Microscopic and macroscopic magnetic properties of MgAl<Subscript>x</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2 − 2x</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> spinel ferrite system

In order to study the effect of co-substitution of Al^{3 +} and Cr^{3 +} for Fe³⁺ in MgFe₂O₄ on its structural and magnetic properties, the spinel system MgAl _x Cr_xFe_{2 ? 2x}O₄ (x = 0.0–0.8) has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, high field magnetization, low field a.c. susceptibility and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. Contrary to the earlier reports, about 50% of Al^{3 +} is found to occupy the tetrahedral sites. The system exhibits canted spin structure and a central paramagnetic doublet was found superimposed on the magnetic sextet in the Mössbauer spectra (0.5 > x > 0.2). Thermal variation of a.c. susceptibility exhibits normal ferrimagnetic behaviour.     

Novel single-host Al<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Si<Subscript>x</Subscript>C<Subscript>x</Subscript>N<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>: Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> white phosphors for field emission displays

A white-emitting novel Al_1?x Si _x C _x N_1?x : Mn²⁺ carbidonitride phosphor was synthesized by introducing SiC into AlN: Mn²⁺at the temperature as low as 1500?°C. The influence of Mn²⁺ and SiC doping concentration on the structure, morphology and luminescent properties was systematically investigated by XRD, EDS, solid state NMR, FESEM, and PL. The relatively low calcination temperature endows AlN: Mn²⁺ with different luminescent properties. Under 254 nm UV excitation, it not only exhibits a characteristic red emission from Mn²⁺ but also covers a broad violet-blue-green emission from defects. The CIE coordinates (0.2999, 0.2510) precisely locate in the white region. With the introduction of SiC, an increasing of the red emission from Mn²⁺ is observed, while no variation occurs for the defect emission. The maximum red luminescence is attained for the composition of x?=?0.05 that has an improved thermal stability by 20%. Finally, a low-voltage FED device was fabricated by using Al_0.95Si_0.05C_0.05N_0.95: 0.7% Mn²⁺ carbidonitride phosphor. Under low-voltage excitation, it exhibits a high brightness, low saturation, and good color stability, which makes Al_1?xSi_xC_xN_1?x: Mn²⁺ carbidonitride phosphor have a great potential for full color FEDs.     

Study on the mechanism of NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-selective catalytic reduction over CuCe<Subscript>x</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>1–x</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Copper-cerium-zirconium catalysts loaded on TiO₂ prepared by a wet impregnation method were investigated for NH₃-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x. The reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of results from in situ diffuse reflectance infrared transform spectroscopy (DRIFT). When NH3 is introduced, ammonia bonded to Lewis acid sites is more stable over CuCe_0.25Zr_0.75/TiO₂ at high temperature, while Brønsted acid sites are more important than Lewis acid sites at low temperature. For the NH₃+NO+O₂ co-adsorption, NH3 species occupy most of activity sites on CuCe_0.25Zr_0.75/TiO₂ catalyst, and mainly exist in the forms of NH₄ ⁺ (at low temperature) and NH₃ coordinated (at high temperature), playing a crucial role in the NH₃-SCR process. Two different reaction routes, the L-H mechanism at low temperature (< 200°C) and the E-R mechanism at high temperature (> 200°C), are presented for the SCR reaction over CuCe_0.25Zr_0.75/TiO₂ catalyst.     

Laser and electromagnetic loss properties of Perovskite SmNi<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

SmNi_xFe_1?xO₃ (0?≤?x?≤?0.5) with perovskite-type structure has been successfully prepared by conventional solid-state reaction as a microwave and laser multi-functional material. The optimized synthesis temperature and the effects of Ni doping on the reflectivity, electromagnetic loss properties were investigated in details. XRD results shown that synthesis temperature did not change the perovskite structure of SmFeO₃. The reflectivity at 1.06 μm was about 0.33% at 1200–1300?°C. Doping Ni did not cause the change of perovskite structure. The incorporation of Ni in SmFeO₃ contributed to the decrease of reflectivity at a wider wavelength, SmNi_0.3Fe_0.7O₃ possessed the lowest reflectivity at 1.06 μm. Moreover, electromagnetic property was very sensitive to Ni content. The real and imaginary parts of complex permeability were enhanced remarkably at a certain frequency. The changes in magnetic performance provided possibility of choosing specific frequency of magnetic loss. The difference in electric and magnetic losses caused by Ni concentration could result in microwave absorption at different frequency. In a word, SmNi_xFe_1?xO₃ could be a promising candidate for a multi-functional material with compatible camouflage capability for radar and laser waveband.     

Characterization and electrical conductivity of La<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>x</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> NTC ceramics

The La_1?xSr_xCrO₃ (x?=?0–0.1) negative temperature coefficient (NTC) ceramics have been prepared by the traditional solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has revealed that the as-sintered ceramics crystallize in a single perovskite structure. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images show that the doped Sr²⁺ contributes to in the decrease in porosity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates the existence of Cr³⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions on lattice sites, which result in hopping conduction. The presence of the Cr⁶⁺ is one of the key factors that affect the electrical conductivity of La_1?xSr_xCrO₃. Resistance–temperature characteristics were studied in the range of ?80 to 10?°C for the ceramic samples, the electrical characterizations show that the electrical resistivity and material constant B decrease with the increase of the strontium content.     

Microstructure and electrical properties of (Na<Subscript>1.015−x</Subscript>K<Subscript>x</Subscript>)NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> lead-free piezoceramics

In order to obtain the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and good piezoelectric properties, lead-free (Na_1.015−xK_x)NbO₃ (x = 0.32–0.35) piezoceramics were synthesized by conventional solid state sintering. The x-ray diffraction results show that the lattice parameters of the monoclinic primitive cell peak at x = 0.34. The scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy reveal that the excess sodium may be an important reason for the abnormal growth of the grains larger than 20 μm. All the samples exhibit double-like hysteresis loops and it may also be attributed to the excess Na⁺. Although the salient microstructure was found in the studied range, the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties changed slightly with increasing x from 0.32 to 0.35. The values of piezoelectric coefficient d ₃₃ obtained in this study are as high as about 75 pC/N which is close to that of normally prepared (Na_0.5K_0.5)NbO₃ ceramics with MPB structure.     

Microstructure and properties of the Ba<Subscript>0.75−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>x</Subscript>La<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>11.6</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> hexaferrites

In the case of Ti⁴⁺ remain unchanged, the Ca²⁺ substituted Ba_0.75?xCa_xLa_0.25Fe_11.6Co_0.25Ti_0.15O₁₉ (0?≤?x?≤?0.05) were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method at temperature of 1280 °C. A ball-to-power weight ratio of 10:1. Their crystal structure and magnetic properties were mainly investigated. The results show that the single magnetoplumbite phase structure transformed into the multiphase structure. Meanwhile, the small amount of α-Fe₂O₃ phase existed in M-type phase. The micrographs were observed by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was used to analyze the magnetic properties. The saturation magnetization (M _s ) first increases then decreases when x from 0 to 0.03. But, when x from 0.03 to 0.05, the saturation magnetization (M _s ) first increases then decreases too. The maximum value is at x?=?0.04 (M _s ?=?70.73 emu/g). The value of coercivity (H _c ) first increases then decreases when x from 0 to 0.04. But, the value increased when x from 0.04 to 0.05. The maximum value is at x?=?0.02 (H _c ?=?1691 Oe).     

Effect of annealing on exchange bias in Mg<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>1.8−x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nano oxides

Magnesium-iron chromium oxides (Mg_0.2Cr_1.8?x Fe _x O₃ with x varying from 0.3 to 0.9) produced by hydrothermal process in a stirred pressure reactor from pure metal chlorides have been annealed at 700 °C. Single phase corundum structure and nanophase structure of the as-synthesized samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Instead of the correlation between H _EB and D _XRD observed at T _A = 600 °C, we find significant changes. The H _EB increases with decreasing particle size reaches a maximum at ~43 nm (x = 0.5) then decreases.     

La<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ag<Subscript>x</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/halloysites nanocomposite with enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance

La_1?xAg_xFeO₃/halloysites nanotubes (HNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized by sol–gel method. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy measurements. The photo-activity of the La_1?xAg_xFeO₃/HNTs nanocomposite was evaluated via degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible-light irradiation. The results showed that the HNTs with unique pore structure favored the adsorption of organic molecules. Adequate Ag⁺ doping improved the absorption ability for visible light. The La_0.95Ag_0.05FeO₃/HNTs demonstrated the best photocatalytic performance, which achieved as high as 99 % for MB degradation exposed 2 h irradiation. However,further increasing of Ag⁺ doping gradually reduced the photocatalytic activity. The nanocomposite catalyst showed outstanding recyclability after eight cycles which still remained up to 90 %.     

Microstrucutre and thermoelectric properties of rapidly prepared Sn<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>x</Subscript>Te alloys

Sn_1?xMn_xTe (x?=?0, 0.09, 0.15, 0.20) bulk materials were prepared by melt spinning combined with spark plasma sintering process. Nanoscale grains were obtained, and the solid solubility of Mn was much enhanced by the ultrafast-cooling synthesis technique. The maximum of Seebeck coefficient and power factor are 242 µVK^?1 and 19.97 µW cm^?1K^?2 at 873 K with the doping concentration of 15 at% Mn. A large amount of grain boundaries and doped atoms improve the scattering of heat-carrying phonons in a wide range of frequencies, and the scattering mechanisms are also explained by theoretical calculation. As a result, the minimum of lattice thermal conductivity is 0.66 µVK^?1 at 873 K, the corresponding figure of merit is 1.26 for Sn_0.85Mn_0.15Te sample. This value is improved by 35% comparing with previously reported result. Our work indicates that melt spinning process is effective to develop SnTe related thermoelectric materials with excellent thermoelectric properties, which has the widespread commercial value and the prospects for development.     

Effects on dielectric and magnetic properties of Cr-doped Bi<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramic

In this paper, Cr-doped Bi_0.9Ba_0.1Fe_1?xCr_xO₃ (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) ceramic materials were prepared by traditional state solid synthesized method, and the effects of Cr³⁺ ion on magnetic and dielectric properties were investigated. All samples showed BiFeO₃ phase formation were successful synthesized. The SEM images showed the shape of samples changed from regular to irregular shape. With increasing of Cr²⁺ ions, Saturation magnetization (M _s) increased from 5.24 to 8.6 emu/g, and then decreased to 7.31 emu/g, and coercivity (H _c) increased from 110.66 to 256.49 Oe. All the samples showed high dielectric constants at low frequency and the values of dielectric constants decreased slightly with frequency increasing. Delectric loss (tanδ) values kept a steady in a wide range frequency of 10–600 MHz. They ranged in tanδ from 0.01 to 0.07, which was a low dielectric loss in Bi_0.9Ba_0.1Fe_1?xCr_xO₃ ceramics.     

Novel temperature stable Ba<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>x</Subscript>V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> microwave dielectric ceramics with ultra-low sintering temperature

New temperature stability Ba_1?xSr_xV₂O₆ (0.35?≤?x?≤?0.55) microwave dielectric ceramics prepared by the conventional solid-state route were investigated. X-ray diffraction confirmed that all the specimens formed a solid solution single phase with orthorhombic structure. The microwave dielectric properties strongly depended on the compositions, densification and microstructure of the specimens. Furthermore, partial Sr ions substitution for Ba ions in Ba_1?xSr_xV₂O₆ lattices not only successfully improved the temperature stability of BaV₂O₆-based ceramic but also promoted the sinterability of SrV₂O₆-based one. Out of these compositions, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5V₂O₆ sintered at 625?°C exhibited a near-zero τ_f together with a low permittivity ε_r?~?11.5 and a quality factor Q?×?f?~?14 100 GHz, which also showed good chemical compatibility with Al electrodes.     

Y<Subscript>3−x</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>x</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>: controlled synthesis,characterization and investigation of its magnetic properties

Gadolinium substituted yttrium iron garnet (Gd: YIG: Y_3?xGd_xFe₅O₁₂ where x?=?0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5) nanopowders were synthesized by microwave hydrothermal method. Phase structure of synthesized powders was examined using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) which revealed a cubic garnet structure. Spherical-like morphology of synthesized powders was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) studies. The synthesized powders were sintered at 1100?°C for 60 min using microwave furnace and characterized by using XRD and FESEM. Magnetic properties such as saturation magnetization and Curie temperature were measured using vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies respectively. Temperature stability of magnetization was measured using pulse magnetometer and complex permeability was measured over a frequency range of 100 kHz–1.8 GHz. The obtained results showed that the saturation magnetization as well as permeability decrease while curie temperature and temperature stability increase with Gd concentration. It is concluded that substitution of Gd makes the YIG better microwave magnetic material, which may be used in high power non-reciprocal microwave devices in the microwave region.     

Influence of Dy-doping on ferroelectric and dielectric properties in Bi<Subscript>1.05−x</Subscript>Dy<Subscript>x</Subscript>FeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

Bi_1.05−xDy_xFeO₃ (BDFO) (x = 0−0.2) ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The influence of Dy dopant on crystal structural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties was investigated. The lattice parameter and the Curie temperature of BDFO were degraded continuously with increasing contents of Dy³⁺ cations. Leakage current density, ferroelectric polarization and dielectric loss were improved by appropriate Dy doping. When x = 0.1, BDFO showed the best electric properties. At applied electric field of 53 kV/cm, the remnant polarization (2P _r ) was 12.2 μC/cm².These improvements in electric properties in BDFO ceramics could have resulted from the relatively low oxygen vacancy concentration and structural distortion.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Y<Subscript>3−y</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5−x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript><Subscript>y</Subscript> phosphors

Y_3?yAl_5?xGa_xO₁₂:Ce³⁺_y phosphors were prepared by high temperature solid state reaction method. The crystal structures, the influence of Ga³⁺ concentration on the photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence, thermal stability and morphology of the phosphors were studied in detail. The results indicated that diffraction angle of the samples decreased gradually with the increase of Ga³⁺ ions content in XRD pattern. The emission peak of the spectra show a progressive blue-shift, the intensity increased first and then decreased and the optimal Ga³⁺ concentration in Y_2.94Al_5?xGa_xO₁₂:Ce³⁺_0.06 phosphors is x?=?0.75. The critical concentration of Ce³⁺ in YAGG:Ce³⁺ phosphors is affected with the ratio of Ga³⁺ to Al³⁺ and the Y_2.9Al_4.25Ga_0.75O₁₂:Ce³⁺_0.1 phosphor showed the best performance on PL. However, the optimum concentration of Y_3?yAl_5?xGa_xO₁₂:Ce³⁺_y phosphors is x?=?1.5 and y?=?0.04 when they were excited by cathode ray.     

Investigation on the synthesis of (Zn<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>x</Subscript>)TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and the modulation effect of CaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

(Zn_1−xMg_x)TiO₃ (x = 0.1–0.5) solid solutions were synthesized by solid-state reaction using ZnO, (MgCO₃)₄·Mg(OH)₂·5H₂O and TiO₂ as raw materials. The influences of Zn: Mg ratio and calcining temperature on the properties of (Zn_1−xMg_x)TiO₃ were studied. By adding CaTiO₃ into (Zn_1−xMg_x)TiO₃, the microwave properties and sintering behavior were improved. The ceramics could be sintered at 1150 °C, and the ceramics with excellent microwave properties of τ_f ≈ ±10 ppm/°C, ε ≈ 24, Q × f > 45000 GHz (8 GHz) were obtained.     

The optical and electrical transport studies of Zn<Subscript>x</Subscript>Co<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>S thin films

In an attempt to design and fabricate a suitable II–VI group material of variable optical gap, we have synthesized a series of Zn_xCo_1?xS (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) thin films via a facile chemical solution growth technique. To gain insight of the materials properties we have opted for different characterization techniques and are reporting our observations pertaining to the elemental analysis, magneto-topography, optical and electrical transport studies. Excellent agreement of binding energy values for Co2p, Zn2p and S2p levels in elemental analysis concluded the oxidation states as Co²⁺, Zn²⁺ and S^2?. Magnetic force microscopy confirmed the existence of randomly distributed magnetic domains mimicking the surface topography. The optical studies determined the high absorption coefficient (α ≈ 10⁴ to 10⁵ cm^?1) in the as-grown thin films. The optical band gap is found to be increased non-linearly from 1.59 to 2.50 eV as the composition parameter (x) is increased. The D.C. electrical conductivity measurements showed decrease in conductivity with increased composition parameter (x). The thermoelectric studies confirmed degenerative nature of the as-deposited thin films with n-type conduction.     

Electrical properties of B site substituted (K<Subscript>0.48</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.52</Subscript>)(W<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> piezoceramics

Lead-free (K_0.48Na_0.52)(W_2/3Bi_1/3)_xNb_1−xO₃ (KNN-WBi) piezoceramics with x ranging from 0.004 to 0.010 were synthesized by conventional ceramic processing. The sintered KNN-WBi ceramics showed perovskite structure without detectable secondary phase containing W and Bi. With increasing x, the orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition temperature (T _O-T) decreased from 200 to 184 °C whereas, the tetragonal-cubic phase transition temperature (T _C) decreased slightly. With the doping of (W_2/3Bi_1/3), the piezoelectric properties were greatly improved and the piezoelectric constants d ₃₃, k _p, Q _m exhibited maximum values of 136 pC/N, 43.3% and 175, respectively at x = 0.008. The KNN-WBi ceramics also exhibited good ferroelectric properties with remnant polarizations P _r higher than 25 μC/cm² and coercive fields E _c lower than 1,000 V/mm. The results strongly suggest that the B site doping of constructed quinquevalent element is an effective method for the investigation of potassium sodium niobate system.     

Coexistence of Superconductivity and Ferromagnetism in Ni-Doped Bi<Subscript>4 −x</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>x</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript> (0.075 ≤<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>≤ 0.150)

The effects of Ni doping on the physical properties of the newly discovered layered superconductor Bi₄O₄S₃ are studied. X-ray diffraction data indicates that the lattice constants a and c decrease with the increasing Ni doping. From resistivity-temperature curves, the superconducting transition temperature (\(T_{c}^{\text {onset}})\) is suppressed by only 0.5 K with the increase of Ni doping from 0.075 to 0.15; the \(T_{c}^{\text {zero}}\) is almost the same constant at different Ni ions’ doping level. The magnetic susceptibility results suggest the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in this system. A possible superconductivity transition is observed around ?14 K from M-T (FC) curves in x = 0.125, 0.15 samples, which may result from the doped magnetic Ni ions.     

Compositionally graded multilayer Ba<Subscript>x</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.95−x</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics prepared by tape casting for use as dielectric materials

Compositionally graded multilayer Ba_xSr_0.95−xCa_0.05TiO₃ (BSCT) ceramics were prepared via tape casting method using nanometer powders from co-precipitation. Microstructures and dielectric properties of the BSCT system were investigated. The powders were characterized by using transmission electron microscope and BET surface area measurement. Surface morphologies of the sintered samples and multilayer structure were examined by scanning electron microscopy. BSCT particles were of spherical shape with diameters in the range of 73–93 nm. Their specific surface areas were in the range of 11.7–14.6 m²/g. The graded BSCT ceramics with nine layers laminated in vertical way exhibited a higher sintered density, with an average grain size of 0.4 μm, after sintered at 1,200 °C. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and tunability of the graded ceramics were 2223.94, 1.5 × 10⁻³ at 2 MHz and 42.9% at 3.0 kV/mm, with good dielectric temperature and frequency stability, which made it a promising candidate used for tunable ceramic capacitors and phase shifters.