Magnetization Studies of K<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>1.7</Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> Single Crystals

Magnetization measurements of the magneto-superconducting K_0.8Fe_1.7Se₂ single crystals (T _C =29.6 K) at various applied fields and temperatures have been performed. In the superconducting range, two unusual phenomena are observed. (i) The presence of paramagnetic Meissner effect up to 20 Oe, which is revealed by the positive field-cooled magnetization curves. (ii) A double peak in the hysteresis loop at low temperatures. The isothermal magnetization measured at 35 K clearly indicates the presence of a tiny amount of a ferromagnetic substance (probably pure Fe). The two peculiar phenomena observed are attributed to this impurity.     

Growth of Rare-Earth-Doped K<Subscript>2</Subscript>LaCl<Subscript>5</Subscript>, K<Subscript>2</Subscript>BaCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SrCl<Subscript>4</Subscript> Single Crystals

Processes are described for the synthesis and melt growth of rare-earth-doped K₂LaCl₅, K₂BaCl₄, and K₂SrCl₄, using rare-earth oxides as starting materials. The solubility of rare-earth activators in Bridgman-grown crystals are determined, and the spectroscopic properties of K₂LaCl₅〈Nd〉 crystals are investigated.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2005, pp. 748–752.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Vinogradova, Galagan, Dmitruk, Moiseeva, Osiko, Sviridova, Brekhovskikh, Fedorov.     

Thermal Conductivity of Chalcogenide As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript> Thin Films

In order to investigate the photo-induced thermal property changes in chalcogenide thin films, amorphous As ₂ S ₃ thin film samples, whose thicknesses are 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 m, were prepared on silicon wafers by thermal evaporation. Their thermal conductivity was measured by the 3 method between room temperature and 100 °C. These measurements were repeated after the illumination of an Ar⁺ laser beam whose photon energy is consistent with the bandgap energy of As ₂ S ₃, and repeated again for annealed films at 180 °C for 1 h. The result shows that the thermal conductivities of fresh films were 0.14 to 0.27 W·m ^–1·K ^–1; however, the values increase to 0.28–0.47 W·m ^–1·K ^–1 after illumination of the sample and decrease to 0.19–0.42 W·m ^–1·K ^–1 after annealing of the sample. These changes can be explained by the change in microstructure produced from the photo-darkening and thermal annealing.     

Photoluminescence and Electrical Conductivity of As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>〈Au〉 and As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>5</Subscript>〈Au〉 Glasses

The 77-K photoluminescence spectra of (As₂S₃)_{100 − x} Au_x and (As₂S₅)_{100 −x} Au_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) semiconducting glasses are measured for the first time. At low doping levels, the spectra of the (As₂S₅)_{100 − x} Au_x glasses are split into two components, one of which arises from the Au dopant. The temperature-dependent conductivity of the glasses shows two breaks at low Au concentrations and anomalous behavior in the range 300–360 K. Qualitative analysis of the conductivity data suggests that most of the impurity atoms have saturated valence bonds and form solid solutions with host atoms, changing the band gap of the material. A small fraction of the impurity atoms, those having unsaturated valence bonds, produce an electrically active level responsible for impurity conduction.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 876–880.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Babaev, Kamilov, Sultanov, Askhabov, Terukov.     

Reactive Stresses in Ni<Subscript>49</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>18</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>27</Subscript>Co<Subscript>6</Subscript> Shape-Memory-Alloy Single Crystals

The reactive stresses induced in Ni₄₉Fe₁₈Ga₂₇Co₆-alloy single crystals during martensitic transformations with a limited possibility of shape-memory-strain recovery have been experimentally studied. The data on these crystals are compared with the results obtained previously for Cu–Al–Ni, Ni–Ti, and Ni?Fe–Ga crystals. The potential of application of the Ni₄₉Fe₁₈Ga₂₇Co₆ single crystals in designing drives and power motors is demonstrated.     

Vortex Flux Dynamics and Harmonic ac Magnetic Response of Ba(Fe<Subscript>0.94</Subscript> Ni<Subscript>0.06</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> Bulk Superconductor

Vortex dynamics and nonlinear ac response are studied in a Ba(Fe_0.94 Ni_0.06)₂As₂(T _c = 18.5 K) bulk superconductor in magnetic fields up to 12 T via ac susceptibility measurements of the first ten harmonics. A comprehensive study of the ac magnetic susceptibility and its first ten harmonics finds shifts to higher temperatures with increasing ac measurement frequencies (10 to 10,000 Hz) for a wide range of ac (1, 5, and 10 Oe) and dc fields (0 to 12 T). The characteristic measurement time constant t ₁ is extracted from the exponential fit of the data and linked to vortex relaxation. The Anderson-Kim Arrhenius law is applied to determine flux activation energy E _a /k as a function dc magnetic field. The de-pinning, or irreversibility lines, were determined by a variety of methods and extensively mapped. The ac response shows surprisingly weak higher harmonic components, suggesting weak nonlinear behavior. Our data does not support the Fisher model; we do not see an abrupt vortex glass to vortex liquid transition and the resistivity does not drop to zero, although it appears to approach zero exponentially.     

The Third-Order Elastic Moduli and Debye Temperature of SrFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript> and BaFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>As<Subscript>2</Subscript>: a First-Principles Study

The second- and third-order elastic constants of SrFe₂As₂ and BaFe₂As₂ with tetragonal structure are investigated by the first-principles methods combined with homogeneous deformation theory. The effective second-order elastic constants are obtained from the second- and third-order elastic constants for SrFe₂As₂ and BaFe₂As₂. Based on the effective second-order elastic constants, the phase stabilities and the Debye temperature of SrFe₂As₂ and BaFe₂As₂ have been investigated. It is predicted that SrFe₂As₂ and BaFe₂As₂ with tetragonal structure are not mechanically stable above 12.70 and 14.28 GPa, respectively, which agree with the available experimental and theoretical values.     

Critical Behavior of La<Subscript>0.67</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.33</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Manganite

The critical behavior of perovskite manganite La_0.67Ba_0.33Mn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ at the ferromagnetic–paramagnetic has been analyzed. The results show that the sample exhibited the second-order magnetic phase transition. The estimated critical exponents derived from the magnetic data using various such as modified d’Arrott plot Kouvel–Fisher method and critical magnetization M(T _C, H). The critical exponents values for the La_0.67Ba_0.33Mn_0.95Fe_0.05O₃ are close to those expected from the mean field model β = 0.504 ± 0.01 with T _C = 275661 ± 0.447 (from the temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization below T _C ), γ = 1.013 ± 0.017 with T _C = 276132 ± 0.452 (from the temperature dependence of the inverse initial susceptibility above T _C ), and δ = 3.0403 ± 0.0003. Moreover, the critical exponents also obey the single scaling equation of M(H, ε) = |ε| ^β f _±(H/|ε| ^β+γ ).     

Electrical Conductivity and Complex Impedance Analysis of Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrMo<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>W<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> Double Perovskite

Electrical properties of Ba ₂CrMo_0.8W_0.2O₆ double perovskite were investigated using admittance spectroscopy technique. According to impedance analysis, the material was modeled by an electrical equivalent circuit. Such analysis proves the presence of relaxation phenomenon in the compound. We also found that ac conductivity follows the Jonscher universal power law. Conduction process is found to be dominated by the thermally activated small polaron (SPH). The activation energy values, inferred from dc conductivity and from the temperature dependence of relaxation time, are closed to each other. Such result indicates that conduction process and relaxation phenomenon are related to the same defect.     

Synthesis and microwave absorption property of ternary composites: polyaniline/CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>24</Subscript>O<Subscript>41</Subscript>

Polyaniline (PANI)/CoFe₂O₄/Ba₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ composite was prepared by an in-situ polymerization method. The phase structure, morphology and magnetic properties of the as-prepared PANI/CoFe₂O₄/Ba₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ composite were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and VSM, respectively. The microwave absorption properties of the composite were investigated by using a vector network analyzer in the 2–18 GHz frequency range. The results show that the maximum reflection loss value of the PANI/CoFe₂O₄/Ba₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ composite reaches ?30.5 dB at 10.5 GHz with a thickness of 3 mm and the bandwidth of reflection loss below ?10 dB reaches up to 1.2 GHz. The excellent microwave absorption properties of the as-prepared PANI/CoFe₂O₄/Ba₃Co₂Fe₂₄O₄₁ composite due to the enhanced impedance match between dielectric loss and magnetic loss.     

Photocurrent and Optical Transmission Spectra of Sn- and Pb-Doped (As<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>(As<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.7</Subscript> Glass Films

The photocurrent and optical transmission spectra of thin (As₂S₃)_0.3(As₂Se₃)_0.7 glass films doped with Sn and Pb are reported. The strongest photoresponse is offered by the films doped with 0.010– 0.015 at % Sn or Pb. Low doping levels are shown to have a significant effect on the peak-response wavelength and band gap of the films.     

Crystal Growth and Magneto-transport of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> Single Crystals

In this letter, we report on the growth and characterization of bulk Bi ₂Se ₃ single crystals. The studied Bi ₂Se ₃ crystals are grown by the self-flux method through the solid-state reaction from high-temperature (950 °C) melt of constituent elements and slow cooling (2 ℃/h). The resultant crystals are shiny and grown in the [00l] direction, as evidenced from surface XRD. Detailed Reitveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) of the crystals showed that these are crystallized in the rhombohedral crystal structure with a space group of R3m (D5), and the lattice parameters are a = 4.14 (2), b = 4.14 (2), and c = 28.7010 (7) Å. Temperature versus resistivity (ρ?T) plots revealed metallic conduction down to 2 K, with typical room temperature resistivity (ρ _{300 K}) of around 0.53 m Ω-cm and residual resistivity (ρ _{0 K}) of 0.12 m Ω-cm. Resistivity under magnetic field [ ρ(T)H] measurements exhibited large + ve magneto-resistance right from 2 to 200 K. Isothermal magneto-resistance [ ρH] measurements at 2, 100, and 200 K exhibited magneto-resistance (MR) of up to 240 %, 130 %, and 60 %, respectively, at 14 T. Further, the MR plots are nonsaturating and linear with the field at all temperatures. At 2 K, the MR plots showed clear quantum oscillations at above say 10 T applied field. Also, the Kohler plots, i.e., Δρ/ ρ _oversus B/ ρ, were seen consolidating on one plot. Interestingly, the studied Bi ₂Se ₃ single crystal exhibited the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations at 2 K under different applied magnetic fields ranging from 4 to 14 T.     

Effect of potassium on the structure and catalytic properties of K<Subscript>1.2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>

We have studied the structural properties of the phase K_1.2Cu_0.4Fe₂O₄ and the effect of potassium on its catalytic activity for oxidation of carbon. The results demonstrate that the potassium-doped phase differs from the undoped ferrite CuFe₂O₄ in linear dimensions of its unit cell, high density of structural defects, and low-temperature activity and activation energy for the catalytic process. Contact interaction between K_1.2Cu_0.4Fe₂O₄ and carbon in the temperature range 240–420°C leads to the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ and the formation of Cu₂O, CuFeO₂, and K₂Fe₄O₇. Testing results for the phases identified indicate that the catalytic processes in the presence of K₂Fe₄O₇ and K_1.2Cu_0.4Fe₂O₄ are identical.     

Study of structural,morphological and magnetic properties of Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript>

Single-phase barium Strontium hexaferrite (Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Fe₁₂O₁₉—BSF) was synthesized by sol–gel method using metal nitrates as source and d-Fructose as a fuel. The phase formation, surface morphology and magnetic properties of the samples were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction, High-resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HR-SEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). X-ray analysis indicates that the sintered samples were remained in hexagonal structure. The densities of the sintered samples at 1,150 °C were found to be 93% of theoretical density. HR-SEM and VSM studies reveal that the sintered samples were resulted in hexagonal structure with good magnetic properties. The average diagonal of the grains varies from 0.95 to 1.7 μm. The thermal treatment effects the growth of the hexagonal grains of ferrites.     

The Multiferroic Properties of (Bi<Subscript>0.9</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.1</Subscript>)(Fe<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Films

(Bi_0.9Ba_0.1)(Fe_0.95Mn_0.05)O₃ films were prepared on LaNiO₃-coated surface oxidized Si substrates. XRD and Raman measurements confirm that the (Bi_0.9Ba_0.1)(Fe_0.95Mn_0.05)O₃ film has pure R3c structure. Clear ferromagnetism with saturated magnetization of about 25 emu/cm³ has been observed at room temperature. The ferroelectric properties of the (Bi_0.9Ba_0.1)(Fe_0.95Mn_0.05)O₃ film was confirmed by the observation of the ferroelectric domains and the converse piezoelectric coefficient d ₃₃ versus applied voltage hysteresis loops by piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM). The observation of ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity in (Bi_0.9Ba_0.1)(Fe_0.95Mn_0.05)O₃ films indicates the potential multiferroic applications.     

Synthesis and Structure of Mn-Doped CdGeAs<Subscript>2</Subscript> Single Crystals

Large, perfect CdGeAs₂ single crystals doped with 0.006, 0.49, and 0.89 wt % Mn are grown by the Bridgman method. The Mn concentration in the crystals is determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. X-ray diffraction results indicate that Mn doping influences the bond distances in CdGeAs₂ and its lattice parameters. Based on the observed structural changes, a model is proposed for the Mn incorporation into the structure of CdGeAs₂.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 519–522.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Novotortsev, Palkina, Mikhailov, Molchanov, Ochertyanova, Marenkin.     

Hydrogen-induced diffusion phase transformations in Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>14</Subscript>B and Sm<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>17</Subscript> magnetically hard alloys

The Nd₂Fe₁₄B and Sm₂Fe₁₇ magnetically hard alloys become thermodynamically unstable under the action of hydrogen and suffer hydrogen-induced direct and inverse phase transformations at elevated temperatures. The kinetics of these transformations is investigated. It is shown that they are diffusion-controlled and develop according to the mechanism of nucleation and growth. Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 105–111, September–October, 2008.     

Electrical Conductivity of Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>6</Subscript> Crystals Doped with Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Sr<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, and Ba<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

Single crystals of Bi₂WO₆ (a layered perovskite-like compound) doped with Ca²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ on the Bi³⁺ site are grown, and their oxygen ionic conductivity is measured along the polar axis. The intrinsic conductivity of the doped crystals differs insignificantly from the conductivity of undoped Bi₂WO₆, indicating that the oxygen ions in the Bi₂O₂ layers contribute little to the oxygen ionic conductivity of the crystals. The sharp change in the activation energy for conduction at 600°C attests to a transition from one conduction mechanism to another in going from low to high temperatures.__________Translated from Neorganicheskie Materialy, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 863–865.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kharitonova, Voronkova, Yanovskii.     

Fast microwave synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Ag magnetic nanoparticles using Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript> as precursor

A simple and quick microwave method to prepare high performance magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) directly from Fe has been developed. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄ NPs product was fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the as-prepared Fe₃O₄ NPs are quite monodisperse with an average core size of 80 × 5 nm. The microwave synthesis technique can be easily modified to prepare Fe₃O₄/Ag NPs and these NPs possess good magnetic properties. The formation mechanisms of the NPs are also discussed. Our proposed synthesis procedure is quick and simple, and shows potential for large-scale production and applications for catalysis and biomedical/biological uses.