Transverse magnetoresistance peculiarities of thermoelectric Lu-doped Bi2Te3 compound due to strong electrical disorder

The n-type thermoelectric Bi_1.9Lu_0.1Te₃ was prepared by microwave-solvothermal method and spark plasma sintering. The magnetic field and temperature dependences of transverse magnetoresistance measured within temperature 2–200 K interval allow finding the peculiarities characteristic for strongly disordered and inhomogeneous semiconductors. The first peculiarity is due to appearance of linear-in-magnetic field contribution to the total magnetoresistance reflected in a crossover from quadratic magnetoresistance at low magnetic fields to linear magnetoresistance at high magnetic fields. The linear magnetoresistance can result from the Hall resistance picked up from macroscopically distorted current paths due to local variations in stoichiometry of the compound studied. The second peculiarity is that both linear magnetoresistance magnitude and crossover field are functions of carrier mobility which is in agreement with the Parish and Littlewood model developed for disordered and inhomogeneous semiconductors. An increase in the mobility due to a decrease in temperature is accompanied by an increase in the magnetoresistance magnitude and a decrease in the crossover field. Finally, the third peculiarity is related to the remarkable deviation of the total magnetoresistance measured at various temperatures from the Kohler's rule. Presence of strong inhomogeneity and disorder in the Bi_1.9Lu_0.1Te₃ structure concluded from the magnetoresistance peculiarities can be responsible for the remarkable reduction in the total thermal conductivity of this compound.     

A comparative study of the gas sensing behavior of nanostructured nickel ferrite synthesized by hydrothermal and reverse micelle techniques

A comparative study of gas sensing behavior of nanocrystalline nickel ferrite synthesized by micro-emulsion and hydrothermal method to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is presented. Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite synthesized by hydrothermal method indicated higher electrical conductivity and gas sensitivity at low operating temperature compared to nanocrystalline nickel ferrite synthesized by reverse micelle technique. This difference in the gas sensing behavior can be attributed to the presence of more oxygen vacancies (i.e. non-stoichiometry) in the hydrothermally synthesized nickel ferrite. Incorporation of palladium had a catalytic effect and the operating temperature was significantly reduced in both the samples. The higher operating temperature of the reverse micelle nickel ferrite material makes the sensor response speed faster (∼10 s) compared to the hydrothermally synthesized material (∼1 min).     

High-yield synthesis of single-crystalline 3C-SiC nanowires by a facile autoclave route

Single-crystalline 3C-SiC nanowires have been synthesized in large scale through a one-step autoclave route by the reaction of SiCl₄, (C₅H₅)₂Fe and metallic Na at 500 °C. Electron microscopy investigations show that the nanowires have typical diameters of 15-50 nm, lengths up to several tens of micrometers and grow along the [111] direction. The possible growth mechanism of the nanowires is discussed.     

Formation of mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals through a solution calcination process

Mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals have been prepared via a solution calcination route, using Zn(NO₃)₂ as Zn source in the absence of any surfactants, templates or catalysts. This is the first example to prepare mushroom-like crystals as semiconductors, which are expected to show particular physical properties. The ZnO products were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum measurements. A suitable concentration of Zn(NO₃)₂ solution was important for the growth of the mushroom-like products. The reported synthetic procedure is straightforward and inexpensive, and thus can be readily adopted to produce large quantities of mushroom-like ZnO microcrystals.     

Iron pyrite films prepared by sulfur vapor transport

Iron films deposited via thermal evaporation, with a thickness between 100 and 250 nm, were converted into FeS₂ by open sulfur transport using nitrogen as a gas vector. The films thus obtained constituted a single pyrite phase and were optically highly absorbing. The sulfurization process was optimized. As a result, sample temperature and conversion time were found to be the major determining parameters. The films were characterized using several methods. The crystallinity and phase identification were determined by X-ray diffractometry. Scanning electron microscopy showed a homogeneous surface of both iron and pyrite layers. Optical transmission measurements confirmed the highly absorbing character of FeS₂ and allowed the determination of direct (1.35 eV) and indirect (0.82 eV) transitions.