Paramagnetism and Superconductivity in Eu0.7Sm0.3Ba2Cu3O7?δ

Magnetic properties of sintered Eu_0.7Sm_0.3Ba₂Cu₃O_7– were investigated both in dc and ac magnetic fields. The dc response reflects the interplay between the rare earth ion paramagnetic and the superconducting charge carrier subsystems, respectively. The harmonic susceptibilities exhibit special features: the second harmonic is anomalously high and the third harmonic in zero dc-field has reversed temperature dependence with respect to the theoretical models. The magnetic relaxation at low fields is monotonous and occurs as a two-stage relaxation, each stage obeying logarithmical time dependence with different rates. At high fields, the relaxation is nonmonotonous with a peak at intermediate time suggesting a temporary re-entrance of irreversibility when the flux-line density increases in the center of the sample because of the redistribution of the vortices toward that region.     

Optical properties and structure of R2O–Ga2O3–SiO2 and RO–Ga2O3–SiO2 glasses

Refractive index and molar refraction of Li₂O–, Na₂O–, CaO–, and BaO–Ga₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses have been used to test the validity of a structural model of silicate glasses containing Ga₂O₃ glasses. Ga₂O₃ enters these types of glass in a similar manner as Al₂O₃. It is assumed that, for (SiO₂/Ga₂O₃) >1 and (Ga₂O₃/R₂O) ≤1, Ga₂O₃ associates primarily with modifier oxides to form GaO₄ units. The rest of modifier oxide forms silicate units with non-bridging oxygen ions. Silicate structural units have the same factors as found for binary alkali- and alkaline earth silicate glasses. Differences between experimental and model values suggest another structure for (Ga₂O₃/SiO₂) ≥1.     

Griffiths Phase and Disorder in Perovskite Manganite Oxides La1?xCaxMnO3 and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Polycrystalline samples La_1−x Ca _x MnO₃ (x=0.17, 0.15, 0.10) and La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ were prepared in order to investigate the Griffiths-like features induced by disorder compared with their counterpart single crystals. The magnetization data exhibit the traditional transition from ferromagnetic phase to paramagnetic phase. From the temperature dependence of inverse susceptibility, it can be testified that the Griffiths-like features still exist in as-prepared Ca doped samples, while non-Griffiths-like features exist in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃. All these samples, however, exhibit the large effective spins resulting from formation of the short-order ferromagnetic clusters. The O K-edge X-ray absorption spectra indicate the Jahn–Teller (J-T) distortions are definitely present due to the J-T ion Mn³⁺, which indicate that static J-T distortion is not a sufficient condition for the existence of Griffiths phase in Sr-doped system. And, the size of J-T distortion is a little larger in polycrystalline La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ than that in polycrystalline samples La_1−x Ca _x MnO₃ (x=0.17, 0.15, 0.10), revealed by X-ray diffraction parameters and extended X-ray fine structure absorption data of Mn K-edge. It also testifies that the disorder in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ caused by both chemical doping and J-T distortions is lower than that in polycrystalline samples La_1−x Ca _x MnO₃, which may be the reason of non-Griffiths-like phase existing in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ samples.     

Charge and Sodium Ordering in β-Na0.33V2O3

Polarized Raman and optical spectra for the quasi one-dimensional metallic vanadate -Na_0.33V₂O₃ are reported for various temperatures. The spectra are discussed in the light of the sodium and charge ordering transitions occurring in this material, and demonstrate the presence of strong electron–phonon coupling.     

Laser bonding and characterization of Kapton? FN/Ti and Teflon? FEP/Ti systems

Kapton^? FN and Teflon^? FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) polymers are resistant to most chemical solvents, heat sealable, and have low moisture uptake, which make them attractive as packaging materials for electronics and implantable devices. Kapton^? FN/Ti and Teflon^? FEP/Ti microjoints were fabricated by using focused infrared laser irradiation. Laser-bonded samples were tested with a micro-testing machine under lap shear load and the bond strength was determined. The bond strength for the Kapton^? FN/Ti and Teflon^? FEP/Ti systems was found to be 3.32 and 8.48 N/mm², respectively. The failure mode of the mechanically tested samples was studied by using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Chemical interactions during laser bonding of Kapton^? FN to titanium were studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS results give evidence for the formation of Ti–F bonds in the interfacial region.     

Magnetic and Magneto-Transport Measurements of 57Fe-doped SrCoO3 and Sr1?xCdxCoO3 Perovskites

In this article, the magneto-transport features of ⁵⁷Fe isotope (1%) doped SrCoO₃ (referred to as SrCo_0.99 ⁵⁷Fe_0.01O₃) perovskite compound have been investigated. The compound crystallized in cubic symmetry undergoes ferromagnetic transition around ∼270 K. The isothermal magnetization data collected at low temperature (1.8 K) indicates a characteristic of soft ferromagnet with saturation moment, M _s∼1.81 μ _B/Co. Interestingly, the electrical resistivity, ρ(T), measurements indicate semiconducting properties while metallic nature is seen for the pristine compound. The SrCo_0.99 ⁵⁷Fe_0.01O₃ sample shows temperature and field dependence of magnetoresistance, MR, around 1.5%, which is rather smaller than of the pristine perovskite. The second part of the present work reports the attempt to dope Cd on Sr-site in the perovskite structure, Sr_1−x Cd _x CoO₃, under extreme conditions. A minimum amount of about x=0.05, 0.1 is tested for solid solution in the Sr_1−x Cd _x CoO₃ structure. However, the structural data indicate that Cd is not fully doped in the matrix for x=0.05, 0.1 samples; some of the CdO is intact as an impurity and it did not show major impact on the physical properties of the samples. The ρ(T) data reveal metallic nature for both x=0.05 and 0.1 samples with relatively low resistivity at low temperature regions, and they exhibit −MR ∼4% around ∼250 K. For x=0.05 the molar magnetic susceptibility of the sample shows ferromagnetic transition at T _c=244 K, whereas x=0.1 sample exhibits ferromagnetism at T _c=264 K. The effective Bohr magnetron parameter, p _eff, determined for x=0.05 and 0.1 samples is found to be 3.10 μ _B/Co and 3.25 μ _B/Co, respectively, and these data suggest intermediate spin state for Co⁴⁺ ion for both the samples. The M(H) data for both the samples reveal soft ferromagnetism. The M _s of x=0.05 reaches 1.9 μ _B/Co and of x=0.1 reaches 1.86 μ _B/Co at 1.8 K and 70 kOe conditions.     

Piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–Bi0.5K0.5TiO3–Ba0.77Ca0.23TiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (1 − x)Bi_0.5(Na_0.84K_0.16)_0.5TiO₃–xBa_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ (BNKT–xBCT, x = 0–0.04) were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction method. The piezoelectric, dielectric, and ferroelectric characteristics of the ceramics are investigated and discussed. The XRD results show that Ba_0.77Ca_0.23TiO₃ (BCT) has diffused into Bi_0.5(Na_0.84K_0.16)_0.5TiO₃ (BNKT) lattices to form a new solid solution. It is shown that moderate additive of BCT (x ≤ 0.025) in BNKT–xBCT ceramics can enhance their piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. Three dielectric anomalies are observed in BNKT–xBCT (x ≤ 0.03) ceramics. The piezoelectric measurements and P–E hysteresis loops reveal that BNKT–0.025BCT ceramic has the highest piezoelectric performance and strongest ferroelectricity in all the samples. Piezoelectric constants d ₃₃, k _p, and k _t of 175 pC/N, 29.1, and 54% are, respectively, achieved. Remnant polarization P _r and coercive field E _c reach 28.3 μC/cm² and 24.2 kV/cm, respectively.     

Magnetic susceptibility and effective magnetic moment of the Nd3+ and Co3+ ions in NdCo1 ? x Ga x O3

The magnetic susceptibility of NdCo_{1 − x} Ga _x O₃ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1) has been measured at temperatures from 80 to 950 K. The effective magnetic moments (μ_eff) due to the magnetic moments of the Co³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions have been determined in the temperature ranges of Curie-Weiss behavior, 130–370 and 600–940 K, and have then been used, together with the effective magnetic moment of Nd³⁺ (3.62μ_B or 4.20μ_B), to evaluate the effective magnetic moment of Co³⁺ in NdCo_{1 − x} Ga _x O₃. For the solid solutions with < 2.83μ_B, we have determined the fractions of intermediate-and low-spin Co³⁺ ions. In the range 2.83μ_B < < 4.90μ_B, we have determined the fraction of high-spin Co³⁺ ions. The results indicate that, in the temperature range 130–370 K, the Co³⁺ ions in NdCo_{1 − x} Ga _x O₃ with x = 0, 0.5, 0.8, and 0.9 are in the intermediate-and high-spin states, and the fraction of high-spin Co³⁺ ions gradually increases from 10% at x = 0 to 67% at x = 0.9. In the solid solutions with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.7, more than half of the Co³⁺ ions are in the low-spin state, and the rest are in the intermediate-spin state. In the temperature range 600–940 K, the Nd³⁺ ions are in the ground and excited states, with theoretically predicted of of 3.62μ_B and 5.52μ_B, respectively. Because of the significant uncertainty in in this temperature range, has been determined less accurately compared to the range 130–370 K. Original Russian Text ? N.N. Lubinskii, L.A. Bashkirov, A.I. Galyas, S.V. Shevchenko, G.S. Petrov, I.M. Sirota, 2008, published in Neorganicheskie Materialy, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 9, pp. 1137–1143.     

Dielectric and magnetic properties of bulk and layered tape cast CoFe2O4–Pb(Fe1/2Ta1/2)O3 composites

The microstructure, dielectric and magnetic properties of bulk and layered CoFe₂O₄–Pb(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ composites were studied. Ceramic samples based on previously mixed ferrite and relaxor powders were sintered at 950 °C. Ferrite and relaxor green tapes 150 μm thick were prepared by tape casting, then cut, stacked alternately, laminated and co-sintered at 950 °C. High and broad maxima of dielectric permittivity reaching 2000 at 1 kHz were found for bulk CoFe₂O₄–Pb(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ ceramic. Measurements of the magnetization of the investigated composites as a function of magnetic field and temperature exhibited behavior typical of hard magnetic materials. The layered composites showed lower coercivity, higher saturation magnetization and a higher magnetoelectric coefficient than the bulk ceramics. Distinct changes in field- and zero field-cooled magnetization curves at −200 °C could be ascribed to the antiferromagnetic transition of the PFT relaxor phase. Multilayer CoFe₂O₄–Pb(Fe_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ composites exhibited a magnetoelectric coefficient of 200 mV/(cm Oe) at a frequency of the modulation magnetic field equal to 5 kHz.     

Thermoluminescence and lyoluminescence in γ-ray irradiated and Ce3+-doped YCa4O(BO3)3 phosphors

YCa₄O(BO₃)₃ crystal having various concentration of Ce ions were synthesized by solid-state diffusion technique. XRD pattern of the sample confirmed the formation of the sample. Thermoluminescence (TL) and lyoluminescence (LL) of the γ-ray-irradiated sample were recorded. Two distinct peaks around 160 and 277 °C were observed in TL glow curves. TL intensity increased with increasing dopant concentration up to 2 mol%. A single sharp peak was observed in the LL glow curve of the sample. It was found that both TL and LL increased almost linearly with γ-ray doses up to 1.5 kGy. Photoluminescence (PL) of the sample was recorded to find the role of rare earth ion doped in YCa₄O(BO₃)₃. PL emission spectrum showed two peaks lying very close to each other around 390 nm which are characteristics of 5d → 4f transition of Ce³⁺ ions. When LL of samples was recorded after removing the TL peaks it did not show any emission. This indicates that emission centres responsible for TL are also responsible for LL.     

Preparation and characterization of Ce0.95Zr0.05O2 nanopowders obtained by sol–gel and template methods

Ce_0.95Zr_0.05O₂ nanopowders have been prepared by a standard Pechini-type sol–gel process and by using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) colloidal crystals as template. The effects of these different synthesis routes, on the structure and microstructural features of the nanopowders, were evaluated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and specific surface area measurements. For both preparation routes, the XRD analysis has shown that a cubic fluorite structure is formed with a crystallite size of ∼45–50 nm. The SEM images indicate that the powder obtained by the sol–gel Pechini-type process, is constituted by aggregated nanoparticles with relatively uniform shape and size, whereas the powder synthesized as inverse opal exhibits the formation of macropores with a mean size of ∼130 nm. The specific surface areas of the powder samples obtained by the Pechini-type sol–gel and inverse opal methods are ∼56 m² g⁻¹ and ∼90 m² g⁻¹ respectively. Additionally, the thermoluminescence (TL) signal of the synthetized samples has been measured in order to examine its potential application in the field of dosimetry of ionizing radiations.     

Structure and electrical properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–Bi0.5K0.5TiO3–BiCoO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (1 − x − y)Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–xBi_0.5K_0.5TiO₃–yBiCoO₃ (x = 0.12–0.24, y = 0–0.04) have been fabricated by a conventional solid-state reaction method, and their structure and electrical properties have been investigated. The XRD analysis shows that samples with y ≤ 0.03 exhibit a pure perovskite phase and very weak impurity reflections can be detected in the sample with y = 0.04. With x increasing from 0.12 to 0.24 and y increasing from 0 to 0.04, the ceramics transform gradually from a rhombohedral phase to a tetragonal phase and rhombohedral–tetragonal phase coexistence to a pseudocubic phase, respectively. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) of the system between rhombohedral and tetragonal locates in the range of x = 0.18–0.21, y = 0–0.03. The ceramics near the composition of the MPB have good performances with piezoelectric constant d ₃₃ = 156 pC/N and electromechanical coupling factor k _p = 0.34 at x = 0.21 and y = 0.01, which attains a maximum value in this ternary system. Adding content of BiCoO₃ leads to a disappearance of the response in the curves of dielectric constant-temperature to the ferroelectric–antiferroelectric transition. The temperature dependence of dielectric properties suggests that the ceramics are relaxor ferroelectrics. The results show that (1 − x − y)Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–xBi_0.5K_0.5TiO₃–yBiCoO₃ ceramics are good candidate for use as lead-free ceramics.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of ZnFe2O4/α-Fe2O3 composite hollow nanospheres

ZnFe₂O₄/α-Fe₂O₃ composite hollow nanospheres were successfully fabricated via a facile one-pot solvothermal method, utilizing polyethylene glycol as soft template. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the prepared nanospheres with cubic spinel and rhombohedra composite structure had a uniform diameter of about 370 nm, and the hollow structure could be further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared techniques were also applied to characterize the elemental composition and chemical bonds in the hollow nanospheres. The ZnFe₂O₄/α-Fe₂O₃ composite hollow nanospheres show attractive light absorption property for potential applications in electronics, optics, and catalysis.     

Synthesis and properties of β-Ga2O3 nanostructures

A novel method was utilized to synthesize one-dimensional β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures. In this method, β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures have been successfully synthesized on Si(111) substrates through annealing sputtered Ga₂O₃/Mo films under flowing ammonia in a quartz tube. The as-obtained samples were analyzed in detail using the methods of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) attached to the HRTEM instrument. The results show that the formed nanostructures are single-crystalline Ga₂O₃. The annealing temperature has an evident influence on the morphology of the β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures. The growth mechanism of the β-Ga₂O₃ nanostructures is also discussed by conventional vapor-solid (VS) mechanism.     

Fabrication and structure characterization of MnCO3/α-Fe2O3 nanocrystal heterostructures

Novel MnCO₃/α-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystal heterostructures, with MnCO₃ nanorods 5-10 nm in diameter and 15-50 nm in length, grown onto the surfaces of the α-Fe₂O₃ nanohexahedrons sized around 30-50 nm, were fabricated via a two-step solvothermal route. The coalescent planes of the heterostructure for the MnCO₃ nanorod and the α-Fe₂O₃ nanohexahedron were determined to be (01?4) and (110), respectively. The formation of the MnCO₃ nanorods from the Mn contained amorphous flakes was tracked by transmission electron microscopy observations at various reaction stages, which suggested a rolling-broken-growth process. Evidenced by the comparative experimental result, the α-Fe₂O₃ nanohexahedrons played an important role in inducing the nucleation and growth of the hexagonal MnCO₃ nanorods on their surfaces.     

MgAl2O4-γ-Al2O3 solid solution interaction: mathematical framework and phase separation of α-Al2O3 at high temperature

Although existence of MgAl₂O₄-γ-Al₂O₃ solid solution has been reported in the past, the detailed interactions have not been explored completely. For the first time, we report here a mathematical framework for the detailed solid solution interactions of γ-Al₂O₃ in MgAl₂O₄ (spinel). To investigate the solid solubility of γ-Al₂O₃ in MgAl₂O₄, Mg-Al spinel (MgO-nAl₂O₃; n = 1, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and an arbitrary high value 30) precursors have been heat treated at 1000°C. Presence of only non-stoichiometric MgAl₂O₄ phase up to n = 4.5 at 1000°C indicates that alumina (as γ-Al₂O₃) present beyond stoichiometry gets completely accommodated in MgAl₂O₄ in the form of solid solution. γ → α alumina phase transformation and its subsequent separation from MgAl₂O₄ has been observed in the Mg-Al spinel powders (n > 1) when the 1000°C heat treated materials are calcined at 1200°C. In the mathematical framework, unit cell of MgAl₂O₄ (Mg₈Al₁₆O₃₂) has been considered for the solid solution interactions (substitution of Mg²⁺ ions by Al³⁺ ions) with γ-Al₂O₃. It is suggested that combination of unit cells of MgAl₂O₄ takes part in the interactions when n > 5 (MgO-nAl₂O₃).     

Sintering time and properties of YBa2Cu3O～7 superconducting ceramics

The effect of annealing duration in oxygen flow on the superconducting characteristics of YBa₂Cu₃O₇ bulk ceramics was investigated by structural, electrical, magnetic, and electronic microscopy investigations. The long-time annealing is deleterious for the superconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O₇ ceramics. The optimum time interval for annealing is from 20 to 70 h at 950°C, and within this range the maximum value ofT _c is obtained.     

Low-Magnetoresistance RuO2–Al2O3 Thin-Film Thermometer and its Application

Thermometers consisting of RuO₂–Al₂O₃ composite thin films were prepared by RF sputtering. It was found that different electrode-patterning techniques have dissimilar effects on the magnetoresistance (MR) and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). In general, the thermometers with electrodes fabricated by photo-resist lithography exhibit superior performance compared to those with electrodes prepared using a metal mask. By adjusting the relative compositions of RuO₂ and Al₂O₃, the thermometers can be applied to a wide temperature range from 60 mK to 500 K. In a pulsed magnetic field up to 55 T, the MR at 4.2 K of a typical thermometer for the temperature range from 1.4 K to 300 K increases linearly with magnetic field to a maximum of ~15 %, corresponding to a temperature deviation of ~−4 %. As frequency increases from dc to 1.9 MHz, the MR decreases from  −13 % to ~ − 0.5 % at T = 1.3 K and H = 55 T. By integrating the thermometer with a heater on a sapphire chip, a micro-calorimeter can be developed and successfully used to measure the heat capacity of small mg-sized sample. The RuO₂–Al₂O₃ composite film can also be employed as an infrared bolometer operated at room temperature.     

Synthesis and properties of glasses in the K2O–SiO2–Bi2O3–TiO2 system and bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12) nano glass–ceramics thereof

Glasses were prepared by the melt-quench technique in the K₂O–SiO₂–Bi₂O₃–TiO₂ (KSBT) system and crystallized bismuth titanate, BiT (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) phase in it by controlled heat-treatment at various temperature and duration. Different physical, thermal, optical, and third-order susceptibility (χ³) of the glasses were evaluated and correlated with their composition. Systematic increase in refractive index (n) and χ³ with increase in BiT content is attributed to the combined effects of high polarization and ionic refraction of bismuth and titanium ions. Microstructural evaluation by FESEM shows the formation of polycrystalline spherical particles of 70–90 nm along with nano-rods of average diameter of 85–90 nm after prolonged heat treatment. A minor increase in dielectric constants (ε_r) has been observed with increase in polarizable components of BiT in the glasses, whereas a sharp increase in ε_r in glass–ceramics is found to be caused by the formation of non-centrosymmetric and ferroelectric BiT nanocrystals in the glass matrix.     

Microwave-assisted preparation of Ca6Si6O17(OH)2 and β-CaSiO3 nanobelts

Xonotlite (Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂) nanobelts were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 90 min independent of the feeding molar ratio of Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O to Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O in the range of 0.8-3.0. Crystalline wollastonite (β-CaSiO₃) nanobelts were obtained by microwave thermal transformation of Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts at 800 °C for 2 h. Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts were used as both the precursor and the template for the preparation of β-CaSiO₃ nanobelts. The morphology and size of Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts could be well preserved during the microwave thermal transformation process. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED).