Electronic structure studies of the spinel CoFe2O4 by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The spinel CoFe₂O₄ has been synthesized by combustion reaction technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that samples are near-stoichiometric, and that the specimen surface both in the powder and bulk sample is most typically represented by the formula (Co_0.4Fe_0.6)[Co_0.6Fe_1.4]O₄, where cations in parentheses occupy tetrahedral sites and those within square brackets in octahedral sites. The results demonstrate that most of the iron ions are trivalent, but some Fe²⁺ may be present in the powder sample. The Co 2p_3/2 peak in powder sample composed three peaks with relative intensity of 45%, 40% and 15%, attributes to Co²⁺ in octahedral sites, tetrahedral sites and Co³⁺ in octahedral sites. The O 1s spectrum of the bulk sample is composed of two peaks: the main lattice peak at 529.90 eV, and a component at 531.53 eV, which is believed to be intrinsic to the sample surface. However, the vanishing of the O 1s shoulder peak of the powder specimen shows significant signs of decomposition.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Co3O4, Fe3O4, Mn3O4, and related compounds

The metal 2p region spectra of the mixed valence spinels, Co₃O₄, Fe₃O₄, Mn₃O₄, and related compounds were studied. The satellite splittings of Co 2p_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} for the octahedrally coordinated cobaltous ions are 6.2 eV and those for the tetrahedrally coordinated ones are about 5.3 eV. The Co 2p spectrum for Co₃O₄ is considered to be the sum of spectra of magnetic cobaltous ions and low-spin cobaltic ions. In the cases of Fe₃O₄ and Mn₃O₄, the oxidation states were not clearly distinguished because both the divalent and trivalent ions of iron and manganese are high-spin.     

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy of LiMn2O4, LiMn1.6Ti0.4O4 and LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4

The dielectric properties of LiMn₂O₄, LiMn_1.6Ti_0.4O₄ and LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ powders, synthesized by sol-gel method, were determined by analyzing the low-loss region of the electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectrum in a transmission electron microscope. From these data, the optical joint density of states (OJDS) was obtained by Kramers-Kronig analysis. Since maxima observed in the OJDS spectra are assigned to interband transitions above the Fermi level, these spectra can be interpreted on the basis of calculated density of states (DOS), carried out with the CASTEP code. Experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement.     

Structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 nanoferrite thin films

The structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of nanoferrite NiFe₂O₄ (NF), CoFe₂O₄ (CF) and MnFe₂O₄ (MF) thin films have been studied. The coating solution of these ferrite films was prepared by a chemical synthesis route called sol-gel combined metallo-organic decomposition method. The solution was coated on Si substrate by spin coating and annealed at 700 °C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction pattern has been used to analyze the phase structure and lattice parameters. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to show the nanostructural behavior of these ferrites. The values of average grain's size from SEM are 44, 60 and 74 nm, and from AFM are 46, 61 and 75 nm, respectively, measured for NF, CF and MF ferrites. At room temperature, the values of saturation magnetization, M_s∼50.60, 33.52 and 5.40 emu/cc, and remanent magnetization, M_r∼14.33, 15.50 and 1.10 emu/cc, respectively, are observed for NF, CF and MF. At low temperature measurements of 10 K, the anisotropy of ferromagnetism is observed in these ferrite films. The superparamagnetic/paramagnetic behavior is also confirmed by χ′(T) curves of AC susceptibility by applying DC magnetizing field of 3 Oe. The temperature dependent magnetization measurements show the magnetic phase transition temperature.     

Electronic structure of dimerized spinel ZnV2O4

Electronic structure calculations were performed for ZnV₂O₄, a material close to a metal-insulator transition. Structural optimization leads to the formation of V-V dimers along the off-plane chains. A strong spin-lattice coupling is expected close to the transition to itinerancy. No orbital ordering is observed in such a structure, and the experimentally found magnetic structure is naturally explained.     

Electronic structure of ZrTiO4 and HfTiO4: Self-consistent cluster calculations and X-ray spectroscopy studies

Total and partial densities of states of the constituent atoms of ZrTiO₄ and HfTiO₄ titanates have been calculated using a self-consistent cluster method as incorporated in the FEFF8 code. The calculations reveal the similarity of the electronic structure of both titanates and indicate that the valence band of the compounds under consideration is dominated by contributions of O 2p states. These states contribute throughout the whole valence-band region; however their maximum contributions occur in the upper portion of the band. Other significant contributors in the valence-band region are Ti 3d and Zr 4d states in ZrTiO₄ and Ti 3d and Hf 5d states in HfTiO₄. All the above d-like states contribute throughout the whole valence-band region of the titanates; however maximum contributions of the Ti 3d states occur in the upper portion, whilst those of the Zr 4d (Hf 5d) states are in the central portions of the valence band. The FEFF8 calculations render that the bottom of the conduction band of ZrTiO₄ and HfTiO₄ is dominated by contributions of Ti 3d^? states, with also smaller contributions of Zr 4d^?/Hf 5d^? and O 2p^? states. To verify the above FEFF8 data, the X-ray emission bands, representing the energy distributions of mainly O 2p, Ti 3d and Zr 4d states, were measured and compared on a common energy scale. These experimental data are found to be in agreement with the theoretical FEFF8 results for the electronic structure of ZrTiO₄ and HfTiO₄ titanates. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron valence-band and core-level spectra were recorded for the constituent atoms of the titanates under study.     

Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of Pr in CaAl4O7, LaMgAl11O19 and SrLaAlO4

The vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of Pr³⁺ doped CaAl₄O₇, LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉ and SrLaAlO₄ is reported. It appears that whenever the aluminate host lattice is excited directly, mainly exciton and 4f²–4f² [³P₀] Pr³⁺ emission are observed. When the excitation energy is lower, Pr³⁺ ions are excited selectively and 4f5d–4f² emission dominates. These observations can be explained by assuming that energy transfer from the host lattice to the Pr³⁺ ion takes place preferentially via an intermediate exciton state with an energy too low to reach the energetic Pr³⁺ 4f5d excited states.     

Electronic structure of Al2O3 from electron energy loss spectroscopy

The electronic structure of Al₂O₃ has been studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy (ELS), and an energy level model of both filled and empty states has been constructed from the ELS and available optical data. For the high temperature pyrolytic α-polycrystalline Al₂O₃ films, the transitions are assumed to originate at the two principal peaks in the valence band density of states and the O(2s) core state, and to terminate on two peaks within the conduction band density of states. We also report energy loss spectra due to excitations out of the deeper Al(2p), Al(2s), Al(1s), and O(1s) core levels. The excitations originating at the Al(2p), Al(2s), and Al(1s) core levels terminate on levels in the conduction band and on an exciton lying about 1 eV below the conduction-band edge.     

Investigations on magnetically-dilute CoxZn1−x Rh2O4 spinel solid solution

Magnetic measurements have been performed on polycrystalline solid solutions Co_xZn_1?xRh₂O₄ with a spinel structure. The samples with 0.50? x ? 1.00 are antiferromagnets. The samples with x?0.40 do not show a magnetic order, and their magnetic behavior can be explained taking into account the presence of finite clusters of Co²⁺ ions and paramagnetic isolated ions.     

Electronic structure and transport of Ca3Co2O6 and Ca3CoNiO6

We have calculated the band structure of Ca₃Co₂O₆ and Ca₃CoNiO₆ by using the self-consistent full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within density function theory and the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange and correlation potential. The spin-orbit interaction is incorporated in the calculations using a second variational procedure. The relation of these band structure calculations to thermoelectric transport is discussed. The results illustrate that transport is highly anisotropic with much larger mobility in the a-b plane than out of the a-b plane, and the introduction of Ni in Ca₃Co₂O₆ alters its electronic structure and its thermoelectric transport properties.     

Continuous-wave CO2 laser spectroscopy of SF6, WF6, and UF6

The linear absorption of CO₂ laser radiation in SF₆, WF₆, and UF₆ has been measured by using optoacoustic detection techniques. Absolute absorption coefficients per Torr as low as 1 × 10^?7 cm^?1 Torr^?1 in a 2-cm active path length could be measured by taking advantage of calibration measurements performed with SF₆.     

Magnetische struktur von columbiten MnTa2O6 und CoNb2O6

By means of neutron diffraction we found for MnTa₂O₆S₁S₂ S₃S₄ with a magnetic unit which is the same as the chemical. Whereas the chemical unit of CoNb₂O₆ is doubled in c-direction; all spins in the chemical unit are parallel. Therefore the orthorhombic symmetry of the crystal structure cannot be maintained. In both compositions are the spins parallel to the a-axis.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Sm-doped CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses and glass ceramics

Sm³⁺ doped CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass and glass ceramics have been prepared. The diopside crystal (CaMgSi₂O₆) was identified in the glass ceramics by X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the glass and glass ceramics were measured by a monochromatised Al-Kα XPS instrument. Sm 3d core level spectra for the Sm doped samples showed that Sm ions are predominantly in the Sm (III) state in glass and glass ceramics. The O 1s core spectra could be fitted by summing the contributions from bridging oxygen (BO) and non bridging oxygen (NBO) for samarium undoped glass, BO, NBO and Si-O-Sm for the doped glass. The O 1s XPS spectrum of undoped glass ceramics was curve fitted with BO and NBO in glass phase, as well as SiOSi, SiOMg and SiOCa in diopside. In addition to the five components above mentioned, SiOSm in diopside also appeared in O 1s XPS spectra of samarium doped glass ceramics. According to the fitting results, we demonstrate that the Sm₂O₃ exist in glass network as a glass modifier. After heat treatment, nearly all the Sm³⁺ existed in diopside phase as the substitution for Ca²⁺.     

Non-isothermal decomposition of NiC2O4-FeC2O4 mixture aiming at the production of NiFe2O4

The non-isothermal decomposition of NiC₂O₄·2H₂O-FeC₂O₄·2H₂O (1:2 mole ratio) mixture was studied on heating to the formation of NiO-Fe₂O₃ mixture at 350 °C in air atmosphere using thermogravimetry. Kinetic analysis of data according to the integral composite method showed that the oxidative decomposition of FeC₂O₄ and NiC₂O₄ are best described by the three-dimensional phase boundary model. The activation parameters were calculated and discussed. The solid products at different decomposition stages were identified using XRD, Mössbauer and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Some characteristic XRD lines of NiFe₂O₄ start to appear at 800 °C beside the characteristic lines of NiO and Fe₂O₃, whereas at 1000 °C, only the characteristic lines of single phase cubic NiFe₂O₄ appeared. The Mössbauer spectrum at 1000 °C fitted into two Zeeman sextets characteristic of Fe³⁺ on the tetrahedral (A) and octahedral (B) sites of NiFe₂O₄ inverse spinel. Consistent results were obtained using FT-IR where the absorption bands appeared at 602 and 407 cm⁻¹ for the mixture calcined at 1000 °C. These can be assigned to the intrinsic vibrations of tetrahedral and octahedral sites of NiFe₂O₄, respectively.     

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of Co-doped ZnO-Ga2O3-SiO2 nano-glass-ceramic composites

Co-doped ZnO-Ga₂O₃-SiO₂ nano-glass-ceramic composites were prepared by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the crystallization temperature was 800 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the effect of heat-treatment temperature on the electronic structure of Co-doped ZnO-Ga₂O₃-SiO₂ nano-glass-ceramic composites. The Zn (2p_3/2), Ga (2p_3/2) and O (1s) XPS spectra for the glass-ceramics heat-treated at 800-1000 °C could be deconvoluted into two peaks corresponding to these elements in glass network and in nanocrystals, respectively. The results indicate that the material is composed of an amorphous silicate network and ZnGa₂O₄ nanocrystalline particles. The amount of nanocrystals increases with the annealing temperature. The photoelectron peak of Si (2p) shifts to higher binding energy at higher annealing temperature, revealing the charge transfer from Si to O increased. The relationship between the microstructure of Co-doped ZnO-Ga₂O₃-SiO₂ sample and its absorption properties was discussed, and the suitable heat-treatment temperature was proposed.     

Magnetoresistance of Fe3O4/Au/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/Au/Fe spin-valve structures

A detailed study of the in-plane magnetotransport properties of spin valves with one and two Fe₃O₄ electrodes is presented. Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe₃O₄ spin valves exhibit a clear anisotropic magnetoresistance in small magnetic fields but no giant magnetoresistance (GMR). The absence of GMR in these structures is due to simultaneous magnetization reversal in the two Fe₃O₄ layers. By contrast, a negative GMR effect is measured on Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe spin valves. The negative GMR is attributed to an electron spin scattering asymmetry at the Fe₃O₄/Au interface or an induced spin scattering asymmetry in the Au interfacial layers.     

ESCA studies of CO2, CS2 and COS

The core level electron spectra of CO₂, CS₂ and COS excited by Mg Kα radiation have been studied to identify shake-up satellite lines associated with ionization from these levels. A number of such lines have been seen and possible assignments have been suggested using the excited states of the molecule as a guide. The valence spectra have also been recorded and they too were found to be rich in shake-up structure. The observed variation of the valence line intensities is discussed and compared with predictions made from an intensity model. The validity of distinguishing between π and σ symmetries in linear molecules in applying the intensity model is confirmed.     

Mössbauer study of Fe2+ ions in trigonal sites of spinels: GeFe2O4, GeCo2O4, GeNi2O4

We discuss here the results and the interpretation in the crystalline-field approach of some Mössbauer experiments on Fe²⁺ ions in the spinels GeFe₂O₄, GeCo₂O₄ and GeNi₂O₄. Once the sign of the quadrupolar interaction e²qQ has been deduced from a magnetic spectrum, the thermal variation of e²qQ may be used for determining the electronic level scheme of the Fe²⁺ ion (including the energies and wavefunctions of the levels). Then we may predict the form and magnitude of the spin hamiltonian, of the magnetic anisotropy and of the hypefine field tensor. Below T_N the experimental results are expressed in terms of a molecular-field, the eventual variations of which have been studied in magnitude and in orientation; by using the same calculation for the three compounds, we obtained a reasonable agreement between the experimental and calculated values of the hyperfine field at 0°K.     

Single crystal synthesis and electrical properties of CdSnO3, Cd2SnO4, In2TeO6 and Cdln2O4

Single crystals of CdSnO₃, Cd₂SnO₄, ln₂TeO₆ and CdIn₂O₄ were grown by either flux or high pressure methods. High electrical conductivity resulted from chemical substitution or oxygen deficiency. Crystallographic and conductivity data are given.     

High pressure Raman spectroscopy of spinel-type ferrite ZnFe2O4

An in-situ Raman spectroscopic study was conducted to explore the pressure induced phase transformation of spinel-type ferrite ZnFe₂O₄. Results indicate that ferrite ZnFe₂O₄ initially transforms to an orthorhombic structure phase (CaFe₂O₄-polymorph) at a pressure of 24.6 GPa. Such a phase transformation is complete at 34.2 GPa, and continuously remains stable to the peak pressure of 61.9 GPa. The coexistence of the two phases over a wide range of pressure implies a sluggish mechanism upon the spinel-to-orthorhombic phase transition. Upon release of pressure, the high pressure ZnFe₂O₄ polymorph is quenchable at ambient conditions.