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).     

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.     

Structure and Superconductivity of (MgB<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>C<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>0.97</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>0.03</Subscript>

A series of samples of (MgB_2−x C _x )_0.97Cu_0.03 (x=0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) and MgB₂ were synthesized by a solid state reaction method. The structure, superconducting transition temperature and transport properties of the samples were studied by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and resistivity measurements. It is found that the c-axis of the lattice remains unchanged with increasing C doping, while the a-axis shows a small decrease. The T _c of the samples steadily decreases with increasing C doping. It is suggested that the chemical pressure effect plays a more important role influencing the normal state transport and T _c than the change of carrier concentration.     

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.     

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.     

Thermal expansion of TlIn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ce<Subscript>x</Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals

The linear thermal expansion coefficient of TlIn_1?x Ce_xSe₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) crystals has been measured at temperatures from 300 to 600 K.     

Spectral sensitivity of (Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(CdS)<Subscript>x</Subscript> solid solutions

Epitaxial layers of n-type solid solutions of the (Si₂)_{1 ? x} (CdS)_x system (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.01) were grown by liquid phase epitaxy from a tin-based solution melt confined between two horizontal p-type single crystal silicon substrates. The photosensitivity spectra of p-Si/n-(Si₂)_{1 ? x} (CdS)_x structures have been measured. A photoresponse peak at E ≈ 2.35 eV (1.25 eV below the top of the valence band of silicon) has been observed, which is probably related to an impurity level due to CdS molecules.     

Structure of Cs<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Rb<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> solid solutions

Cs_{1 − x} Rb _x H₂PO₄ solid solutions have been synthesized for the first time in a broad composition range, x = 0.03–0.9. At room temperature, the Cs_{1 − x} Rb _x H₂PO₄ solid solutions are isostructural with the low-temperature phase of CsH₂PO₄ over the entire composition range studied. In the CsH₂PO₄-based solid-solution series, the unit-cell parameters and volume decrease with increasing Rb content. At high temperatures, the Cs_{1 − x} Rb _x H₂PO₄ solid solutions exist in the range x = 0–0.4, are isostructural with cubic CsH₂PO₄, and have a smaller unit-cell parameter.     

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.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>LaTiNb<Subscript>3−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ta<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>15</Subscript> ceramics

High dielectric constant and low loss ceramics in the system Ba₄LaTiNb_3−x Ta _x O₁₅ (x = 0–3) have been prepared by conventional solid-state ceramic route. Ba₄LaTiNb_3−x Ta _x O₁₅ solid solutions adopted A₅B₄O₁₅ cation-deficient hexagonal perovskite structure for all compositions. The materials were characterized at microwave frequencies. They show a linear variation of dielectric properties with the value of x. Their dielectric constant varies from 53.1 to 42.3, quality factor Q_u × f from 18,790 to 28,070 GHz and temperature variation of resonant frequency from +94.3 to +33.1 ppm/°C as the value of x increases.     

Paramagnetism in Co<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>4</Subscript> solid solutions

The magnetic properties of Co _x Zn_1–x Cr₂S₄ solid solutions have been studied at temperatures from 5 to 300 K in static magnetic fields of 7.96 × 10³ and 3.58 × 10⁶ A/m. We have determined the Curie temperatures, Curie–Weiss constants, and effective magnetic moments of the solid solutions. The experimental data are discussed with allowance for the magnetic phase diagram of the system.     

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 IV-Group Based Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor: Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ge<Subscript>1−</Subscript><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Cr _x Ge_{1? x} (x ～ 0.08) films were grown on GaAs (001) and Ge (001) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) method, and their magnetic and transport properties have been studied in the temperature range between 1.8 and 300 K. All of the films exhibited weak paramagnetic behavior. Transport measurements showed that magnetoresistance ratio and the anomalous Hall resistance depend on the Cr concentration x and the kinds of substrate.     

Sol–gel preparation and high-energy XRD study of (CaO)<Subscript>x</Subscript>(TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.5−x</Subscript>(P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.5</Subscript> glasses (x = 0 and 0.25)

Glasses from the CaO–TiO₂–P₂O₅ system have potential use in biomedical applications. Here a method for the sol–gel synthesis of the ternary glass (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 has been developed. The structures of the dried gel and heat-treated glass were studied using high-energy X-ray diffraction. The structure of the binary (TiO₂)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 sol–gel was studied for comparison. The results reveal that the heat-treated (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass has a structure based on chains and rings of PO₄ tetrahedra, held together by a combination of electrostatic interaction with Ca²⁺ ions and by corner-sharing oxygen atoms with TiO₆ octahedra. In contrast, the (TiO₂)_0.5(P₂O₅)_0.5 glass has a structure based on isolated P₂O₇ units linked together by corner-sharing with TiO₆ groups. The results suggest that both the dried gels possess open porous structures. For the (CaO)_0.25(TiO₂)_0.25(P₂O₅)_0.5 sample there is a significant increase in Ca–O coordination number with heat treatment.     

Investigation on the Current Transport Characteristics of SrTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/YBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7−x</Subscript> Heterostructure

By the combined use of the sol-gel and pulsed laser deposition methods, the SrTiO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (STO/YBCO) heterostructure was prepared on a LaAlO₃ substrate. XRD results and φ scanning test showed that the prepared STO/YBCO heterostructure had good biaxial texture. Moreover, a Pt electrode was sputtered on the STO/YBCO heterostructure to investigate the current density-voltage (J ? V) characteristic curves of STO/YBCO in the 50–300 K temperature range. The results showed that the STO/YBCO heterostructure had good rectifying characteristics. With an applied positive bias voltage smaller than 3.7 V, the current density of the STO/YBCO heterostructure decreased with the decrease of temperature; for higher voltages, on the contrary, the current density increased with the decrease of temperature. When the YBCO experienced superconducting transition, the turn-on voltage (V _t) changed suddenly due to the sudden opening of the superconducting energy gap of YBCO. The V _t variation obtained from the experiment was essentially consistent with the known value of the YBCO superconducting energy gap.     

Electrical conduction in La<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>Er<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mg<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>3−α</Subscript> ceramics

Doubly doped LaErO₃ ceramics, La_0.9Ba_0.1Er_1−x Mg _x O_3−α (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20), were synthesized by solid-state reaction method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The samples have a single orthorhombic perovskite-type structure. The conduction behavior was investigated using various electrochemical methods including AC impedance spectroscopy, gas concentration cell, isotope effect of hydrogen, and hydrogen electrochemical permeation (pumping) in the temperature range of 500–1000 °C. The results indicated that specimens were pure ionic conductors under low oxygen partial pressure (about 10⁻⁷–10⁻²⁰ atm) and mixed conductors of proton, oxide ion, and electron hole under high oxygen partial pressure (about 10⁻⁵–1 atm). The pure ion conduction of the ceramics in hydrogen atmosphere was confirmed by electromotive force method of hydrogen concentration cell, and the observed emf values coincided well with the theoretical ones. The conductivity in H₂O–Ar atmosphere was higher than that in D₂O–Ar atmosphere, exhibiting an obvious isotope effect and proton conduction in water vapor containing atmosphere. It has been confirmed by electrochemical hydrogen permeation (hydrogen pumping) experiment that the ceramics were mainly proton conductors in hydrogen containing atmosphere. Whereas in dry oxygen-containing atmosphere, observed emf values of the oxygen concentration cell were far lower than the theoretical ones, indicating that the ceramics were mixed conductors of electron hole and oxide ion.     

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.     

Liquid phase epitaxy of (Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>(InSb)<Subscript>x</Subscript> solid solution layers

Epitaxial layers of (Sn₂)_1?x(InSb)_x solid solutions were grown from an indium-based solution melt confined between two horizontal GaAs substrates in a temperature interval from 325 to 200°C. Scanning microprobe and X-ray diffraction investigations of the GaAs-(Sn₂)_1?x(InSb)_x heterostructures showed that crystallographic perfection of the epitaxial layers depends on the epitaxial growth conditions.     

Microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of (Zn<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Mg<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript> ceramics

(ZnMg)₂SiO₄ powders was prepared by the sol-gel process, and the microstructure and dielectric properties of (Zn_1−xMg_x)₂SiO₄ microwave materials were investigated systematically. TG-DSC and XRD analyzes for gels indicate that the (ZnMg)₂SiO₄ with pure willemite phase could be obtained at low temperature of 850°C. Further, XRD illustrates that just small amounts of Mg can be incorporated into Zn₂SiO₄ lattice, and the solid solution limit of Mg in Zn₂SiO₄ is about x = 0·1. By appropriate Mg substitution for Zn, the sintering range is widened and the sintering temperature of Zn₂SiO₄ ceramics can be lowered effectively. SEM shows that Mg-substitution for Zn can promote the grain growth of Zn₂SiO₄. Moreover, the microwave dielectric properties strongly depended on the substitution content of Mg and sintering temperatures. (Zn_0·8Mg_0·2)₂SiO₄ dielectrics sintered at 1170°C show the condense microstructure with small uniform grains and best microwave properties: ɛ _r = 6·3, Q × f = 189800 GHz and τ _f = −63 ppm/°C.