Physical properties of pseudo quaternary Na2B4O7 – SiO2 – MoO3 – Dy2O3 glasses

Pseudo quaternary Na₂B₄O₇–SiO₂–MoO₃–Dy₂O₃ glasses with various concentrations of Dy₂O₃ were synthesized and characterized by ultrasound, DTA and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that, the density, the molar volume and the elastic moduli increased while the ultrasonic velocities and the packing density decreased with increasing of Dy₂O₃ concentration. The lower values of the radii and the bond length of B₂O₃, compared to those of Dy₂O₃, decreased the interatomic forces between the reactant glass forming cations and oxygens inside the glassy network. Accordingly, this will increase the molar volume and in the same time will decrease the average cross-link density, the ultrasonic velocities, the glass transition temperature and the thermal stability. Also, this may result in a high density glass sample which will increase the elastic moduli. Based on Lasocka's model, a good correlation between the temperature of both glass transition ($T_{\mathit{gl}}$) and crystallization peak ($T_{\mathit{pc}})$was observed.     

Dielectric,ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of (1-x)(Bi0.5Na0.5)0.935Ba0.065Ti -x(LiSbO3) solid solutions

Compositions in the solid solution series (1-x)(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.935Ba_0.065Ti–x(LiSbO₃), (BNBT-LS) (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04) have been fabricated via solid state reaction route. Room temperature x-ray diffraction traces of all samples were found to reveal coexistence of the two structures; rhombohedral and tetragonal. The micrographs recorded from the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, provided an overall dense and single phase microstructure for the systems. The dielectric anomalies corresponding to the maximum relative dielectric constant, ε_r, persistently broadened and shifted to low temperatures as a function of increase in LiSbO₃ (LS) content. The ferroelectric $\mathrm{P}?\mathrm{E}$ loops became steadily narrow with similar LS modification showing a continual decline in remnant polarization $({\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{r}})$ and coercive field $({\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{c}})$. These phenomena clearly indicated the onset of a growing relaxor-like behavior. The maximum normalized unipolar strain $\left({\mathrm{S}}_{\max }/{\mathrm{E}}_{\max }={\mathrm{d}}_{33}^{*}=400\mathrm{pm}/\mathrm{V}\right)$ under the field 50 kV/cm was recorded for the system with x = 0.02.     

Transparent sol-gel glass ceramics containing β-NaYF4:Yb3+/Er3+ nanocrystals: Structure,upconversion luminescent properties and optical thermometry behavior

Transparent bulk glass ceramics (GCs) containing $\beta ?\mathit{NaY}{\mathrm{F}}_4:{\mathit{Yb}}^{3+}/{\mathit{Er}}^{3+}$ upconversion nanocrystals were successfully prepared via a new sol-gel route for the first time. The structure, composition and morphology of the as-fabricated glass ceramics are characterized by X-ray diffraction ($\mathit{XRD}$), scanning electron microscopy ($\mathit{SEM}$) and transmission electron microscopy ($\mathit{TEM}$), which confirm the segregation of β-NaYF₄ nanocrystals in silica glass matrix with the maintenance of their crystalline phase and microstructure. More significantly, intense upconversion (UC) emissions can be realized for ${\mathit{Yb}}^{3+}/{\mathit{Er}}^{3+}$ co-doped glass ceramics by profiting from low-phonon-energy environment of erbium ions in β-NaYF₄ nanophase. Furthermore, temperature-dependent UC emission performance of the present GC is systematacially investigated to explore their potential application in optical thermometry. Obviously, owing to intense UC emissions of $\beta ?\mathit{NaY}{\mathrm{F}}_4:{\mathit{Yb}}^{3+}/{\mathit{Er}}^{3+}$ nanocrystals and high transparency, superior chemical/mechanical stability of oxide glassy matrix, the as-fabricated GCs exhibit good temperature sensing performance and good thermostability for precise temperature detecting. It is expected that the preliminary research can give a reference for designing new transparent bulk GCs and may exploit a valid method for developing high-performance optical temperature sensors.     

Large magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance effects in metamagnetic Sm0.55(Sr0.5Ca0.5)0.45MnO3 manganite

The metamagnetic transition, magnetocaloric and magnetoresistance effects are investigated in polycrystalline Sm_0.55(Sr_0.5Ca_0.5)_0.45MnO₃ (SSCMO) manganite. A sharp magnetization jump at Curie temperature (T_C) 73.5 K with large thermal hysteresis is observed. Magnetic measurements and Arrott plots analysis indicate that the transition is first order in nature. Under a low magnetic field change of 1 T, the magnetic entropy change exhibits a peak value of $-\Delta S_M^{\max }(T)$=4.01 J/kg K with relative cooling power (RCP) value of 44.1 J/kg in the vicinity of T_C. The mechanism of charge conduction in insulator phase is polaron transport. Large negative magnetoresistance ratio with value of ~99% is obtained within a broad temperature range below metal insulator transition temperature under 1 T magnetic field. These results indicate the potential applications of SSCMO in magnetic refrigeration and spintronics devices.     

High-Q microwave dielectric properties of Li(Zn0.95Co0.05)1.5SiO4 ceramics for LTCC applications

This study investigated the effects of Li₂O-MgO-ZnO₂-B₂O₃-SiO₂ (LMZBS) glass on the microstructure, sintering behaviour and microwave dielectric properties of Li(Zn_0.95Co_0.05)_1.5SiO₄ ceramics. Li(Zn_0.95Co_0.05)_1.5SiO₄ powders were synthesised by a traditional solid-state route and added with different amounts of LMZBS glass (0–4 wt%) to decrease the sintering temperature of the ceramics to approximately 900 °C. The XRD patterns showed that no chemical reactions occurred between the Li(Zn_0.95Co_0.05)_1.5SiO₄ ceramics and the LMZBS glass within the doping range. The SEM images indicated that the sample added with 1.5 wt% glass and sintered at 900 °C exhibited a compact and uniform microstructure. In particular, the microwave dielectric properties of the products were related to LMZBS glass content and sintering temperature. The sample with 1.5 wt% LMZBS glass exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties, namely, ${\epsilon }_r$=6.12, $Q\times f$=83,600 GHz and ${\tau }_f=-39.1\mathrm{ppm}/\mathrm{℃}.$     

Twinning and charge compensation in Nb2O5–doped SnO2–CoO ceramics exhibiting promising varistor characteristics

We investigated the effects of dual doping of SnO₂ varistor ceramics with 1 mol% CoO and different amounts of Nb₂O₅ (0.1–2 mol%) on the formation of twin boundaries, microstructure development and electrical properties. Nb₂O₅ addition shifts densification to higher temperatures (up to 1430 °C), producing microstructures composed of twinned SnO₂ grains. Already 0.1 mol% Nb₂O₅ triggers a three-fold increase in growth rate via the diffusion induced grain boundary mobility (DIGM). At 0.5 mol% of Nb₂O₅ chemical equilibrium is achieved and SnO₂ grains undergo normal grain growth. Electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) has shown that the prevailing type of twins is {101}. Cyclic twins are common. High-angle annular dark-filed scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) image analysis revealed non-uniform segregation of Nb along the twin boundaries, indicating that they are not directly triggered by Nb₂O₅, but are a result of yet unexplained sequence of topotaxial replacement reactions. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) has shown that by dual doping of SnO₂ with CoO and Nb₂O₅ the amount of Co dissolved in SnO₂ grains is always ~4x lower compared to the amount of incorporated Nb and propose the following mechanism of tin out-diffusion: $6Sn{\left(IV\right)}_{Sn(IV)}^{\times }?Sn{\left(II\right)}_{Sn(IV)}^{\text{'}\text{'}}+Co{\left(II\right)}_{Sn(IV)}^{\text{'}\text{'}}+4Nb{\left(V\right)}_{Sn(IV)}^{?}$. Optimal electrical properties were achieved at 1 mol% Nb₂O₅ addition displaying high nonlinearity (α=50), moderate break-down voltage (571±12 V/mm) and low leakage current (I_L = 4.2 µA). The addition of 2 mol% of Nb₂O₅ has an inhibiting effect on densification and SnO₂ grain growth, resulting in a collapse of nonlinearity and increase of leakage current.     

Theoretical analysis and synthesis of Al4O4C and Al2CO phase in the resin bonded Al-Al2O3 refractory in N2-flowing

In flowing nitrogen, Al₄O₄C and Al₂CO bonded Al₂O₃-based composite was successfully prepared by a gaseous phase mass transfer pathway at 1600 °C for 3 h after an Al-AlN core-shell structure was formed in the resin bonded Al-Al₂O₃ refractory at 580 °C for 8 h. The formation mechanism of Al₄O₄C and Al₂CO phase is as follows. An Al-AlN core–shell structure is built at 580 °C for 8 h and broken at higher temperatures, and then, Al(g) reacts with C from the resin and N₂ to form Al₄C₃ and AlN, respectively. Owing to the exothermic reaction of the Al₄C₃ and AlN formation, the reaction temperature in the resin bonded Al-Al₂O₃ refractory is above the practical environmental temperature; for instance, the reaction temperature is above 1715 °C at 1600 °C in this work. Therefore, Al₄C₃ reacts with Al₂O₃ to generate Al₄O₄C and then Al₄O₄C is transformed into Al₂OC by the reaction ${\mathrm{Al}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{4}}{C(s)+\text{Al}}_4{\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{3}}(s)\to {\mathrm{4Al}}_{\mathrm{2}}\text{OC}(s)$ at elevated temperatures. Al₂OC solid solution is finally formed through the dissolution of AlN into Al₂OC.     

Enhanced low-field magnetoresistance in LSMO/AZO composites prepared by plasma activated sintering

To improve the low-field magnetoresistance of La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSMO) ceramics, Al (3?wt%)-doped ZnO (AZO) was added to LSMO as the second phase, and (1???x) LSMO/xAZO (x?=?0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) composites were first prepared by plasma activated sintering. The effect of the AZO content on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of the composites was studied. The results of XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM analyses indicated that the LSMO phase coexisted with the AZO phase without any reaction, and that all of the samples had a high relative density (>?96.9%). The magnetization of the (1???x) LSMO/xAZO composites decreased with the increase of the AZO content, while the Curie temperature remained at approximately 360?K. With an increase of the AZO content, both the resistivity and metal-insulator transition temperatures decreased. The resistivity (ρ) – temperature (T) data were well fitted to the equation of $\rho ={\rho }_0+{\rho }_2{T}^2+{\rho }_{4.5}{T}^{4.5}+{\rho }_5{T}^5$ in the low-temperature region, and to the non-adiabatic small polaron hopping model in the high-temperature region. The maximum value of the low-field magnetoresistance at room temperature was obtained for the 0.8LSMO/0.2AZO composite, which reached 16.2%, indicating the addition of AZO effectively enhanced the low-field magnetoresistance of LSMO ceramics.     

Experimental evidence of reduced sticking of nanoparticles on a metal grid

Filtering of NaCl, CaCl₂, (NH₄)₂SO₄ and NiSO₄ aerosol particles 7–20 nm in diameter by a stainless steel grid was studied in order to find out if there is perfect sticking or partial rebound. Our experiment used particles from a spray-drying process, the majority of which were electrically neutral. Penetration through the grid was measured by comparing the concentration downstream of the grid with the upstream concentration under otherwise identical conditions. Size selection was done with a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). Filter penetration P as function of the particle diameter d_p was expressed by $-\ln (P(d_p))=C{d}_p^{-x}$. The values of x determined were smaller than the theoretical value of 1.29, indicating enhanced penetration of small particles and deviation from the classical filtration model. Because of possible systematic errors in the size selection, we focus on the differences of x from material to material, which indicate different sticking probabilities. We apply a statistical test, which yields a 90% confidence level for the result. There is a sticking probability of <100% at least for NaCl particles and even more so for NiSO₄. This result is in contrast to former findings using metal and/or charged particles, and we speculate that the discrepancy is due to the smaller Hamaker constant of salts and that particle charge is important for the sticking probability.