Magnetic behavior of Ga doped yttrium iron garnet ferrite thin films deposited by sol-gel technique

Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) ferrites thin films having compositional formula Y₃Ga_xFe_5-xO₁₂, where (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) are synthesized by sol gel dip coating technique. XRD, SEM and VSM characterizations are employed to explore structural, morphological and magnetic properties, respectively. XRD showed that Ga is completely doped in YIG and not formed any cluster or other phase with YIG. SEM confirmed the formation of agglomeration of YIG particles. Magnetic parameters like coercivity, remnant squareness, saturation magnetization, magnetic moment, anisotropy constant, initial permeability Y–K angles and microwave frequency were calculated of these films. The coercivity and moderate magnetization suggested that fabricated ferrite films are highly applicable in electromagnetic microwave absorption and frequency agile antenna for wireless communication.     

Structural,morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties of Zn-Zr co-doping yttrium iron garnet

In this study, yttrium iron garnet co-doped with Zn and Zr atoms with a chemical formula Y₃Zn_xZr_xFe_(5−2x)O₁₂ (x = 0.0-0.3) has been successfully prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The effects of doping concentration on the microstructure, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and dielectric properties of Y₃Zn_xZr_xFe_(5−2x)O₁₂ were investigated. The microstructure analysis indicates that co-doping of YIG with Zn and Zr can effectively reduce the grain size of the ceramic. The crystal structure results reveal that the doping concentration of Zn–Zr has substantial influence on the lattice parameters of YIG, such as, increases the lattice constant, crystal cell size, and interplanar spacing. However, the second phase of ZrO₂ appears once x ≥ 0.15. Additionally, the dielectric properties of YIG ferrite can be regulated using this Zn–Zr co-doping method. Zn–Zr co-doping can improve the dielectric stability and reduce the dielectric loss at high temperature. The magnetization measurement shows that the saturation magnetization is stabilized at x < 0.15, and the magnetic loss is decreased with the increase in the doping concentration. Overall, the findings show that the ceramic with x = 0.1 exhibits better properties included high saturation magnetization (24.607 emu/g), low magnetic loss (0.0025 @ 1 MHz), and relatively low dielectric loss (496 @ 400°C).     

Effects of Sn4+ doping and oxygen vacancy on magnetic and electrical properties of yttrium iron garnet prepared by sol-gel method

Sn-substituted yttrium iron garnet samples, Y₃Fe_5-xSn_xO₁₂ (x = 0–0.1, step 0.02) were prepared using a citrate sol–gel method and followed by a sintering process. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were used to investigate the structure parameters, valence state of Fe, oxygen vacancies and lattice distortion in the samples. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured with the SQUID and VSM equipments. The Sn substitution and oxygen vacancies cause the transformation of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ which leads to the decrease of Curie temperature and slight increase of saturation magnetization. Temperature dependence of the resistivity in the range of 300–573 K was investigated to elucidate the conduction mechanism in the samples. The resistivity of the sol-gel derived samples was found to be nine orders of magnitudes lower than the value for the bulk sample prepared by flux-grown method. The effects of Fe²⁺ centers, lattice dislocation, porosity and grain boundary on the resistivity are discussed. This study indicates that Sn-substituted yttrium iron garnets are good candidates for sensor elements which operate based on electrical signals.     

Fabrication of bifunctional core-shell Fe3O4 particles coated with ultrathin phosphor layer

Bifunctional monodispersed Fe₃O₄ particles coated with an ultrathin Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺ shell layer were fabricated using a facile urea-based homogeneous precipitation method. The obtained composite particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quantum design vibrating sample magnetometry, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. TEM revealed uniform spherical core-shell-structured composites ranging in size from 306 to 330 nm with a shell thickness of approximately 25 nm. PL spectroscopy confirmed that the synthesized composites displayed a strong eye-visible green light emission. Magnetic measurements indicated that the composite particles obtained also exhibited strong superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Therefore, the inner Fe₃O₄ core and outer Y₂O₃:Tb³⁺ shell layer endow the composites with both robust magnetic properties and strong eye-visible luminescent properties. These composite materials have potential use in magnetic targeting and bioseparation, simultaneously coupled with luminescent imaging.     

Aqueous gelcasting of yttrium iron garnet

N,N-Dimethylacrylamide (DMAA)/N,N′-methylenebis (acrylamide) (MBAM) system was used in the aqueous YIG (yttrium iron garnet) slurry. YIG powders were prepared by using Y₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ as raw materials through the traditional oxide method. In order to reduce the viscosity and improve the stability of slurries, SD-03 (ammonium polyacrylate) was selected as the dispersant. Zeta potential, pH, dispersant dosage, solid loading and milling time have been optimized. The best conditions were pH 9.86, dispersant dosage 0.2 wt.% and milling time 9 h, which helped to prepare the concentrated slurry with low viscosity and good liquidity. The maximum bending strength of the green body could be up to 13 MPa. The shrinkage and deformation of shaped sintered bodies prepared through gelcasting were small after sintering. The sintering shrinkage, apparent porosity and bulk density were 17%, 0.17% and 5.07 g/cm³, respectively. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss were 14.0 and 2.06 × 10^?4, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles doped with cobalt

In this work, we have synthesized and characterized yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles doped with cobalt. The X-ray diffraction data showed a single phase, belonging to the cubic structure of Y₃Fe₅O₁₂. Rietveld refinement revealed variation of the angles and interionic distances (Fe³⁺(a)-O^2-Y³⁺(c) and Fe³⁺(d)-O^2--Y³⁺(c) when Fe³⁺ ions are replaced by Co³⁺ ions in the tetrahedral (d) and octahedral (a) sites of YIG. In addition, the lattice parameter a, decreases from 12.3846?Å to 12.3830?Å with the increasing of cobalt concentration. The analysis by Infrared and Raman spectroscopies has shown a slight stretching at lower wave numbers as the dopant concentration increased. The magnetic measurements confirm the substitution of Fe³⁺ by Co³⁺ in the a-sites and d-sites with the reduction of the saturation magnetization from 26.63?emu/g to 24.92?emu/g, for 0.000?≤?y?≤?0.030. Changes in the coercive field varying the dopant concentration were related to the particle size and pinning centers existence.     

Target grain size dependence of the morphology,crystallinity and magnetic properties of yttrium iron garnet films

In this work, yttrium iron garnet films were prepared on a Ga₃Gd₅O₁₂ substrate by pulsed laser deposition. The dependence of target grain size on the morphology, crystallinity, and magnetism of films was investigated. Firstly, X-ray diffraction revealed that the fine grain size of the target was beneficial for increasing the crystallinity of films. Secondly, scanning electron microscopy and roughness measurements displayed the film prepared by the small grain size of the target has better morphology and lower roughness. Lastly, magnetic hysteresis loops and ferromagnetic resonance measurements further shown that a good microstructure and fine grain size of target facilitated the growth of film with greater magnetic properties. Consequently, YIG film deposited by 1.0?μm-target has magnetic properties with a high saturation magnetization of 155?emu/cm³, a low saturation magnetic field of 1077?Oe, and low ferromagnetic resonance linewidth of 42?Oe.     

Fabrication of Ce:YAG,Ce,Cr:YAG and Ce:YAG/Ce,Cr:YAG dual-layered composite phosphor ceramics for the application of white LEDs

(Ce_0.001Y_0.999)₃Al₅O₁₂ and (Ce_0.001Y_0.999)₃(Cr_xAl_1−x)₅O₁₂ (x=0.001−0.005) transparent ceramics were synthesized by the solid state reaction and vacuum sintering and their optical properties were measured. High quality white light was obtained when the Ce:YAG/Ce,Cr:YAG dual-layered composite ceramic was directly combined with commercial blue LED chip. A maximum luminous efficacy exceeding 76 lm/W at a low correlated color temperature of 4905 K was obtained. The color temperature can be controlled by variations of Cr³⁺ concentration and the ceramic thickness. Hence, the Ce:YAG/Ce,Cr:YAG dual-layered composite phosphor ceramic may be a promising candidate for white LEDs.     

Production and optical properties of Ce3+-activated and Lu3+-stabilized transparent gadolinium aluminate garnet ceramics

We first report the novel Ce³⁺-activated and Lu³⁺-stabilized gadolinium aluminate garnet (GAG) transparent ceramics derived from their precipitation precursors via a facile co-precipitation strategy using ammonium hydrogen carbonate (AHC) as the precipitant. The resulting precursors in liquid phase were substantially homogeneous solid solutions and could directly convert into sinterable garnet powders via pyrolysis. Substituting 35 at.% of Lu³⁺ for Gd³⁺ was effective to stabilize the cubic GAG garnet structure and transparent (Gd,Lu)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce ceramics were successfully fabricated by vacuum sintering at 1715°C. The ceramic transparency was improved by optimizing the particle processing conditions and the best sample had an in-line transmittance of ~70% at 580 nm (Ce³⁺ emission center) and over 80% in partial infrared region with a fine average grain size of ~4.5 μm. Transparent (Gd,Lu)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce ceramics have a short critical wavelength (<200 nm) and a maximal infrared cut-off at ~6.6 μm. Both the (Gd,Lu)₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce phosphor powder and the transparent ceramic exhibited characteristic yellow emission of Ce³⁺ with strong broad emission bands from 490 to 750 nm upon UV excitation into two groups of broad bands around 340 and 470 nm. The photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation intensities as well as the quantum yield were greatly enhanced via high-temperature densification. Both the phosphor powder and ceramic bulk had short effective fluorescence lifetimes.     

Dielectric and gyromagnetic structure modulations of Zn–Sn codoped yttrium–iron–garnet based on the density-generalized functional theory and P–V–L bond theory

Herein, the crystal structure, dielectric properties, and gyromagnetic characteristics of Zn–Sn codoped Y₃Zn_xSn_xFe_5−2xO₁₂ (x = 0.0–0.5) prepared using a conventional ceramic process were investigated. According to the first-principles’ calculations and complex crystal bonding theory, Zn²⁺–Sn⁴⁺ codoping can increase the relative dielectric constant (ε_r) by enhancing the average ionicity. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman analysis results indicate that an appropriate amount of Zn²⁺–Sn⁴⁺ codoping can help improve the microscopic morphology, maintain the appropriate ratio of divalent iron ions, and reduce the microwave magnetic and electrical losses of YIG ferrites. The optimized microwave properties are as follows. Y₃Zn_0.3Sn_0.3Fe_4.4O₁₂ after sintering at 1400°C; ε_r = 15.6; dielectric loss, that is, tanδ_ε = 4.3 × 10⁻⁴; saturation magnetization, that is, 4πM_S = 2244 G; ferromagnetic resonance linewidth, that is, ΔH = 37 Oe. These properties can help improve the performance of high-frequency microwave components by enhancing the properties of ferrite.     

Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of YIG/HDPE Composites for High-Frequency Applications

A low loss high-frequency magnetic composite with Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) ultrafine particles embedded in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix was fabricated by using a simple low-temperature hot-pressing technique. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the as-prepared composites were investigated in detail. The results indicate that as the volume of the ceramic fillers increases, the permittivity, permeability, dielectric and magnetic loss of the composite all increase. The cut-off frequencies of the composites are all above 700 MHz. Since the low resistivity of YIG, the dielectric losses of the composites are high and decrease with frequency in the lower frequency range. Good frequency stability of the permittivities and permeabilities, and low dielectric and magnetic losses within the measurement range have been observed.     

Magnetic characteristics and optical band alignments of rare earth (Sm+3, Nd+3) doped garnet ferrite nanoparticles (NPs)

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with rare earth (RE) metal ions (Y_2.5Sm_0.5Fe₅O₁₂, Y_2.5Nd_0.5Fe₅O₁₂) were successfully synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion approach. The cubic crystalline structure and morphology of the prepared garnet ferrite NPs were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The cubic crystalline garnet phase of the synthesized YIG, Sm-YIG and Nd-YIG samples was successfully achieved at 950 °C sintering temperature. The force constant and absorption bands were estimated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The doping effect of RE metal ions on the chemical states of YIG were examined by x-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS). The valence band (from 12.63 eV to 13.22 eV), conduction band (from 10.89 eV to 11.34 eV) edges and optical bandgap values of RE doped YIG samples were calculated using UV–Vis spectroscopy and ultraviolet photo electron spectroscopy (UPS). The magnetic analysis of the prepared NPs was studied using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The XPS analysis of RE doped YIG samples exhibit the existence of RE (Sm⁺³, Nd⁺³) contents on the surface of YIG ferrite by decreasing the oxygen lattice in garnet structure. The optical bandgap (from 1.74 eV to 1.88 eV) explains the semiconducting nature of the synthesized NPs. The UPS results confirm the valence band position of YIG doped samples. The saturation magnetization and remanence of RE doped garnet ferrite samples increased from 13.45 to 18.83 emu/g and 4.06–6.53 emu/g, respectively.     

Phase composition,microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of non-stoichiometric yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics

A series of Y_3+xAl₅O₁₂ (?0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.12) ceramics were prepared via a solid-state reaction under a vacuum sintering environment to investigate the impact of variations in different cation composition on the phase composition, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂; YAG) ceramics. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that Al₂O₃ precipitates in the Al-excess samples. In contrast, the YAlO₃ secondary phase appeared in the Y-excess samples, and variations in the content of both contributed to an increase in lattice parameters. The Rietveld refinement results showed that the lattice parameters and unit cell volume increased as the |x| value increased. The secondary phases of granular Al₂O₃ and YAlO₃ crystallized at the extended grain boundaries in samples with excess Al and Y were visible in the scanning electron microscopy images. The electron diffraction patterns confirmed that a small amount of Y₂O₃ promoted continuous phase boundaries and facilitated the release of internal stresses. Ultimately, after sintering at 1750 °C for 12 h and at x = 0.03, the microwave dielectric properties of the non-stoichiometric YAG ceramic sample were ε_r = 11.18, Q×f = 236936 GHz, and τ_f = ?35.9 ppm/℃.     

Fabrication and characteristics of Ce-doped Y3Fe5O12 ceramics by hot-press sintering with oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere

Infrared transparent Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (Ce_: YIG, Ce_xY_3-xFe₅O_12, x = 0, 0.12, 0.24, 0.36) ceramics were successfully produced by the solid-state reaction using a hot-press sintering process from the Y₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and CeO₂ powders. The phase structure, microstructure, infrared transmittance, and magnetic and magneto-optical properties of the Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics were measured and analyzed. The in-line transmittances of the Ce-doped Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics with the x = 0, 0.12, 0.24 (L = 0.5 mm) at 1550 nm were about 72%, 66.5%, and 57.6%, respectively. In the state of saturation magnetization, the Faraday rotation angle per centimeter (θ_F) of Ce_xY_3-xFe₅O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.12, 0.24) ceramics measured by the light extinction method was 182.5, −410.4, and −958.3 deg./cm, respectively. The change of the θ_F was about −142.5 deg./cm when per 1at.% Ce was substituted in the dodecahedral site of YIG materials. The (Ce_0.24Y_2.76)Fe₅O₁₂ ceramics were determined as the optimized composition for its excellent infrared optical and magneto-optical properties.     

Studies on the formation of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) through stoichiometry modification prepared by conventional solid-state method

Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) prepared by conventional solid-state method can rarely be of high purity. However, this study suggests that high purity YIG can be produced via conventional solid-state methods, through stoichiometry modification. This is achieved by adding various amounts of excess Fe₂O₃ to control the YIG stoichiometric ratios. In this work, ferrite and yttria were calcined at 1100 °C (for 8 h) and sintered at 1420 °C (6 h). In most samples, the formation of YIG, with YFeO₃ (YIP) and/or Fe₂O₃ as associated phases were detected. Uniform microstructures of YIG are also observed. YIP phase in YIG is found to be inversely related to the addition of excess Fe₂O₃, up to 8 wt%. At above 8 wt% Fe₂O₃ addition, YIP disappears, leaving unreacted excess Fe₂O₃ as a new associated phase. From the investigation, it is safe to conclude that the purity of YIG can be increased with the addition of excess Fe₂O₃.     

Antisite defect in nonstoichiometric yttrium aluminum garnet: Experimental and first-principles calculation

Antisite defects in nonstoichiometric yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) were investigated systematically with experiments and first-principles calculation based on density functional theory. Transparent YAG ceramics with different deviations from stoichiometry have been prepared and the lattice constants increase with the increase of deviation. Calculations show that Y_Al,16a is the most preferred antisite defect and the concentration of defects increases as the sintering temperature increased. High sintering temperature results in high concentration of Y_Al defects, however Y_Al defects may avoid secondary phase in Y₂O₃-rich YAG. It is found that formation energy of Al_Y antisite defect is very high, therefore the concentration of Al_Y antisite defects is very low even at high temperature. For Al₂O₃-rich YAG, it is impossible to avoid the formation of secondary phase. The deviation from stoichiometry has great influence on the transmittance and optical quality of transparent ceramics.     

Polyhedral distortion control of unusual photoluminescence color tuning in garnet phosphors via cation substitution

Controllable luminescence properties for phosphors can be realized through optimum composition design and structural tuning. The local microstructural evolutions and luminescent properties of Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ via the substitution of the cations Ga³⁺/Sc³⁺ for Al³⁺ are investigated. The emission spectrum of Y₃Al_2−xGa_xAl₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺ has a blueshift from 559 to 531 nm with the substitution Ga³⁺ for Al³⁺. This outcome can be attributed to a lengthened Ce–O bond, which leads to a smaller crystal splitting. In the above ending composition Y₃Ga₂Al₃O₁₂:Ce³⁺, an unusual redshift from 531 to 545 nm can be observed by further replacing Ga³⁺ with the larger Sc³⁺. Combining first-principles calculations and the position of energy level analysis, introduced Sc³⁺ into Y₃Al₅O₁₂ lattices can cause a sharp increase in (Ce–O₈) polyhedron distortion, leading to a larger additional distorted crystal-field splitting of eg, levels compared to that of Ga³⁺ dopant. Moreover, a relatively larger electronegativity of Sc³⁺ can enhance the nephelauxetic effect and further lower the lowest 5d level. These two factors are responsible for the unusual redshift. A formula was generalized to describe the polyhedral distortion that can explain the unusual redshift very well. This work gives a clear relationship between the composition, structure and photoluminescent properties in garnet-type phosphors and provides a guide for targeted optimization of photoluminescent properties in other systems.     

Structure formation in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) fibers

Polycrystalline yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG, Y₃Al₅O₁₂) fibers were prepared from aqueous solutions of aluminum chlorohydrate and yttrium chloride. Fiber processing was accomplished via dry spinning. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) was used as spinning aid. Polycrystalline YAG fibers were obtained by pyrolysis of the green fibers followed by sintering at defined temperatures in air. Ceramic fibers were 9–16 μm in diameter. Differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (DSC/TGA-MS) showed an exothermic peak at 920 °C assigned to the crystallization of YAG and an overall ceramic yield of 38% at 1400 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that phase-pure YAG can be obtained at 1600 °C after intermediate formation of Y₂O₃ and monoclinic yttrium aluminum oxide (YAM, Y₄Al₂O₉) phases.     

Annealing effects on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Y3Fe5O12 films deposited on Si/SiO2 substrates by RF magnetron sputtering

Crack-free Yttrium iron garnet (Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, YIG) thin films were successfully deposited on Si/SiO₂ substrates by RF magnetron sputtering, through controlling the annealing temperature and cooling rate during post-annealing process. The annealing condition dependences of crystallinity, microstructures and magnetic properties of YIG films were investigated. With the increase of the annealing temperature, the saturation magnetization of YIG films increases and the coercive field decreases, while the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidth becomes wider. The films annealed at 750 °C with cooling rate of 1 °C/min are crack-free and present excellent comprehensive performances, the corresponding coercive field is 32 Oe and the FMR linewidth is 57 Oe at 9.4 GHz. These results indicate that high-quality crack-free YIG films with excellent magnetic properties can be achieved on Si/SiO₂ substrates by controlling the annealing process, which makes it more convenient to fabricate low-loss microwave integrated devices.     

Crystallization kinetics of Nd-substituted yttrium iron garnet prepared through sol–gel auto-combustion method

Nd substituted Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) was synthesized using sol–gel auto-combustion method. The phases present in the samples were identified using XRD. The asprepared dried gel was found to transform to the rare earth iron garnet phase at lower temperature when the Nd concentration is lower. Higher concentration of Nd resulted in the formation of orthoferrite as the major phase. The Curie temperature was recorded using thermomagnetic analysis and it was found to increase with the concentration of Nd. The crystallization kinetics of the Nd-substituted garnet phase was studied using TG–DTA. Two stage crystallization was observed from the DTA analysis for Nd₁Y₂Fe₅O₁₂. The activation energy for the formation of Nd₁Y₂Fe₅O₁₂ was 610 kJ/mol, found by using Johnson–Mehl–Avrami (JMA) equation. Three dimensional growth mechanism dominate at lower heating rates for the Nd-substituted YIG.