Structure and magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with cobalt

The magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified with cobalt nanoparticles were studied in the temperatures and magnetic field range of (4.2–290) K and (0.03–5) T, respectively. Nanoparticles of cobalt encapsulated inside MWCNTs were obtained by using the chemical vapor deposition technique. The low temperature SQUID magnetization measurements were supplemented with structural investigations by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy as well as thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of MWCNTs, f.c.c. Co and h.c.p. Co phases. The magnetic characterization provided the remanent magnetization value (M_R) of about 0.07 emu/g (∼40% of the saturation moment), while the coercive field (H_C) value amounts to 600 Oe. Both parameters M_R and H_C slightly decrease with the rise of temperature. The substantial magnetization increase observed at low temperatures suggests the existence of nano Co clusters (in the atomic scale size).     

Effect of bimetallic (Ni and Co) substitution on magnetic properties of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles

Nickel and cobalt substituted manganese ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) with the chemical composition Ni_xCo_xMn_1–2xFe₂O₄ (0.0≤x≤0.5) NPs were synthesized by one-pot microwave combustion route. The effect of co-substitution (Ni, Co) on structural, morphological and magnetic properties of MnFe₂O₄ NPs was investigated using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, VSM and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques. The cation distribution of all products were also calculated. Both XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the synthesis of single phase spinel cubic product for all the substitutions. Lattice constant decreases with the increase in concentration of both Co and Ni in the products. From ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy data, the variations in line width, isomer shift, quadrupole splitting and hyperfine magnetic field values with Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ substitution have been determined. While the Mössbauer spectra collected at room temperature for the all samples are composed of magnetic sextets, the superparamagnetic doublet is also formed for MnFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.2Co_0.2Mn_0.6Fe₂O₄ NPs. The magnetization and Mössbauer measurements verify that MnFe₂O₄ and Ni_0.2Co_0.2Mn_0.6Fe₂O₄ NPs have superparamagnetic character. The saturation and remanence magnetizations, magnetic moment and coercive field were determined for all the samples. Room temperature VSM measurements reveals saturation magnetization value close to the bulk one. It has been observed that the saturation magnetization and coercive field increase with respect to the Ni and Co concentrations.     

Influence of Co content on the characterization and magnetic properties of magnetite

Preparation of nanosized Co_xFe_3−xO₄; 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.20 particles from metal nitrates solution through citrate–precursor method was performed. XRD pattern of all prepared systems showed single phase with cubic spinel structure. The crystallite size was determined from TEM and found to agree with that calculated from Sherrer's equation (60–76 nm) The magnetic constants such as molar magnetic susceptibility (χ_M), Curie temperature (T_C) and saturation magnetization (M_S) were measured and the results indicated that, at x = 0.2 the values of χ_M, M_S, remanent magnetization (M_r,) and coercive field (H_c) are 23 emu/g mol, 77.62 emu/g, 33.17 emu/g and 574.5 Oe, respectively_.     

Magnetic and dielectric properties of Zn substituted cobalt oxide nanoparticles

Zinc-substituted cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Zn_xCo_3-xO_4, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) were produced by microwave refluxing technique. The structural, microstructural and magnetic properties of these samples were studied using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) respectively. XRD and TEM analyses confirmed the single phase nature for all the samples. Rietveld analysis of the samples further confirmed the substitution of Zn-ions into the Co₃O₄ lattice. The chemical states of the elements were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which suggest the presence of Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Co³⁺ ions in the samples. The maximum saturation magnetization (M_S) values of 0.33 Am²/kg was obtained for x = 0.01 sample, and then it continuously reduced with increased Zn content. The dielectric property of the samples was studied in the frequency range of 40 Hz–110 MHz. The samples x = 0.05 and 0.5 displayed the lowest conductivity due to the narrow size distribution of grains.     

Synthesis and characteristics of iron nanoparticles in a carbon matrix along with the catalytic graphitization of amorphous carbon

Iron nanoparticles in a carbon matrix were synthesized by in situ pyrolysis of maleic anhydride and ferrocene, using different molecular weight percentages. The characterization and magnetic properties of the carbon-iron system were investigated systematically. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed that the as-prepared samples consist of nanometric dark grains (iron-rich phase) embedded in a light matrix (carbon-rich phase). X-ray diffraction and TEM selected area diffraction revealed catalytic graphitization and iron phases present in the sample. The carbon-metal system shows a finite hysteresis loop even at room temperature indicating its ferromagnetic nature. The saturation magnetization equals the bulk iron carbide value at low temperature. The coercive force exhibits 1/d dependence at low temperature having a maximum H_C of 2 kOe for the lowest iron concentration sample.     

Synergistic effect of La and Co co-doping on room-temperature ferromagnetism enhancement of TiO2 nanoparticles

The synergistic influence of lanthanum and cobalt co-doping on room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) of TiO₂ system is investigated. A series of Ti_0.97?xCo_0.03La_xO₂ nanoparticles were prepared and their structures and properties were systematically studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, UV–vis spectrophotometer, Raman spectra and magnetic measurement techniques, respectively. Detailed experimental characterizations indicate that the as-prepared La and Co co-doped samples exhibit single anatase phase, and all the samples exhibit strong visible photoluminescence associated with oxygen vacancies and a clear ferromagnetic hysteresis loop, both of which were dramatically enhanced with La and Co co-doping, and the maximum saturation magnetization (M_s) reaches 1.38 emu/g at the La content of 6 mol%. It is speculated that oxygen vacancies modulated by ionic La play an important role in the enhanced RTFM, which can be attributed to the bound magnetic polarons (BMPs) formed via ferromagnetic coupling between two neighboring Co²⁺ ions mediated by oxygen vacancy (F⁺ center). Our results present an alternative method to obtain high performance RTFM.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Co3O4/SiO2 nanocomposite synthesized using combustion assisted sol-gel method

This paper reports on novel cobalt oxide nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in an amorphous silica (SiO₂) matrix, synthesized using a modified sol-gel method. SEM and TEM images show as-synthesized particles to aggregate in the shape of spheres and less than 5 nm in size, while XRD and SAED analysis both point to well crystallized cubic spinel cobalt oxide phase with an average crystallite size of about 4.6 nm. Raman analysis confirms the formation of cobalt (III) oxide (Co₃O₄) NPs. As-synthesized Co₃O₄ single-nanocrystallite has magnetic properties that correlate with finite size effects and uncompensated surface spins. Temperature dependence of ZFC-FC magnetization curves reveals a sharp peak around 10 K which corresponds to the blocking temperature. A Curie-Weiss behavior of magnetization above 25 K shows lower Néel temperature of the sample compared with its bulk counterpart T_N=40 K (possibly due to crystal defects and nano-dimensionality of the particles). The magnetic measurements exhibit high magnetization at low temperatures (M_S=54.3 emu/g) which can be associated with random canting of the particles’ surface spins and uncompensated spins in the core which tends to interact ferromagnetically at low temperatures. The initial magnetization curve falls out from the hysteresis loop at 5 K, which could be also the effect of surface spins.     

Formation of CoFe2O4/PVA-SiO2 nanocomposites: Effect of diol chain length on the structure and magnetic properties

The paper presents the influence of diol (1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol) on the formation of magnetic crystalline cobalt ferrite embedded in polyvinyl alcohol-silica hybrid matrix at 200?°C. Formation of crystalline oxides (CoFe₂O₄, Co₃O₄ and Co₂SiO₄) was studied by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The effect of annealing temperature and diol chain length on the cobalt ferrite nanocrystallites size was investigated. Using transmission electron microscopy, the size and shape of particles obtained at 200?°C were recorded and compared to those obtained by annealing at 500, 800 and 1100?°C. The saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercive field were calculated from the magnetic hysteresis loops of nanocomposites. The M_s was influenced by the particle size and crystallinity only for nanocomposites annealed at 800 and 1100?°C, when the magnetic domains started to form and to be larger than the critical particle size. The diols used in the synthesis influence both the oxidic phase formation and its properties.     

Immobilized Co/Rh Heterobimetallic Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Pauson–Khand‐Type Reaction

Co/Rh heterobimetallic nanoparticles were prepared from cobalt‐rhodium carbonyl clusters [Co₂Rh₂(CO)₁₂ and Co₃Rh(CO)₁₂] and immobilized on charcoal. HR‐TEM revealed that the size of the heterobimetallic nanoparticles was ca. 2 nm and ICP‐AES analysis showed a 2 : 2 and a 3 : 1 cobalt‐rhodium stoichiometry (Co₂Rh₂ and Co₃Rh₁) in the heterobimetallic nanoparticles. The Co/Rh heterobimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on charcoal were used as a catalyst in the Pauson–Khand‐type reaction under 1 atm of CO. The catalytic reactivity was highly dependent upon the ratio of Co : Rh with the highest reactivity being observed when the ratio was 2 : 2 (Co₂Rh₂). The Co₂Rh₂ immobilized catalyst is quite an effective catalyst for intra‐ and intermolecular Pauson–Khand‐type reactions. When the immobilized Co₂Rh₂ catalyst was used as a catalyst in the Pauson–Khand‐type reaction in the presence of an aldehyde instead of carbon monoxide, the catalytic system was highly efficient. When the reaction was carried out in the presence of chiral diphosphines, ee values up to 87% were observed. The catalytic system can be reused at least five times in the presence of chiral diphosphines without loss of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity. The addition of Hg(0), a known heterogeneous catalyst poison, completely inhibits further catalysis. Thus, an environmentally friendly and sustainable process was developed.     

Tuning of ferrimagnetic nature and hyperfine interaction of Ni2+ doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for power transformer applications

Ferrites may contain single domain particles which gets converted into super-paramagnetic state near critical size. To explore the existence of these characteristic feature of ferrites, we have performed magnetization(M-H loop) and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of Ni²⁺ substitution effect in Co_1-xNi_xFe₂O₄ (where x?=?0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) nanoparticles were fabricated by solution combustion route using mixture of carbamide and glucose as fuels for the first time. As prepared samples exhibit spinel cubic structure with lattice parameters which decreases linearly with increase in Ni²⁺ concentration. The M-H loops reveals that saturation magnetization(M_s), coercive field(H_c) remanence magnetization(M_r) and magnetron number(η_B) decreases significantly with increasing Ni²⁺ substitution. The variation of saturation magnetization has been explained on the basis of Neel's molecular field theory. The coercive field(H_c) is found strongly dependent on the concentration of Ni²⁺ and decrease of coercivity suggests that the particles have single domain and exhibits superparamagnetic behavior. The Mössbauer spectroscopy shows two ferrimagnetically relaxed Zeeman sextets distribution at room temperature. The dependence of Mössbauer parameters such as isomer shift, quadru pole splitting, line width and hyperfine magnetic field on Ni²⁺ concentration have been discussed. Hence our results suggest that synthesized materials are potential candidate for power transformer application.     

Sol–gel auto combustion synthesis of CoFe2O4/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone nanocomposite: Its magnetic characterization

A magnetic nanocomposite was generated by the sol–gel auto-combustion method in the presence of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a functional solvent. The temperature-dependent magnetic properties of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles have been extensively studied in the temperature range of 10–400 K and magnetic fields up to 80 kOe. Zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) curves indicate that the blocking temperature (T_B) of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles is above 400 K. It was found from M–H curves that the low temperature saturation magnetization values are higher than bulk value of CoFe₂O₄. The saturation magnetization (M_s), remanence magnetization (M_r), reduced remanent magnetization (M_r/M_s) and coercive field (H_c) values decrease with increasing temperature. The M_r/M_s value of 0.75 at 10 K indicates that the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles used in this work have, as expected, cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy according to the Stoner–Wohlfarth model. T^1/2 dependence of the coercive field was observed in the temperature range of 10–400 K according to Kneller's law. The extrapolated T_B and the zero-temperature coercive field values calculated according to Kneller's law are almost 427 K and 13.2 kOe, respectively. The room temperature H_c value is higher than that of the previously reported room temperature bulk values. The effective magnetic anisotropy constant (K_eff) was calculated as about 0.23×10⁶ erg/cm³ which is lower than that of the bulk value obtained due to disordered surface spins.     

Characterization of Fischer–Tropsch Cobalt-Based Catalytic Systems (Co/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Co/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) by X-ray Diffraction and Magnetic Measurements

Results of the characterization of six Co-based Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts, with 15% Co loading and supported on SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, are presented. Room temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature and magnetic field (H) variation of the magnetization (M), and low-temperature (5 K) electron magnetic resonance (EMR) are used for determining the electronic states (Co⁰, CoO, Co₃O₄, Co²⁺) of cobalt. Performance of these catalysts for FT synthesis is tested at reaction temperature of 240 °C and pressure of 20 bars. Under these conditions, 15% Co/SiO₂ catalysts yield higher CO and syngas conversions with higher methane selectivity than 15% Co/Al₂O₃ catalysts. Conversely the Al₂O₃ supported catalysts gave much higher selectivity towards olefins than Co/SiO₂. These results yield the correlation that the presence of Co₃O₄ yield higher methane selectivity whereas the presence of Co²⁺ species yields lower methane selectivity but higher olefin selectivity. The activities and selectivities are found to be stable for 55 h on-stream.     

XAS and XPS analysis of double magnetic transition,canonical spin glass behavior and magnetoresistance in LaMn1-xCoxO3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) system

Polycrystalline LaMn_1-xCo_xO₃ (0.1≤ x ≤ 0.5) samples were synthesized using conventional ceramic method. Rietveld refined X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the single-phase orthorhombic crystal structure of all the samples with the space group Pbnm. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements performed in field cooled (FC) and zero field cooled (ZFC) mode at 10² Oe exhibit the onset of double transition in x = 0.3–0.5 compositions. The ordering temperature rises with an increase in Co concentration. FC and ZFC studies show the presence of glassy state below the ordering temperature in all samples; confirmed using a. c. susceptibility measurements. The a. c. susceptibility data are analyzed using power law and the existence of canonical spin glass is revealed. Magnetic hysteresis studies demonstrate the enhanced ferromagnetism amid the presence of unsaturated magnetization with an increase in Co doping. The presence of double transition and spin glass state is attributed to the competing ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagnetic interactions between the Co and Mn ions present in the system. The system also depicts the presence of appreciable value of magnetoresistance ~42% at 8 T magnetic field in x = 0.5 sample. These properties are interpreted through valence and spin states of Mn and Co ions, being confirmed from electronic structure studies using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at L_3,2- edges of respective ions along with O K-edge for all samples (0.1≤ x ≤ 0.5). After meticulous analysis and conjoining the results obtained from magnetization and XAS studies, it is found that cobalt is present in high spin Co²⁺ and high/low spin Co³⁺-state. Charge transfer multiplet calculation done at L_3,2 edges of Mn and Co ions confirm the presence of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ and Co²⁺/Co³⁺ states consistent with XAS results. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed at Mn2p, Co2p, and O1s -edges further substantiate the reasons behind the properties exhibited by the present system.     

Thick cobalt coatings obtained by electrodeposition

Thick cobalt coatings (10–40 m) with a range of morphology and structure were obtained by electrodeposition on both vitreous carbon and copper electrodes. There is a direct relation between the morphology, structure and magnetic properties of cobalt deposits. A chloride medium at pH 4 and low deposition rates favoured the formation of black, ridge-like deposits of hexagonal close packed (h.c.p.) structure with mixed (100) + (110) preferred orientations. In CoCl₂ at pH 4 at current densities in excess of –80 mA cm^–2 and in CoSO₄, dull grey deposits of h.c.p. (110) structure formed. Sulfate + citrate and chloride + citrate baths at pH 1.5 and very negative current densities promoted the formation of metallic grey deposits with face centred cubic (f.c.c.) structure. Constant saturation magnetization (M _s) was obtained for cobalt deposits independently of their structure (M _s = 160 emu g^–1) although the coercive field (H _c) of the material varied: h.c.p. (100) > h.c.p. (110) > f.c.c.     

Structural,magnetic and electrical properties along with antifungal activity & adsorption ability of cobalt doped manganese ferrite nanoparticles synthesized using combustion route

Ultrafine powders of Cobalt doped manganese ferrite with elemental composition Mn_1-xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were synthesized using combustion method. The formation of the pure cubic spinel phase of ferrite structure was confirmed using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structural parameters such as lattice constant, X-ray density, mass density, porosity, and cell volume were seen to be greatly influenced by cobalt doping. The surface morphology of the nanocrystalline samples was studied using a scanning electron microscope. The particle size distribution was determined using a Transmission electron microscope and nanograins of the samples were found to have dimensions in the range 15 nm–30 nm. It also showed its dependence on the extent of cobalt inclusion. Variation of magnetization and magnetic moment as a function of magnetic field and temperature was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The parameters such as saturation magnetization ‘M_S’ and inversion temperature T_I were seen to depend upon Co⁺² concentration. The variation dielectric constant ‘Ԑ’ as a function of frequency was studied. Antifungal activity of these ferrite nanoparticles against Rhizopus fungi was also investigated at room temperature. The antifungal activity was seen to increase with increasing Co⁺² content in the manganese ferrite structure and hence cobalt doped manganese ferrites are proposed as a candidate material for industries manufacturing antifungal products. The adsorption studies were also investigated using Methylene dye as the adsorbate.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Ce-doped strontium hexaferrite

Ce³⁺ ion substituted Sr-hexaferrite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), SrCe_xFe_12-xO₁₉ (0.0?≤?x?≤?0.5) MNPs, were fabricated by citrate sol-gel combustion approach. All products have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental mapping (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at 300 and 10?K. The XRD pattern presents effective substitution of Ce³⁺ on the sites of strontium hexaferrite lattice. With Ce³⁺ doping, the lattice parameters a is almost unchanged, whereas c is a little increases with increasing the dopant contents. The hysteresis loops M-H showed the ferromagnetic nature of all elaborated. The saturation magnetization (M_s) and the remnant magnetization (M_r) are reduced with increasing Ce amount. All the elaborated products presented typically squarness ratio (M_r/M_s) around 0.5, indicating the existence of non-interacting single domain MNPs with a uniaxial anisotropy. The anisotropy fields (H_a) are found to be very large proving that all products are magnetically hard. With increasing the Ce content, H_a increases which indicate the strengthening of magnetic properties. Consequently, the values of coercive field (H_c) are enhanced, leading these products to be utilized in many uses, such as recording media and permanent magnets. ZFC and FC magnetizations curves indicated shifts of the blocking temperature (T_B) to lower temperatures with increasing Ce content. This is accredited to the reducing of particle size with Ce-substitution.     

Study of cation distribution for Cu–Co nanoferrites synthesized by the sol–gel method

Nano sized polycrystalline soft ferrite particles with composition Cu_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x =0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) were synthesized by the sol–gel technique. The existence of well-defined single cubic spinel structure was confirmed in all the samples by X-ray diffraction. The crystallite size found by XRD varied from 14.8 to 34.0 nm. The microstructure was also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Slight expansion of the unit cell was detected with the increase of Cobalt concentration, which may be attributed due to larger ionic radius of Co²⁺. Lattice parameter ranged from 8.34 Å to 8.37 Å for Co²⁺ from 0.1–0.9. The distribution of cations amongst A- and B-sites of the lattice was estimated by X-ray diffraction by using the R-factor technique. The results showed that both Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions occupy mainly the B-site while Fe³⁺ ions were equally distributed among A- and B-sites. The data obtained from cation distribution analysis was used to determine the magnetic moment for each sample and VSM studies were also carried out to validate these calculations. Magnetic measurements showed that the saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity (Hc) increased with increasing cobalt content.     

X-ray phase,structural, dielectric and magnetic studying of BiFe1-х(M1/2Ti1/2)хO3 (M = Co,Ni, Zn, х = 0–0.11) multiferroics

Perovskite-like rhombohedral distorted solid solutions of BiFe_1-х(M_1/2Ti_1/2)_хO₃ (M = Co, Ni, Zn, x = 0–0.11) were obtained by solid-phase synthesis. An indicator of the solid solution formation is the change of unit cells parameters, that corresponds to the ionic radii of mixed cations (M1/2Ti1/2)3+ (M = Co, Ni, Zn. Solid solutions of BiFe_1-х(M_1/2Ti_1/2)_хO₃ (M = Co, Ni), in contrast to BiFe_1-x(Zn_1/2Ti_1/2)_xO₃ demonstrate ferromagnetic hysteresis pels at room temperature. The x growth in the range from 0.01 to 0.11 for the BiFe_1-х(M_1/2Ti_1/2)_хO₃ system leads to, the saturation magnetization M_S and the remanent magnetization M_R increase from ∼0.1 and ∼2.4⋅10⁻³ emu/g to ∼0.4 and ∼0.038 emu/g respectively. In the same time the coercive force H_c decreases from ∼120 to ∼80 Oe. For the BiFe_1-х(Co_1/2Ti_1/2)_хO₃ system, a noticeably higher magnetic properties with a more complex dependence on x are observed. The maximum parameter values are observed at x = 0.04–0.05: M_S = 0.83 and M_R = 0.24 emu/g, H_c = 1.8 kOe. It is suggested that the detected anomalies of Co-containing solid solutions behavior are related to the one-ionic magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Co²⁺ cations. The BiFe_1-х(M_1/2Ti_1/2)_хO₃ (M = Co, Ni) samples demonstrate piezoelectric constant d₃₃ up to 7 pC/N. Due to the set of properties the materials obtained can be classified as high-temperature multiferroics.     

Synthesis and characterization of yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles doped with cobalt

In this work, we have synthesized and characterized yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles doped with cobalt. The X-ray diffraction data showed a single phase, belonging to the cubic structure of Y₃Fe₅O₁₂. Rietveld refinement revealed variation of the angles and interionic distances (Fe³⁺(a)-O^2-Y³⁺(c) and Fe³⁺(d)-O^2--Y³⁺(c) when Fe³⁺ ions are replaced by Co³⁺ ions in the tetrahedral (d) and octahedral (a) sites of YIG. In addition, the lattice parameter a, decreases from 12.3846?Å to 12.3830?Å with the increasing of cobalt concentration. The analysis by Infrared and Raman spectroscopies has shown a slight stretching at lower wave numbers as the dopant concentration increased. The magnetic measurements confirm the substitution of Fe³⁺ by Co³⁺ in the a-sites and d-sites with the reduction of the saturation magnetization from 26.63?emu/g to 24.92?emu/g, for 0.000?≤?y?≤?0.030. Changes in the coercive field varying the dopant concentration were related to the particle size and pinning centers existence.     

Synthesis and characteristics of carbon-coated iron and nickel nanocapsules produced by arc discharge in ethanol vapor

Fe(C) and Ni(C) nanocapsules with low carbon content have been produced via an arc discharge process in ethanol vapor. It is clarified by X-ray diffraction that the core of the Fe(C) nanocapsules consists of γ-Fe, α-Fe and Fe₃C phase, while that of the Ni(C) nanocapsules contains only nickel. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging confirms that these particles have a broad size distribution and the core/shell structure. Besides mutually independent nanocapsules with segregate graphitic shells, those with sharing shells are also observed in the Fe(C) nanocapsules. The remanence and the coercivity at room temperature of both the nanocapsules are higher than those of the corresponding microcrystallines, while the saturation magnetization is lower.