Phase Formation in the Course of Oxidation of In x Se1 − x Alloys (0.47 ≤ x ≤ 0.53)

We have determined the characteristic temperature ranges of heating of In _x Se_{1 – x} (0.50 x 0.52) alloys in air. We have established that the annealing of InSe powder in selenium vapors leads to the stabilization of the rhombohedral structure.     

Phase diagram of the CrxVSe2 system (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0)

The phase diagram of the pseudo-binary CrVSe₂ (i.e. Cr_xVSe₂) system was determined by means of X-ray and DTA measurements, in the composition range 0≤x≤1.0. As the results, the following 6 phases have been confirmed to be existent in the temperature range 300≤T≤1100 : CdI₂,M₅X₈,M₃X₄,α,NiAs and Cr. Among them, M₅X₈,M₃X₄ and α phases undergo a phase transition to the CdI₂- or NiAs-type structures at high temperatures. The α phase (0.825≤x≤0.875 at 500°C) is a new phase firstly confirmed by this study.     

Comment on the magnetic properties of the system Sr2−xCaxFeMoO6, 0≤x≤2

The structural and magnetic properties of the n-type-metallic double-perovskite system Sr_2−xCa_xFeMoO₆ are reported. At 5 K, the saturation magnetization remains M_s(5 K)=3.5 μ_B/formula unit compared to a theoretical spin-only moment of 4.0 μ_B/formula unit for a perfectly ordered compound. From the shape of the M–H hysteresis loops below T_c, it is suggested that ferromagnetic long-range ordered domains are coupled antiferromagnetically across antiphase boundaries; random disorder within domains may be small. An unprecedented dependence of the paramagnetic susceptibility on the applied magnetic field is reported and attributed to an overlapping Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Mo⁶⁺/Mo⁵⁺ redox couple, first suggested by Sleight and Weiher [Sleight AW, Weiher JF. J. Phys Chem Solids 1972; 33: 679.], which results in localized S=5/2 spins on the iron atoms coexisting with itinerant minority-spin electrons in a narrow π* band.     

Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of the Co2Mn1−x V x Sb (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) Heusler Compounds

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Co₂Mn_1?x V _x Sb (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) Heusler compounds have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), magnetometric measurements, and full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP–LAPW) method. All compounds crystallize in a cubic Cu₂MnAl-type crystal structure with the space group Fm–3m. The samples for x<0.8 have the Curie temperatures above room temperature, while the Curie temperature is observed at 68 K for the sample with x = 0.8. The saturation magnetization at 5 K decreases linearly with increasing vanadium concentration x. The values of the saturation magnetization obtained by FP–LAPW–local density approximation (LDA) calculations are in better agreement with the experimental results compared with the results obtained by FP–LAPW–generalized gradient approximation (GGA) calculations.     

Thermoelectric Properties of TlIn1 – x Yb x Te2 (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.09) Crystals

The thermoelectric properties of TlIn_{1 – x} Yb _x Te₂ (0.01 x 0.09) crystals are studied. The results indicate that the crystals possess high thermoelectric figures of merit in the range 500–700 K.     

Preparation and Structure of Ga2 – x Sc x O3 (0.42 ≤ x ≤ 0.52)

The structure of a scandium gallium oxide single crystal grown by the Czochralski process from a charge of composition Ga_1.5Sc_0.5O₃ is determined by x-ray diffraction. The structure is shown to be a superstructure to -Ga₂O₃. The superstructure parameters are found to vary both along the axis of the crystal and radially, which is due to variations in Ga : Sc ratio. A structural model of the Ga_1.5Sc_0.5O₃ crystal is proposed.     

Preparation of the single phase γ′-(Fe1−x Ni x )4N compounds (0 ≤x ≤ 0.6)

Single phase -Fe₄N type (Fe_1–xNi_x)₄N compounds (0 x 0.6 have been synthesized for the first time by controlled heat treatment of iron-nickel oxalates in a gaseous flow of NH₃ xand H₂. The preparation processes were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The results confirmed that annealing of oxalates in the NH₃ and H₂ atmosphere included the processes of dehydration, decomposition and reduction, nitrogenation and thermal decomposition of the nitrides. The decomposition and reduction occur simultaneously. The final products depend on the flow rate ratio of NH₃ H₂ and the annealing temperature. The formation conditions for the single phase -Fe₄N type (Fe_1–xNi_x)₄N compounds are related to the nickel concentration, with increasing nickel content, the nitrogenation temperature decreased, in contrast the flow rate ratio of NH₃ H₂ increased.     

Synthesis of Cr x Ti1−2x Nb x O2O20≤x≤0.5 rutile solid solutions from alkoxides

In this study, Cr _x Ti_1–2x Nb _x O₂ (0 x 0.5) rutile solid solutions have been synthesized from gels built from hydrolysis-condensation of Cr (III) acetylacetonate, NbCl₅ and Ti (IV) isopropoxide mixture (polymeric gel). Characterization of these solid solutions was carried out by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis and CIELAB (Commission Internationale del'Eclairage L^*a^*b^*) parameter measurements. The results obtained by the polymeric gel method were compared with those obtained by traditional ceramic synthesis. This comparison reveals some differences with regard to synthesis temperatures and reaction mechanisms. The formation of Cr _x Ti_1–2x Nb _x O₂ (0 x 0.5) rutile solid solutions by the ceramic method requires temperatures of about 1200°C and soaking times of several days. These solid solutions are synthesized at 1000°C in 24 h by the polymeric gel method. In ceramic synthesis, the CrNbO₄ compound with rutile structure appears as an intermediate compound in the formation of rutile solid solutions. In polymeric gel synthesis, however, the CrNbO₄ rutile compound was not detected in the samples.     

Influence of the cation sublattice defectness on the electronic thermoelectric power of Li x Cu(2−x)−δ (x ≤ 0.25)

This paper presents an experimental study of the electronic thermoelectric power as a function of copper content for Li _x Cu_(2?x)?δS (x ≤ 0.25) electronic-ionic mixed conductors. Using a vacancy model for lattice defects, we calculate their electronic thermoelectric power as a function of x. By adjusting the hole effective mass, we reach satisfactory agreement with experimental data.     

Diffusion of mercury into for HgxCd(1−x)Te 0≤x≤0.03

Experiments carried out to fabricate Hg_xCd_(1-x)Te by diffusing mercury into CdTe slices from the vapour, resulted in obtaining slices with a maximum value of x=0.004. Measurements on the diffusion of mercury into such slices, where 0≤x≤0.03, under saturated vapour pressure conditions, resulted in two component profiles, each profile giving two values of D. These results were similar to ones obtained earlier, indicating that the diffusion was rate-limiting. In addition, the diffusivities were found to be independent of x. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of reducing atmosphere on the magnetism of Zn(1-x)Co(x)O (0≤x≤0.10) nanoparticles

We report the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Zn(1-x)Co(x)O?(0≤x≤0.10) nanoparticles synthesized by heating metal acetates in organic solvent. The nanoparticles were crystallized in the wurtzite ZnO structure after annealing in air and in a forming gas (Ar95%?+?H5%). The x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) data for different Co content show clear evidence for the Co(2+) ions in tetrahedral symmetry, indicating the substitution of Co(2+) in the ZnO lattice. However, samples with x = 0.08 and higher cobalt content also indicate the presence of Co metal clusters. Only those samples annealed in the reducing atmosphere of the forming gas, that showed the presence of oxygen vacancies, exhibited ferromagnetism at room temperature. The air annealed samples remained non-magnetic down to 77?K. The essential ingredient in achieving room temperature ferromagnetism in these Zn(1-x)Co(x)O nanoparticles was found to be the presence of additional carriers generated by the presence of the oxygen vacancies.     

Appearance of Griffiths Phase in La0.7−x Pr x Ba0.3MnO3 (0 ≤x≤ 0.2)

Polycrystalline La_0.7?x Pr _x Ba_0.3MnO₃ (0 ≤x≤ 0.2) samples were prepared using solid-state reaction and checked by X-ray diffraction. Magnetization measurements versus temperature and applied magnetic field were used to investigate their magnetic properties. For samples with x= 0.2, the Griffiths phase is observed when the inverse of susceptibility (1/ χ vs. T) is analyzed.     

Effect of magnesium content and metal vanadate formation on the catalytic behaviour of Cu1.0−x -Mg x -V2.0 oxide/vanadate (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) system

The catalytic activity of the vapour-phase decomposition of 2-propanol over the Cu_1.0–x -Mg _x -V_2.0 oxide (0.0 x 1.0) series calcined between 500 and 1000 °C was investigated in the temperature range 165–375 °C using a flow system technique at atmospheric pressure. The catalysts were found to be selective dehydration types for 2-propanol. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies were used to identify the structural changes caused by the alcohol decomposition reaction. The activity and selectivity results were discussed on the basis of the electrical and/or acid-base properties of the catalysts, which not only depend on the sample composition, x, but also on its calcination temperature. A tentative reaction mechanism consistent with the obtained data has been suggested.     

Grain orientation and anisotropy in the physical properties of SrBi2(Nb1 − x V x )2O9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics

SrBi₂(Nb_{1 – x} V _x )₂O₉ (0 x 0.3 in molar ratio) ceramics have been fabricated via conventional sintering at elevated temperatures. Interestingly sintering the pellets in the 1320–1470 K temperature range yielded partially grain oriented ceramics. The orientation factor (f) monitored via X-ray powder diffraction studies was found to increase with increasing V₂O₅ content and reached 83% for x = 0.3. The increment in (f) was not that significant with increase in sintering temperature and its duration. The microstructural studies suggest that V₂O₅ has a truncating effect on the abnormal platy growth of SBN grains. The dielectric constant (_r) and loss (D) measurements as functions of both temperature and V₂O₅ content have been carried out along the directions parallel (_rp) and perpendicular (_rn) to the cold pressing axis of the pellet. The anisotropy (_rn/_rp) associated with _r was found to be 1.11 at 300 K and 2.1 at the Curie temperature, (T _c) respectively. Different dielectric mixture formulae that were employed to analyze the effective dielectric constants of these samples with varying porosity confirmed that the experimental value of _r was comparable with that obtained using Wiener's formula. Impedance spectroscopy was employed to rationalize the electrical behavior of these ceramics. The pyroelectric coefficients along the directions parallel and perpendicular to the pressing axis of the grain oriented (83%) SBN ceramic at 300 K were 0.13145 mC/m²K and 0.26291 mC/m²K respectively. The ferroelectric properties of these grain-oriented ceramics were better in the direction perpendicular to the pressing axis than those in the parallel direction.     

Syntheses and Magnetic-Properties of Zn-Diluted Sr-Based Perovskite Cobalt Oxides, Sr1?x Zn x CoO3; 0.05≤x≤0.3

In order to check the solubility of Zn in the (Sr_1?x Zn _x )CoO₃ perovskite structure and their research findings, several polycrystalline samples have been prepared under wide extreme synthesis conditions at 6?GPa/1300?C1650?°C. While 0.05??x??0.3 compositions revealed single phased cubic structure materials, x>0.3 showed multi-phased materials for (Sr_1?x Zn _x )CoO₃ system. Like other substituted perovskite cobalt oxide systems (Ca, Y, Ho and Ce), the transport properties of the present materials show rather sizable changes with respect to ??x??, although there are insignificant variations in lattice parameter and in Curie temperature, T _c . All the present samples show soft ferromagnetism with T _c in the range of 272?C285?K for 0.05??x??0.3. The effective paramagnetic moment, P _eff determined from the paramagnetic region decreases upon the substitution of Zn for Sr-site. These P _eff (3.3?C2.8???_B/Co) values for 0.05??x??0.3 compositions seem to suggest that the Co⁴⁺ lie in intermediate spin (IS) state for the present (Sr_1?x Zn _x )CoO₃ series, although they are slightly smaller than those expected for IS-Co⁴⁺; P _eff=3.87???_B/Co. The electrical resistivity is found to increase with increase of ??x?? for the investigated samples. The temperature and field dependence of both positive and negative magnetoresistance (MR) are noted for the Zn substituted samples. About 5% of ?CMR is observed for x=0.05 sample around the transition temperature (280?K) under the field strength difference, ??H=90?kOe. The present research findings are compared with our previous results on different perovskite cobalt oxides.     

Conduction in nanostructured La1?x Sr x FeO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

We investigated electrical properties of nanostructured La_1?x Sr _x FeO₃ (0 ?? x ?? 1) from 300 K?C400 K. The nanostructured La_1?x Sr _x FeO₃ (0 ?? x ?? 1) was synthesized by citrate gel method requiring no pH control. X-ray diffraction pattern showed that single phase LaFeO₃ with an orthorhombic structure was formed. The structure changed into rhombohedral for x = 0.5 and it became cubic for x = 1.0. For x ?? 0.5, our material showed non-linear current-voltage characteristics and for x > 0.5 it showed linear current-voltage characteristics. Poole Frenkel type conduction mechanism was found to be operative in LaFeO₃ from 300 K?C400 K. The experimental values of field-lowering coefficient were by 2.56?C6.41 times higher than the predicted value and were attributed to the presence of localized fields. The increase in conductance with Sr content was due to formation of Fe⁴⁺ ions in addition to Fe³⁺ with the increase in Sr content. Impedance spectroscopy and ac conductivity analysis of La_1?x Sr _x FeO₃ (0 ?? x ?? 1) was also carried out in the temperature range from 300 K?C400 K and frequency was varied from 20 Hz - 2 MHz. The ac conduction followed the correlated barrier hopping model in La_0.9Sr_0.1FeO₃.     

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Pr0.6Sr0.4Mn1−x Fe x O3 (0≤x≤0.3) Manganites Oxide Prepared by the Ball Milling Method

We present the structural and magnetic properties of Pr_0.6Sr_0.4Mn_1?x Fe _x O₃ (x=0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) compounds. Samples have been prepared by the ball milling method. Rietveld refinements of the X-ray powder diffraction data show that all our synthesized samples are single phase and crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry with the Pnma space group. The unit cell volume increases with increasing the Fe content. The infrared spectrum shows two active bands, which can be ascribed to the internal stretching and bending modes. The magnetization measurements versus temperature showed that Fe doping leads to a weakening of the ferromagnetic ordering at low temperature, the Curie temperature T _C decreases from 300 K for x=0.0 to 88 K for x=0.2. The magnetization versus applied magnetic measurements at low temperature lead to conclude that the substitution of Mn³⁺ ions by Fe³⁺ ions triggers antiferromagnetic interactions between the Fe³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ spins, and also the magnetization versus applied magnetic measurements at room temperature shows a small hysteresis loop and a low coercive field, which indicates that the samples are superparamagnetic.     

Magnetic Properties and Metamagnetic Transition in SmCo1−x Fe x AsO (0≤x≤0.2)

Polycrystalline SmCo_1?x Fe _x AsO (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) materials with single phase have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. According to the X-ray diffraction patterns, the a-lattice parameter shrinks, but the c-lattice parameter expends with the increased amount of Fe doping. Complicated magnetisms consist of antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic, and paramagnetic have been observed between 5 K and 300 K in the present system. Magnetic measurement shows that with increasing Fe content, antiferromagnetic order of SmCoAsO is suppressed and ferromagnetic order is enhanced. Below their antiferromagnetic transition temperature, metamagnetic transition can be detected in samples with x<0.2, and the transition field decreases with increasing Fe content. When Fe content reaches 0.2, no metamagnetic transition is observed down to 5 K. A canting of the spins plays a crucial role in metamagnetic behavior of the present system.     

The Structural and Magnetic Properties of Zn0.8−4x Dy x O y (0.05≤x≤0.10) Compounds Prepared by Solid-State Reactions

In this study, Dy-doped ZnO (Zn_0.8?4x Dy _x O _y (0.05≤x≤0.10)) samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method, and were characterized by using the XRD, SEM and EDX techniques. The SEM results clearly demonstrate that the grains of the samples are very well connected to each other and tightly packed. From the XRD and EDX spectra, it has been concluded that the substituting of Dy³⁺ for Zn²⁺ in ZnO causes almost no change in the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. However, the lattice parameters a and c of Dy-doped ZnO are slightly different from those of the pure ZnO. These observations may be due to the slightly different ionic sizes of Zn²⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions. Our magnetization measurements (M–H) and (M–T) show paramagnetic behavior with a negative value of the Curie–Weiss temperature, corresponding to an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in Dy-doped ZnO. Since, for low magnetic fields the extrapolation of the H/M versus temperature curves cut the T axes at negative values, we believe that the substitution of Dy in ZnO causes an overwhelming antiferromagnetic interaction for x≤0.10.     

Mössbauer study of vacancy ordering in the system SrTi1−xFexO3−y (0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.70)

The synthesis of the system SrTi_1−xFe_xO_3−y with 0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.70 has been performed in order to study the nature of the oxygen vacancy ordering. By means of Electron Microscopy and Diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy, we have obtained the main features of vacancy ordering in this system. The results are compared with the predictions of Komornicki-Grenier model of anion vacancies distribution in perovskites.