Effect of Sr doped the YFeO3 rare earth ortho-ferrite on structure,magnetic properties,and microwave absorption performance

Given the remarkable performances of rare earth multiferroic ortho-ferrites with magnetic optical and dielectric properties, the Y_1-xSr_xFeO₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) perovskite structure microwave absorbing ferrite materials was successfully synthesized by Sr²⁺ ions A-site doping based on sol-gel technology in this paper. The XRD of all samples was refined with FullProf software, which confirmed the formation of the orthogonal perovskite structure (SG: Pnma). The SEM and TEM results display the average particles size of the samples is distributed between 110 and 160 nm. The increase of Sr doping concentration leads to the increase of particles size, which may be related to the growth of preferred orientation and incomplete substitution. The XPS analysis shows that Fe³⁺ was accompanied by the presence of Fe²⁺ with the doping of Sr²⁺ ions and oxygen vacancies increased significantly. The samples change from weak ferromagnetic state to paramagnetic state with the increase of Sr content. The minimum reflection loss (RL) of the Y_0.95Sr_0.05FeO₃ samples at 12.2 GHz reached −30.87 dB with thickness of 2.2 mm, where its effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL ≤ −10 dB) reached 2.4 GHz (11.3–13.7 GHz). Moreover, the EAB of the Y_0.85Sr_0.15FeO₃ samples reached 2.64 GHz, and the corresponding range is 9.0–11.6 GHz (X-band).     

Effects of Y–Co co-substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of M-type strontium hexaferrites

Y³⁺- and Co²⁺-substituted Sr_1-xY_xFe_12-xCo_xO₁₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.50) M-type hexaferrites were synthesized using a traditional oxide ceramic process to study their structural and static magnetic properties. The well-defined M-type phase structures of the pure and Y–Co co-substituted strontium ferrites were verified via XRD analysis. When the Y–Co substitution amount (x) exceeded 0.20, the Fe₂O₃, Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, SrFe₂O₄, and CoFe₂O₄ impurity phases coexisted in the M-type strontium hexaferrite structure. The lattice parameters a and c increased when x ≤ 0.20; however, a further increase in the Y–Co substitution caused them to decrease. The X-ray density d_x initially decreased when x ≤ 0.20, and subsequently increased with a further increase in Y–Co substitution. The density of the sintered samples d_s exhibited a decreasing trend with the increasing Y–Co substitution, inducing the porosity to increase. The saturation magnetization M_s monotonously decreased with the increasing Y–Co substitution amount. The in-plane and out-of-plane coercivities, H_c(ip) and H_c(op), initially increased as x increased from 0 to 0.20. When x > 0.20, however, H_c(ip) exhibited a decreasing trend; particularly, a linear decrease was observed as x increased from 0.30 to 0.50. The squareness ratio S reached its maximum (79.6%) at x = 0.20.     

Investigating the co-substitution impact of yttrium–nickel cations on lattice,morphological and magnetic parameters of SrM based ceramics

This study details the impact of the co-substitution of Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions for the Fe³⁺ ions on the structural, morphological and, magnetic parameters of SrM based SrY_xFe_12-2xNi_xO₁₉ (0.00 ≤ x ≥ 0.25) (SrYFeNiO) ceramic magnets synthesized by the ceramic route. Rietveld refinement of XRD confirmed the hexagonal (P63/mmc (194), z = 2) SrFe₁₂O₁₉ phase for all and an additional rhombohedral (R-3c (167), z = 6) hematite Fe₂O₃ phase for x = 0.2, x = 0.25 doping levels. The experimental and theoretical measurements abstracted the stretch of lattice parameters, i.e., the crystallographic axis and the lattice cell volume, and the dislocation of the crystallographic plane (1 1 4) for the hexagonal system, certified the heavy Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ ions substitution. To examine the morphological parameters, FESEM presented the regular hexagonal platelets of sizes ~ 1–2 μm, and EDX revealed the presence of constituent elements with their atomic and weight percentages in SrFeYNiO products. The extraction of vibrational frequencies of Fe–O bonds at tetrahedral and octahedral sites of iron through FT-IR spectroscopy authenticates the formation of the SrM phase. XPS correlated the doped elements, i.e., nickel in Ni⁺² and Ni⁺³ and yttrium in Y⁺³, whereas parent element, i.e., iron in Fe⁺³ and Fe⁺² chemical states, enlightened their impact on the magnetic parameters. Hysteresis loop analysis deduced a linear decline in magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization (M_s) and remnant magnetization (M_r) due to non-magnetic Y³⁺ and less magnetic Ni³⁺ ions installment in 4f1 and 2b polyhedral sites of Fe³⁺ ions. However, high coercivity (H_c) up to 2.92 kOe ∈ x = 0.15 and extended magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) up to 5.790× 10⁶ Erg/g ∈ x = 0.15 of our obtained ceramic magnets affirmed their application in permanent magnetic industry. M(T) curves also demonstrated the decrease in M_s and displayed an SPM at T_B, which is shifting towards lower temperatures with increasing Y³⁺-Ni³⁺ contents approved the expansion of lattice parameters.     

The magnetization reversal and high temperature dielectric response in Y1−xHoxFe0.5Cr0.5O3

The structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of the Y_1−xHo_xFe_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) compounds have been investigated. Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns shows that the compounds possess orthorhombic perovskite structure. The dual magnetization reversal is observed in the samples with x=0.05 and 0.1, and it vanishes when x≥0.3. Ferromagnetic-like behavior with large coercive fields is observed in all Ho³⁺ doped YFe_0.5Cr_0.5O₃ samples, indicating a doping induced metamagnetic behavior. This abnormal magnetization behavior can be explained by the antiparallel magnetic coupling between the Ho³⁺ and the canted Cr³⁺/Fe³⁺ moments, as well as the Ho–O–Ho magnetic interaction. The dielectric behavior in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 MHz is investigated. The low doped samples (x=0, 0.05, and 0.1) exhibit relaxation-like dielectric behavior and colossal dielectric constant in a wide temperature and frequency range. The dual magnetization reversal under low magnetic field makes these materials attractive candidates for the magnetic dual sensor devices.     

Study on Bi3+-Al3+ co-doped YIG for co-firing YIG-Al0.2/NZF ferrite composite substrates

Y_2.5-xBi_0.5Al_xFe₅O₁₂ (YIG-Al_x) ceramics have been synthesized at 1175 ℃ by the solid-state reaction method. The effects of the co-doped Bi³⁺, Al³⁺ ions on the phases, micromorphology, and dielectric and magnetic properties of the yttrium iron garnets (YIG) were investigated. Excessive introduction of Al³⁺ ions led to the collapse of the YIG lattice and precipitation of the Bi³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions; while moderate Al³⁺ doping improved the dielectric properties, but not the saturation magnetization. The YIG-Al_0.2 ceramics proved to have particularly good electromagnetic properties (ε_r = 18.34 ± 0.05@11.19 GHz, tanδ = 3.09 ± 0.55 × 10^?4, M_s = 19.82 ± 0.55 emu/g). Additionally, tightly bonded Y_2.3Bi_0.5Al_0.2Fe₅O₁₂/Ni_0.8Zn_0.2Fe₂O₄ (YIG-Al_0.2/NZF) composite substrates were prepared by co-firing at 1175 ℃. The composite substrates exhibited superior electromagnetic properties (YIG-Al_0.2: ε_r = 18.37 ± 0.05@11.15 GHz, tanδ = 3.08 ± 0.55 × 10^?4, M_s = 21.09 ± 0.55 emu/g; NZF: M_s = 67.5 ± 0.55 emu/g), which were slightly affected by the diffusion of Ni and Zn from the NZF. Our findings show that YIG-Al_0.2/NZF substrates have great potential for use as RF band circulators.     

Structural and electrical properties of Dy3+ substituted NiFe2O4 ceramics prepared from powders derived by combustion method

Dysprosium (Dy) substituted nickel ferrite (NiDy_xFe_2-xO₄) powders with varying Dy content (x=0.0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.2) have been prepared by combustion method using DL-alanine fuel. Sintering characteristics of the powders and electrical properties of ceramics have been studied. Effective substitution of Dy³⁺ for Fe³⁺ is seen up to x=0.075 yielding improved properties, and a higher Dy content (x≥0.1) leads to partial substitution, disturbed stoichiometry, and diffusion of Dy to the grain boundaries and segregation as a secondary phase. Increasing Dy content reduces the crystallite size, powder particle size, and grain size in sintered ceramics, and the changing microstructural evolution is better resolved with back scattered electron imaging and compositional analysis. Raman spectroscopy confirms inverse spinel structure formation and substantiates the presence of secondary phase evidenced through X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. A marginal increase in the electrical resistivity (ρ_dc) and magnetization are observed due to effectual substitution of Dy³⁺ for Fe³⁺ at the octahedral sites up to x=0.075. For x≥0.1, the increasing influence of highly resistive DyFeO₃ secondary phase at the inter-granular boundaries leads to a rapid increase in resistivity and reduction in dielectric losses, and the magnetization is reduced due to the anti-ferromagnetic nature of the secondary phase (DyFeO₃). Dense ceramics with high resistivity (~10⁹ Ω cm), low dielectric loss (tan δ ~0.002) at 1 MHz, and high magnetization (50.07 emu/g) are obtained for an optimum Dy content of x=0.075. Dielectric response, complex impedance, and electrical modulus spectroscopy in the frequency range (10⁻²–10⁶ Hz) reflect the changes in the microstructure, and suggests a non-Debye type relaxation.     

Antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition in Bi-doped LaFeO3 nanocrystalline ceramics

A series of nanocrystalline La_1-xBi_xFeO₃ (0.0≤x ≤ 0.5) ceramic powders were successfully prepared by the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the crystal structure evolution and hyperfine interactions of the samples. The average diameter of the powders was revealed to be approximately 80 nm. All the samples were crystallized into an orthorhombic crystal structure (space group Pnma) with no second phase. The magnetization of the Bi-doped samples obviously improved with increasing Bi content. A remarkable antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic transition was detected at x ≥ 0.2, and a high coercive field of 23.05 kÖe was obtained with x = 0.5. The high correlation between the magnetization parameters and bonding characteristics indicated that significant stretching of the Fe³⁺-O_d^2- bonds and a decrease in Fe³⁺-O_d^2--Fe³⁺ linkage angles were the main origins of the strong ferromagnetism in the Bi-doped systems.     

Phase formation and magnetic properties of M-type lanthanum substituted strontium ferrites

Rare earth ion substitution is one of the most important methods for adjusting the magnetic properties of M-type hexagonal ferrites; however, the regularity of these phase formations has rarely been studied. In this work, La substituted Sr hexaferrite La_xSr_1-xO·nFe₂O₃ (La-SrM, 4.9 ≤ n ≤ 6.0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) was prepared using the traditional ceramic method. The effects of the Fe/Sr molar ratio (n), calcining temperature, and La³⁺ substitution (x) on SrM phase formation, the crystalline structure, and magnetic properties were investigated. With an increase of x up to a maximum value of 0.5–0.6, a higher calcining temperature is required to form the single M-phase of La-SrM samples. However, the optimal n values of single-phase La-SrM samples differ as the La substitution varies: when x = 0.1, n = 5.5–6.0; x = 0.2, n = 5.5–5.9; x = 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5, n = 5.7–5.8. The magnetic measurements show that La_0.2Sr_0.8O·5.8Fe₂O₃ has the highest specific saturation magnetization (σ_s), which is 2.2% higher than that of unsubstituted SrM (SrO·6Fe₂O₃), while the anisotropic field (H_A), the anisotropic constant (K₁), and Neel point (T_N) of La³⁺ substituted SrM decreased. Detailed structure analyses were conducted to explain the changes in magnetic properties. Fe³⁺ in the spin-up 2a sublattice of La_xSr_1-xO·5.8Fe₂O₃ decreased by approximately 5% from 98.5% (x = 0) to 93.85% (x = 0.4) with an increase in x. Additionally, a small amount of Fe³⁺ was reduced to Fe²⁺ in the spin-down 4f₂ sublattice with the maximum reduction amount of 4.13% reached at x = 0.2, thereby improving σ_s. The decrease in the bond angle of (4f₁) Fe3–O2–Fe5 (12k), (2a) Fe1–O4–Fe3 (4f₁), and (4f₁) Fe3–O4–Fe5 (12k) lead to the weakening of Fe–O–Fe superexchange of La-SrM so that H_A, K_1, and T_n decreased with increasing values of x. This work lays a solid foundation for the study of process regulation and ion substitution of permanent magnet ferrite.     

Ca-doped PrBa1-xCaxCoCuO5+δ (x = 0–0.2) as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Ca-doped perovskite oxides PrBa_1-xCa_xCoCuO_5+δ (PBCCCO, x = 0–0.2) were prepared and investigated as SOFC cathode materials. PBCCCO samples are single perovskite structure with P4/mmm space group. Pr, Cu and Co ions in PBCCCO samples exist in the form of Pr³⁺/Pr⁴⁺, Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ and Co³⁺/Co⁴⁺ multi-valence states. The average TECs of PBCCCO samples were reduced from 17.4 × 10^?6 K^?1 (x = 0) to 16.7 × 10^?6 (x = 0.1) and 16.1 × 10^?6 K^?1 (x = 0.2) whin RT-900°С. The electrical conductivity and electrochemical catalytic activity of PBCCCO perovskites was enhanced obviously by Ca doping. The ASR values decreased by 60.1% (@650 °C), 68.9% (@700 °C), 71.0% (@750 °C) and 72.8% (@800 °C) respectively when Ca doping content increased from x = 0 to 0.2. These results suggest PBCCCO sample with Ca doing content x = 0.2 can be a promising cathode for IT-SOFC.     

Phase composition,crystal structure,and microwave dielectric properties of Nb-doped and Y-deficient yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics

Nb-doped and Y-deficient yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics were designed and synthesized using the solid-state reaction method according to the chemical equation Y_3?xAl₅Nb_xO_12+x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.16). The phase composition, sintering behavior, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated as functions of the composition and sintering temperature. A single-phase solid solution of yttrium aluminum garnet structure formation was observed in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1. Further increments in x prompted the precipitation of the YNbO₄ secondary phase at the grain boundary of Y₃Al₅O₁₂. The complexity of the phase composition degrades the micromorphology and dielectric properties of the ceramics to varying degrees. Transmission electron microscopy results show that the lattice exhibits additional symmetry, which is closely related to the ultrahigh Q×f values of the ceramics. Effectively improving the sintering behaviour and suppressing the secondary phase by simultaneously doping with Nb⁵⁺ and reducing the yttrium stoichiometry. Finally, excellent microwave dielectric properties of ε_r ~ 10.99, Q×f ~ 280,387 GHz (13.5 GHz), and τ_f ~ ? 34.7 ppm/°C can be obtained in x = 0.1 (Y_2.9Al₅Nb_0.1O_12.1) sintered at 1700 °C for 6 h.     

Synthesis and optical properties of Ni/Co/Cr doped BaMg6Ti6O19

Novel green and blue chromophores based on Ni/Co/Cr doped BaMg₆Ti₆O₁₉ solid solutions are successfully synthesized through a solid-state reaction. The crystal structure of all the samples belongs to the magnetoplumbite structure with the space group of P6₃/mmc. The BaMg_6-x/2Ti_6-x/2Ni_xO₁₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds exhibit a light green (x = 0.1) to yellow-green (x = 0.3) color. The oxidation state of Ni is confirmed to be +2 valence and the d-d transition of Ni²⁺ in octahedral sites is responsible for color. BaMg_6-x/2Ti_6-x/2Co_xO₁₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) series show a blue color and the intensity of blueness is increasing with the increase of Co content. The blue color is due to d-d transitions within Co²⁺ present in the tetrahedral sites. For BaMg_6-x/2Ti_6-x/2Cr_xO₁₉ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) phases the color varies from light green (x = 0.2) to green (x = 2). Chromium exists in +3 and + 6 oxidation states and the observed color is due to charge transfer transition between Cr³⁺–Ti⁴⁺ and d-d transitions within octahedral Cr³⁺ sites resulting in strong absorption in the visible region. The synthesized colored oxides are mixed with PMMA to prepare novel green and blue PMMA polymer composites to evaluate their compatibility in plastics.     

Enhanced magnetodielectric properties of Co2Z ferrite ceramics for ultrahigh frequency applications achieved via Cr3+ ion doping

Phase formation, microstructure, magnetic properties, and dielectric properties of Ba_1.5Sr_1.5Co₂Fe₍₂₃−_x)Cr_xO₄₁ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) ceramics, in which Fe³⁺ ions were substituted by Cr³⁺ ions, were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction results reveal that Z-type hexagonal ferrite was formed by sintering at 1250 °C, and Cr³⁺ ions successfully enter lattice without destroying crystal structure. Analysis of the microstructure reveals that Cr³⁺ ion doping has significant effect on crystal micromorphology. Samples with x = 0.4 have the most homogeneous micromorphology and the highest sintering density of 5.12 g/cm³. In addition, under the influence of external magnetic field, all samples exhibit typical soft magnetic character and hysteresis characteristics, with saturation magnetization up to 63.86 emu/g (x = 0.6). Particularly, compared with undoped sample, Cr-doped samples have outstanding magnetic–dielectric properties. Firstly, with increasing Cr³⁺ amount, real part of the permeability (μ′) reaches the maximum value of 10.70 at x = 0.4, while cutoff frequency exceeds 2 GHz, and Snoek constant reaches ∼19.50 GHz. Furthermore, due to more homogeneous microstructure, samples with x = 0.4 have low magnetic loss and can maintain high quality factor (Q) over a broad frequency range. Moreover, real part of the permittivity (ε′) reaches the maximum value of 16.90 at x = 0.6, and dielectric loss remains lower than 0.013 for frequencies below 0.7 GHz. Consequently, magnetic–dielectric materials prepared in this work are expected to have extensive application prospects for ultrahigh-frequency devices.     

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Ca2+ ion doped GdCrO3

In this paper, the crystal structure, vacancy defect, local electron density and magnetic properties of Gd_1-xCa_xCrO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) polycrystalline samples were investigated systematically. The crystal structural analyses show that all the samples are orthorhombic phase and a structural distortion happens around x = 0.3. Due to the formation of Cr⁴⁺ ions, both the lattice constant and the Cr–O bond length decrease. The results of positron annihilation spectrum reveals that the vacancy defect concentration increases and the local electron structure changes with the introduction of Ca²⁺ ions. The field-cooled (FC) and zero-field cooled (ZFC) curves of Gd_1-xCa_xCrO₃ samples measured under H = 100 Oe exhibits negative magnetization characteristics due to the interaction between Gd³⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions, and the magnetism can be affected by the structural distortion.     

Effect of Ce3+ doping on phase and microwave dielectric properties of 0.94MgTiO3−0.06(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics

In this study, 0.94Mg_(1-3x/2)Ce_xTiO₃−0.06(Ca_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ (MCe_xT−CST, 0≤x≤0.01) composite ceramics were prepared at a low temperature of 1175°C by using the 50-nm-sized powders. The effects of Ce³⁺ doping on crystalline phase, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of MCe_xT−CST were studied. A main ilmenite (Mg,Ce)TiO₃ phase and a minor perovskite (Ca_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ phase coexist well with the appearance of impurity MgTi₂O₅ phase in MCe_xT−CST. The dielectric properties of MCe_xT−CST are affected by the molecular polarizability, the impurity phase, and the Ce³⁺ doping. The replacement of Mg²⁺ by high valence Ce³⁺ could effectively inhibit the formation of oxygen vacancy, resulting in the enhancement of Q×f. When x = 0.005, MCe_xT−CST exhibits microwave dielectric properties with a moderate ε_r of 21.5, a high Q×f of 67 000 GHz, and a near-zero τ_f of −0.74 ppm/°C. The results reveal that the Ce³⁺ substitution is a prospective approach to optimize the microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO₃-based ceramics.     

Effects of Sn4+ doping and oxygen vacancy on magnetic and electrical properties of yttrium iron garnet prepared by sol-gel method

Sn-substituted yttrium iron garnet samples, Y₃Fe_5-xSn_xO₁₂ (x = 0–0.1, step 0.02) were prepared using a citrate sol–gel method and followed by a sintering process. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were used to investigate the structure parameters, valence state of Fe, oxygen vacancies and lattice distortion in the samples. The magnetic properties of the samples were measured with the SQUID and VSM equipments. The Sn substitution and oxygen vacancies cause the transformation of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ which leads to the decrease of Curie temperature and slight increase of saturation magnetization. Temperature dependence of the resistivity in the range of 300–573 K was investigated to elucidate the conduction mechanism in the samples. The resistivity of the sol-gel derived samples was found to be nine orders of magnitudes lower than the value for the bulk sample prepared by flux-grown method. The effects of Fe²⁺ centers, lattice dislocation, porosity and grain boundary on the resistivity are discussed. This study indicates that Sn-substituted yttrium iron garnets are good candidates for sensor elements which operate based on electrical signals.     

Structural-phase state and lasing of 5–15 at% Yb3+:Y3Al5O12 optical ceramics

Yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂) laser ceramics doped by 5, 10 and 15 at% of ytterbium ions were obtained by reactive sintering. Optimal sintering temperature range for the formation of highly-dense transparent Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics under normal recrystallization conditions was found to be T = 1750–1800 °C. The influence of Yb³⁺ ions on structural-phase state, phase composition, microstructure, optical and luminescent properties of sintered samples was experimentally investigated. It was shown that lattice parameter a of Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics decreases linearly with increasing of Yb³⁺ concentration in a good agreement with L. Vegard’s rule, that indicates to the formation of (Y_1−xYb_x)₃Al₅O₁₂ (х = 0.05–0.15) substitutional solid solutions. No concentration quenching of Yb³⁺ luminescence was observed in Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ within the 5–15 at% doping range. Quasi-CW lasing of Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics was studied under diode-pumping at 970 nm. A highest slope efficiency of about 50% was obtained for 15 at%-doped Yb³⁺:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics sintered at T = 1800 °C for 10 h.     

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy study of Co-substituted M-type strontium hexaferrite single crystals

The study on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MA) of La–Co co-substituted strontium hexaferrite (La–Co SrM) shows a joint effect of Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions in the enhancement of MA. Since the role of Fe²⁺ single ion has been studied with La-substituted strontium ferrite, in this work, Co-substituted strontium hexaferrite SrFe_12-xCo_xO₁₉ (Co-SrM) single crystals were successfully grown for 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.31 by the Na₂CO₃ flux method to elucidate the anisotropy of Co²⁺ single ions. Co-substitution in this preparation condition has a limit solubility of 0.31 and enhances uniaxial magnetic anisotropy field H_A by 19% for 0.03 = x ≤ 0.11, with a mere loss of 7% of saturation magnetization M_S at 5 K. The enhanced H_A of Co-SrM is reported for the first time, even higher than that of La–Co SrM, which is suitable to be used as permanent magnets in this concentration range. But with the further substitution of Co, the planar anisotropy of x = 0.31 was observed at 5 K. The potential nonlinear magnetic structure of Co-SrM remains to be discovered for magnetoelectric effects. This work is also of great significance as a complement to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy study of La–Co SrM.     

Novel mid-temperature Y3+ → In3+ doped proton conductors based on the layered perovskite BaLaInO4

The possibility of isovalent substitution in the In-sublattice of layered perovskite BaLaInO₄ was experimentally investigated. The yttrium doping leads to the increase of total and protonic conductivity up to 2 orders of magnitude. The solid solution BaLaIn_1?xY_xO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) is mixed ionic-electronic (hole) conductor at the dry air. The increase in the water vapor partial pressure leads to the appearance of protons in the structure below 600 °C, which is confirmed by the decrease of activation energy from ～0.75 eV to ～0.52 eV for doped samples. Both undoped and doped BaLaIn_1?xY_xO₄ samples are nearly pure (～95%) proton conductors under wet air conditions below 400 °C. The most conductive Y-doped compositions BaLaIn_0.8Y_0.2O₄ demonstrates the proton conductivity value 4?10^?5 S/cm at the 400 °C.     

A Novel Approach to Improve Properties of BiFeO3 Nanomultiferroics

In this study we report the synthesis of Bi_1?xIn_xFe_1?yTi_yO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.05) nanoparticles by a simple cost effective solution combustion method. Pure BFO samples shows distorted rhombohedral perovskite structure with space group R3c which is also supported by Fourier transform infrared spectra study. The codoping of In and Ti at A–B sites of BFO (BIFTO) partially distorts the crystal structure, increases the lattice strain, reduces the average particle size (14 nm), and increases the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio which significantly affect the observed results. The saturation magnetization increases significantly upon codoping (4.60 emu/gm) by about 12 times than that of pure BFO (0.4 emu/gm). The improved ferromagnetic properties upon codoping is further manifestated in large value of linear magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (4.8 mV/cmOe) which further provides an indirect evidence for the collapse of space modulated spin structure. The activation energy increases with codoping (0.68 eV), although less than 1 eV which indicates that the conduction is still dominated by charged defects.     

Simultaneous immobilization of radionuclides Sr and Cs by sodium zirconium phosphate type ceramics and its chemical durability

Sodium zirconium phosphate (NaZr₂(PO₄)₃, NZP) type phosphate compounds have been considered as a candidate material for the immobilization of radionuclides. In this work, the highly densified NZP-type ceramic waste forms for immobilizing simulated radionuclides Sr and Cs, which were designed as the formula of Cs_1-2xSr_xZr₂(PO₄)₃ (x = 0, 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 4/12, 5/12, and 6/12), were prepared by microwave-assisted solid-state sintering method. The effects of Sr and Cs incorporation on the phase composition, microstructure, densification, and chemical durability of Cs_1-2xSr_xZr₂(PO₄)₃ ceramic waste forms were systematically discussed. It was shown that the single CsZr₂(PO₄)₃ (CsZP) phase was generated in the samples when x ≤ 2/12, while two phases of CsZP and Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃ (SrZP) were formed when 3/12 ≤ x ≤ 5/12. The Rietveld refinement results revealed that Sr/Cs could be incorporated in the NZP crystal structure. The as-prepared samples all presented a well dense microstructure, whose relative density reached up to approximately 98% with Sr incorporation. In addition, the Product Consistency Test (PCT) leaching results demonstrated that the ceramics waste forms simultaneously immobilizing Sr and Cs exhibited superior leaching resistance, and the leaching rates of Sr and Cs elements were in the order of 10^?3-10^?4 g m^?2 d^?1. The increase of Sr incorporation brought about the decreased leaching rates of ceramic samples.