Multiple Magnetic Ordering Temperatures in RuSr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Eu<Subscript>1.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>10−<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis></Subscript> System

We report synthesis and magnetic characterization of variously processed magneto-superconducting (Rutheno-cuprates) RuSr₂Eu_1.5Ce_0.5Cu₂O_10−δ . The compound crystallizes in I4/mmm tetragonal structure. Magnetization measurements showed bulk magnetic ordering and superconductivity at around 100 K and 30 K, respectively. Further, the careful examination of the low field magnetic susceptibility reveals two minor magnetic transitions at around 135 K and 200 K, in addition to the major transition at 100 K. When the samples are processed in different environments of air, O₂ and slightly pressurized O₂, the nature of magnetic transitions and the superconductivity changes dramatically. The highest superconducting transition is achieved for the high pressure O₂ annealed samples and the lowest for the air annealed one. On the other hand, the minor magnetic transitions are more prominent in air-annealed samples. Though the minor magnetic transitions are intrinsic to all variously processed samples, they are not clearly seen for higher O₂ content samples. Basically, the Ru spins order antiferro magnetically at around 200 K (first minor transition), and reorients themselves at 125 K (second minor transition) before finally ordering in canted ferromagnetic state or a spin glass structure. These results can be explained on the basis of fluctuating valance of Ru⁴⁺/Ru⁵⁺.      

Superconducting Performance,Structure, Microstructure,and Trapped Field of Top-Seeded Melt-Processed Bulk Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>5</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

The sintering temperature for the production of Y₃Ba₅Cu₈O₁₈ (Y-358) preform powders synthesized in sol-gel spontaneous combustion technique was optimized. A large single-grain bulk Y-358 crystal was fabricated employing a top-seeded melt-growth technique utilizing the optimally sintered preform powders (i.e., at 900 ^°C for 12 h). Structural, microstructural, elemental, and magnetic properties were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and SQUID, respectively. The structural characterization indicated that the sample is highly textured in (00l) direction. The Y-358 phase fractions were estimated in both preform powders and bulk sample using Rietveld refinement. The onset of superconducting transition is observed at 92.5 K, and the curve is very sharp indicative of the high quality of the produced bulk sample. The field dependence of critical current density (J_c) was determined at 77 K, and the self-field J_c was found to be ～26 kA/cm². A magnetic field of 0.27 T was trapped by the sample at 77 K.     

Preparation of magnetic composites through SrO-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass crystallization

Glasses with nominal compositions 11SrO · 5.5Fe₂O₃ · 4.5Al₂O₃ · 4B₂O₃ (1) and 15SrO · 5.5Fe₂O₃ · 4.5Al₂O₃ · 4B₂O₃ (2) were prepared by rapidly quenching oxide melts between counterrotating steel rollers. The glasses were then heat-treated in the range 650–950°C to produce glass-ceramic samples. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The phase composition of the glass-ceramics was determined, and their microstructure and magnetic properties were studied. The annealing temperature was shown to have a strong effect on the coercivity of the materials, which reaches 650 and 570 kA/m for compositions 1 and 2, respectively.     

Controlled magnetoresistance in Y<Subscript>3/4</Subscript>Lu<Subscript>1/4</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-CuO composites at 77 K

We have studied the low-temperature magnetoresistance of Y_3/4Lu_1/4Ba₂Cu₃O₇-CuO composites obtained by fast sintering technique and established a relation between the probing to critical current density ratio j/j _c and the shape of the magnetoresistance curve ρ(H). For j/j _c<1, the electric resistance arises at a threshold value of the magnetic field strength H _c. For j/j _c≥1, a linear variation of ρ(H) at 77 K in the range from 0 to 14 Oe can be provided by selecting the CuO content (in the 15–30 vol % interval) and the j value (in the 0.003–0.2 A/cm² range). In the latter case, the slope dρ/dH (i.e., the sensitivity of the electric resistivity with respect to the magnetic field) is 1–20 mΩ cm/Oe and the relative field-induced increase in the resistivity ρ₀=(ρ(H)−ρ(H=0))/ρ(H=0) amounts to 1320 and 685% at H=200 and 35 Oe, respectively. Composites possessing controlled magnetoresistance are promising materials for the active elements of magnetic field sensors capable of operating at a practically convenient liquid nitrogen temperature.     

Nano Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> Induced Fluxoid Jumps and Low Field Enhanced Critical Current Density in MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> Superconductor

Nano particle of Fe₃O₄ (nFe₃O₄) up to 6 at% were doped in the superconducting MgB₂ samples. Despite the strong ferromagnetic nature of Fe₃O₄, both the ac susceptibility and the resistivity measurements show that up to 4 at% of Fe₃O₄, T _c =38 K is not changed, whereas for 6% T _c decreases by 6 K. This indicates that a low concentration of Fe does not substitute either the Mg or B sites and probably occupies the intergrain spaces. For 0.5% doped Fe₃O₄, an increase in J _c with respect to the pure MgB₂ samples is observed in the lower field and temperature regions (H<2 T and 20 K) indicating an enhanced flux pinning and the magnetic activation, i.e., the interaction between the magnetic dipole of Fe ion and the vortices is weak in comparison to the effective pinning potential. Whereas, at H>2 T, J _c of the doped samples is always less than that of MgB₂, and the activation is dominant in comparison with the effective pinning potential provided by the doping. Flux jumps are observed in lower T and H regions for the samples doped up to 1% nFe₃O₄ only. Magnetization plots of higher Fe content samples exhibited clear paramagnetic background. Mossbauer measurements for the higher (4, 6 at%) nFe₃O₄ doped MgB₂ samples show that at RT, the hyperfine field for both samples is ∼100 kOe and ∼120 kOe at 90 K. This means that the nFe₃O₄ particles decompose and form possibly an intermetallic Fe-B phase in the matrix.     

Temperature and Magnetic Field-Induced Spin Reorientation in Rare-Earth Perovskite ErFe<Subscript>0.75</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>0.25</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

We report the synthesis of a single-phase rare-earth perovskite ErFe_0.75Cr_0.25O₃ polycrystalline and its magnetic properties. A transition occurs at temperature T _N = 120 K below which we observe a weak magnetic moment from the canted antiferromagnetism. Interestingly, ErFe_0.75Cr_0.25O₃ reveals the compensation-like behavior at T _comp?like = 27 K, where the net magnetic moments of transition-metal ions are antiparallel and equal to the induced net moment of Er³⁺ ions, and the paramagnetic contribution of Er³⁺ moment presenting a nonzero magnetization. The temperature-dependent magnetization measurement shows a spin reorientation transition from Γ₄ to Γ₁ at 6 K. Furthermore, it is also observed that there is a spin-flop transition at low temperature induced by external magnetic field in Γ₁ state (antiferromagnetic state). The interaction between (Fe/Cr)-3d and Er-4f electrons drives an extremely interesting spin reorientation transition which is highly sensitive to magnetic field and temperature.     

Magnetic properties of CuGa<Subscript>0.94</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.06</Subscript>Te<Subscript>2</Subscript>

As part of a search for new spintronic materials, we have studied the magnetic properties of the CuGa_0.94Mn_0.06Te₂ chalcopyrite solid solution in the range 2–400 K in weak and strong magnetic fields. Magnetization isotherms, σ(H), were obtained in magnetic fields of up to 3980 kA/m. σ(T) data were collected in two ways: the sample was cooled in a magnetic field or in zero field. The experimental data were analyzed by fitting to the Langevin function. The data are adequately represented by this relation in the case when the magnetic moment of the clusters is μ_cl = 23.4μ_B and the concentrations of magnetic clusters and noninteracting Mn²⁺ ions are n _cl = 2.4 × 10²⁵ m^?3 and n _pm = 5.7 × 10²⁵ m^?3, respectively. The calculated average cluster size is d _cl = 33 Å, the number of Mn²⁺ ions per cluster is z = 21 atoms per cluster, and the magnetic moment per Mn²⁺ ion in the clusters is μ_Mn = 1.1μ_B. This μ_Mn value is far below the theoretical magnetic moment of the Mn²⁺ ion in the electronic configuration d ⁵(5.9μ_B), suggesting antiferromagnetic exchange interaction.     

Magnet–PNIPA hydrogels for bioengineering applications

Temperature-sensitive Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPA gels were synthesized with micron-sized iron and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) particles to investigate their viability for hyperthermia applications. Induction heating of the magnetic hydrogels with varying concentration of magnetic powder was conducted at a frequency of 375  kHz for magnetic field strength varying from 1.7 kA/m (21 Oe) to 2.5 kA/m (31.4 Oe). It was observed that the maximum temperature induced in the magnetic hydrogels increased with the concentration of magnetic particles and magnetic field strength. The PNIPA gel underwent a collapse transition at 34 °C. It was found that a 2.5 wt.% Fe₃O₄ in PNIPA composite took 260 s to be heated to 45 °C under a magnetic field strength of 1.7 kA/m, the specific absorption rate (SAR) was found to be 1.83. SAR of iron oxide was found to be higher than the SAR of iron.     

Preparation and Properties of MPMG YBCO Bulk with Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Layer

In this study, four kinds of melt-processed YBCO samples were fabricated with the MPMG procedure. The compacted powders were located on a crucible with a buffer layer of Y₂O₃ to avoid liquid to spread on the furnace plate. Their microstructures were defined by XRD analysis and polarized light optical microscopy. The microstructure investigations indicated that the 123 grains were very big and fine and dispersed 211 particles remained in the samples. Resistivities of the samples were measured by a standard continuous dc four-probe method. Magnetization measurements were made and flux jumps were observed at a relatively higher temperature for Y1060. The critical current density, J _c , values of the samples, measured by VSM in 5 T magnetic field, exceeded 0.6×10³ A⋅cm⁻² at 77 K and 4 T.     

Electrical properties of V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>-CaO-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses exhibiting majority charge carrier reversal

The thermoelectric power and d.c electrical conductivity of x V₂O₅⋅40CaO⋅(60−x)P₂O₅ (10 ≤ x ≤ 30) glasses were measured. The Seebeck coefficient (Q) varied from +88 μ V K⁻¹ to −93 μV K⁻¹ as a function of V₂O₅ mol%. Glasses with 10 and 15 mol% V₂O₅ exhibited p-type conduction and glasses with 25 and 30 mol% V₂O₅ exhibited n-type conduction. The majority charge carrier reversal occurred at x = 20 mol% V₂O₅. The variation of Q was interpreted in terms of the variation in vanadium ion ratio (V^{5 +}/V^{4 +}). d.c electrical conduction in x V₂O₅⋅40CaO⋅(60−x)P₂O₅ (10 ≤ x ≤ 30) glasses was studied in the temperature range of 150 to 480 K. All the glass compositions exhibited a cross over from small polaron hopping (SPH) to variable range hopping (VRH) conduction mechanism. Mott parameter analysis of the low temperature data gave values for the density of states at Fermi level N (E_F) between 1.7 × 10²⁶ and 3.9 × 10²⁶ m⁻³ eV⁻¹ at 230 K and hopping distance for VRH (R_VRH) between 3.8 × 10⁻⁹m to 3.4 × 10⁻⁹ m. The disorder energy was found to vary between 0.02 and 0.03 eV. N (E_F) and R_VRH exhibit an interesting composition dependence.     

Thermoelectric properties of WO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-based ceramics doped with Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Tungsten trioxide (WO₃) doped with cobalt sesquioxide (Co₂O₃) was prepared by a conventional mixed oxide processing route and the thermoelectric properties were studied from 300 up to 1,000 K. The addition of Co₂O₃ to WO₃ resulted in an increase in both the grain size and porosity, indicating that Co₂O₃ promotes the grain grown of WO₃. The magnitude of the electrical conductivity (σ) and the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient (|S|) depended strongly on the Co₂O₃ content. As for the power factor (σS ² ), the 5.0 mol% sample has the maximum value of the power factor which is 0.12 μWm⁻¹K⁻² at 873 K.     

Impact of Tuning Molar Ratio in the Starting Materials: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magneto</Emphasis>-Transport Features of Hybrid YSr<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ru<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>7.9</Subscript>

The impact of slightly tuning molar ratio in the starting materials on the physical properties of 1212-type rutheno-cuprate, YSr₂Ru_0.9Cu_2.1O_7.9 (nominal) samples prepared under four synthesis approaches are reported. Interestingly, all samples clearly show the differences in the physical properties of the samples prepared under different synthetic protocols. However, neither XRD nor EDX reveal any notable differences in the crystal structure or sample composition. All the samples exhibit magneto-superconducting properties (H _ext=5 Oe) which are slightly varied with synthetic approaches. The high field (H _ext=10 kOe) temperature dependence of magnetization data shows a sharp ferromagnetic transition around 150 K and all the samples obey Curie–Weiss linear behavior above 180 K. The experimental effective paramagnetic moment for the various samples is in the range of 2.5 and 2.7μ _B/Ru which are in line with the literature report. The magnetization, M(H) isotherm curves measured at 5 K and −10 kOe≤H≤10 kOe conditions reveal weak ferromagnetic-like hysteresis loops for all samples with returning moment (M _r) and coercive field (H _c), whereas the high field M(H) loops indicate soft ferromagnetic behaviors with magnetic saturation. The saturation moment of the samples is slightly varied with the synthesis approaches. None of the samples showed bulk superconductivity (T_c^{R = 0})T_{\mathrm{c}}^{R = 0}) down to 2 K, while all samples show onset transitions (T_c^onsetT_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{onset}}) except the sample prepared by approach-3. The latter approach sample shows semiconducting behavior down to 2 K. The T_c^onsetT_{\mathrm{c}}^{\mathrm{onset}} noticed at 34 K, 12 K, and 6 K for the sample prepared by approach-1, 2, and 4, respectively. The nearly linear dependence suggests that hopping conduction is dominant in certain temperature range for all samples. The magneto-transport features of these samples exhibit maximum magnetoresistance (MR) at low temperatures. Remarkably, the sample prepared by approach-1 shows largest −MR about 77% at low temperature 2 K and H=90 kOe which stimulates for further investigations. Among the four synthesis approaches employed in the present study, we can probably suggest that the approach-1 (0.5Y₂O₃+0.5SrO₂+1.5SrCuO₂+0.9RuO₂+0.6CuO) is the preferable method to achieve the best sample (in terms of magneto-transport features).     

MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript> with addition of Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> obtained by spark plasma sintering technique

Superconducting bulks of MgB₂ with addition of Sb₂O₃ and Sb with different stoichiometric compositions ((MgB₂) + (Sb₂O₃) _x , x = 0.0025, 0.005, 0.015, and (MgB₂) + (Sb)_y, y = 0.01) were obtained by the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique. All added samples have high density, above 95% and critical temperature, T _c, of 38.1–38.6 K. This result and XRD data suggest that Sb does not enter the lattice of MgB₂. Impurity phases are Mg₃Sb₂, MgO, and MgB₄. The optimum addition is Sb₂O₃ for x = 0.005. This sample shows the critical current density, J _c(5 K, 0 T) = 4 × 10⁵ A/cm² and J _c(5 K, 7 T) = 6 × 10² A/cm², while the irreversibility field, H _irr (5 K, 100 A/cm²) = 8.23 T. Indicated values of J _c and H _irr are higher than for the pristine sample. The mechanism of J _c and H _irr increase in the Sb₂O₃ added samples is complex and composed of opposite effects most probably involving morphology elements, the presence of nano metric MgB₄ and the indirect influence of oxygen or oxygen and Sb. Crystallite size of MgB₂ is decreasing when Sb-based additions are introduced and the effect is stronger for the Sb-metal addition. The sample with Sb-metal addition does not improve J _c and H _irr when compared with pristine sample.     

Polarization Effect in ESR of Co Doped CuGeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Electron spin resonance of a single crystal of CuGeO₃ doped with 2% of Co has been studied at f = 99 GHz in temperature range 1.8–50 K. Contributions to ESR absorption from Cu²⁺ chains and from Co²⁺ ions were derived. It is found that functions obtained for ESR integrated intensities: Curie-Weiss for Cu²⁺ (χCu ∼ C _Cu/(T + Θ), with Θ = 92 K) and Curie for Co²⁺ (χCo ∼ C _Co/T) are well consistent with temperature dependence of static magnetic susceptibility. Strong dependence of ESR absorption on polarization of oscillating magnetic field was discovered for Co²⁺ contribution. Polarization effect was studied for magnetic field applied along a, b and c directions. Values of g-factors of resonance lines are presented.     

Influence of isovalent and heterovalent substitution for Bi<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> on the properties of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript>-based solid solutions

Bi_2–хLa_хFe₄O₉ and Bi₂Fe_4–2xTi_xCo_xO₉ ferrites have been prepared by solid-state reactions at a temperature of 1073 K. X-ray diffraction data indicate that, in the Bi_2–хLa_хFe₄O₉ system, the limiting degree of La³⁺ substitution for Bi³⁺ ions in Bi₂Fe₄O₉ does not exceed 0.05 and that the limiting degree of substitution in the Bi₂Fe_4–2xTi_xCo_xO₉ system lies in the range 0.05 < x < 0.1. The specific magnetization and specific magnetic susceptibility of the samples have been measured at temperatures from 5 to 300 K in a magnetic field of 0.86 T. The field dependences of magnetization obtained for the Bi_2–хLa_хFe₄O₉ and Bi₂Fe_4–2xTi_xCo_xO₉ ferrites at temperatures of 300 and 5 K demonstrate that partial isovalent substitution of La³⁺ for Bi³⁺ ions in Bi₂Fe₄O₉ and heterovalent substitution of Ti⁴⁺ and Co²⁺ ions for two Fe³⁺ ions leads to partial breakdown of the antiferromagnetic state and nucleation of a ferromagnetic state.     

Preparation of SrFe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> · 6SrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> magnetic composites by spray pyrolysis

Spray pyrolysis has been used to produce X-ray amorphous precursors with the nominal composition SrFe₁₂O₁₉ · 6SrB₂O₄ in the form of spherical particles 0.3 to 2 μm in diameter. Heat treatment of the precursors at temperatures from 650 to 900°C has produced platelike strontium hexaferrite particles embedded in a SrB₂O₄ matrix. With increasing annealing temperature, the average dimensions of the hexaferrite particles increase from 80 × 20 to 450 × 100 nm and the coercivity of the material rises from 240 to 440 kA/m.     

Magnetocaloric effect of Gd<Subscript>5</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript> alloys in low magnetic field

The magnetocaloric effect of Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ alloys under heat treatment conditions are investigated in low magnetic fields. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is studied by measuring magnetic entropy change (ΔS _M) and adiabatic temperature change (ΔT _ad) in a magnetic field of 1·5 T using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a home-made magnetocaloric effect measuring apparatus, respectively. The maximum ΔS _M of the alloys increases by 200% from 4·38 to 13·32 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, the maximum ·T _ad increases by 105% from 1·9 to 3·9 K when compared to the as-cast due to the homogeneous composition distribution and microstructure, while the magnetic ordering temperature is slightly reduced. These results indicate that the annealed Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ compounds are promising as high-performance magnetic refrigerants working room temperature in relatively low magnetic fields.     

Magnetic PNIPA hydrogels for hyperthermia applications in cancer therapy

Temperature-sensitive Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPA gels were synthesized with micron-sized iron and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) particles to investigate their viability for combined hyperthermia and drug release applications. The ultimate goal is to combine hyperthermia and triggered drug release. Induction heating of the magnetic hydrogels with varying concentration of magnetic powder was conducted at a frequency of 375 kHz for magnetic field strength varying from 1.7 kA/m to 2.5 kA/m. It was observed that the maximum temperature induced in the magnetic hydrogels increased with the concentration of magnetic particles and magnetic field strength. The PNIPA gel underwent a collapse transition at 34 °C. The best combination was found for the PNIPA–Fe₃O₄ system, 2.5 wt.% Fe₃O₄ in PNIPA–Fe₃O₄ system took 260 s to be heated to 45 °C under a magnetic field strength of 1.7 kA/m and the specific absorption rate (SAR) was found to be 1.83. SAR of iron oxide was found to be higher than the SAR of iron.     

Enhanced Superconducting Properties of Air-Processed GdBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>7-δ</Subscript> Single Domains with BaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/BaCuO<Subscript>2−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Addition

Single domain GdBa₂Cu_7-δ (Gd123) bulk superconductors were fabricated in air by top-seeding melt-texture growth. Performance of the air-processed Gd123 was successfully enhanced by addition of both BaCO₃ and BaCuO_2−x , which suppress the formation of Gd_1+x Ba_2−x Cu₃O_7-δ solid solutions. The optimum doping amount ranges from 0.05 to 0.15, M BaCO₃ and 0.05 to 0.1, M BaCuO_2−x per molar Gd123. The distribution of the second phase particles was observed by scanning electron microscopy. A narrow band formed by Gd₂BaCuO₅ particle concentration appeared around the seeding zone in both a–b plane and c-growth sector in Gd123 single grain. Trapped magnetic field density reached 0.67, T for sample with 24 mm in diameter and 8, mm in thickness and a high critical current density J _c up to 91,200, A/cm² was achieved at 77, K under self-field.     

Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Nitrogen-Doped Lanthanum Sesquioxide La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> as Predicted from First Principles

Using the ab initio FLAPW-GGA method, we examine the electronic and magnetic properties of nitrogen-doped non-magnetic sesquioxide La₂O₃ emphasizing the role of doping sites in the occurrence of d ⁰-magnetism. We predict the magnetization of La₂O₃ induced by nitrogen impurity in both octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the oxygen sublattice. The most interesting results are that (i) the total magnetic moments (about 1 μ _B per supercells) are independent of the doping site, whereas (ii) the electronic spectra of these systems differ drastically: La₂O₃:N with six-fold coordinated nitrogen behaves as a narrow-band-gap magnetic semiconductor, whereas with four-fold coordinated nitrogen is predicted to be a magnetic half-metal. This effect is explained taking into account the differences in N-2p_z^{ˉ -}2p_{z}^{\downarrow \uparrow} versus N-2p_x,y^{ˉ -}2p_{x,y}^{\downarrow \uparrow} orbital splitting for various doping sites. Thus, the type of the doping site is one of the essential factors for designing of new d ⁰-magnetic materials with promising properties.