Synthesis and magnetic properties of nickel nanoparticles deposited on the silicon nanowires

Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles with sizes of ∼35 nm were deposited on the surface of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) by electroless plating technique. The magnetic properties of Ni/SiNWs were investigated. The blocking temperature (T_B) of 370 K was obtained and confirmed by field-cooled (FC) and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) plots. The M-H hysteresis loops from 5 K to 400 K were measured. The saturation magnetization value was ∼4.5 emu/g and the coercivity was ∼375.3 Oe for the loop at 5 K, respectively. While for the loop at 400 K, these values were of ∼2.6 emu/g and ∼33.3 Oe, respectively. The temperature dependence of coercivity followed by the relation H_C(T) = H_C0[1 − (T/T_B)^1/2], indicating a superparamagnetic behavior. The magnetization of superparamagnetic grains in a magnetic field H was better described by Langevin function at 400 K. These novel magnetic properties of Ni/SiNWs were possibly attributed to the paramagnetic defects on the surface of SiNWs.     

Magnetic properties of a new iron lead vanadate Pb2FeV3O11

Temperature dependence of dc/ac magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Pb₂FeV₃O₁₁ iron lead vanadate has been investigated. The dc magnetic measurements have shown the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions with Curie-Weiss temperature, T_CW = −15.2 K, in the high temperatures range while the field cooled (FC) magnetization revealed a maximum at T_N = 2.5 K which coincides with a long range magnetic ordering. Temperature dependence of χ′ has shown a maximum at the same temperature. EPR spectrum of Pb₂FeV₃O₁₁ at room temperature is dominated by nearly symmetrical, very intense and broad resonance line centered at g_eff ∼ 2.0 that could be attributed to the correlated system of iron ions. The temperature dependence of magnetic resonance parameters (amplitude, g-factor, linewidth, integrated intensity) has been determined in the 4-300 K range and it suggests the existence of short range correlated spin system up to high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the amplitude of the resonance line has shown a pronounced maximum at 12.5 K that indicates on the existence of two subsystems of weakly and strongly coupled iron pairs. Comparison of dc magnetic susceptibility and EPR integrated intensity points to the presence of correlated spin agglomerates that play an important role in determination of the magnetic response of Pb₂FeV₃O₁₁.     

Magnetic characterization of polycrystalline NdFeAsO0.88F0.12 oxypnictide superconductor

The superconducting properties of polycrystalline NdFeAsO_0.88F_0.12 oxypnictide were studied by both DC and AC magnetization measurements. The zero-field cooled (ZFC) magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), measured under the magnetic field of 0.5 T shows a dramatic decrease at about 11 K. The imaginary component of the first harmonics of the AC magnetic susceptibility, χ″(T), increases with the increasing DC field H_dc below 11 K. These results indicate the onset of robust intergranular superconductivity at low temperatures. The magnetic hysteresis loops show an anomalous double central peak effect at low temperatures, with one peak at positive fields in decreasing positive external fields. This phenomenon suggests the granular character of this system. The paramagnetism of Nd³⁺ ions tilts the magnetic hysteresis loops and broadens the hysteresis width ΔM. After correction for the paramagnetism, the temperature and field dependence of the average magnetization critical current density J_cm was obtained. The related mechanism was discussed.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Cd doped copper ferrite

This report presents the synthesis of copper cadmium ferrite (Cu_1−xCd_xFe₂O_4,x = 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7) by citrate precursor method and its subsequent characterization by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. XRD results confirm the single cubic spinel phase formation with the particle size of 40 nm, which decreased up to 20 nm with increases in Cd content, while the lattice parameter increased with increase in Cd content. By using VSM technique, a significant change in the magnetic properties was observed in CuFe₂O₄ system with Cd doping. It is seen that magnetic field H_C and remnant magnetization M_R increases with increasing concentration up to x = 0.6 except for x = 0.4 and 0.7.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of DyCuxGa2−x (x = 0-2.0) antiferromagnetic compounds

DyCu_xGa_2−x (x = 0-2.0) compounds have been synthesized; meanwhile, their crystal structure and magnetic properties have been investigated by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The result shows that the continuous solid-solution series crystallize in three phases, with the structure types of AlB₂ (x = 0-0.2), DyCuGe (x = 0.3-0.6) and CeCu₂ (x = 0.7-2.0), respectively. The main reason to form the three structure types is considered to be the average atomic radius ratio of R to Cu/Ga. Magnetic-ordering transition of the compounds with x = 0.2-0.6 takes place at about 20 K and 113 K, while those of other compounds only takes place at about 20 K, which is attributed to the change of the near Dy-Dy distances and the ordered substitution of Ga by Cu.     

Magnetocaloric effect in the Ce2Fe17−xMnx helical magnets

The Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x (x = 0-2) compounds demonstrate a complex temperature dependence of the magnetocaloric effect MCE, which is inverse in a narrow temperature interval just below Néel temperature T_N and normal at higher or lower temperatures. The normal MCE exhibits two peaks in the vicinity of temperatures of ferromagnetic ordering Θ_T and T_N for compositions x = 0-0.35, 1.3-2 or one peak near T_N for antiferromagnets with x = 0.5-1. The maximal change of the peak entropy −S_M is about 3 J/kg K in a field of 5 T for the compounds with x = 0-0.5 at T ∼230 K close to T_N. The drastic decrease of the MCE, by half, in the Ce₂Fe_17−xMn_x system is traceable to a decrease of the spontaneous magnetization and the helical type of magnetic states in the compounds.     

Unusual magnetic properties of NiO nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix

We have observed unusual magnetic properties of NiO (nickel oxide) nanoparticles embedded in a silica matrix. The sample was synthesized by a method based on the contribution of sol-gel and combustion processes. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) of the sample shows the formation of the nanocrystalline NiO phase whereas transmission electron microscope (TEM) reveals spherical-shaped nanoparticles of about 4 nm diameter. Moreover, HRTEM images show lattice fringes of the nanoparticles and defects in the crystal structure. The temperature and field dependence of the magnetization are also measured. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) measurements show two maximums, one sharp and narrow at low temperatures ∼6.5 K and an other broad one at higher temperature ∼64 K. The FC magnetization shows a continuous increase upon lowering the temperature. The M(H) measurements reveal that NiO nanoparticles display anomalous hysteretic behaviors at low temperatures (below the low temperature maximum in the ZFC curve, 2 K and 5 K) showing that the magnetization initial curve lies below the hysteresis loop for a certain field range. Moreover, jump of the magnetization at low temperatures (2 K and 5 K) are also observed. These features represent novel magnetic properties for nanosized NiO which may be attributed to the surface spins. Moreover, these results indicate that the NiO nanoparticle consists of magnetically disorder shell and antiferromagnetically order core with an uncompensated magnetic moment.     

Effect of frozen spin on the magnetocaloric property of La0.7Ca0.3CoO3 polycrystalline and single crystal samples

Polycrystalline (PC) and single crystalline (SC) samples of La_0.7Ca_0.3CoO₃ (LCCO) with the perovskite structure were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction and the floating-zone growth method. We conducted isothermal magnetization measurements of the PC and SC samples at temperatures from 2.8 K to 140 K, and evaluated the magnetic entropy change (−ΔS_M) under zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) to 2.8 K. An interesting result has been obtained, where the −ΔS_M-T curves in the low temperature range show totally different features between the ZFC and FC cooling procedures. The −ΔS_M shows a large inverse irreversibility value for the ZFC process, while the −ΔS_M also shows a normal positive value, but one that is slightly larger at 2.8 K for the FC process for both samples. We also present the results of a comprehensive investigation of the magnetic properties of the LCCO system. Systematic measurements have been conducted on DC magnetization, AC susceptibility, and exchange-bias. These findings suggest that complex structural phases, including ferromagnetic and spin-glass/cluster-spin-glass (SG/CSG)) states and their transitions, exist in PC samples, while there is a much simpler magnetic phase regime in SC samples. It was also of interest to discover that the CSG induced a magnetic field memory effect and an exchange-bias-like effect.     

Crystal structure,electrical, and magnetic properties of the Sm2Cu0.8Ge3 compound

The crystal structure, electrical, and magnetic properties of the new ternary compound Sm₂Cu_0.8Ge₃ have been investigated using powder X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that this compound crystallizes in a tetragonal α-ThSi₂ structure (space group I4₁/amd) with lattice parameters a = 0.413(1) nm and c = 1.420(3) nm. The irreversibility of the zero field cooled and field cooled dc magnetization data reveals the occurrence of spin glass transition with the spin freezing temperature T_f ∼ 8.5 K in this compound. Ac susceptibility and isothermal remanent magnetization data also confirm the existence of the spin glass phase. In addition, a broad maximum is observed in the ρ(T) curve near T_f. The spin glass phase is ascribed to the formation of random interaction between the Sm ions due to the irregular distribution of Cu and Ge atoms as well as the deficiency of the occupancy on the 8e crystallographic sites of the sample.     

Magnetic properties and large magnetocaloric effect in Gd-Ni amorphous ribbons for magnetic refrigeration applications in intermediate temperature range

Amorphous Gd_68−xNi_32+x (x = −3, 0, 3) ribbons were prepared by melt-spinning method. The crystallization onset temperatures T_x1 for Gd_68−xNi_32+x amorphous ribbons with x = −3, 0, and 3 are 561, 568, and 562 K, respectively. All the samples undergo the second-order magnetic transition at temperatures between ∼122 (x = −3 and 3) and 124 K (x = 0). The Curie temperature T_C does not change with the composition significantly. The maximum isothermal magnetic entropy changes (−ΔS_M)_max of Gd₇₁Ni₂₉, Gd₆₈Ni₃₂, and Gd₆₅Ni₃₅ amorphous ribbons for a magnetic field change of 0-5 T were 9.0, 8.0, and 6.9 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. Large values of the refrigerant capacity (RC) were obtained in these ribbons. For example, Gd₇₁Ni₂₉ amorphous ribbon has a maximum RC value of 724 J kg⁻¹. Large magnetic entropy change and RC values together with high stability enable the Gd₇₁Ni₂₉ amorphous alloy a competitive candidate among the magnetic refrigeration materials working at temperatures near 120 K.     

The magnetic structures of RMgSn compounds (R = Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb)

The synthesis of the new compounds RMgSn (R = La-Nd, Sm, Gd-Tm, Lu and Y) has been recently reported. The compounds formed by La and Ce crystallise in the TiNiSi structure type (oP12, Pnma), while from Nd they adopt the CeScSi-type (tI12, I4/mmm); PrMgSn is dimorphic: its high-temperature form (HT) is TiNiSi-type while the low-temperature one (LT) is CeScSi-type.In this paper we now report the results of a neutron diffraction investigation which has been performed in order to refine the crystal as well as the magnetic structures for the RMgSn compounds with R = Ce, Pr, Nd and Tb. All these compounds see at low temperature the establishment of long range magnetic ordering with a predominantly antiferromagnetic interaction; only PrMgSn-HT orders ferromagnetically. These results agree with those from magnetic measurements recently reported.The magnetic structure of CeMgSn is of the amplitude-modulated type, the value of the magnetic propagation vector refined at 2 K is τ = [0, 0.1886(4), 0.3384(8)]. The PrMgSn-HT phase below T = 52 K adopts first a purely ferromagnetic structure, then at about T = 15 K a second magnetic coupling leads to a spin-canted magnetic structure. Both PrMgSn-LT and NdMgSn have the same antiferromagnetic commensurate magnetic structure. The TbMgSn compound below T_N = 35 K orders antiferromagnetically with an equal moment cycloidal structure; however a second magnetic transition at a temperature corresponding to T_N2 = 65 K is likely also present.     

Grain size dependent magnetization, electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance in mechanically milled La0.67Sr0.33MnO3

We have studied magnetization, ac susceptibility, resistivity and magnetoresistance in mechanically milled La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃. The material with grain size micron to nanometer scale has stabilized in rhombohedral crystal structure with space group R3C. We have found various grain size effects, e.g., decrease of ferromagnetic moment, increase of surface spin disorder, and appearance of insulator/semiconductor type resistivity. In addition to these conventional features, we have identified a magnetic anomaly at 45 K in bulk sample. Ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature (T_C) is above room temperature for all samples. The samples are typical soft ferromagnet that transformed from multi-domain state to single domain state in nanocrystalline samples. The remarkable observation is that low temperature freezing of ferromagnetic domains/clusters does not follow the conventional spin glass features. Experimental results clearly showed the enhancement of high field magnetoresistance in nanocrystalline samples below 200 K, whereas low field magnetoresistance gradually decreases above 200 K and almost absent at 300 K. We have discussed few more magnetic and electrical changes, highly relevant to the progress of nanomaterial research in ferromagnetic manganites.     

Magnetic properties, crystal and electronic structure of GdNi5−xCux series

The effect of Ni/Cu substitution on the magnetic properties, crystal and electronic structure of the polycrystalline GdNi_5−xCu_x series has been studied. All compounds crystallize in the hexagonal CaCu5 type of crystal structure (space group P6/mmm). The temperature dependence of magnetic phase transition (T_mag) estimated from χ_AC(T) susceptibility as well as magnetization M(T) below room temperature indicates the maximum for x = 1.0 copper concentration. In the paramagnetic range (above 300 K) the magnetic susceptibilities follow a Curie-Weiss-type dependence. The effective magnetic moments are higher than theoretical value for free Gd³⁺.From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data the valence band as well as the core level spectra have been analyzed. The filling of Ni3d band in the GdNi_5−xCu_x system by charge transfer of Gd conduction electrons is revealed by a reduction of the satellite intensities in the Ni2p core level spectrum. The obtained results exhibit that the valence bands at the Fermi level are dominated by hybridized Ni3d and Gd5d states, when Cu3d states are rather localized about 3 eV below the Fermi level. Quite good relation between the magnetic properties and electronic structure has been found.     

Strong correlation between structural, magnetic and transport properties of non-stoichiometric Sr2FexMo2−xO6 (0.8 ≤ x ≤ 1.5) double perovskites

Sr₂Fe_xMo_2−xO₆ (x = 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 wt.%) (SFMO) double perovskite oxides of different compositions have been prepared by sol-gel method. These materials were subjected to X-ray diffraction and found that crystal structure changes from tetragonal to cubic around x = 1.2 wt.%. Lattice parameters and unit cell volume have been calculated using X-ray diffraction data. Magnetization studies have been carried out using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer ranging from −15 kOe to +15 kOe and saturation magnetization (M_s) has been determined. Electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance studies have been carried out in the magnetic field range of −40 kOe to +40 kOe keeping the temperature constant at 5, 150 and 300 K using standard four-probe method. Resistivity studies have also been carried out in the temperature ranging from 5 to 300 K keeping the magnetic field constant at 0, 10, 20 and 40 kOe. Maximum degree of Fe/Mo ordering (η_max) of SFMO has been calculated and compared with magnetic and transport properties. It has been found that there is a strong correlation between 3 parameters η_max, M_s and MR (%), i.e. all of them show a maximum at x = 1.0 wt.% and decreases as x deviates from 1.0 in SFMO. It has been also found that there is a different resistivity behavior between x ≤ 1.2 wt.% and x > 1.2 wt.% samples of SFMO. Semiconductor metal transition temperature was found to be maximum at x = 1.0 wt.%.     

Large magnetic entropy change near room temperature in La0.7(Ca0.27Ag0.03)MnO3 perovskite

In this paper, the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of La_0.7(Ca_1−xAg_x)_0.3MnO₃ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.7, and 1) powder samples are reported. Our polycrystalline compounds were synthesized using the solid state reaction method at high temperature. Magnetization measurements versus temperature showed that all our samples exhibited a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with decreasing temperature. The Curie temperature, T_C, has been found to increase from ∼250 K for x = 0-270 K for x = 1. Ag doping weakens the first order phase transition, and at higher Ag doping, the phase transition is of second order. For the La_0.7(Ca_0.27Ag_0.03)MnO₃ composition, the maxima of the magnetic entropy changes from the applied magnetic field (ΔS_M) at 2 and 5 T are about 4.5 and 7.75 J/kg K, respectively, at the Curie temperature of ∼263 K. The relative cooling power (RCP) values without hysteresis loss are about 102 and 271 J/kg for the applied fields of 2 and 5 T, respectively. Due to the large ΔS_M, large RCP, and high Curie temperature, La_0.7(Ca_0.27Ag_0.03)MnO₃ is promising for application in potential magnetic refrigeration near room temperature.     

Effects of Sn-substitution on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Bi-CVG ferrite with low temperature sintering

[Bi_0.75Y_1.05−xCa_1.2+x](Fe_4.4−xSn_xV_0.6)O₁₂ (Sn_x:Bi-CVG) ferrite materials were prepared by conventional ceramic technique. The bulk density, microstructure and the magnetic properties of the obtained samples were analyzed. The results showed that moderate addition of Sn⁴⁺ in Bi-CVG could lower the sintering temperature and enhance the soft magnetic properties obviously. With the increase of Sn⁴⁺ content, the saturation magnetization first increased and then decreased, while the coercivity and the ferromagnetic resonance linewidth (ΔH) first sharply decreased and then slightly increased. Additionally, the specimen of [Bi_0.75Y_0.65Ca_1.6](Fe_4.0Sn_0.4V_0.6)O₁₂ sintered at 1075 °C possessed the highest density and the optimum magnetic properties: RD (the relative density) = 98.49%, H_c = 152.3 A/m, 4πM_s = 711.3 × 10⁻⁴ T, ΔH = 2.1 kA/m.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of NdCuPb compound

Electrical and magnetic properties of NdCuPb compound were investigated by means of electrical resistivity, magnetization measurements in the temperature range 1.5–100 K. Low-field dc susceptibility goes through a maximum at T_N=13.2  K, indicating a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic transition and then follows a sharp peak at T=5.9  K. The susceptibility data exhibits a Curie–Weiss like behavior in the paramagnetic regime and the effective moment per neodium atom is found to be 3.62μ_B from the data at temperatures above 42 K. This value is exactly equal to that for Nd³⁺, while at lower temperatures, the data yields a little bit less than its free ion value. The ratio M/H versus temperature T curves for different values of the magnetic field split into multiple branches at about T=42  K due to crystalline field effects.In addition, electrical resistivity in a magnetic field up to 120 kOe was also measured in the same temperature range. The resistivity gives non-metallic behavior. The antiferromagnetic transition is clearly discern by a “Cr-like” anomaly at about 13 K, followed by a sharp increase in the resistivity (like a jump) at T=5.9  K where the susceptibility gives similar effect. On other hand, the magnetic contribution to the resistivity begins to decrease at T=42  K at which M/H curves merges. All these behavior may be attributed to crystal-field-splitting of neodium atoms’levels.     

The studies of phase relation, microstructure, magnetic transition, magnetocaloric effect in (Gd1−xErx)5Si1.7Ge2.3 compounds

The phase relation, microstructure, Curie temperatures (T_C), magnetic transition, and magnetocaloric effect of (Gd_1−xEr_x)₅Si_1.7Ge_2.3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) compounds prepared by arc-melting and then annealing at 1523 K (3 h) using purity Gd (99.9 wt.%) are investigated. The results of XRD patterns and SEM show that the main phases in those samples are mono-clinic Gd₅Si₂Ge₂ type structure. With increase of Er content from x = 0 to 0.2, the values of magnetic transition temperatures (T_C) decrease linearly from 228.7 K to 135.3 K. But the (Gd_1−xEr_x)₅Si_1.7Ge_2.3 compounds display large magnetic entropy near their transition temperatures in a magnetic field of 0-2 T. The maximum magnetic entropy change in (Gd_1−xEr_x)₅Si_1.7Ge_2.3 compounds are 24.56, 14.56, 16.84, 14.20, and 13.22 J/kg K⁻¹ with x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2, respectively.