Hariharan Srikanth

Synthesis and magnetic properties of polymer nanocomposites with embedded iron nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticles embedded in polymer matrices have excellent potential for electromagnetic device applications like electromagnetic interference suppression. We have synthesized polymer nanocomposites of poly(methylmethacrylate) doped with varying concentrations of iron nanoparticles (∼20 nm in size). The iron nanoparticles were produced using a microwave plasma technique and have a natural oxide surface layer for passivation. These nanocomposites were processed using melt blending technique. The polymer processing conditions were optimized to achieve good uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The concentration and dispersion of nanoparticles were varied in a controlled way. Surface characterization with scanning electron microscopy indicates that, to a large extent, the iron nanoparticles are embedded in the bulk; the surface mainly showed features associated with the polymer surface. Static magnetic properties such as susceptibility and M–H loops were studied using a physi...

Directed assembly of metal-organic cubes from deliberately predesigned molecular building blocks

A novel anionic metal-organic cube (MOC-1), [Ni(8)(HImDC)(12)](8-), has been synthesized by metal-ligand directed assembly of eight tri-connected Ni nodes and twelve doubly deprotonated bis(bidentate) imidazoledicarboxylic acid ligands (HImDC).

Table-like magnetocaloric effect and enhanced refrigerant capacity in Eu8Ga16Ge30-EuO composite materials

A large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and enhanced refrigerant capacity (RC) were observed in multiphase composite materials composed of type-I clathrate Eu8Ga16Ge30 and EuO. Eu8Ga16Ge30 undergoes two successive ferromagnetic transitions at 10 K and 35 K, and EuO exhibits a ferromagnetic transition at 75 K. A large RC of 794 J/kg for a field change of 5 T over a temperature interval of 70 K was achieved in the Eu8Ga16Ge30–EuO composite with a 40%-60% weight ratio. This is the largest value ever achieved among existing magnetocaloric materials for magnetic refrigeration in the temperature range 10 K-100 K. Adjusting the Eu8Ga16Ge30 to EuO ratio is shown to produce composites with table-like MCE, desirable for ideal Ericsson-cycle magnetic refrigeration. The excellent magnetocaloric properties of these Eu8Ga16Ge30–EuO composites make them attractive for active magnetic refrigeration in the liquid nitrogen temperature range.

Analysis of point-contact Andreev reflection spectra in spin polarization measurements

We present a systematic analysis of point-contact Andreev reflection (PCAR) spectra for ferromagnetic materials, using both modeling and experimental data. We emphasize the importance of consistent data analysis to avoid possible misinterpretation of the data. We consider the relationship between ballistic and diffusive transport, the effect of different transport regimes on spin polarization measurements, and the importance of unambiguous identification of the type of transport regime. We find that in a realistic parameter range, the analysis of PCAR spectra of purely diffusive character by a ballistic model yield approximately the same (within

Magnetic studies of polymer-coated Fe nanoparticles synthesized by microwave plasma polymerization

\ensuremath{\sim}3%

Long-range ferromagnetism and giant magnetocaloric effect in type VIII Eu8Ga16Ge30 clathrates

) values of the spin polarization and the barrier strength

Excellent magnetocaloric properties of melt-extracted Gd-based amorphous microwires

Z

Magnetic anisotropy and field switching in cobalt ferrite thin films deposited by pulsed laser ablation

larger by

Magnetic properties of conducting polymer doped with manganese–zinc ferrite nanoparticles

\ensuremath{\sim}0.5--0.6

Surface spin disorder and exchange-bias in hollow maghemite nanoparticles

. We also consider the dependence of polarization values on