Electrical properties of Sr x Ba1 − x Fe 0·6 Sn 0·4 O3 − ε NTC thermistors

Polycrystalline thermistor ceramics with the stoichiometric formula, Sr _x Ba_1???x Fe_0·6Sn_0·4O_3???ε (0·2 ≤ x ≤ 0·8), had been prepared by a standard solid state reaction route. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the ceramic system remains cubic perovskite structure with a very small lattice change. The electrical properties of Sr _x Ba_1???x Fe_0·6Sn_0·4O_3???ε thermistors were studied using a digital thermometer over a wide range of 298–400 K. The thermistors showed an excellent negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor behaviour. The values of resistivity at 298 K (ρ ₂₉₈), thermistor constant (B _298/358) and activation energy (E _a) of the Sr _x Ba_1???x Fe_0·6Sn_0·4O_3???ε thermistors, decreasing with the increase of Sr content, were in the range of 0·37–11·0 kΩ ·cm, 2466–3703 K and 0·212–0·319 eV, respectively. For the thermistors with the compositions x?= 0·2 and 0·4, the fitting equivalent circuit was composed of three RCPE elements corresponding to grain, grain boundary and ceramic–electrode interface, respectively. From the impedance plots, it was found that the fitting data showed good agreement with the experimental data. The extracted grain boundary resistance exhibited a NTC thermistor behaviour.     

Electrical conductivity and chemical stability of BaCe0·8 − x A x Gd0·2O3 − δ (A = In, Zr, Ta; x = 0, 0·1) ceramics

BaCe_0·8???x A _x Gd_0·2O_3???δ (A = In, Zr, Ta; x?=?0, 0·1) ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. Microstructure and electrical properties of BaCe_0·8???x A _x Gd_0·2O_3???δ ceramics were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and complex impedance analysis at intermediate temperatures of 573–1073 K in different atmospheres. BaCe_0·8Gd_0·2O_3???δ , BaCe_0·7In_0·1Gd_0·2O_3???δ and BaCe_0·7Zr_0·1Gd_0·2O_3???δ ceramics exhibit a single cubic perovskite structure. BaCe_0·7In_0·1Gd_0·2O_3???δ ceramic has the highest conductivity of 4·6 × 10^???2 S·cm^???1 in air at 1073 K. BaCe_0·7In_0·1Gd_0·2O_3???δ and BaCe_0·7Zr_0·1Gd_0·2O_3???δ ceramics exhibit an excellent chemical stability against boiling water. Indium is a suitable doping element to promote the sintering densification and to enhance both electrical conductivity and chemical stability of Gd-doped BaCeO₃ at operating temperatures.     

Ba3(P1 − x Mn x O4)2 : Blue/green inorganic materials based on tetrahedral Mn(V)

We describe a blue/green inorganic material, Ba₃(P_1???x Mn _x O₄)₂ (I) based on tetrahedral MnO $_{4}^{3-}$ :3d ²chromophore. The solid solutions (I) which are sky-blue and turquoise-blue for x ≤ 0·25 and dark green for x ≥ 0·50, are readily synthesized in air from commonly available starting materials, stabilizing the MnO $_{4}^{3-}$ chromophore in an isostructural phosphate host. We suggest that the covalency/ionicity of P–O/Mn–O bonds in the solid solutions tunes the crystal field strength around Mn(V) such that a blue colour results for materials with small values of x. The material could serve as a nontoxic blue/green inorganic pigment.     

Spin canting phenomenon in cadmium doped cobalt ferrites, CoCd x Fe2−x O 4 ( x = 0·0, 0·2, 0·4, 0·6, 0·8 and 1·0), synthesized using sol–gel auto combustion method

Synthesis of non-collinear (spin canted) ferrites having the formula, CoCd _x Fe_2???x O ₄ (x?= 0·0, 0·2, 0·4, 0·6, 0·8 and 1·0), has been carried out using the sol–gel auto combustion method. The ferrite samples show an interesting magnetic transition from Neel to Yafet–Kittel configuration, as the Cd^2?+? concentration is increased beyond x?= 0·4. The FT–IR spectra confirm the formation of the metal oxide bond as they exhibit two frequency bands in the range of ~595 cm^???1 and ~450 cm^???1, corresponding to the tetrahedral and the octahedral stretching vibrations of the metal oxide, respectively. The structural evolutions of the nanophase investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique show that the average crystallite size is ~ 35 nm. The magnetic studies reveal that the saturation magnetization, M _s , increases up to x?= 0·4 and decreases when the value of x is >0·4. It is proposed that the incorporation of Cd^2?+? ion takes place into the tetrahedral sites and up to x?= 0·4, Neel’s model is followed. But for x?> 0·4, canting of spins occurs, as explained by Yafet–Kittel (Y–K) model. The d.c. resistivity decreases as a function of temperature, indicating semiconducting nature of the ferrites and the positive value of Seebeck coefficient establishes p-type conduction behaviour for all the ferrite samples.     

Synthesis, microstructure and thermal expansion studies on Ca0·5+x/2Sr0·5+x/2Zr4P6−2x Si2x O24 system prepared by co-precipitation method

We report on the synthesis, microstructure and thermal expansion studies on Ca_0·5?+?x/2Sr_0·5?+?x/2Zr₄P_6???2x Si_2x O₂₄ (x = 0·00 to 1·00) system which belongs to NZP family of low thermal expansion ceramics. The ceramics synthesized by co-precipitation method at lower calcination and the sintering temperatures were in pure NZP phase up to x = 0·37. For x ≥ 0·5, in addition to NZP phase, ZrSiO₄ and Ca₂P₂O₇ form as secondary phases after sintering. The bulk thermal expansion behaviour of the members of this system was studied from 30 to 850 °C. The thermal expansion coefficient increases from a negative value to a positive value with the silicon substitution in place of phosphorous and a near zero thermal expansion was observed at x = 0·75. The amount of hysteresis between heating and cooling curves increases progressively from x = 0·00 to 0·37 and then decreases for x > 0·37. The results were analysed on the basis of formation of the silicon based glassy phase and increase in thermal expansion anisotropy with silicon substitution.     

Metamagnetic Phase Transitions in La1−x Nd x Mn2Si2

Experimental measurements for the magnetization at various temperatures are analyzed using a mean field model for the purely ferromagnetic spin configuration near the metamagnetic phase transitions in La_1?x Nd _x Mn₂Si₂ (x=0.3) at a constant magnetic field (50 mT). By fitting the temperature dependence of the magnetization from the free energy in the mean field model to the experimental data for this compound, the coefficients in the free energy expansion are determined. Our analysis of the magnetization describes a first-order character of the metamagnetic transition in La_1?x Nd _x Mn₂Si₂ (x=0) on the basis of the mean field model studied here.     

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.     

Effects of ferrite grain size and martensite volume fraction on dynamic deformation behaviour of 0·15C–2·0Mn–0·2Si dual phase steels

Abstract

Effects of ferrite grain size and martensite volume fraction on quasistatic and dynamic deformation behaviour of 0·15C–2·0Mn–0·2Si dual phase steels were investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests were conducted on six steel specimens that had different ferrite grain sizes and martensite volume fractions, using a torsional Kolsky bar, and then the test data were compared in terms of microstructures, tensile properties, fracture mode, and adiabatic shear band formation. Under dynamic torsional loading, maximum shear stress and fracture shear strain increased with decreasing ferrite grain size and increasing martensite volume fraction. Observation of the deformed area beneath the fracture surface after the dynamic torsional test indicated that adiabatic shear bands of 5 to 15 μm in width were formed along the shear stress direction, and that voids or microcracks initiated at ferrites or martensite/ferrite interfaces below the shear band. The width of the shear band decreased as the ferrite grain size increased or the martensite volume fraction decreased. These phenomena were then analysed by introducing concepts of theoretical critical shear strain.     

Influence of temperature on structural and magnetic properties of Co0·5Mn0·5Fe2O4 ferrites

Co_0·5Mn_0·5Fe₂O₄ ferrites have been synthesized using a single-step sol-gel auto-combustion method in which the metal nitrate (MN)-to-citric acid (CA) ratio was adjusted to 0.5: 1 and pH to 7, respectively. The structural and magnetic properties of as-burnt and annealed samples were studied as a function of temperature. The inverse spinel structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and crystallite size was estimated by the most intense peak (311) using Scherrer’s formula. Contrary to earlier studies reported in the literature, both as-burnt and annealed samples exhibit crystalline behaviour. Room temperature magnetic properties were studied using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) with field strengths up to ±10 kOe. Lattice constant and crystallite size increased as the annealing temperature was increased. However, the coercivity (H _c) initially increased and then decreased with the increase of crystallite size. The variation in coercivity is ascribed to the transition from a multi-domain to a single-domain configuration.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of SrCe 0·4 Zr 0·4 Yb 0·2 O 2·9 electrolyte

The perovskite Yb-doped strontium cerate–zirconate material, SrCe_0·4Zr_0·4Yb_0·2O_2·9, was prepared by solid-state reaction and the structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The calcination process of the powder was investigated by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The high temperature conductivities were measured by d.c. four-probe technique in the temperature range from 500 to 950°C in wet hydrogen and effect of temperature on conductivity was investigated. The conductivity increased with the elevation of temperature from 500 to 950°C. The highest conductivity of 4·4 × 10^???2 S· cm^???1 was observed for SrCe_0·4Zr_0·4Yb_0·2O_2·9 at 950°C. The current–voltage (I–V) and current–power (I–P) characteristics of the single cell (H₂, Pt/SrCe_0·4Zr_0·4Yb_0·2O_2·9/Pt, O₂) at temperature range from 600 to 850°C were tested. With the temperature increasing from 600 to 850°C, the open circuit voltage (OCV) decreased from 1·164 to 1·073 V and the ionic transfer number decreased from 0·996 to 0·946. At 850°C, the maximum power density of 25·2 mW· cm^???2 was observed.     

Magnetic Properties of Mg x Mn1?x Fe2O4 Nanoferrites

We report the magnetic properties of Mg _x Mn_1?x Fe₂O₄ (0??x??1.0) nanosize compounds with particle sizes between 8?nm and 15?nm. The evolutions of the properties as a function of composition have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, M?ssbauer, and SQUID magnetometry. Pure cubic spinel could be obtained under a low reaction temperature of 200°C in all the samples. Impurity phases have been observed in compounds annealed at above 900°C. Magnetic relaxation is observed in samples with particles of about 8?nm. The spectra with particle sizes larger than 10?nm could be fitted with at least two sextets attributed to Fe³⁺ ions on tetrahedral (A) and octahedral?(B) sites. The magnetization measurement indicates superparamagnetic behavior in nanosized compounds.     

Crystallization kinetics of Zr-rich FexZr0−x0−x0−x(20 ⩽ x ⩽ 40) metallic glasses

The crystallization kinetics of the melt-spun Fe-Zr metallic glasses in the iron-rich region has been investigated by means of DSC and X-ray diffraction. The crystallization mode changes with iron concentration. In the lower iron region, 20 x 25, the Fe _x Zr100–x glasses crystallize into -Zr and Ti₂Ni-type FeZr₂ with an accompanying sharp and large exotherm at the first crystallization step and immediately after this step, they transform into orthorhombic FeZr₃. On the other hand, the alloys with 35 x 40 exhibit a gradual exotherm which initiates from a temperature far below the definite crystallization temperature (T _x). The Fe-Zr metallic glasses in this concentration region crystallize polymorphously into the oxygenstabilized Ti₂Ni-type FeZr₂ with accompanying relatively small and composite exotherms. The annealing at a temperature where the gradual exotherm occurs for the alloys with 30 x 40 does not cause any changes of X-ray halo pattern but results in the reduction of the heat of exotherm due to the crystallization.     

Preparation and Magnetic Properties of CuCr1 – x Mn x S2 Solid Solutions

Phase relations in the CuS–CrS–MnS system (20 mol % MnS) were studied. The system was found to contain CuCr_{1 – x} Mn _x S₂ solid solutions isostructural with CuCrS₂. The solid-solution range and the oxidation states of Cr and Mn were determined.     

High-temperature thermoelectric properties of Ca0.9Y0.1Mn1−x Fe x O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25)

Polycrystalline compounds of Ca_0.9Y_0.1Mn_{1? x} Fe _x O₃ for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25 were prepared by solid-state reaction, followed by spark plasma sintering process, and their thermoelectric properties from 300 to 1200 K were systematically investigated in terms of Y and Fe co-doping at the Ca- and Mn-sites, respectively. Crystal structure refinement revealed that all the investigated samples have the O′-type orthorhombic structure, and the lattice parameters slightly increased with increasing Fe concentration, causing a crystal distortion. It was found that with increasing the content of Fe doping, the Seebeck coefficient of Ca_0.9Y_0.1Mn_{1? x} Fe _x O₃ tended to increase, while the tendency toward the electrical conductivity was more complicated. The highest power factor was found to be 2.1 × 10^?4 W/mK² at 1150 K for the sample with x = 0.05 after annealing at 1523 K for 24 h in air. Thermal conductivity of the Fe-doped samples showed a lower value than that of the x = 0 sample, and the highest dimensionless figure of merit, ZT was found to be improved about 20 % for the sample with x = 0.05 as compared to that of the x = 0 sample at 1150 K.     

Mn4+ Luminescence in 2MgO · GeO2 and 2MgO · GeO2 · MgF2

The oxidation state of the Mn activator in 2MgO · GeO₂, 2MgO · GeO₂ · MgF₂ was shown to be 4+. The observed luminescence behavior of these phosphors was accounted for by a large crystal-field splitting. The²T₁ and²E excited states of Mn⁴⁺ were found to be close in lifetime (100-120 ώs). The slower luminescence decay in magnesium fluorogermanate is attributable to the energy transfer between the activator and electron traps through the conduction band.     

Growth, characterization and transport properties of Pb x Zn1 − x S mixed crystals

The polycrystalline Pb _x Zn_1???x S semiconductor powder with (0 ≤ x ≤ 0·5) has been prepared by controlled co-precipitation method from an alkaline medium using thiourea as a sulphide ion source. Pellets are made with these powders applying 10 ton/sq cm pressure and sintered at 800 °C for 2 h in nitrogen atmosphere. X-ray studies of these samples have indicated that the compounds are polycrystalline in nature with mixed hexagonal and cubic structure of ZnS and cubic structure of PbS. Lattice parameters (a and c) of all the compounds are determined from the X-ray data and are found to decrease non-linearly with increase in Pb concentration (x). It is also observed that the grain size of the crystallites increases in samples with x = 0–0·5. Scanning electron micrographs have shown that both cubic and hexagonal crystallites are present in the mixed crystals. The electrical conductivity in Pb _x Zn_1???x S is found to decrease with increase in composition (x = 0–0·5), whereas it increases at all temperatures in all samples. Mobility of charge carrier concentration is found to increase with increasing temperature. The increase in carrier mobility in Pb _x Zn_1???x S samples may be due to reduced grain boundary potential. In Pb _x Zn_1???x S samples with x = 0–0·3, sum of the activation energy due to charge carriers and grain boundary potential is equal to the activation energy due to conductivity.     

Role of aluminium addition on structure of Fe substituted Fe73·5 − x Si13·5B9Nb3Cu1Al x alloy ribbons

The investigation has dealt with the structure and magnetic properties of rapidly solidified and annealed Fe_73·5???x Si_13·5B₉Nb₃Cu₁Al _x (x?=?0, 2, 4, 6 at%) ribbons prepared by melt spinning. Complete amorphous structure was obtained in as-spun ribbons of x?=?0 and 2 at% compositions, whereas structure of ribbons containing higher Al was found to be partially crystalline. Detailed thermal analyses of the alloys and the melt spun ribbons revealed that the glass forming ability in the form of ${{ \textit{T}}}_{\mathbf{x}}{/}{{ \textit{T}}}_{\mathbf{l}}$ (ratio between crystallization and liquidus temperature) is the highest for 2 at% Al alloys and decreases with further addition of Al. Annealing of all as spun ribbons resulted in the precipitation of nanocrystalline phase embedded in amorphous matrix in the form of either ${ \textit{DO}}_{{ 3}}$ phase or bcc ${\upalpha}$ -Fe(Si/Al) solid solution depending on the initial composition of the alloy. Only bcc ${\upalpha}$ -Fe(Si/Al) solid solution was formed in 2 at% Al ribbons whereas ordered DO₃ structure was found to be stabilized in other ribbons including 0 at% Al. A detailed study on determination of precision lattice parameter of nanocrystalline phase revealed that the lattice parameter increases with the addition of Al indicating the partitioning behaviour of Al in nanocrystalline phase.     

Reactions of MnO2, Mn2O3, α-Bi2O3, and Bi12Ti1 – x Mn x O20with Supercritical Isopropanol

Heterogeneous reactions between supercritical isopropanol and metal oxides were studied for the first time. The results demonstrate that Bi₂O₃ is reduced by isopropanol to metallic bismuth, while MnO₂ and Mn₂O₃ are reduced to Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite). The possibility of oxygen extraction from nonstoichiometric oxides is demonstrated by the example of the reaction Bi₁₂Ti_{1 – x} Mn⁵⁺ _x O_{20 +} Bi₁₂Ti_1–x Mn²⁺ _x O_{20 –} .