The impact of highly paramagnetic Gd3+ cations on structural,spectral, magnetic and dielectric properties of spinel nickel ferrite nanoparticles

In this work, fabrication of Gd³⁺ substituted nickel spinel ferrite (NiGd_xFe_2-xO₄) nanoparticles was carried out via co-precipitation route. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) confirmed the spinel cubic structure of NiGd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoparticles. XRD data also facilitated to determine the divalent and trivalent metal cations distribution at both A and B sites of the ferrite lattice. Site radii, hopping and bond lengths were also calculated from XRD data. The spectral studies elucidated the formation of cubic spinel ferrite structure as well as stretching vibrations of M–O (metal–oxygen) bond at A and B sites of ferrites, represented by two major bands υ₁ and υ₂ respectively. FESEM analysis confirmed the irregular morphology of NiGd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoparticles. EDX spectrographs estimated the elemental compositions. The dielectric attributes were explained on the basis of the Debye-relaxation theory and Koop’s phenomenological model. At higher applied frequencies (AC) no prominent dielectric loss was observed. Magnetic parameter variations can be attributed to the substitution of the rare earth cations having larger ionic radii as compared to the radii of Fe³⁺ ions. Moreover, spin canting, magneto-crystalline anisotropy and exchange energy of electrons also helped in magnetic evaluation. Due to small coercivity values NiGd_xFe_2-xO₄ nanoparticles can be employed significantly in high-frequency data storage devices.     

Ni-Zn铁氧体薄膜的结构和磁性

采用交替溅射方法制备了Ni_Zn铁氧体薄膜，并研究了薄膜成分和制 备条件例如热处理温度、氧分压、膜厚、衬底层等因素对Ni_Zn铁氧体薄膜的影响.实验表明沉积态薄膜为非晶态，经大气中不同温度热处理后得到了尖晶石结构，其主峰为(311)峰 .另外，通过不同条件对Ni_Zn铁氧体薄膜的研究，找到了合适的Ni_Zn铁氧体薄膜的制备条件. 关键词： 薄膜 Ni_Zn铁氧体 交替溅射     

Characterization of products emanating from conventional and microwave energy roasting of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) concentrate

Chalcopyrite concentrate (83% CuFeS₂, 3% FeS₂ and 14% ZnS) which is a typical feed to the matte smelting process for copper extraction via pyro metallurgical route has been roasted with microwaves. Comparison of mineralogical phases obtained was made with the case of conventional roasting. Resulting calcines were characterised with Mössbauer spectroscopy and XRD. It was observed that complete oxidation (dead roasting) of the chalcopyrite was achieved after 10 min with microwaves while 20 min were required in the conventional route. The mineralogical phases found in the dead-roasted calcines produced from microwave roasting of this chalcopyrite concentrate were the hematite (Fe₂O₃), franklinite (ZnFe₂O₄), copper-rich ferrite (Cu_1?x Zn _x Fe₂O₄, x?≤?0.5), and copper ferrite (CuFe₂O₄). The findings of this work indicated that it was technologically feasible to oxidize the chalcopyrite with microwaves using a 2.45 GHz multimode applicator.     

Structural and magnetic properties of nanometric Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 prepared by hydrothermal method

ABSTRACT

The study of the structural, morphology and magnetic properties of Zn_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite is the objective of this work. The sample was prepared by hydrothermal method and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), (SEM) and (TEM) micrographs and magnetization measurements.

The magnetic hysteresis loops, field cooling (FC) and zero field cooling (ZFC) curves, in temperature range (0-400K), were measured using XL-SQUID magnetometer and the values of blocking temperatures (T_B) were determined. The results indicated that Zn_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ sample were formed in a single spinel phase and gives the value for the lattice parameter (8.3952 Å) and nanosizes of particles (13.8 nm) were compared with these obtained from ZnFe₂O₄ sample prepared also by synthesis method (8.4261 Å and 14 nm). Although, the superparamagnetic behaviour for Co-Zn ferrite has observed at 350K with a blocking temperature (T_B = 300K), that is maximum at the value obtained in the case of Zn-ferrite (T_B = 12K).     

Long-range ordering in the Bi1−xAexFeO3−x/2 perovskites: Bi1/3Sr2/3FeO2.67 and Bi1/2Ca1/2FeO2.75

Two-ordered perovskites, Bi_1/3Sr_2/3FeO_2.67 and Bi_1/2Ca_1/2FeO_2.75, have been stabilized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. They both exhibit orthorhombic superstructures, one with a≈b≈2a_p and c≈3a_p (S.G.: Pb2n or Pbmn) for the Sr-based compound and one with a≈b≈2a_p and c≈8a_p (S.G.: B222, Bmm2, B2mm or Bmmm) for the Ca-based one. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images evidence the existence of one deficient [FeO_x]_∞ layer, suggesting that Bi_1/3Sr_2/3FeO_2.67 and Bi_1/2Ca_1/2FeO_2.75 behave differently compared to their Ln-based homolog. The HAADF-STEM images allow to propose a model of cation ordering on the A sites of the perovskite. The Mössbauer analyses confirm the trivalent state of iron and its complex environment with three types of coordination. Both compounds exhibit a high value of resistivity and the inverse molar susceptibility versus temperature curves evidence a magnetic transition at about 730 K for the Bi_1/3Sr_2/3FeO_2.67 and a smooth reversible transition between 590 and 650 K for Bi_1/2Ca_1/2FeO_2.75.     

The magnetocaloric effect of superfine magnets

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of aqua suspensions based on superfine magnetite (Fe₃O₄), hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), samarium ferrite (SmFe₂O₄) and gadolinium ferrite (GdFe₂O₄) as well as of magnetite-based ferrofluids was calorimetrically determined in the range of the temperatures from 283 to 253 K. MCE has a positive magnitude for all investigated systems except a hematite-based system. For the suspensions on the basis of MCE temperature dependence it was determined that superfine magnetite transformed into α-Fe₂O₃ at the temperature above 328 K in contrast to monocrystal magnetite. For aqua suspensions of samarium ferrite and gadolinium ferrite and magnetite-based ferrofluids MCE temperature dependence has an extreme behavior which is connected with a second-order phase transition. For the first time it is established that the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is greatly increased when the magnet is a nanosized material.     

Structural and magnetic properties of cadmium substituted Ni-Al ferrites

Nickel Cadmium Aluminum Ferrites with the general formula Ni_1−xCd_xAl_0.6Fe_1.4O₄ where x=0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 were prepared through standard double sintering reaction method. The crystallography, surface morphology and magnetic properties were studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), respectively. The expected single phase spinel structure was confirmed by XRD analysis. Lattice parameter and X-ray density were increased monotonically by increasing Cd concentration due to the larger ionic radii of the cadmium ion. Surface topography of the samples consists of fine cubical shape microstructures. The average grain size increased with increase in cadmium concentration. The saturation magnetization was found to be increased with increase in cadmium content up to x=0.50 and then decreased with further increasing cadmium concentration for x=0.75.     

Hexaferrites and phase relations in the iron-rich part of the system Sr-La-Co-Fe-O

The iron rich part of the system was examined in the temperature range of 1200-1380 °C in air, with focus on the solid solutions of M-type hexaferrites. Samples of suitable compositions were studied by electronprobe microanalysis (EPMA). Substituted Sr-hexaferrites in the system Sr-La-Co-Fe-O do not follow the 1:1 substitution mechanism of La/Co in M-type ferrites. Due to the presence and limited Co²⁺-incorporation Fe³⁺-ions are reduced to Fe²⁺ within the crystal lattice to obtain charge balance. In all examined M-type ferrites divalent iron is formed, even at 1200 °C. The substitution principle Sr²⁺+Fe³⁺↔La³⁺+(Fe²⁺, Co²⁺) yields to the general substitution formula for the M-type hexaferrite Sr²⁺_1-xLa³⁺_xFe²⁺_x-yCo²⁺_yFe³⁺_12-xO¹⁹ (0≤x≤1 and 0≤y≤x). In addition Sr/La-perovskite_SS (_SS=solid solution), Co/Fe-spinel_SS, hematite and magnetite are formed. Sr-hexaferrite exhibits at 1200 °C a limited solid solution with small amounts of Fe²⁺ (SrFe₁₂O₁₉↔Sr_0.3La_0.7Co_0.5Fe²⁺_0.2Fe_11.3O₁₉). At 1300 and 1380 °C a continuous solid solution series of the M-type hexaferrite is stable. SrFe₁₂O₁₉ and LaCo_0.4Fe²⁺_0.6Fe₁₁O₁₉ are the end members at 1300 °C. The maximum Fe²⁺O content is about 13 mol% in the M-type ferrite at 1380 °C (LaCo_0.1Fe²⁺_0.9Fe₁₁O₁₉).     

Correlation of reactivity with structural factors in a series of Fe(II) substituted cobalt ferrites

A series of powdered cobalt ferrites, Co_xFe_3−xO₄ with 0.66?x<1.00 containing different amounts of Fe^II, were synthesized by a mild procedure, and their Fe and Co site occupancies and structural characteristics were explored using X-ray anomalous scattering and the Rietveld refinement method. The dissolution kinetics, measured in 0.1 M oxalic acid aqueous solution at 70 °C, indicate in all cases the operation of a contracting volume rate law. The specific rates increased with the Fe^II content following approximately a second-order polynomial expression. This result suggests that the transfer of Fe^III controls the dissolution rate, and that the leaching of a first layer of ions Co^II and Fe^II leaves exposed a surface enriched in slower dissolving octahedral Fe^III ions. Within this model, inner vicinal lattice Fe^II accelerates the rate of Fe^III transfer via internal electron hopping. A chain mechanism, involving successive electron transfers, fits the data very well.     

Magnetic Behaviour of Nano-Particles of Ni0.8Cu0.2Fe2O4

Nano-particles of Ni_0.8Cu_0.2Fe₂O₄ have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Langevin function fitting of the superparamagnetic M–N curve at 290 K provides a log-normal distribution with median diameter of 30 Å and standard deviation of 0.4. Outside a core of ordered spins, moments in the surface layer are disordered. Magnetization evolves over a long period of time t going linearly with log t. Magnetic anisotropy which was estimated by fitting the M–log t curve shows many fold increase over that of bulk particle sample. Major contribution to this enhancement comes form the disordered surface spins.