. It is established that the thermopower coefficient α decreases significantly with an increase in the cobalt concentration in the lattice of the α-MnS compound. The Co _x Mn_{1 ? x} S compounds with cobalt concentrations in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 are semiconductors with hole conduction (α > 0), whereas the compound with x = 0.4 exhibits metallic conduction (α < 0). It is found that the band gap E _g of the compounds under investigation varies in the range from 1.46 eV for α-MnS (x = 0) to 0.26 eV for Co _x Mn_{1 ? x} S (x = 0.4).     

Metal-insulator transition in Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S crystals

Results of an experimental study of MnS, FeS, and Fe _x Mn_1?x S single crystals are presented. The phase composition, the lattice parameters, and the state of paramagnetic ions in Fe _x Mn_1?x S have been determined by x-ray diffraction analysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy. A sequence of transitions have been found in iron manganese sulfide with x = 0.29 at temperatures T ₁ ≈ 25–50 K, T ₂ ≈ 125 K, and T ₃ ≈ 190 K with a change in kinetic properties and the formation of a metallic state at low temperatures T ≈ 2 K. The possibility of a Mott-Hubbard transition in Fe _x Mn_1?x S sulfides with variation of the composition and the temperature is discussed.     

Structure and Surface Morphology of Cd<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Se Epitaxial Films

Cd_1–xMn _x Se (х = 0.03) epitaxial films are produced by the molecular beam condensation method in a vacuum chamber with a residual pressure of 10^–4 Pa on mica and glass substrates. It is established that at room temperature and at a substrate temperature of T = 573 K films of polycrystalline structure grow on the mica substrates, but films of both polycrystalline and amorphous structure grow on the glass substrates. It is shown that the polycrystalline Cd_1–xMn _x Se (х = 0.03) films, unlike the bulk crystals, have a sphalerite-type structure with a lattice parameter of a = 6.05 Å. Increasing the substrate temperature to 673 K leads to epitaxial growth with the direction [111]. Dark aggregates, observed on the film surface, are removed using a source of compensating Se vapors during the growth process. The optimal conditions for the production of structurally perfect epitaxial films are defined.     

Magnetic structure of Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> intermetallic compounds

The magnetic structure of intermetallic compounds Ce₂Fe_{17 − x} Mn _x (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) was studied using neutron diffraction. The neutron diffraction patterns measured at 4.2 K contain satellites indicating a modulated structure with the wave vector k = [0, 0, τ]. As the concentration x increases, the value of τ increases, while the average magnetic moment of Fe/Mn atoms decreases. A change in the magnitudes of the average magnetic moment and wave vector k is explained by competition between exchange interactions at distances of nearest neighbor transition element atoms.     

Mössbauer studies of multiferroics BiFe<Subscript>1 – <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis> = 0–0.20)

The Mössbauer studies on ⁵⁷Fe nuclei in multiferroics BiFe_{1 – x} Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) have been performed at room temperature. The multiferroics BiFe_{1 – x} Cr _x O₃ (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20) with the rhombohedral R3c structure have been prepared by solid-state synthesis under high pressures. The effect of substitution of Cr cations for Fe cations on the spatial spin-modulated structure, and also hyperfine electrical and magnetic interactions of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei has been studied. The substituted ferrites demonstrate an anharmonic modulated spin structure of cycloid type, in which iron atoms with different cation environments take part. The anharmonism parameter of the cycloid linearly increases from m = 0.10 at x = 0 to m = 0.78 ± 0.02 at x = 0.20. The constants of magnetic uniaxial anisotropy K _u are estimated at room temperature: K _u ≈ 0.36 × 10⁶ erg/cm³ at x = 0 and K _u ≈ 4.22 × 10⁶ erg/cm³ at x = 0.20.     

Electronic structure and ground state parameters of Ru<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Al refractory alloys

The electronic structure and ground state parameters of B2 RuAl-based refractory alloys have been investigated in the framework of the density functional theory using the exact muffin-tin orbital method in combination with the coherent potential approximation. It has been demonstrated that the number of states at the Fermi level for the Ru_{1 − x} Me _x Al alloys as a function of the alloying metal content has a minimum, which indicates a change in the Fermi surface topology and the presence of specific features in the behavior of elastic constants. It has been concluded that the electronic structure of the alloys can be described in terms of the rigid band model. The nonlinear variations of the lattice parameters of the alloys has been explained.     

Infrared diffuse reflectance spectra of micropowders of Ni<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> ferrites

The results of experimental studies of the IR diffuse reflectance spectra in the range from 4000 to 50 cm^–1 of Ni_1–xZn_xFe₂O₄ ferrite micropowders with different concentrations of nickel and zinc are presented. The dependence of the intensity of the IR spectra of these ferrites on the changing concentrations of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations in ferrites of different compositions is found. The features of change of the reflectance spectra are studied depending on the ferrite compositions, and an interpretation of the observed spectral structures is proposed.     

Phase composition and the structure of (1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)KNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> + <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanocomposites by X-ray diffraction

The phase composition and the structural properties of potassium nitrate KNO₃ and its heterogeneous composites with nanometer-sized powder of aluminum oxide Al₂O₃ have been studied by X-ray diffraction at various concentrations of an Al₂O₃ nanopowder. It is found that, in the (1–x)KNO₃ + xAl₂O₃ nanocomposites, additional high-temperature rhombohedral phase of potassium nitrate (phase III) with lattice parameters a = 5.4644 Å and c = 9.0842 Å. With increasing concentration of Al₂O₃ nanopowder, the content of the main potassium nitrate phase (phase II) is found to significantly decrease, and the relative fraction of the phase III in the total content of the nitrate in the composite composition increases. This phase is assumed to be “frozen” in the nanocomposite at the KNO₃–Al₂O₃ interface. The estimated size of KNO₃ crystallites in the phase III is more than 20 nm.     

Thermoelectric properties of Fe-substituted layered compound,LiCo<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Fe<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The layered compound LiCoO₂ belonging to the ABO₂ class exhibits a variety of interesting behaviors, and substitution adds a twist to the properties. Hence, the effect of partial substitution of Co⁺³ with Fe⁺³ on the high-temperature thermoelectric properties has been studied in detail. The X-ray diffraction patterns together with Rietveld refinement indicate formation of a single phase conforming to R\( \overset{-}{3} \)m space group in all the three cases, LiCo_1?x Fe _x O₂ with x = 0.01, 0.02, and 0.08. The electrical resistivity in all the compounds decreases by four orders of magnitude with increasing temperature from 300 to 1000 K, a semiconducting behavior. The Seebeck coefficient is found to be very high, >700 μV K^?1 in all the cases, and increases with increasing temperature and Fe⁺³ substitution. The thermal conductivity, on the other hand, has been found to decrease with temperature in all the compounds from 3.5 W m^?1 K^?1 at room temperature to 1 W m^?1 K^?1 at 973 K, a consequence of phonon-phonon scattering. High resistivity of the compounds limits power factor indicating that carrier concentration and mobility need to be increased to realize a high figure-of-merit.     

Spin glass effects in Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mn<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>S solid solutions

The magnetization, resistance, permittivity, and thermal expansion coefficient of cation-substituted sulfides Co _x Mn_{1 ? x} S have been measured. The relationship between the magnetic, electric, and elastic subsystems of Co _x Mn_{1 ? x} S solid solutions is established and the features of physical properties characteristic of multiferroics, induced by orbital-charge ordering, are found.