Dielectric relaxation and ac conduction in multiferroic Bi0.8Gd0.1Pb0.1Fe0.9Ti0.1O3 ceramics: impedance spectroscopy analysis

ABSTRACT

The solid solutions of Bi_0.8Gd_0.1Pb_0.1Fe_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ have been prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The preliminary structural studies were carried out by X-ray diffraction technique showing the formation of polycrystalline sample with ABO₃ type of perovskite structure with hexagonal symmetry for the Bi_0.8Gd_0.1Pb_0.1Fe_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ ceramic system at room temperature. Dielectric properties and impedance study of this ceramic have been characterized in the temperature range room temperature to 375 °C and frequency range 100 Hz–1 MHz. The maximum ferroelectric transition temperature (T_c) of this system was in the range 200 °C–260 °C with the dielectric constant of peak to be ～30,170 at 1 kHz. The complex impedance plot exhibited one impedance semicircle observed at low temperature, whereas two semicircles above 80 °C and the centres of the semicircles lie below the real axis, which indicates that the material is non-Debye type. Single semicircle is explained by the grain effect of the bulk and double semicircle is due to the bulk and grain boundary effect. The bulk resistance and grain boundary resistance of the materials decrease with the increasing temperature, showing negative temperature and a typical semiconducting property, i.e. negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour.     

Recent observational constraints on EoS parameters of a class of emergent Universe

New Sr-based Y-type nanocrystalline hexagonal ferrites with a nominal chemical composition of Sr ₂Mg ₂Fe ₁₂ O ₂₂ (Sr ₂Y) were prepared by autocombustion from mixtures of Sr(NO ₃) ₂, Mg(NO ₃) ₂?6H ₂O and Fe(NO ₃) ₃?9H ₂O. The newly prepared Sr ₂Y nanocrystalline particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). A well crystalline phase of Sr ₂Y with hexagonal crystal structure was observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies revealed the information about the positions of the ions and their bonds within the lattice structure of the Sr ₂Y. The chemical elements and their oxidation states in the Sr ₂Y hexaferrites were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD, FTIR and XPS studies confirmed the formation of Sr ₂Mg ₂Fe ₁₂ O ₂₂ hexaferrites. The morphology and porosity of the prepared Sr ₂Y nanocrystalline Sr ₂Y hexaferrite particles were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of Sr ₂Y hexaferrites showed dependence on the methods of preparation conditions and calcination treatments. The values of coercivity, saturation magnetization and retentivity were in the range of 21.33–19.66 kA m ^?1, 42.44– 38.72 emu g ^?1 and 10.05–13.19 emu g ^?1 respectively.     

Analytical framework of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna using equivalent circuit model

A compact planar antenna sources with on-chip fabrication and high directivity in order to achieve large depth-of-field for better image resolution is the prospective demand for THz imaging application. Therefore, the small-gap photoconductive dipole antennas have been explored to fulfil such applications demand. However, there are certain modalities for improving the photoconductive dipole antenna performance which need to identify to accomplish high THz average radiated power and improved total efficiency. The unit-cell small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna radiation power enhancement methods need to optimize the design parameters with photoconductive material selection from theoretical simulation. Further, the potential improvement of coupling efficiency of THz wave with air as well as femto-second laser incident efficiency is also important parameters to enhance the radiation power of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. In this paper, we have presented an analytical procedure employing explicit mathematical expression leading to the physical behaviour of small-gap photoconductive dipole antenna. The effects of biased lines on the antenna performance parameters are discussed with the help of proposed equivalent circuit model. We have explored the effect of gap-size on the THz radiated power and on total radiation efficiency from the proposed photoconductive dipole antennas.     

Effect of proton irradiation on electrical properties of a-As2S3

This paper reports the effect of proton irradiation on the electrical properties of a-As₂S₃ in the temperature range of 323–418 K and frequency range 0.1–100 kHz. The variation of transport property is studied with proton irradiation dose (1 × 10¹³ ions/cm² and 1 × 10¹⁵ ions/cm²). It has been observed that proton irradiation changes the dc conductivity (σ_dc), dc activation energy (ΔE_dc) and ac conductivity (σ_ac(ω)). The σ_dc and σ_ac(ω) increases with dose of proton irradiation. The value of frequency exponent (s) decreases with the temperature and irradiation dose. These results are explained in terms of change in density of defect states in these glasses.     

Surface State‐Induced Anomalous Negative Thermal Quenching of Multiferroic BiFeO3 Nanowires

Wide‐bandgap semiconductor nanowires with surface defect emission centers have the potential to be used as sensitive thermometers and optical probes. Here, we show that the green luminescence of multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanowires shows an anomalous negative thermal quenching (NTQ) with increasing temperatures. The release of trapped carriers from localized surface defect states is suggested as the possible mechanism for the increased green luminescence which was experimentally observed at elevated temperatures. A reasonable interpretation of the photoluminescence (PL) processes in BFO nanowires is achieved, and the activation energies of the PL quenching and thermal hopping are deduced. Negative thermal quenching of BFO nanowires provides a new strategy for optical thermometry at higher temperatures.     

Effect on ion dissociation in MWCNT-based polymer nanocomposite

Polymer nanocomposite has been proven to improve the property of polymer salt complex. Organo-modified clay and inorganic oxides are the most commonly used filler for polymer nanocomposite (PNC). However, single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) are becoming popular filler for PNC for their high surface area and high mechanical stability. In this work, a series of PNC sample has been prepared by using polyethylene oxide (PEO)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) blend as polymer matrix, an optimized salt stoichiometry of Ö/Li ~15, and surface-modified MWCNT as filler. The effect of ion-polymer and ion-MWCNT interaction in the polymer nanocomposite has been investigated by using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and electrical study. X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the dispersion of MWCNT inside the polymer chain and modifies the structural parameter of the polymer matrix. FTIR spectra indicate inclusion of MWCNT inside the polymer salt complex which changes the ion dissociation/association in the polymer host matrix. Further, the changes in structural, thermal, and electrical property of the polymer salt complex system have been studied by using SEM, DSC, and impedance analysis. Dc conductivity study shows that optimized PNC sample has conductivity of 8.04 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. This is almost two order enhancement from pure polymer salt system (10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹).

     

Novel nanocomposite membranes from cellulose acetate and clay‐silica nanowires

In this study, a new class of heterogeneous membranes based on cellulose acetate (CA) polymer and a complex filler clay‐silica nanowires (SiO₂NWs) was investigated for potential biomedical applications. SiO₂NWs were synthesized using natural clay through a facile sol–gel method and were dispersed in the polymer solution by sonication in the 1.25, 2.5, and 5% weight ratio to the CA acetate polymer. Membranes were subsequently prepared via phase inversion by precipitation of the CA polymer in water. The pristine CA membrane and SiO₂NWs based nanocomposites membranes were characterized using different characterization techniques. The presence of the SiO₂NWs in the CA membrane was found to significantly enhance the protein retention, water wettability and thermal as well as mechanical properties in comparison to the pristine CA membrane. Water flows studies at different temperatures and the retention of bovine serum albumin have been studied and the nanocomposite membranes were found to exhibit superior performances compared with the pristine CA membranes. SiO₂NWs‐CA membranes showed a much higher stability to the water temperature change during separation than CA membranes. Morphological changes clearly revealed that the composite membrane were much more compact than the pristine CA membranes. The rabbit dermal fibroblasts cell viability in cultures after 72 hr of incubation was found to be greater than 80%. These newly synthesized composite membranes exhibit a high potential to be used for various medical applications because of their non‐cytotoxic characteristics. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of A-site cation radius on thermodynamic properties of ARuO3 (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba)

The thermodynamic properties of alkaline earth ruthenate ARuO₃ (A?=?Ca, Sr, and Ba) perovskites have been investigated for the first time by means of a modified rigid ion model at temperature 1 K?≤?T?≤?300 K. As strong electron–phonon interactions are present in these compounds, the lattice contribution to the specific heat deserves proper attention. The values of specific heat calculated by us have shown remarkably good agreement with corresponding experimental data. We have found that in ARuO₃ (A?=?Ca, Sr, and Ba) ruthenate family, Debye temperature increases inversely with the ionic radius of the alkaline earth A cations. In addition, the results on the temperature dependence of thermal expansion coefficient (α), cohesive energy (?), molecular force constant (f), Reststrahlen frequency (υ), Debye temperature (θ _D), and Grüneisen parameter (γ) are also reported.