Spin-Dependent Electroresistance Behaviour of Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3-δ(0≤δ≤0.20)

Oxygen deficient Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3-δ ceramic samples were prepared using conventional ceramic technology. A colossal electroresistance (CER) effect was found in Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3-δ series. The electrical transport is magnetically coupled and spin-dependent over grain or phase boundaries. Electrical-field-induced changes of the spin array orientations inside of and between the magnetic domains by grain or phase boundaries have to be concluded for the strong electroresistive effect in Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3-δ series.     

Solid state reaction synthesis and total electrical conductivity of La_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)Cr_yMn_zCo_(1-y-z)O_(3-δ)

The La0.7Sr0.3CryMnzCo(1-y-z)O3-δ samples were prepared by solid state reaction.The phases,microstructure and properties of the samples were investigated by XRD,SEM,DC four-probe method and iodometry method.The single orthorhombic phase La0.7Sr0.3CryMnzCo(1-y-z)O3-δ perovskite oxides were obtained when sintered at l350 °C for 10 h.The oxygen nonstoichiometry of the materials varied inversely with the total electronic conductivity.The sample with composition of La0.7Sr0.3Cr0.5Mn0.35 Co0.15O3-δ had the maximal total electronic conductivity and the lowest oxygen nonstoichiometry which were 22.4 S/cm and 0.040 at 850 °C,respectively.The low total electronic conductivity is related to the low relatively density of the samples directly.The activation energy of conduction changed at 550 °C,and the activation energy of conduction at high temperature(T550 °C) was higher than that at low temperature range(T550 °C).     

Glycine-nitrate auto-combustion synthesis and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline NdAlxFe1-xO3 perovskites

The effect of substitution of Fe³⁺ by Al³⁺ on the structure and magnetic properties of NdAl_xFe_1-xO₃ perovskite nano-powders(x=0.0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,and 0.5) prepared by the glycine-nitrate auto-combustion method was studied.All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX).The magnetic properties of the samples ...     

Magnetic and magnetotransport behavior of overdoped nanocrystalline Nd_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3 (0.50≤x≤0.63)

The nanocrystalline samples of Nd1-xSrxMnO3 (NSMO) (x=0.5, 0.55, 0.60, 0.63) were synthesized by sol-gel based polymeric pre-cursor route. Structural, magnetic and magnetotransport properties were studied systematically. It was found that in the composition range (x=0.50-0.63), Nd1-xSrxMnO3 showed paramagnetic to ferromagnetic (PM-FM) transition in the vicinity of TC～270 K but the FM phase was weakened as the Sr concentration increased. The appearance of weak ferromagnetism was explained in terms of the cor...     

Structural and Electrical Properties of Layered Pervoskite Manganites Nd2-2x Sr1＋2x Mn2O7 （x=0.25, 0.3, 0.4）

Tetragonally layered perovskite manganites of Nd2-2xSr1＋2xMn2O7（x =0.25, 0.3, 0.4） were fabricated by using solid-state reaction technique. Structural characterization of the compounds was investigated by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and FT-IR absorption spectra. The XRD patterns revealed that all the samples were single phase. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy （XPS） was used to investigate their electronic structures. It was found that manganese was in mixed states of Mn^3＋ and Mn^4＋ whereas lattice oxygen and chemical absorbed oxygen were existed in all the samples. The high temperature electrical properties of Nd2-2xSr1＋2xMn2O7 （x = 0.3, 0.4） were measured by standard four-probe technique. The results showed that both compounds had semi-conductivity behavior in the temperature range of 300 - 1073 K, and the electrical conduction was dominated by thermally activated behavior above 500 K.     

Effect of different synthesis techniques on structural,magnetic and magneto-transport properties of Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3 manganite

We investigated the effect of different synthesis techniques on the structural, magnetic and magneto-transport properties of Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (PSMO) samples. The samples were synthesized by three different techniques: solid state reaction, sol-gel and chemical Co-precipitation method. XRD studies confirmed the single phase formation of PSMO by all three techniques. It was also found that the magnetotransport properties of PSMO strongly depended on the synthesis techniques. A substantial decrease in the insula...     

XPS study of surface absorbed oxygen of ABO3 mixed oxides

Perovskite-type complex oxides ABO3 （A=Sr, La; B=Mn, Fe, Co） were prepared by citric acid method. The degradation of water-solubilized dyes was carried out using the mixed oxides as photocatalyst. The surface absorbed oxygen was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The results indicated that there was a relationship between the photocatalytic activity and the content of the surface absorbed oxygen. The higher the content of the surface absorbed oxygen was, the better the performance of the photocatalyst.     

Magnetic properties of La-Zn substituted Sr-hexaferrites by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis

The La-Zn substituted SrM-type ferrites with the composition of Sr1-xLaxFe12-xZnxO19 （x=0-0.4） were prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis （SHS）. The single SrM phase was detected by XRD in the as-received samples by controlling the Fe contents in the reagents. The substitution of La^3＋and Zn^2＋ obviously increased the magnetic properties of the as-prepared samples. The maximum improvements of Br, Hcb and （BH）m were 14.4%, 15.3% and 30.7%, respectively compared with that of the samples without La-Zn substitution. Microstructure observation by SEM showed that the SHS method benefited forming the better particle features and achieving the higher Hcj in comparison with the traditional firing method.     

Magnetic and specific heat studies of the frustrated Er2Mn2O7 compound

A new Er2Mn2O7 compound was synthesized by the ceramic method and its crystal structure was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties were investigated using a BS2 magnetometer and the heat capacity was studied using a quantum design (PPMS). The structural study revealed that this compound was monophasic and crystallized in the monoclinic system with the P2/M space group. Magnetization measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 1.8-200 K under an applied magnetic field of 0.05 T. A crossover from a room temperature paramagnetic phase to an antiferromagnetic one at low temperature was detected from the magnetic study. The magnetic susceptibility, in the paramagnetic region above 40 K, was found to present a simple Curie-Weiss type behavior. From the specific heat (CP) measurements in magnetic fields up to 5 T, we noted the presence of a wide peak characteristic of a second order mag-neto-structural transition.     

Synthesis of neodymium modified CeO2-ZrO2-Al2O3 support materials and their application in Pd-only three-way catalysts

Ce-Zr-Al-Nd2O3 (CZAN) support materials were prepared by co-precipitation and impregnation methods, respectively. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), low temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption, oxygen pulsing technique, H2-temperature pro-grammed reduction (H2-TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Pd-only three-way catalysts (Pd-TWC) supported on these materials were prepared by incipient wetness method and studied by activity tests. The results demonstrated that the CZAN supports obtained by the two methods showed better structural, textural and redox properties than the CZA without Nd2O3, and the addition of Nd2O3 improved the catalytic activity of TWC. Especially, the CZAN-i support prepared by impregnation method had better thermal stability and redox prop-erty. Meanwhile, the Pd/CZAN-i catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance. XPS measurements indicated that the Nd-modified sam-ples possessed more Ce3+ and oxygen vacancies on the surface of samples, which led to a better redox property. The excellent redox property of support materials helped to improve the catalytic activity of TWC.     

Magnetic Transition of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3（x =0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0）

A series of rare earth compound oxides with the formula of La0.8Sr0.2Mn1-xCoxO3（ were prepared by the method of citric acid. Structures, figures and magnetic properties of the x=0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0） samples were analyzed by means of XRD, SEM and SQUID. Experiment results prove that all the samples are hexagonal, but their figures and magnetic properties are different. La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 is ferromagnetic. La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.7CO0.3O3 and La0.8Sr0.2Mn0.5Co0.5O3 are ferrimagnetic. La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 is antiferromagnetic. SEM results indicate that the structure of the first three are three-dimensional reticulations which are made up of some small ellipsoids which link up at the head and the end. The fourth sample looks like some dispersed small balls.     

Effect of Ag substitution on structural,magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Pr_(0.6)Sr_(0.4–x)Ag_xMnO_3 manganites

A systematic investigation on the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Pr_(0.6)Sr_(0.4-x)Ag_xMnO_3(x=0.05 and 0.1) manganites was reported. Rietveld refinements of the X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that all samples were single phase and crystallized in the orthorhombic structure with Pnma space group. Magnetic measurements in a magnetic applied field of 0.01T revealed that the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition temperature T_C decreased from about 293 to 290 K with increasing silver content from x=0.05 to 0.1. The reported magnetocaloric entropy change and relative cooling power for both samples were considerably remarkable with a △S_(max) value of 1.9 J/(kg·K)and maximum RCP values of 100 J/kg, under a magnetic field change(?μ0H) equal to 1.8T. The analysis of the universal curves gave an evidence of a second order magnetic transition for the studied samples. The magnetic field influence on both the magnetic entropy change and the relative cooling power was also studied and discussed.     

Preparation and characterization of La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3–δ thin film deposited by radio frequency magnetic sputtering

La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ (LSGM) electrolyte materials were synthesized by the solid state reaction method.The conductivity of LSGM materials was detected by four probe method,and it was 0.08 S/cm at 850 ℃.Dense and uniform films of LSGM materials were deposited by the magnetic sputtering on substrates of Si and La0.7Sr0.3Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-δ (LSCM).The experimental results showed that the deposition rates dropped and the average grain sizes of the films enlarged with increase in the substrate temperatures.In the sputtering process,the LSGM film was deposited with preferred growth direction.After annealing,the preferred growth direction disappeared and the film surface became smoother and denser.Through observing the deposition process,deposition mechanism was proposed,which was consistent with a model of island growth.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over RE-NiO （RE=La, Nd, Sm, Gd） catalysts

RE-NiO(RE=La,Nd,Sm,Gd) catalysts were prepared by a modified sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),BET surface area analysis,H 2 temperature-programmed reduction(H 2-TPR),and O 2 temperature-programmed desorption(O 2-TPD).The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane(ODHE) to ethylene was applied to evaluate catalytic performance of the samples.The results showed that the doping of RE affected the physicochemical properties of the catalysts.The strong interaction between Gd and NiO played an important role in the lessened reducibility and the distribution of adsorbed oxygen species,consequently influenced the catalytic performance.The best yield to ethylene of 29% was obtained over the Gd-NiO catalyst with an ethane conversion of 56%.     

Redox behaviors and structural characteristics of Mn0.1Ce0.9Ox and Mn0.1Ce0.6Zr0.3Ox

Mn0.1Ce0.9Ox and Mn0.1Ce0.6Zr0.30x samples synthesized by sol-gel method were tested for redox properties through the dynamic oxygen storage measurement and characterized using X-ray diffraction, BET, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that redox performances of ceria-based materials could be enhanced by synergetic effects between Mn-O and Ce-O. Fresh and aged samples were characterized with the fluorite-type cubic structure similar to CeO2, and furthermore, the thermal stability of Mn0.1Ce0.9Ox materials was improved by the introduction of some Zr atoms. From XPS, it could be concluded that Mn^2＋/Mn^3＋ redox couples existed on the surface of Mn0.1Ce0.9Ox and Mn0.1Ce0.6Zr0.3Ox samples. Electron paramagnetic resonance researches revealed that there were three types of Mn^2＋ species： isolated Mn^2＋ substituting for Ce^4＋ ions in the lattice with a cubic symmetry, ones in defect with a noncubic symmetry, and at the surface of samples.     

Effect of Manganese Doping on Oxygen Storage Capacity of Ceria-Zirconia Mixed Oxides

CeO2-ZrO2-MnOx mixed oxide series were prepared by sol-gel method. CO pulse and CO-O2 cycle measurements were carried out to examine the oxygen storage complete capacity （OSCC） and dynamic oxygen storage capacity （OSC） of the samples. The doping method brought about strong interactions between manganese oxide and ceria, both in the bulk and on the surface. Only a small part of Mn cations are incorporated into the ceria lattice to form solid solutions and the remaining are left on the surface as finely dispersed Mn3O4. The OSC behaviors of the materials are influenced by the doping amount of Mn and the solubility of Mn in the CeO2 lattice. The OSC is more easily affected by available contents of oxygen storage components when the measurement frequency is low. Comparatively, the concentration of lattice defects, which affects the mobility of bulk oxygen, is the determining factor under high frequency.     

Photoluminescence properties of nanosized strontium-yttrium borate phosphor Sr3Y2（BO3）4：Eu^3＋ obtained by the sol-gel Pechini method

Mixed strontium-yttrium borate phosphor Sr3Y2(BO3) 4 doped with Eu3+ ions was obtained by the sol-gel Pechini method.Crystal structure of the synthesized compound was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction.Optimal conditions for the synthesis were found.Photo-physical properties of the phosphor samples were investigated by collecting excitation and luminescence spectra as well as measuring lumi-nescence lifetime.Judd-Ofelt analysis showed that Eu3+ ions occupied Y3+ sites in the crystalline network.The studied compound showed a red emission with the quantum yield of 54%-55% and can be potentially used as phosphor for plasma display panels and luminescent tubes.     

Synthesis and luminescence property of Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ phosphors for white LED

Sr3SiO5:Eu2+ yellow phosphors for white LEDs were synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction method under a reductive atmosphere. The crystalline phases were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Luminescence properties were studied, and effects of various fluxing agents BaCl2, MgF2, CaF2 and BaF2 on the emission spectra were also studied. The optimal Eu2+ concentration and flux were determined. Sr3SiO5: Eu2+ was obtained by firing the sample on optimal composition and fabrication process. The sa...     

Coercivity enhancement of Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets through neodymium diffusion under annealing

The coercivity enhancement of ball-milled Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets was investigated. It was found that the coercivity could be enhanced through mixing a small amount of Nd powder with as-milled Fe-rich Nd-Fe-B powders. The annealed samples were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and magnetic measurement systems. Under annealing, some of Nd powders promoted the formation of hard magnetic phase Nd2Fe14B. On the other hand, a few of Nd would diffuse into the interface of Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe nanocomposite to compensate for the loss of the interfacial magnetic anisotropy. These two features are all beneficial to the coercivity.     

Preparation and thermoelectric transport properties of Ba-, La- and Ag- doped Ca3Co4O9 oxide materials

The Ba-, La- and Ag-doped polycrystalline Ca2.9M0.1Co4O9 (M=Ca, Ba, La, Ag) thermoelectric bulk samples were prepared via citrate acid sol-gel synthesis method followed by spark plasma sintering technique. The bulk samples were characterized and analyzed with regard to their phase compositions, grain orientations as well as microstructures. The high temperature thermoelectric transport properties of the bulk samples were studied in detail. All bulk samples were found to be single-phased with modified body texture. The electrical resistivity was modulated as a result of carrier concentration modification, however the carrier transport process was not influenced; the Seebeck coefficient was deteriorated simultaneously. The total thermal conductivity was remarkably reduced, on account of the decreasing of phonon thermal conductivity. The thermoelectric properties of the Ba-, La-, and Ag-doped bulk samples were optimized, and the Ba-doped Ca2.9Ba0.1Co4O9 system was found to have the highest dimensionless figure of merit ZT0.20 at 973K, which was remarkably higher than that of the un-doped sample.