Photocatalytic and magnetic properties of Zn1−xCrxO nanocomposites prepared by a co-precipitation method

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) capped Zn_1−xCr_xO (0.000001≤x≤0.1) nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using a simple chemical co-precipitation technique. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. The structural characterization by XRD, TEM, FTIR and EDXRF confirmed the formation of wurtzite structure and incorporation of Cr in the ZnO lattice. The photocatalytic activities of as prepared nanocomposites were evaluated by degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solution under UV/sunlight light irradiation. The results demonstrated that Zn_1−xCr_xO (x=0.0001) nanocomposite effectively bleached out MB, showing as impressive photocatalytic enhancement over pure ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles. This enhanced photocatalytic activity at optimum concentration was attributed to increased absorption ability of light and high separation rate of photoinduced charge carriers on the nanocomposite photocatalyst surface. The VSM measurements showed significant ferromagnetism in Cr-doped ZnO nanostructures and the value of saturated magnetism was found to decrease with increase in Cr content.     

Hexagonal Ni38Mn28Ga34 alloy films grown on GaAs(111)

We report the preparation of Ni₃₈Mn₂₈Ga₃₄ alloy thin film on GaAs(111) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. These films with relatively smooth granular surface have hexagonal (NiMn)₂Ga structure with ratio c/a = 1.27, showing clear epitaxial relationships with GaAs substrates. The (Ni.Mn)₂Ga pseudo-binary alloy is stabilized at 200 °C exhibiting a ferromagnetic behavior and strong anisotropy of magnetization at low temperatures.     

Photoluminescence and unique magnetoluminescence of transparent (Tb1-xYx)3Al5O12 ceramics

Luminescent transparent ceramics (Tb_1-xY_x)₃Al₅O₁₂ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8) are successfully prepared by a solid-state method with additional hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment, and the structure and properties are investigated by XRD, SEM, PL, UV–Vis spectrophotometry and ellipsometry. The Y-containing samples are shown to be solid solution phases between TAG and YAG. The PL intensity is 14 times stronger with the incorporation of 80 mol.% Y, and the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ emission lifetime of Tb³⁺ is prolonged from 0.357 to 3.035 ms at room temperature. A unique magnetoluminescence emerges upon the incorporation of Y, showing an interesting emission decrease to 55% as the Y content reaches 80 mol.%. Remarkably, this magnetoluminesence can occur at room temperature without an intense magnetic field. Based on our work, transparent (Tb_1-xY_x)₃Al₅O₁₂ ceramics exhibit the potential for applications in green emitters, optical instruments and photoelectric devices. In particular, the magnetoluminescence provides a simple, noncontact and nondestructive route for probing magnetic fields.     

Synthesis of mesoporous core-shell structured GdPO_4:Eu@SiO_2@mSiO_2 nanorods for drug delivery and cell imaging applications

Mesoporous GdPO_4:Eu@SiO_2@mSiO_2 core-shell nanorods(NRs) were prepared by a facile two-step method.First,the monodispersed GdPO_4:Eu NRs were obtained on a large scale via a facile precipitation method,then mesoporous silica was wrapped onto their surface through hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS).The XRD result indicates that the as-prepared GdPO_4:Eu NRs core has hexagonal phase.The FTIR and the N_2 adsorption/desorption isotherm analysis confirm the successful coating of mesoporous silica.The TEM images show that the obtained GdPO_4:Eu@SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs exhibit uniform monodisperse core-shell structure with a nanorod core(length of 200 nm;width of 20 nm),and mesoporous silica shell of 15 nm.Under excitation of 274 nm,GdPO_4:Eu@SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs show strong red luminescence from ~5 D_0→~7 F_J(J=1,2,3 and 4) transitions of Eu~(3+).Furthermore,the GdPO_4:Eu@-SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs exhibit obvious T_1 enhancement effect due to paramagnetism of Gd~(3+).The drug loading capacity and pH-sensitive releasing behavior of the as-prepared GdPO_4:Eu@SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs were studied by using doxorubicin(DOX) as model drug.The excellent biocompatibility of GdPO_4:Eu@-SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs was demonstrated by MTT assay.Taken together,the mesoporous GdPO_4:Eu@-SiO_2@mSiO_2 NRs may be potentially applied in fields of drug delivery and dual-modal imaging.     

A study on separation of Mn and Fe from high-alumina ferruginous manganese ores by the carbothermal roasting reduction process

Carbothermal reduction followed by magnetic separation has been recognized as an effective recovery strategy to achieve separation of Mn and Fe from ferruginous manganese ores (Fe-Mn ores). However, it is difficult to improve the recovery of manganese more than 85% by changing carbothermic roasting reduction and magnetic separation. This work clarified the underlying reason for the poor separation with the magnetic separation process and proposed a promising process for the recovery of Fe and Mn from Fe-Mn ore. The effect of operating variables on recovery and separation of Mn and Fe from Fe-Mn ore is initially investigated during the carbothermic reduction roasting process followed by magnetic separation to reveal the underlying reason for the poor separation from Fe-Mn ores. Then, the stepwise reduction behaviors of the MnO-Fe₂O₃ and MnO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃ systems were investigated to clarify that the formation of composite oxide Mn_1−xFe_xO (0 < x < 0.497) and hercynite (FeO·Al₂O₃) directly caused the poor separation of Fe and Mn from high-alumina Fe-Mn ores. Then, the stepwise reduction roasting behaviors of Mn_1−xFe_xO and FeO·Al₂O₃ were investigated by XRD, SEM-EDS and XPS analysis. After adjusting the experimental parameters, iron-rich products with a Fe recovery of 94.31% and a grade of 85.21% and manganese-rich product with a Mn recovery of 90.05% and a grade of 54.35% are obtained. The mass ratio of Mn/Fe increased to 8.5 in the manganese-rich product.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Dy3+ doped Y3Fe5O12 for microwave devices

The Dy³⁺ doped Y_3−xDy_xFe₅O₁₂ (x=0–3) nanopowders were prepared using microwave hydrothermal route. The structural and morphological studies were analyzed using transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and field emission scanning electron microscope. The nanopowders were sintered at 900 °C/90 min using microwave furnace. Dense ceramics with theoretical density of around 95% was obtained. Ferro magnetic resonance (FMR) spectrum and microwave absorption spectrum of Dy³⁺ doped YIG were studied, the signal exhibits a resonance character for all Dy³⁺ variations. It was observed that the location of the FMR signal peak at the field axes monotonically shifts to higher field with increasing Dy³⁺ content. The dielectric and magnetic properties (ε′, ε′′, µ′ and µ′′) of Dy³⁺ doped YIG were studied over a wide range of frequency (1–50 GHz). With increase of Dy³⁺ both ε′ and µ′ decreased. The low values of dielectric, magnetic properties and broad distribution of FMR line width of these ceramics are opening the real opportunity to use them for microwave devices above K- band frequency.     

Adaptive nonlinear control of three-phase shunt active power filters with magnetic saturation

The problem of controlling three-phase shunt active power filters (SAPF) is addressed in presence of nonlinear loads. Previous works generally design control for SAPF based on standard models that assume the involved magnetic coil to be linear. In reality, the magnetic characteristics of these components are nonlinear (especially in the presence of large magnetic flux density in the ferromagnetic core). In this paper, a new oriented control model for SAPF-load system, taking into account for the nonlinearity of coil characteristics, is developed. The control objective is twofold: (i) compensating for the current harmonics and the reactive power absorbed by the nonlinear load; (ii) regulating the inverter DC capacitor voltage. To this end, based on the new model, a nonlinear controller is developed, using the backstepping technical design. It is therefore able to ensure good performances over a wide range of variation of the load current. Moreover, the controller is made adaptive for compensating the uncertainty on the switching loss power. The performances of the proposed adaptive controller are formally analyzed using tools from the Lyapunov stability and the averaging theory. The supremacy of the proposed controller with respect to standard control solutions is illustrated through simulation.     

Structural,strong magnetic exchange,and room temperature multiferroic properties of single-phase 0.75BiFeO3–BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3 bulk ceramics

The ceramic 0.75BiFeO₃–BaFe_1/2Nb_1/2O₃ (0.75BF–BaFN) exhibits enhanced magnetisation and polar order regions at room temperature. This study investigated the microscopic structure and the magnetic, ferroelectric, magneto-ferroelectric, and optical properties of 0.75BF–BaFN by conducting experiments and performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Evidence of weak amplitude R-type octahedral rotations was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) refinement revealed that the P1 space group more appropriately described the structure of 0.75BF–BaFN. The weak influence of the magnetic field H on the polarisation of 0.7BF–BaFN and 0.75BF–BaFN ceramics was investigated. A notable magnetic enhancement was observed in 0.75BF–BaFN ceramics with a saturation magnetisation of 0.19 μB per Fe. DFT calculations predicted that the stable magnetic configuration of 0.75BF–BaFN is a G-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) structure. This study found stronger magnetic interactions between first-neighbour Fe ions (Ja = 12 meV) compared to pure BiFeO₃. With a significant remanent moment, strong exchange coupling, and magnetic field control of polarisation, 0.75BF–BaFN may facilitate the development of room temperature single-phase magnetoelectric components.     

Stress reduction mechanisms during photopolymerization of functionally graded polymer nanocomposite coatings

From the experimental analysis of the photocuring process in terms of reaction kinetics as well as modulus and shrinkage build-up, the residual stresses arising during the photopolymerization of functionally graded composite coatings based on an acrylate matrix and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core@shell nanoparticles are evaluated through a Finite Element Modeling approach. Owing to the monotonous variation of volume fraction of the constituent phases that influences the local conversion of the polymeric matrix, these coatings are able to decrease the residual stresses at the coating/substrate interface by as much as ≈25% compared to those encountered in composites with homogeneous compositions, and by as much as ≈40% compared to those arising in the pure polymer. The influence of substrate stiffness, nanoparticle stiffness and conversion degree of the polymer matrix was also analyzed, providing further information for the optimization of the stress reduction mechanism in graded nanocomposite coatings.