Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Ti doped Li3 − xFe2 − xTix(PO4)3/C cathode materials

Li_3 − xFe_2 − xTi_x(PO₄)₃/C (x = 0-0.4) cathodes designed with Fe doped by Ti was studied. Both Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃/C (x = 0) and Li_2.8Fe_1.8Ti_0.2(PO₄)₃/C (x = 0.2) possess two plateau potentials of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ couple (around 2.8 V and 2.7 V vs. Li⁺/Li) upon discharge observed from galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry. Li_2.8Fe_1.8Ti_0.2(PO₄)₃/C has higher reversibility and better capacity retention than that of the undoped Li₃Fe₂(PO₄)₃/C. A much higher specific capacity of 122.3 mAh/g was obtained at C/20 in the first cycle, approaching the theoretical capacity of 128 mAh/g, and a capacity of 100.1 mAh/g was held at C/2 after the 20th cycle.     

Synthesis of nanostructured M/Fe3O4 (M = Ag,Cu) composites using hexamethylentetramine and their electrocatalytic properties

Nanoscaled Ag/Fe₃O₄ hybrids with different Ag contents and Cu/Fe₃O₄ nanoshpere and microsphere were successfully synthesized with assistance of sodium citrate and (CH₂)₆N₄ via a hydrothermal process. The as-prepared samples were identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. All samples were used as electrocatalysts modified on a glassy carbon electrode for p-nitrophenol reduction in a basic solution. The catalytic activity of Ag/Fe₃O₄ samples increased first and then decreased by increasing Ag content from 0% to 8%, and the one with 6% Ag displayed the highest catalytic activity. All the Cu/Fe₃O₄ samples exhibited enhanced catalytic activity by comparison with a glassy carbon electrode, and the one prepared with the molar ratio of Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, citrate anion, and (CH₂)₆N₄ with 1:1:3:5 exhibited the highest catalytic activity.     

Enhanced ferromagnetic properties of multiferroic BiCoxFe1 − xO3 synthesized by hydrothermal method

The BiCo_xFe_1 − xO₃ samples have been successfully synthesized by hydrothermal process. The resulting products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and physical property measurement system (PPMS).It was found that the magnetization of the obtained products was greatly enhanced by Co substituting for Fe ions. Furthermore, the value of magnetism of BiCo_xFe_1 − xO₃ samples can be adjusted by Fe doping concentration. DTA curve indicates the ferroelectric properties of the obtained BCFO samples are not affected by Co substitution. Therefore, it would be interesting to realize thin films with similar compositions and study their properties in the interest of device applications.     

Structure and thermal conductivity of Gd2(TixZr1 − x)2O7 ceramics

The Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00) ceramics were synthesized by solid state reaction at 1650 °C for 10 h in air. The relative density and structure of Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ were analyzed by the Archimedes method and X-ray diffraction. The thermal diffusivity of Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ from room temperature to 1400 °C was measured by a laser-flash method. The Gd₂Zr₂O₇ has a defect fluorite-type structure; however, Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1.00) compositions exhibit an ordered pyrochlore-type structure. Gd₂Zr₂O₇ and Gd₂Ti₂O₇ are infinitely soluable. The thermal conductivity of Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ increases with increasing Ti content under identical temperature conditions. The thermal conductivity of Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ first decreases gradually with the increase of temperature below 1000 °C and then increases slightly above 1000 °C. The thermal conductivity of Gd₂(Ti_xZr_1 − x)₂O₇ is within the range of 1.33 to 2.86 W m^− 1 K^− 1 from room temperature to 1400 °C.     

Crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of Ca(Cu3−xMx)Ti4O12 (M = Fe and Ni) ceramics

M-substituted Ca(Cu_3−xM_x)Ti₄O₁₂ (CCMTO) ceramics, where M = Fe and Ni, were synthesized and the influence of M substitutions for Cu on the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of CCMTO ceramics were investigated in this study. From the variations in the lattice parameters of CCMTO ceramics, the solubility limit of Ni substitution for Cu in CaCu_3−xNi_xTi₄O₁₂ (CCNTO) ceramics was x = 0.2, whereas that of CaCu_3−xFe_xTi₄O₁₂ (CCFTO) ceramics was x = 0.05. The crystal structural analysis of CCMTO ceramics revealed that the single phase of CCMTO ceramics belongs to the I23 non-centrosymmetric space group of I23; as a result, the P_r and E_c values of CCFTO ceramics at x = 0.05 were 1.8 μC/cm² and 40 kV/cm, respectively. The ferroelectric behavior of CCMTO ceramics by the M substitutions for Cu may be related to the displacement of a Ti⁴⁺ cation in the TiO₆ octahedra and tilting of the Ti–O–Ti angle because of the non-centrosymmetric space group.     

Basic properties of Sr1 − xBaxSi2

Basic properties, such as the phase relationship, crystal structure, and energy gap E_g, have been investigated in Sr-rich Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂. Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) has two phases: one with the SrSi₂-type structure and another with the BaSi₂-type structure. The SrSi₂ phase exists at x ranging from 0 to 0.13, and the BaSi₂ phase exists at x ranging from 0.24 to 1.0. The volume increases with x in both the SrSi₂ and BaSi₂ phases. A volume jump of 13.7% appears at the structural phase transition from the SrSi₂ phase to the BaSi₂ phase. E_g increases with x in SrSi₂-phase Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂ but E_g decreases with x in the BaSi₂-phase Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂. In Sr-rich BaSi₂-phase Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂, Ba atoms at a specific crystallographic site, the A1 site, are preferentially substituted by Sr atoms, as well as in Ba-rich BaSi₂-phase Sr_1 − xBa_xSi₂.     

Electrical properties of lead-free thick film NTC thermistors based on perovskite-type BaCoxCo2xBi1 − 3xO3

Lead-free thick film negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors based on perovskite-type BaCo^II_xCo^III_2xBi_1 − 3xO₃ (x ≤ 0.1) were prepared by mature screen-printing technology. The microstructures of the thick films sintered at 720 °C were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The electrical properties were analyzed by measuring the resistance-temperature characteristics. For the BaBiO₃ thick films, the room-temperature resistivity is 0.22 MΩ cm, while the room-temperature resistivity is sharply decreased to about 3 Ω cm by replacing of Bi with a small amount of Co. For compositions 0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, the values of room-temperature resistivity (ρ₂₃), thermistor constant (B_25/85) and activation energy are in the range of 1.995-2.975 Ω cm, 1140-1234 K and 0.102-0.111 eV, respectively.     

Structure and magnetic properties of sputtered (Fe1 − xCrx)0.09Cu0.91 solid solution films

The surface morphology of the (Fe_1 − xCr_x)_0.09Cu_0.91 films does not change significantly as x increases. No Fe or Cr granules form in the films because of the low deposition temperature and the non-equilibrium deposition procedure, suggesting that Fe and Cr atoms disperse in the Cu matrix. With increasing x, the lattice constant c and single cell volume decrease, but the lattice constants (a, b) first increase and latterly decrease. The films show spin-glass-like manner that looks like superparamagnetism at high temperatures and are ferromagnetic at low temperatures. The peak temperature of the zero-field-cooling curves decreases from 37 to 23 K as x increases from 0 to 0.25. Below the peak temperatures, the field-cooled magnetization decreases with decreasing temperature due to the antiferromagnetically coupling of the disordered spin-glass-like moments. The coercivity increases greatly below 50 K because of the pinning effect of the frozen spin-glass-like moments at low temperatures.     

Fabrication and characterization of uniform Fe3O4 octahedral micro-crystals

Uniform Fe₃O₄ octahedral microcrystals with perfect appearance have been successfully synthesized by a Triton X100-assisted polyol process. During the polyols process for the preparation of Fe₃O₄ octahedra, the introduction of Triton X100 decreases significantly the needed concentration of NaOH. The results show that Fe₃O₄ octahedra are composed of eight triangular sheets, which are equilateral triangles. The edge size of Fe₃O₄ octahedron is about 4 μm. The magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄ octahedral particles were evaluated on a SQUID magnetometer at room temperature. The value of saturation magnetization for Fe₃O₄ octahedra is 90 emu/g, which is close to the value of bulk magnetite. The remnant magnetization and coercive force of Fe₃O₄ octahedra are considerably low, which are rare for the Fe₃O₄ particles with the size scale of micrometers. The Fe₃O₄ octahedral microcrystals show high saturation magnetizations and very low coercivities.     

Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles synthesis from tailings by ultrasonic chemical co-precipitation

The aim of this study is to develop a new method for the preparation of high-value, environmentally friendly products from tailings. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nano-powder was synthesized by ultrasonic-assisted chemical co-precipitation utilizing high purity iron separated from iron ore tailings by acidic leaching method. Magnetite particles with 15 nm average diameter were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. Surfactant influence on particles shape and size was investigated. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with C₁₂H₂₅OSO₃Na exhibit better dispersion and uniform size. The product consisted of ferrous ferrite (Fe3O4) nanosized cubic particles with a high level of crystallinity and exhibit super-paramagnetism based on magnetization curves lacking hysteresis.     

Characteristics of NixFe100−x films deposited on SiO2/Si(1 0 0) by DC magnetron co-sputtering

Ni_xFe_100−x films with a thickness of about 200 nm were deposited on SiO₂/Si(1 0 0) substrates at room temperature by DC magnetron co-sputtering using both Fe and Ni₈₀Fe₂₀ targets. Compositional, structural, electrical and magnetic properties of the films were investigated. Ni₇₆Fe₂₄, Ni₆₅Fe₃₅, Ni₆₀Fe₄₀, Ni₅₅Fe₄₅, Ni₄₉Fe₅₁ films are obtained by increasing the sputtering power of the Fe target. All the films have a fcc structure. Ni₇₆Fe₂₄, Ni₆₅Fe₃₅, Ni₆₀Fe₄₀ and Ni₅₅Fe₄₅ films grow with crystalline orientations of [1 1 1] and [2 2 0] in the direction of the film growth while the Ni₄₉Fe₅₁ film has the [1 1 1] texture structure in the direction of the film growth. The lattice constant of the film increases linearly with increasing Fe content. All of the films grow with thin columnar grains and have void networks in the grain boundaries. The grain size does not change markedly with the composition of the film. The resistivity of the film increases with increasing Fe content and is one order of magnitude larger than that of the bulk. For all the films the magnetic hysteresis loop shows a hard magnetization. The Ni₇₆Fe₂₄ film has the lowest saturation magnetization of 6.75×10⁻² T and the lowest saturation field of 8.36×10⁴ A/m while the Ni₄₉Fe₅₁ film has a largest saturation magnetization of 9.25×10⁻² T and the largest saturation field of 1.43×10⁵ A/m.     

纳米Fe3O4及Fe3O4-SrFe12O19吸波复合材料的制备及性能

采用共沉淀法成功制备出具有超顺磁性的纳米Fe₃O₄, 并将Fe₃O₄与SrFe₁₂O₁₉复合制成复合吸波材料Fe₃O₄-SrFe₁₂O₁₉, 利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)和矢量网络分析仪(PNA)对产物的物相、显微结构、磁性能和吸波性能进行了表征与分析。结果表明, 当Fe₃O₄与SrFe₁₂O₁₉质量比为1∶0.3时, Fe₃O₄-SrFe₁₂O₁₉饱和磁化强度为11.1 emu·g^-1, 矫顽力0.86 Oe, 剩余磁化强度0.08 emu·g^-1, 其吸波性能最佳, 最大吸收峰值为-17.7 dB,-5 dB频宽为1.3 GHz, 较Fe₃O₄和 SrFe₁₂O₁₉的最大吸收峰值分别提高247%和185%, 频带分别拓宽1.12 GHz和0.40 GHz。     

Preparation of Fe3O4/PVA nanofibers via combining in-situ composite with electrospinning

A novel approach, combining in-situ composite method with electrospinning, was used to prepare high magnetic Fe₃O₄/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite nanofibers. Fe₃O₄ magnetic fluids were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method in the presence of 6 wt.% PVA aqueous solution. PVA was used as stabilizer and polymeric matrix. The resulting Fe₃O₄/PVA composite nanofibers were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD), respectively. These composite fibers showed a uniform and continuous morphology, with the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded in the fibers. Magnetization test confirmed that the composite fiber showed a high saturated magnetization (M_s = 2.42 emµ·g^-1) although only 4 wt.% content.     

静电纺制备Fe3O4/PEK-C纳米复合膜及其吸波性能

静电纺丝技术是一种新颖、高效且简单的制备连续纳米纤维的方法,纳米复合纤维膜的优异特点赋予了纳米吸波剂新的吸波通道。本文采用静电纺丝工艺制备Fe3O4/PEK-C纳米复合纤维膜,利用SEM和TGA表征纳米复合纤维膜的微观形貌和热稳定性,用矢量网络分析仪测试样品在8.2~12.4 GHz的电磁参数与吸波性能。结果表明,Fe3O4/PEK-C纳米复合纤维膜呈现出超细纤维彼此交织构成的立体网络结构,其热稳定性、复介电常数和复磁导率均随着Fe3O4含量的增加而增加,介电损耗和磁损耗得到加强。当纳米复合纤维膜的厚度为1.8 mm时,其反射损耗在整个测试波段均处于-5 dB以下,-10 dB以下有效吸收频宽为2 GHz,频率在8.6 GHz处吸收强度达到最大值-15.4 dB。预期可作为隐身复合材料的吸波功能层。     

Preparation and characteristics of Fe3O4 magnetic thin films plated on hollow glass spheres

The surface of hollow glass spheres was deposited with a layer of Fe₃O₄ film in the open air without using ultrasound and toxic reducing reagent NaNO₂; the magnetic films of Fe₃O₄ were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. The intactness of the films was remarkably affected by temperature; it is favorable for the hollow glass spheres to be encapsulated completely by the Fe₃O₄ magnetic films as plating temperature increased at pH 6.7. The films exhibited ferromagnetic behavior.     

Fe3O4 包覆聚苯乙烯磁性微球的制备及性能

为研究一种应用于磁稳定流化床反应器的新型高分子磁性微球的制备方法及性能,采用悬浮聚合法制备了Fe_3O_4纳米粒子包覆聚苯乙烯磁性微球,研究了搅拌速率、加入磁性Fe_3O_4纳米粒子的时间等因素对复合微球粒径及性能的影响,运用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)、热重(TGA)等测试手段,表征了磁性聚苯乙烯微球的形貌特征、结构、粒径、磁学性能及Fe_3O_4的包覆量.实验结果表明:在搅拌转速为600 r/min,80℃保温10 min加入修饰Fe_3O_4纳米粒子,制备所得的磁性聚苯乙烯微球为粒径分布均匀的球状微粒;Fe_3O_4的包覆量达到5%,最高饱和磁化强度为3.73 emu/g,具有较好的超顺磁性,可应用于磁稳定流化床反应器.     

An easy fabrication of monodisperse oleic acid-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles

An easy route is described for the synthesis of monodisperse oleic acid-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with uniform size and shape via a thermal decomposition of Fe(acac)₃ in the presence of oleic acid (OA). The prepared Fe₃O₄ samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results show that the resulting OA-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have an average diameter of about 24 nm and an OA layer, around 3 nm in thickness. The magnetic saturation value of the prepared OA-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is determined to be 78.68 emu/g, indicating a well-established superparamagnetic property.     

High-temperature thermoelectric properties of non-stoichiometric Ag1 − xInTe2 with chalcopyrite structure

Our group has revealed that AgGaTe₂ with the chalcopyrite structure exhibits relatively high thermoelectric (TE) figure of merit (ZT) when it has a deviation of Ag content from the stoichiometry. The maximum ZT value of 0.77 was obtained for Ag_0.95GaTe₂ at 850 K. On the other hand, the TE properties of AgInTe₂ with the same chalcopyrite structure with AgGaTe₂ have not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the high-temperature TE properties of AgInTe₂ with the composition of Ag_1 − xInTe₂ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05). The deviation of Ag content from stoichiometry slightly enhanced the ZT value. The maximum ZT value was 0.07 at 600 K obtained in the samples of x = 0.03 and 0.05.     

Dispersion of Fe3O4 suspensions using sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate as dispersant

Dispersion of Fe₃O₄-water suspension is enhanced with appropriate decision of solution pH and the amount of dispersant, sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate. Active adsorption of dispersant onto Fe₃O₄ takes place only at pH levels below the isoelectric point. The median diameter is reduced with an increase in the adsorption amount of dispersant at first, and then it increases remarkably with higher adsorption. Change in Fe₃O₄ particle size according to the adsorption amount of dispersant is explained on the basis of contact angle measurements which relate to hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of Fe₃O₄ particles.     

Magnetic softness and interparticle exchange interactions of (Fe65Co35)1 − x(Al2O3)x (x = 0-0.50) nanogranular films

The effect of Al₂O₃ content on the structure, electrical properties, magnetic properties, and interparticle exchange interactions of (Fe₆₅Co₃₅)_1 − x(Al₂O₃)_x films with Al₂O₃ volume fractions x ranging from 0 to 0.50 was systematically investigated. Among the films with x between 0 and 0.25, the lowest coercivity of 0.56 kA/m was achieved in the (Fe₆₅Co₃₅)_0.82(Al₂O₃)_0.18 film. This is ascribed to the strongest exchange interactions between the Fe₆₅Co₃₅ nanoparticles in this film. Combined with the microstructure analysis of the (Fe₆₅Co₃₅)_1 − x(Al₂O₃)_x films, the modified Herzer's model was extended to interpret the variation of the coercivity with x and analyze the effect of the exchange interactions between the Fe₆₅Co₃₅ nanoparticles on the magnetic softness. The remanence curves confirm the existence of the exchange interactions and reveal the evolution of the exchange interaction strength with Al₂O₃ content.