Thermal Properties of La1−x A x CoO3 (A = Ca and Ba)

The thermal properties of La_1?x A _x CoO₃ (A = Ca, Ba and 0.0≤x≤0.3) for temperature (1 K≤T≤300 K) have been investigated using the Modified Rigid ion model (MRIM) with pair wise interionic interaction potential. The temperature dependent (1 K≤T≤300 K) variation of specific heat and thermal expansion for La_1?x A _x CoO₃ (A = Ca, Ba and 0.0≤x≤0.3) has presented proper interpretation of the experimental data. Also the effect of lattice distortions on the thermal properties of these perovskite cobaltates has been studied by an atomistic approach. In addition, the results on the cohesive energy (?), molecular force constant (f), Reststrahlen frequency (υ), Debye temperature (θ _D ) and Gruneisen parameter (γ) are also discussed.     

Physical Properties of Mo-Doped Cu(Re0.69−x Mo x Ca0.31)Sr2O6, x=0.1 to 0.6 Cuprate Perovskites

The physical properties of high-pressure synthesized polycrystalline Cu(Re_0.69?x Mo _x Ca_0.31)Sr₂O₆ samples are reported in this article to attract the scientific community. The present system undergoes a structural phase transition from cubic symmetry (for x=0, 0.1) to tetragonal for 0.2≤x≤0.4 and again cubic perovskite structure for x=0.5 and 0.6. The pristine compound (x=0) undergoes a ferromagnetic (ferrimagnetic) transition with high T _c～460 K. Neither the Curie temperature nor the effective magnetic moment is enhanced upon Mo substitution. The mechanism of the suppression of ferromagnetism in the present system is discussed assuming a localized electron system which is reminiscent of W substitution (Balamurugan et al. in J. Appl. Phys. 101:09N501, 2007). The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity, ρ decreases with x=0–0.4 and then increases for x=0.5 and 0.6. Though the suppression of ferromagnetism in the present system is similar to W-substitution, interestingly the former one (Mo) shows different results on structural and transport electrical properties which urge for further studies. The interesting aspect of the present work is for x=0.6, the specific heat data shows significant electronic contribution, whereas the resistivity measurement reveals insulating behavior.     

Dielectric and optical properties of TlGa1 − x Er x S2 (x = 0, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01) single crystals

TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x S₂ (x = 0, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01) solid solutions, based on the layered compound TlGaS₂, have been prepared by direct elemental synthesis. The effect of Er concentration on the dielectric and optical properties of the TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x S₂ solid solutions has been studied. The results demonstrate that increasing the Er content of the TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x S₂ solid solutions decreases the real part of their complex dielectric permittivity and increases their dielectric loss tangent. The conductivity (σ) of the TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x S₂ solid solutions in the frequency range f = 1 to 35 MHz exhibits σ ～ f ^0.8 behavior, indicative of hopping charge transport through their band gap. We have evaluated the key parameters of this charge transport mechanism. We have studied temperature-dependent optical properties of the TlGa_{1 ? x} Er _x S₂ solid solutions. At temperatures in the range T = 77–200 K, the TlGa_0.999Er_0.001S₂ solid solution has an absorption band near its fundamental absorption edge, which is due to transitions to a direct exciton state.     

Electrical properties of (Ni1−x )Li x )O (x=0.1 and 0.2) under various relative humidities

Rocksalt-type (Ni_1–x Li _x )O (x=0.1 and 0.2) was synthesized at 1350° C in air and its electrical resistivity (R) was measured under various relative humidities (H). R increases with increasing H in the range 0H79%, reaches a maximum value, then decreases in the range 79%<H100%. The increase in R is explained by an electron boundary layer model. On the other hand, the decrease in R is explained by ionic conductivity.     

Fluctuation Conductivity of RE1−2x Ca x M x Ba2Cu3O7−δ (RE=Nd,Y and M=Pr,Th) Superconductors

Polycrystalline samples of RE_1?2x Ca _x M _x Ba₂Cu₃O_7?δ with RE=Nd, Y and M=Pr, Th (with 0.0≤x≤0.10), superconductors were prepared by the standard solid-state method. Resistivity was measured as a function of temperature and doping concentration x. Excess conductivity was analyzed using the modified Lawrence-Doniach (LD) expressions. The fluctuation regions, crossover temperatures, coherence lengths, and effective layer thickness were obtained and the values were compared for both samples. For both samples, it was found that with increasing doping, the crossover temperatures were reduced, while the coherence length decreased. The upper critical field and critical current density were increased with increasing doping concentration due to the introduction of disorder and the enhancement of flux pinning by charge neutral doping. Furthermore, the coherence lengths of the Nd-based samples are larger than that for the Y-based samples by a factor 2. It was found that the value of critical current density in Nd(CaPr)-123 is higher than Y(CaTh)-123, from which it is suggested that CaPr doping is more effective than CaTh doping.     

Synthesis and properties of LiZr2(AsO4)3 and LiZr2(AsO4) x (PO4)3 − x

The LiZr₂(AsO₄)₃ arsenate and LiZr₂(AsO₄) _x (PO₄)_{3 ? x} solid solutions have been prepared through precipitation followed by heat treatment, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray structure analysis, IR spectroscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. We have established conditions for the crystallization of the arsenate and a continuous series of arsenate phosphate solid solutions (0 ≤ x ≤ 3), which have been obtained as two polymorphs: monoclinic and hexagonal. Using the Rietveld method, we have refined the crystal structures of the polymorphs of LiZr₂(AsO₄)₃ (sp. gr. P2₁/n, a = 9.1064(2), b = 9.1906(2), c = 12.7269(3) Å, β = 90.844(2)°, V =1065.03(5) ų, Z = 4; sp. gr. R $\bar 3$ c, a = 9.1600(4), c = 22.9059(13) Å, V = 1664.44(14) Å, Z = 6) and LiZr₂(AsO₄)_1.5(PO₄)_1.5. Their structural frameworks are built up of AsO₄ tetrahedra—or (As,P)O₄ tetrahedra occupied by arsenic and phosphorus atoms at random—and ZrO₆ octahedra, with the lithium atoms in between. The ionic conductivity of the materials has been measured. The cation conductivity of monoclinic LiZr₂(AsO₄) _x (PO₄)_{3 ? x} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 has been shown to exceed the conductivity of lithium zirconium phosphate.     

Structural, Raman Spectroscopy, and Magnetic Ordering in New Delafossite-Type Oxide CuCr1−x Ti x O2 (0≤x≤0.1)

We investigated in this paper a new mixture +3/+2 B cations delafossites by the doping at Cr³⁺ sites in CuCrO₂ by nonmagnetic cation Ti²⁺. Ceramics of CuCr_1?x Ti _x O₂ (0≤x≤0.1) were prepared via solid state synthesis techniques in a controlled atmosphere of O₂. The compound crystallized into the 3R delafossite phase with hexagonal structure. The slightly different size in B cations induced a slightly variation in unit cell parameters. We modulate the spin chirality by the effect of spin dilution for Ti²⁺ on the structural and magnetic properties of delafossite CuCrO₂ having a S=3/2 antiferromagnetic triangular lattice (ATL).     

1/8 Anomaly in the Excess-Oxygen-Doped La2−x A x CuO4+δ (A = Nd, Bi, Pr)

We have investigated in detail dependence on p (the hole concentration per Cu) of the transport properties and T _c in the excess-oxygen-doped La_2–x A _x CuO₄₊ (A=Nd, Bi, Pr), where the phase separation of the excess oxygen is suppressed. The so-called 1/8 anomaly has been found in La_1.8Nd_0.2CuO₄₊. The 1/8 anomaly has become marked through the 1% substitution of Zn for Cu. The SR measurements have revealed that the magnetic correlation develops at low temperatures below about 40 K in both Zn-free and 1% Zn-substituted samples with p=1/8 and that a long-range magnetic order is formed below 1 K in the 1% Zn-substituted sample with p=1/8. These results support the stripe-pinning model. Neither La_2–x Bi _x CuO₄₊ nor La_2–x Pr _x CuO₄₊ has exhibited the clear 1/8 anomaly.     

Synthesis and IR-excited luminescence of (Y1 − x Tm x )2O2S solid solutions

We have studied the key features of the luminescence spectra and kinetics of (Y_{1 ? x} Tm _x )₂O₂S solid solutions in the range 400–2000 nm under laser excitation at 790 and 810 nm. The results have been used to develop a series of IR phosphors “invisible” under laser excitation in the range 790–810 nm and possessing tunable and reproducible relative intensities of three groups of IR luminescence bands in the ranges 770–840, 1360–1520, and 1650–1980 nm, respectively.     

Two phase co-existence in YBa2(Cu1−x Co x )3O7−δ superconductor with x=0.03

Co-doped impurity-free YBa₂(Cu_1–x Co _x )₃O_7–(123Co_x) with x=0.03 superconducting samples have been synthesized using conventional solid state reaction techniques. A Rietveld analysis of X-ray diffraction data for these specimens reveals that two structures (one tetragonal represented by T-YBCO, and the other orthorhombic represented by O-YBCO) co-exist at this composition of the cuprate. The use of a single tetragonal or single orthorhombic structure as the model for the refinements does not produce acceptable fits to the X-ray diffraction pattern. The refinements show that the T-YBCO phase at 298 K has tetragonal symmetry (P4/mmm) with a=0.387879(4) nm, c=1.17314(1) nm, and that the O-YBCO phase has at 298 K an orthorhombic symmetry (Pmmm) with a=0.387555(4) nm, b=0.389400(4) nm, c=1.17363(1) nm, respectively.     

Pressure-induced non-bulk superconductivity in Eu1.2Mo6(S1−x Se x )8

High-pressure study has been made both resistively and magnetically on Eu_1.2Mo₆(S_1–x Se _x )₈. Superconductivity was detected at a lower pressure in samples forx0 than forx=0 in spite of the larger unit cell volume of the former. The superconductivity observed remains non-bulk up to 20 kbar. The maximum onset temperature of the superconductivity transition decreases withx.On leave from the Physics Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking, China.     

Synthesis and Properties of La2(Mo1 – x M x )2O9 (M = Nb, Ta) Ionic Conductors

La₂(Mo_{1 – x} M _x )₂O₉ (M = Nb, Ta; 0 < x 0.2) solid solutions were prepared, and their physicochemical and electrical properties were studied. Second harmonic generation measurements indicate that the solid solutions have a noncentrosymmetric structure and undergo a structural phase transition accompanied by a sharp increase in ionic conductivity, similar to that of La₂Mo₂O₉. The transition temperature is found to decrease with increasing Nb or Ta content. The introduction of 5 wt % Nb increases the 800°C conductivity of the material.     

Influence of KClO3 Addition on the Magnetic Properties and Microstructural Morphology of Y(1−0.2x)Ba(2−0.2x)KxCu3Oy (x = 0 ÷ 0.40) Polycrystalline HTSC

The influence of KclO ₃ addition on the AC complex susceptibility (ac) and microstructural morphology of YBCO HTSC with nominal composition Y _(1–0.2x) Ba _(2–0.2x) K _x Cu ₃ O _y (x = 0 ÷ 0.40) were investigated. Xac was recorded as a function of temperature and of the concentration of KClO ₃ in various AC magnetic fields up to 19 Oe. The data were analyzed using the relation h = a(1 – T _m /T _c ) ⁿ . The results obtained showed that the presence of K- and Cl-containing impurities on the grain boundaries change the intergranular coupling and, within certain concentration limits, improves the superconducting parameters.     

Electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of La1−x M x MnO3 (M = Ca,Sr) single crystals

The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient was measured on single crystals of La_1–x Ca _x MnO₃(0 <x 0.3) and La_1–x Sr _x MnO 3 (0 <x 0.4) grown by the arc-image floating zone method. The electrical conduction for La_1–x crystals withx 0.2 was of the activation type aboveT _c and of the degenerate type belowT _c, while that for the crystal withx = 0.1 was of the activation type over the whole measured temperature range between –170 and 400°C. The conduction behaviour of La_{1– x} Sr _x MnO₃ was essentially the same as that of La_1–x Ca _x MnO₃ except that the conduction of the crystals withx = 0.3 and 0.4 was of the degenerate type aboveT _c. A distinct difference in Seebeck data was observed between the calcium and the strontium compounds.     

Structural, transport, magnetic, and dielectric properties of La1−x Te x MnO3 (x = 0.10 and 0.15)

In this study, we have investigated the structure, temperature-dependent resistivity, magnetization, and dielectric properties of La_1?x Te _x MnO_3±δ (x = 0.10 and 0.15). X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the rhombohedral crystal symmetry with space group R $ \overline{3} $ c. For both the samples, the temperature dependence of magnetization plots show paramagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition. The Curie temperature (T _c) and magnitude of magnetization increase with the Te concentration. Field-dependent magnetization produces the asymmetric hysteresis loop that has been attributed to the magneto crystalline anisotropy induced by lattice distortion and the rare earth spin coupling at room temperature. Temperature-dependent resistivity plots exhibit metal–insulator transition (MIT) and charge-ordering state. These plots have been fitted using variable range hopping model, and the density of states [N(E_F)] has been estimated. Magnetoresistance is measured as a function of temperature in the field of 1T, 5T, and 8T. The dielectric constant shows an anomaly near MIT. The dielectric constant exhibits a peaking behavior with the applied frequency and the temperature dependence of dielectric constant attains colossal values at high temperatures.     

Crystal Structure,Luminescence, and Thermodynamic Properties of Pb10 – xEux(GeO4)2 + x(VO4)4 – x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) Substituted Apatites

Inorganic Materials - Pb10 – xEux(GeO4)2 + x(VO4)4 – x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) Eu-substituted lead germanatovanadates with the apatite structure have been prepared by solid-state reactions,...