Investigation of charge transport mechanism in semiconducting La<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ca<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> manganite prepared by sol–gel method

Here in, we report the charge transport mechanism in semiconducting La_0.5Ca_0.5Mn_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ (LCMFO) polycrystalline material synthesized via sol–gel auto combustion route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the orthorhombic phase of the prepared material. Temperature dependent resistivity and impedance spectroscopy measurements have been carried out to probe the dielectric and electrical conduction mechanism which revealed a change of Mott variable range to the small polaronic hopping conduction mechanism around 303 K. The complex impedance and modulus spectra undoubtedly showed the contribution of both grain and grain boundary effect on the conduction properties of LCMFO. An equivalent circuit [(R_gbQ_gb) (R_gQ_g)] model has been used to address the electrical parameters associated with the different phases (grains and grain boundaries) having different relaxation times. The values of resistances of two phases obtained after fitting the equivalent circuit in the nyquist plot have been analyzed which confirmed the change of conduction mechanism around 303 K. The resultant change in conduction mechanism is also supported by the conductivity plots.     

Effect of Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> doping on the structural,magnetic and dielectric properties of MnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> prepared by the sol–gel method

Mn_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x?=?0.2–0.8) ferrite samples were successfully prepared by the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction study reveals that single cubic spinel phase was formed in Mn_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ samples. The SEM micrographs revealed that the microstructures change significantly with different Zn²⁺ doping concentration and sintering temperature while the grain size grow up to 9.48 μm for Mn_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ sample sintered at 1100 °C. Further, the dielectric and magnetic measurements indicated that both Zn²⁺ doping and sintering temperature could affect both electrical and magnetic parameters such as dielectric constant and saturation magnetization in a great manner. The Mn_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ sample sintered at 1100 °C for 8 h is found to show the largest M _s value (77.30 emu/g) in this work. These results indicate that Zn²⁺ doping or sintering temperature can adjust the microstructures, dielectric and magnetic properties of Mn_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ ferrites.     

Effect of pH value on the synthesis and characterization of Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3−δ</Subscript> powders prepared by the citrate–EDTA complexing method

This study reports the successful preparation of potential candidate Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (BSCF) oxides for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) by a combined citrate-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complexing method. The resulting crystal properties, chemical composition, conductivity, and electrochemical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), four-point DC measurement and AC impedance. The X-ray diffraction results of all samples with different pH values reveal a basic perovskite structure. Although samples prepared from different pH solutions have a similar structure, their chemical composition and grain morphologies are different. The optimized composition of BSCF is the sample prepared from the precursor solution with a pH value of 6; this produced highest conductivity at 50.2 S/cm at 400 °C, which is 1.3 times higher than the sample prepared from the precursor solution with a pH value of 9. Electrochemical impedance spectra at an intermediate temperature reveal the better electrochemical performance of BSCF electrode prepared from the solution with pH of 6. The lowest polarization resistance values for charge transfer and oxygen diffusion are 0.07 and 0.11 Ω cm² at 800 °C, respectively.     

Comparison of magnetic-nanometer titanium dioxide/ferriferous oxide (TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>) composite photocatalyst prepared by acid–sol and homogeneous precipitation methods

Novel magnetic-nanometer titanium dioxide/ferriferous oxide (TiO₂/Fe₃O₄) composite photocatalyst was prepared using acid–sol and homogenous precipitation methods. The photocatalyst particle was made of a Fe₃O₄ core covered with nanocrystal anatase TiO₂, without a high-temperature heat-treatment step. The catalyst has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis measurements, and ultraviolet spectrum. The results suggested that titania was mainly presented as anatase and Fe₃O₄ did not appear on the surface of the composite particles when the molar ratio of TiO₂/Fe₃O₄ increased to 20:1 in the acid–sol method, but 5:1 in the homogeneous precipitin method. The size of the crystal was ranged from 2.4 to 3.6 nm prepared by both methods. In the catalytic test, the composite particles, which were prepared by acid–sol, had higher catalytic activity than that prepared by homogenous precipitation method due to the size difference of the composite particles.     

Synthesis and study of structural,dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of K<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>NbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CoMn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> composites

Magnetoelectric (ME) composites consisting of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (KNN) as ferroelectric phase and CoMn_0.2Fe_1.8O₄ (CMFO) as ferrite phase with general formula (x) CoMn_0.2Fe_1.8O₄–(1???x) K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (x?=?10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt%) were synthesized using solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analysis asserts the existence of component phases including spinel phase of CMFO and orthorhombic phase of KNN. Field emission scanning electron microscopy has been used for studying the morphology and calculation of average grain size. The temperature dependent dielectric properties including dielectric constant (\(\varepsilon ^{\prime}\)) and dielectric loss (tan δ) at different frequencies has been studied and both are found to increase with incorporation of CMFO. Magnetic hysteresis loops have been measured at temperatures of 300 and 5 K. Variation of magnetization versus temperature has been studied in field cooled and zero field cooled modes. Polarization versus electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops are obtained at room temperature indicating presence of ferroelectric ordering in the composites at room temperature. The remnant polarization (2P_r) and coercive field (2E_c) are found to decrease linearly with incorporation of CMFO. ME voltage coefficient (α_ME) has been measured. The maximum value of α_ME is found to be 5.941 mV/cm-Oe for 10% CMFO–90% KNN bulk composite.     

Rational synthesis and tailored optical and magnetic characteristics of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Au composite nanoparticles

To minimize saturation magnetization (Ms) degradation and simultaneously maintain the optical and magnetic responsiveness characteristics of Fe₃O₄/Au nanocomposites, we successfully prepared Fe₃O₄–Au seeds composite nanoparticles (NPs) by a novel seed deposition process. The effects of gold seeds coating amounts and the concentration of Fe₃O₄ NPs on the morphologies of final products are extensively characterized. The results of energy-dispersive spectrometry mapping show that the gold seeds are uniformly adhered onto the Fe₃O₄ NPs surfaces in precisely controlled amount. Importantly, with the electronic redistribution between Fe₃O₄ and Au NPs interfaces, the obvious position shifting of Fe 2p and Au 4f electronic binding energy peaks is observed. Upon increasing surface coatings of gold seeds, the electron deficiency on the gold NPs leads to the redshift of the absorption peak. Though Ms declines slightly due to the diamagnetic contribution from decorated gold seeds, the developed Fe₃O₄–Au seeds composite NPs possess the robust magnetic responsiveness and they are amenable to be separated and recycled by the external magnet, which facilitates great potential applications in biological, medical and photocatalytic fields.     

Enhanced antibacterial performance of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Ag and MnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>–Ag nanocomposites

In this work, we have described the antibacterial activities of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with different organic parts, including Humic acid (HA), Nicotinic acid (Nico) and Histidine (His), and the antibacterial activity of MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles coated with PANI and SiO₂ against different bacteria and some standard antibacterial drugs. The present study revealed that the newly fabricated various Fe₃O₄ and MnFe₂O₄ nanocomposites, when combined with some different organic parts, are superiour antibacterial agents. Also, the synthesized nanocomposites can be easily separated from aqueous solution by magnetic filtration without any contamination of the medium.     

Effect of oxygen content on magnetic properties of bulk Zn<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>O<Subscript>1±δ</Subscript> synthesized by high pressure and high temperature technique

Polycrystalline Zn_0.9Co_0.1O_1±δ (Zn_0.9Co_0.1O_0.9, Zn_0.9Co_0.1O and Zn_0.9Co_0.1O_1.033) bulk samples have been prepared by directly adjusting the proportion of the starting materials under high pressure and high temperature. Structure analysis revealed that Co is incorporated into the lattice as Co²⁺ substituting Zn²⁺ ions, forming a wurtzite structure. Magnetization measurements clearly showed all samples in the absence of ferromagnetism and exhibit an antiferromagnetic behavior at 5 K. And the antiferromagnetic couple between Co atoms through oxygen evidenced that the magnetism is related to oxygen content. By combination of analysis, the effect of oxygen content on the nature and origin of an antiferromagnetism was investigated. This is further supported by a simple model, which shows the decrease of oxygen content decreases the chance of the antiferromagnetic super-exchange interaction. The results suggested oxygen content show no significant effect on ferromagnetic, however have a certain influence on antiferromagnetic in our Co-doped ZnO system.     

Structure,dielectric property and impedance spectroscopy of La<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramics by sol–gel method

La_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (LCTO) precursor powders were synthesized by the sol–gel method. Effect of sol conditions and sintering process on microstructure and dielectric properties of LCTO powders or ceramics were investigated systematically. The optimum sol conditions for the synthesis of precursor powders were as follows: the Ti⁴⁺ concentration of 1.00 mol/L, the molar ratio of water and titanium of 5.6:1 and the sol pH of 1.0, respectively. After sintered at 1105 °C for 15 h, the LCTO ceramics exhibited more homogeneous microstructure, much higher dielectric constant (ca 09–1.6 × 10⁴) and lower dielectric loss (ca 0.057). The higher dielectric constant of the LCTO ceramics might be due to the internal barrier layer capacitor effect. The LCTO ceramics showed two kinds of conductivity activation energy for grain boundary conductivity from complex impedance analysis. The transition temperature of two activation energy values occured between 170 and 210 °C. The temperature range of 170–210 °C was critical pseudocritical region of the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and activation energy. Furthermore, it was concluded that the grain boundary play an important role for electrical properties.     

Phase formation and dielectric properties of Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by slow injection sol–gel technique

A simple sol–gel process incorporating slow precursor injection technique was employed to synthesize homogeneous Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ nano powders. The Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ samples were subjected to calcination temperatures from 600 to 1,100 °C and sintering temperatures from 1,250 to 1,350 °C for the study of phase formation, crystallite size, particle distribution, and dielectric properties. Single phase Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ with a cubic perovskite structure was successfully synthesized after calcination at 800 °C. The average size of the nano particles is 42 nm with a narrow size distribution, and a standard deviation of 10%. The highest values recorded within the investigated range for dielectric constant, and dielectric loss measured at 1 kHz are 1,164 and 0.063, respectively, for Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ pellets calcined at 800 °C and sintered at 1,350 °C. Leakage current density measured at 5 V for the Ba_0.5Sr_0.5TiO₃ pellet was found to be 49.4 pA/cm².     

Synthesis of CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> powder via PVA assisted sol–gel process

CoFe₂O₄ ferrites were synthesized by sol–gel method, having metal nitrates as precursors and PVA as surfactant, followed by a heat treatment at 960 °C for 2 h. The ultrafine ferrite powders obtained have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and room temperature magnetic measurement studies. The morphology of the powder was identified by high resolution-scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the resultant CoFe₂O₄ crystallites consist of spinel phase. Significant differences in magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄ samples synthesized with various concentrations of PVA were observed. The magnetisation measurements show that when the PVA concentration increased, coercivity initially decreased and then increased where as retentivity and magnetisation decreased. The optimum concentration of PVA for the synthesis of CoFe₂O₄ ferrites is obtained from this investigation. Obviously this material can be used as an efficient candidate for practical recording purpose.     

Structure of SrCo<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3 − δ</Subscript>-based composites prepared by sol-gel and mechanochemical processes

X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy have been used to investigate the structural phase transformations of SrCo_0.5Fe_0.5O_{3 ? δ}-based mixed-oxide nanocomposites containing fine iron oxide particles. The nanocomposites have been prepared using sol-gel and mechanochemical processes. The addition of iron(III) oxide sol to SrCo_0.5Fe_0.5O_{3 ? δ} xerogel is shown to enhance the thermal stability of the resultant cubic perovskite phase. The stabilization is due to partial shielding of the perovskite surface with a thin Fe₂O₃ layer, which hinders cobalt diffusion to the surface, preventing Co₃O₄ formation.     

Sol–gel derived Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> thin films: effect of annealing on structural,morphological and optoelectronic properties

Nanocrystalline Co₃O₄ thin films were prepared on glass substrates by using sol–gel spin coating technique. The effect of annealing temperature (400–700 °C) on structural, morphological, electrical and optical properties of Co₃O₄ thin films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electrical conductivity and UV–visible Spectroscopy. XRD measurements show that all the films are nanocrystallized in the cubic spinel structure and present a random orientation. The crystallite size increases with increasing annealing temperature (53–69 nm). These modifications influence the optical properties. The morphology of the sol–gel derived Co₃O₄ shows nanocrystalline grains with some overgrown clusters and it varies with annealing temperature. The optical band gap has been determined from the absorption coefficient. We found that the optical band gap energy decreases from 2.58 to 2.07 eV with increasing annealing temperature between 400 and 700 °C. These mean that the optical quality of Co₃O₄ films is improved by annealing. The dc electrical conductivity of Co₃O₄ thin films were increased from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² (Ω cm)⁻¹ with increase in annealing temperature. The electron carrier concentration (n) and mobility (μ) of Co₃O₄ films annealed at 400–700 °C were estimated to be of the order of 2.4–4.5 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³ and 5.2–7.0 × 10⁻⁵ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. It is observed that Co₃O₄ thin film annealing at 700 °C after deposition provide a smooth and flat texture suited for optoelectronic applications.     

Synthesis and piezoelectric properties of (Na<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.94</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.06</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion method

In this study, NaNO₃, Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, Ba(NO₃)₂, Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ and citric acid were successfully introduced to fabricate lead-free piezoelectric (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ [NBBT] nanopartical powders by a novel modified sol–gel auto-combustion method. The resultant products were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscope method. (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ + Mn(NO₃)₂ [NBBTM] can be sintered by the traditional solid-state reaction, and the effects of NBBT doped different amounts of Mn(NO₃)₂ at various sintering temperatures upon phase formation, microstructure as well as piezoelectric properties were further studied. The experimental results show that it was helpful to control their chemical ingredients and microstructure to prepare nanocrystalline single phase NBBT powders. Where is the X-ray diffraction result of the corresponding ceramics to prove the existence of the mixing between rhombohedral and tetragonal phases at the MPB compositions. Doping 0.015 mol% Mn(NO₃)₂ into NBBT at 1,090 °C, piezoelectric constant (d ₃₃) and relative dielectric constant (ε_r) reach the superior value of 159pC/N and 1,304, respectively, and dielectric loss (tan δ) and electromechanical coupling factor (K _t) are 2.5% and 65%, respectively.     

Synthesis of Li<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.54</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.13</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by sol–gel method and its electrochemical properties as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Li_1.2Mn_0.54Co_0.13Ni_0.13O₂ was synthesized by sol–gel method at 700, 800, 900 and 1000 °C, respectively, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and measured as the cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). After their performances have been compared, 800 °C was considered as the optimum synthesis temperature for Li_1.2Mn_0.54Co_0.13Ni_0.13O₂ as the cathode materials for LIBs. When charge–discharged at 20 mA g^?1 in a voltage window of 2.0–4.8 V, the Li_1.2Mn_0.54Co_0.13Ni_0.13O₂ synthesized at 800 °C (LMNCO-800) showed charge and discharge capacities of 376.2 and 276.3 mAh g^?1, respectively, with irreversible capacity of 99.9 mAh g^?1 and Coulombic efficiency of 73.4%, in the first charge–discharge cycle. The discharge capacity was 239.0 mAh g^?1 in the 50th charge–discharge cycle, with capacity retention of 86.6%. The LMNCO-800 also showed superior high-rate performances. When cycled at the rates of 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 C rate (1 C?=?200 mA g^?1), the discharge capacities of the Li_1.2Mn_0.54Co_0.13Ni_0.13O₂ can reach 241, 171, 150 and 110 mAh g^?1, respectively. When characterized with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanodomains with two different structures can be found in LMNCO-800, with some nanodomains showing monoclinic Li₂MnO₃ structure and the other nanodomains showing hexagonal LiMO₂ structure.     

Crystallographic and magnetic properties of Fe-doped SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanopowders obtained by a sol–gel method

We prepared Sn_1?x Fe _x O₂ (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, and 1.0) nanoparticles by the polymeric precursor method based on the modified Pechini process. Two types of starting reactants for both tin and iron were explored: Sn(II)/Fe(II) and Sn(IV)/Fe(III) precursors. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the precursor powders prepared from Sn(IV) have higher excess in ethylene glycol in comparison to precursor samples prepared from Sn(II). XRD patterns for those samples prepared from Sn(IV) and Fe(III) were adequately fitted by introducing only the cassiterite phase of SnO₂. Micro-Raman spectra also support these findings, and additionally it is found that the presence of iron broadened and reduced the intensities of the principal bands. ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra indicated only the presence of Sn⁴⁺, whereas RT ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra suggested the presence of two Fe³⁺ sites located at different distorted sites. On the other hand, micro-Raman and ⁵⁷Mössbauer spectrometry showed the formation of hematite as impurity phase for those samples with iron concentrations above ~5 at.%, prepared from Fe(II) and Sn(II) precursors. In addition, their XRD patterns revealed larger average grain sizes for the cassiterite phase of SnO₂ in comparison to those samples prepared from Sn(IV) and Fe(III).     

The influence of Yttrium on leakage current and dielectric properties of amorphous Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin film derived by sol–gel

Amorphous Yttrium-doped aluminum oxide thin films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by sol–gel. It was observed by field emission scanning electron microscope that the surface morphology was smooth and homogeneous. From Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, a broad absorption band at 700–1000 cm^?1 owing to vibrations of aluminum oxide was observed. The absorption peaks strength relating to hydroxyl group decreased with the increase of Y doping concentration. The electrical properties were investigated in terms of Y doping content and relative humidity. The results show that the existence of hydroxyl and absorbed water makes a significant influence on the electric properties of films. The electric conduction characteristics and dielectric breakdown properties are modified by the decrease of content of hydroxyl and absorbed water, leading to a lower leakage current and higher dielectric strength. It can be seen that the leakage current of films decreases with the Y doping, and could be reasonably deduced that leakage current can be effectively tuned by Y doping.     

Influence of Co<Superscript>++</Superscript> ion concentration on magnetic and microwave properties of Ba<Subscript>(4−X)</Subscript>Co<Subscript>(2+X)</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>36</Subscript>O<Subscript>60</Subscript> (Ba-M-Y) hexaferrite

The present paper reports the influence of cobalt content on the structural, electrical, magnetic and microwave properties of barium hexaferrite synthesized via chemical co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized for their structural, electrical, magnetic and microwave characterizations using XRD, SEM, TEM, VSM etc. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that stacking of nanoparticles of size?~?50 nm. In addition, the highest saturation magnetization of 29.82 emu/g was observed for composition x?=?0.2. The microwave permittivity and permeability decreases with frequency and it varies with the cobalt concentration. Cobalt concentration strongly affects the microwave and magnetic properties of hexaferrite.     

Dielectric properties of Erbium doped CaCu<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> prepared by sol–gel self combustion method

The dielectric properties of Erbium doped CaCu₃Ti_(4–x)Er_xO_(12–δ) with x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 were synthesized by the sol–gel self combustion method. XRD (X-ray powder diffraction) analysis confirmed the formation of single-phase material in the samples calcined at 800 °C. Crystal structure does not change on doping with Erbium and it remains cubic in all the three compositions studied. It is found that lattice parameter increases slightly with Erbium doping. The surface morphology of CaCu₃Ti_(4–x)Er_xO_(12–δ) powders sintered at 950 °C in air for 3 h was observed using high resolution—scanning electron microscope and it shows that the grain size is in the range of 1–8 μm for these samples. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy pattern confirmed the presence of Erbium with 1.9 and 4.86 atomic percentages with doping concentration. The dielectric characteristics of CaCu₃Ti_(4–x)Er_xO_(12–δ) were studied by LCR meter in the frequency range (100 Hz–1 MHz) at various temperatures (RT to 500 °C). Interestingly, the dielectric constant increases and dielectric loss had lower values than those of undoped CCTO.