Crystal structure and the magnetic state of Pr0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Fe0.5O3

The magnetic properties and crystal structure of the Pr_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ compound are studied by neutron and x-ray diffractions using synchrotron radiation. These measurements show that this compound is a dielectric spin glass with a magnetic moment freezing temperature of about 70 K. As temperature decreases in the range 30–95 K, a structure phase transition of the first order occurs with an increase in the symmetry from orthorhombic (space group Imma) to tetragonal (space group I4/mcm). It is assumed that the transition is caused by a change in the 4f electron configuration of the Pr³⁺ ions.     

Colossal magnetostriction effect in HoMn2O5

We have investigated the detailed field and temperature dependence of the dielectric constant, electric polarization, magnetization and magnetostriction in orthorhombic HoMn₂O₅ single crystals. HoMn₂O₅ displays incommensurate antiferromagnetic ordering below 39 K, becoming commensurate on further cooling. The commensurate-incommensurate transition takes place at low temperatures. The inherent magnetic frustration in this material is lifted by a small lattice distortion, primarily involving shifts of the Mn³⁺ cations and giving rise to a canted antiferroelectric phase. Colossal magnetostriction effect was observed and a novel phase transition diagram was build.     

Tunable exchange bias in La1.5Sr0.5CoMnO6 double perovskite doped with nonmagnetic Ga ions

The crystal structure, electronic structure, and magnetic behaviors of nonmagnetic Ga ions doped double perovskite La_1.5Sr_0.5CoMnO₆ single phase crystals have been investigated. Different from the traditional magnetic dilution effect of nonmagnetic doping, Ga doping in La_1.5Sr_0.5CoMnO₆ enhances the ferromagnetic (FM) exchange interaction of Co³⁺-O-Mn³⁺. Moreover, both conventional and spontaneous exchange bias (EB) effects can be tuned by modulating the Ga doping content, which is accompanied by the variation of the Co^3+/4+ and Mn^3+/4+ and the effective magnetic moment. The EB field and magnetization can be improved by nonmagnetic Ga³⁺ doping with content lower than 0.2. The evolution of conventional and spontaneous EB effects in La_1.5Sr_0.5Co_1-xGa_xMnO₆ can be understood in terms of the unidirectional interface anisotropic coupling between FM/anti-FM, and/or FM/spin glass, which is affected by antisite disorder, spin glass, and the uncompensated coupling between Co and Mn.     

Characterisation of the reduction properties of La0.5Sr0.5Fe0.5Co0.5O3

We report here on the characterisation by temperature programmed reduction, ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the phases resulting from treatment of the perovskite-related material La_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_0.5Co_0.5O₃ in a flowing 90% hydrogen/10% nitrogen atmosphere. The results show that treatment of La_0.5Sr_0.5Fe_0.5Co_0.5O₃ (which contains approximately 50% Fe⁴⁺ and 50% Fe³⁺) in the flowing 90% hydrogen/10% nitrogen atmosphere at 600°C does not result in the reduction of any of the constituent elements of the material and that the perovskite structure is still retained. The Mössbauer spectrum recorded following heating in the gaseous reducing environment at 1,000°C shows the presence of metallic iron, an Fe³⁺-containing phase with parameters compatible with the presence of SrLaFeO₄ which has a K₂NiF₄-type structure, and a paramagnetic Fe³⁺ phase. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy results show the presence of metallic cobalt. The Mössbauer spectrum recorded following heating at 1,200°C continues to show the Fe³⁺-containing components plus a larger contribution from metallic iron. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy results show the presence of metallic cobalt, SrLaFeO₄, La₂O₃ and SrO.     

Effect of Mo doping on magnetic and transport properties of La0.5Sr0.5CoO3

The substitutional effect of Mo on the magnetic and transport properties of double exchange ferromagnets, La_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1−x Mo_xO₃ (0?x?0.2) has been investigated. Substitution of 10% Mo at the Co-site of La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ decreases the Curie temperature by ∼60 K than that of the parent compound and the long-range ferromagnetic ordering disappears for x?0.2. The Mo-doped samples, however, undergo a transition from the parent metallic state to the insulating state below T_c. The insulating state is found to obey Mott's variable range hopping of conduction. The effect of Mo substitution is attributed to the factors namely, (i) the dilution of magnetic Co sublattice, (ii) the reduction of Co⁴⁺/Co³⁺ ratio resulting in a reduced carrier concentration and (iii) disruption of the intermediate spin structure of Co, namely Co³⁺: t_2g⁵e_g¹.     

Preparation of substituted barium ferrite BaFe12−x(Ti0.5Co0.5)xO19 by citrate precursor method and compositional dependence of their magnetic properties

As a possible candidate for the left-handed metamaterial with negative permeability, a series of Ti, Co-substituted M-type barium hexaferrite BaFe_12−x(Ti_0.5Co_0.5)_xO₁₉ (x=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) was prepared by citrate precursor method. The formation processes of the substituted barium hexaferrite compounds from the precursors were followed by the measurements of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared absorption spectra (FT-IR), and thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) coupled with mass spectroscopy (MS). In the case of the non-substituted sample, the formation of the barium hexaferrite is regulated by the thermal decomposition of BaCO₃ and the solid-state reactions of BaO and Fe₂O₃ in the temperature range from 800 to 1100 K. The formation temperature of the substituted BaFe_12−x(Ti_0.5Co_0.5)_xO₁₉ is higher than that for the non-substituted sample and increases with the value of x, due to the effects of carbonate ions incorporated by the partial substitution of Fe³⁺ by (Ti_0.5Co_0.5)³⁺. On heating up to ca. 1200 K, all the substituted samples transform into the magenetoplumbite phase as is the non-substituted sample. The compositional dependence of the magnetic properties of the substituted barium hexaferrite was investigated by the magnetization measurement. The decrease in the magnetic anisotropy was confirmed by the change in the magnetization curve and coercivity H_C with the composition x. A negative permeability spectrum was observed in the BaFe₉(Ti_0.5Co_0.5)₃O₁₉ in the frequency range from 2 to 4 GHz.     

Study on the spin-states of cobalt-based double-layer perovskite Sr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>

The spin-states of cobalt based perovskite compounds depend sensitively on the valence state and local crystal environment of Co ions and the rich physical properties arise from strong coupling among charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom. While extensive studies have been carried out in the past, most of them concentrated on the isotropic compound LaCoO₃. In this paper, using the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approximation and the real-space recursion method, we have investigated the competition of various magnetically ordered spin-states of anisotropic double-layered perovskite Sr₂Y_0.5Ca_0.5Co₂O₇. The energy comparison among these states shows that the nearest-neighbor high-spin-intermediate-spin ferromagnetically ordered state is the relevant magnetic ground state of the compound. The magnetic structure and sizes of magnetic moments are consistent with the recent experimental observation.     

The effect of some transition metal oxides on the physical properties of K0.5Na0.5Nb0.95Ta0.05O3 ceramics

Abstract

Both K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃ (KNNTO) and (K_0.5Na_0.5Nb_0.95Ta_0.05O₃)_0.99-M_0.01, M = Co₃O₄ and Mn₂O₃ (M/KNNTO) Ferromagnetic behaviour was observed for some M/KNNTO compounds. The hardness and compressive strength of all investigated samples are given. Comparisons with similar materials are discussed. Ceramics were synthesised using a solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples revealed that the crystal structure is orthorhombic. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was performed. Polarisation hysteresis curves indicated a disruption of ferroelectric order with the addition of M into KNNTO ceramics. The dielectric properties of the investigated ceramics have been studied as a function of frequency and temperature.     

Structure and magnetic order in La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.5Co0.5O3 and La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.5Co0.5O3 perovskites

In this paper we report the study of the perovskites La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_0.5Co_0.5O₃ and La_0.8Sr_0.2Mn_0.5Co_0.5O₃ by neutron powder diffraction at various temperatures and magnetization measurements in zero applied field and at low cooling regimes. The replacement of half Mn by Co in La_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ destroys their long-range ferromagnetism exhibiting a cluster glass ferromagnetic order similar to the one observed in many cobaltites.     

Domain structure of the antiferromagnetic insulating state in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3

Optical reflectivity studies of the ferromagnetic metal (FMM) to antiferromagnetic insulator (AFI) phase transition were performed on Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ single crystals in a wide temperature and magnetic field range. The formation of a domain structure in the AFI state was observed. On the basis of the experimental results and symmetry analysis we conclude that these domains are crystal twins, confirming the symmetry lowering of the crystal at this phase transition. The twin domain structure of the AFI state in the Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ is visible in reflected unpolarized light due to a different tilting of the surface of the domains. We find no evidence for intermediate FMM+AFI stripe phase.     

Effect of the diamagnetic dilution on the magnetic ordering and electrical conductivity in the Co3O2BO3: Ga ludwigite

Single crystals of cobalt ludwigite Co₃O₂BO₃ with diamagnetic substitution of Ga³⁺ ions for a part of the cobalt ions have been grown by the flux method. A detailed investigation of the crystal structure and magnetic properties of the compound has been carried out. A preferred character of the occupation of nonequivalent crystallographic positions by gallium has been revealed. It has been found that the effective magnetic moment and the magnetic ordering temperature are decreased compared to those in the original crystal of the Co₃O₂BO₃ ludwigite. It has been noted that the pronounced magnetic anisotropy observed in the crystallographic ab plane of the original material of the Co₃O₂BO₃ composition disappears in the presence of gallium.     

Mictomagnetic State in an EuBaCo<Subscript>2–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>5.5–δ</Subscript> Single Crystal

The magnetic properties of an EuBaCo_1.9O_5.36 single crystal are studied in the temperature range T = 2–300 K and the magnetic field range H ≤ 90 kOe. This binary layered cobaltite single crystal has vacancies in the cobalt and oxygen sublattices, in contrast to the stoichiometric EuBaCo₂O_5.5 composition. All cobalt ions in EuBaCo1.9O5.36 are in a trivalent state. The single crystal has an orthorhombic structure with space group Pmmm, and its unit cell parameters are a = 3.883 Å, b = 7.833 Å, and c = 7.551 Å. The field and temperature dependences of the magnetization of the single crystal demonstrate that it is ferrimagnet below T_C = 242 K. At T < 300 K, all three spin states of the Co³⁺ ions are present. The nearest-neighbor interactions give antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) contributions to the exchange energy. The ratio of the AFM to the FM contributions changes when temperature decreases because of a change in the spin state of the Co³⁺ ions. The single crystal exhibits signs of mictomagnetism at low temperatures in high magnetic fields. At T = 2 K and H = 90 kOe, the zero-field and nonzero-field magnetizations are strongly different because of a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, which tends to set magnetization along the magnetic field applied in cooling throughout the crystal volume. As a result, a complex ferrimagnetic structure with a noncollinear direction of Co³⁺ spins appears. The following phenomena characteristic of mictomagnets are also observed in the EuBaCo_1.9O_5.36 single crystal: a shift in a magnetization hysteresis loop when temperature decreases, retained hysteretic phenomena and no magnetization saturation in high magnetic fields, and an orientation transition. The mictomagnetic state in EuBaCo_1.9O_5.36 is shown to be caused by the structural distortions induced by vacancies in the cobalt and oxygen sublattices and by the frustration of AFM and FM exchange interactions.     

The magnetic and magnetocaloric effect of (Mn0.5Co0.5)65Ge35 alloy in low magnetic field

The crystal structure and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of water-quenched and annealed (Mn_0.5Co_0.5)₆₅Ge₃₅ alloys were studied in this paper. A CoMnGe-single phase was formed in the water-quenched alloy, and mixture phases of CoMnGe and Mn+2O in the annealed alloy. The annealed alloy has a smaller crystal parameter than the water-quenched alloy. The Curie temperature is 275 and 298 K for the water-quenched and annealed alloys, respectively, which means that the magnetic-transition temperature in this material can be controlled by anneal. In addition, the same magnetic entropy change was found in these two alloys, even though their Curie temperatures have a significant difference.     

Crystal structure and magnetic anisotropy of ludwigite Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Co₃O₂BO₃ and Co₂FeO₂BO₃ single crystals with a ludwigite structure are fabricated, and their crystal structure and magnetic properties are studied in detail. Substituted ludwigite Co₂FeO₂BO₃ undergoes two-stage magnetic ordering at the temperatures characteristic of Fe₃O₂BO₃ (T _N1 ≈ 110 K, T _N2 ≈ 70 K) rather than Co₃O₂BO₃ (T _N = 42 K). This effect is explained in terms of preferred occupation of nonequivalent crystallographic positions by iron, which was detected by X-ray diffraction. Both materials exhibit a pronounced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. Crystallographic direction b is an easy magnetization axis. Upon iron substitution, the cobalt ludwigite acquires a very high magnetic hardness.     

Structures and elastic properties of paraelectric and ferroelectric KTa0.5Nb0.5O3 from first-principles calculation

The structures, elastic properties and intrinsic hardness of B-O bonds of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal in paraelectric and ferroelectric phase structures have been investigated by means of the density functional theory. Both structures are found to be elastically stable and in good agreement with available results. The elastic properties including the bulk modulus, shear modulus and Young’s modulus change largely during phase transition. The paraelectric KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is more incompressible and harder than ferroelectric phase. The hardness of KTa_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ crystal is mostly determined by Nb-O bonds and the modifications of the bond strength affect the hardness of the crystal. Charge density contours indicate that the electronic distributions between B-O bonds play an important role in the formation of elastic properties.     

Causes of the Metamagnetism in a Disordered EuMn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Perovskite

The magnetic properties of the EuMn_0.5Co_0.5O₃ perovskite synthesized under various conditions are studied in fields up to 140 kOe. The sample synthesized at T = 1500°C is shown to exhibit a metamagnetic phase transition, which is irreversible below T = 40 K, and the sample synthesized at T = 1200°C demonstrates the field dependence of magnetization that is typical of a ferromagnet. Both samples have T_C = 123 K and approximately the same magnetization in high magnetic fields. The metamagnetism is assumed to be related to a transition from a noncollinear ferromagnetic phase to a collinear phase, and the presence of clusters with ordered Co²⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ions leads to ferromagnetism. The noncollinear phase is formed due to the competition between positive Co²⁺–Mn⁴⁺ and negative Mn⁴⁺–Mn⁴⁺ and Co²⁺–Co²⁺ interactions, which make almost the same contributions, and to the existence of a high magnetic anisotropy.     

The superexchange interactions in mixed Co-Fe ludwigite

The crystal structure, cation distribution and exchange interactions in the Co_2.25Fe_0.75O₂BO₃ ludwigite have been explored through X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, ac-susceptibility and Mossbauer effect measurements. The crystal data have shown that iron atoms occupy the most symmetric crystallographic sites Fe4 and Fe2. The complex magnetic behavior with two magnetic transitions near 70 and 115 K at low temperatures was found. The Mossbauer data have displayed the trivalent iron states only. The values of superexchange energies have been estimated for Co₃O₂BO₃ and Co_2.25Fe_0.75O₂BO₃ yielding a significant role of frustrations in the ludwigite magnetic system. Variable range Mott hopping conductivity law was proved to be valid in the wide temperature region, pointing out a localized character of charge carriers rather than collective.     

Magnetic disorder induced enhanced magneto-resistance in La0.5Sr0.5Co1−xRuxO3

We observe a sharp increase in negative magneto-resistance ratio up to 40% for x=0.1, in La_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1−xRu_xO₃ which is due to the magnetic disorder induced by an anti-ferromagnetic interaction between Co and Ru ions. We also observe a metal to insulator and a ferromagnetic to anti-ferromagnetic transition for 0≤x≤0.3. Ruthenium (IV) ion disrupts an intermediate spin state of cobalt (Co³⁺:t_2g⁵e_g¹), forcing a double exchange mediated ferromagnetic state to an anti-ferromagnetic spin state for x≥0.2.     

SiFe0.5Co0.5 - a weak itinerant ferromagnet

The high field and high pressure magnetic properties of SiFe_0.5Co_0.5 alloy are characteristic of weak itinerant ferromagnets.     

Neutron diffraction study of magnetic ordering in Tm0.5Eu0.5Se

A single crystal of the magnetic semiconductor Tm_0.5Eu_0.5Se was studied by means of neutron diffraction in the temperature range from 1.8 to 293 K. Long-range magnetic order is detected at temperatures below T_c = (18.5±1) K. The measured ferromagnetic moment component of (2.12±0.05) μ_B per rare-earth ion at saturation in zero external magnetic field indicates approximately antiparallel alignment of Tm moment and Eu spin (mutual angle 134°). The experimentally determined neutron magnetic form factor confirms the divalent state of both Tm and Eu in Tm_0.5Eu_0.5Se.