F. Rivadulla

Tuning of the magnetocaloric effect in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3−δ nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel techniques

We report the effect of progressive reduction of the annealing temperature on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3−δ nanoparticles synthesized by the sol–gel technique. With this method, we are able to obtain particle diameters ranging form 60 to 500 nm. The peak in the MCE at the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition is strongly reduced as annealing temperature does, due to loss of the intrinsic first-order magnetic phase transition. This opens up a new way in which to tune the intrinsic properties of mixed-valence manganites, most of which are associated with the first-order character of the magnetic transition.

Intergranular magnetoresistance in nanomanganites

In this paper we present some of the most important magnetic and transport properties of mixed-valence manganite nanoparticles. The samples were prepared by a sol–gel method, which allows us to control particle size and, in this way, to obtain new properties of the archetypal ferromagnetic- metallic compound La2/3Ca1/3MnO3. Magnetic properties allow us to present a model for the nanoparticles based on an ideal inner core and an outer shell in which the magnetism is modified by oxygen non-stoichiometry, vacancies and stress. The experimental results obtained from the electrical transport properties, namely increasing intergranular magnetoresistance (MR) with reducing particle size, tuning of intrinsic colossal MR and low-temperature electrostatic blocking effects, seem to support the proposed model.

Tuning of colossal magnetoresistance via grain size change in La0.67Ca0.33MnO3

In this article, we show how colossal magnetoresistance effect (CMR) can be tuned in polycrystalline mixed valence manganite La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 via changing grain size by means of a sol-gel method. Below a critical diameter (150 nm), CMR disappears, but large intergrain MR remains even well above Tc (1.2Tc for ≈95 nm particles). Possible explanation for this effect involves single magnetic domain behavior in samples annealed at low temperature.

Drop of magnetocaloric effect related to the change from first- to second-order magnetic phase transition in La2/3(Ca1−xSrx)1/3MnO3

From data of initial magnetization isotherms, the magnetic entropy change ΔSM of the series of ferromagnetic perovskites La2/3(Ca1−xSrx)1/3MnO3, with x=0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1, has been measured near their Curie temperatures. The results go from 3.7 J kg−1 K−1 for La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 to 1.5 J kg−1 K−1 for La2/3Sr1/3MnO3. Nevertheless, the evolution of ΔSM with x is not monotonic, it shows a steep decrease between x=0.05 and x=0.15. This point corresponds to a tolerance factor t=0.92, at which the system changes from orthorhombic (Pbnm) to rhombohedral (R3c) structure, and the magnetic phase transition from first to second order. Provided that rhombohedral symmetry forbids static long-range cooperative Jahn–Teller distortions, present in orthorhombic samples, we interpret our results as the strong increase of lattice effects in them. The anomalous thermal expansion at the Curie temperature, due to these lattice effects, is thought to underlie the jump in ΔSM with x.

Low field magnetoresistance effects in fine particles of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 perovskites

Abstract In this work magnetic and magnetotransport experimental data in well-characterized small particles of La 0.67 Ca 0.33 MnO 3 are presented. Grain size reduction leads to a larger resistivity and a decrease in metal–insulator transition temperature. Intrinsic colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) is destroyed while intergranular one is promoted to larger values. This low field MR can be explained taking into account magnetization data through spin-polarized tunneling model, which ensures an acceptable first-order fit between both magnitudes. Finally, low-temperature resistivity upturn present in small particle size samples can be understood in terms of an electrostatic barrier between grains.

Magnetoresistance in manganite'alumina nanocrystalline composites

Magnetotransport properties of manganite/insulator composites are studied in this article. By merging the half metallic character of La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 and the mixed composition with alumina grains dispersed in the structure we have been able to increase three times intergranular magnetoresistance around the percolation threshold. The transport properties have been studied employing a theoretical model for ferromagnetic–insulator systems and a two channel equation in order to reproduce the behavior of resistivity in the whole temperature range. The percolation theory is introduced to try to understand and improve the fascinating properties of these mixed systems.

Large magnetocaloric effect in manganites with charge order

In this work, we report the magnetocaloric effect (|ΔSM|), around the charge/orbital ordering transition in the mixed valent manganite Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3. The magnitude of |ΔSM| around this first-order transition is around three times larger than that obtained around the second-order transition (ferromagnetic-metallic-to-paramagnetic-insulator) in the same compound. Actually, the magnetocaloric response around the charge-order transition is comparable to pure Gd, the rare earth with the highest magnetocaloric effect. The possibility of an easy tuning of the charge-order transition temperatures in doped manganites opens a way of investigation materials usable in magnetic refrigerators.

Highly transparent and conductive films of densely aligned ultrathin Au nanowire monolayers.

The combination of low electrical resistance and high optical transparency in a single material is very uncommon. Developing these systems is a scientific challenge and a technological need, to replace ITO in flexible electronic components and other highly demanding applications. Here we report a facile method to prepare single layers of densely aligned ultrathin Au-nanowires, homogeneous over cm(2) areas. The as-deposited films show an electrical/optical performance competitive with ITO and graphene-based electrodes. Moreover, the Au-films show a good stability under ambient conditions, and the large aspect ratio of the ultrathin nanowires makes them perfect for deposition in flexible substrates.

Reduction of the bulk modulus at high pressure in CrN

Nitride coatings are increasingly demanded in the cutting- and machining-tool industry owing to their hardness, thermal stability and resistance to corrosion. These properties derive from strongly covalent bonds; understanding the bonding is a requirement for the design of superhard materials with improved capabilities. Here, we report a pressure-induced cubic-to-orthorhombic transition at approximately 1 GPa in CrN. High-pressure X-ray diffraction and ab initio calculations show an unexpected reduction of the bulk modulus, K0, of about 25% in the high-pressure (lower volume) phase. Our combined theoretical and experimental approach shows that this effect is the result of a large exchange striction due to the approach of the localized Cr:t3 electrons to becoming molecular-orbital electrons in Cr-Cr bonds. The softening of CrN under pressure is a manifestation of a strong competition between different types of chemical bond that are found at a crossover from a localized to a molecular-orbital electronic transition.

Structural Transformation Induced by Magnetic Field and ''Colossal-Like'' Magnetoresistance Response above 313 K in MnAs

MnAs exhibits a first-order phase transition from a ferromagnetic, high-spin metal hexagonal phase to a paramagnetic, lower-spin insulator orthorhombic phase at T(C)=313 K. Here, we report the results of neutron diffraction experiments showing that an external magnetic field, B, stabilizes the hexagonal phase above T(C). The phase transformation is reversible and constitutes the first demonstration of a bond-breaking transition induced by a magnetic field. The field-induced phase transition is accompanied by an enhanced magnetoresistance of about 17% at 310 K. The phenomenon appears to be similar to that of the colossal magnetoresistance response observed in the Mn [corrected] perovskite family.