Jinbo Yang

Magnetic properties of the MnBi intermetallic compound

A MnBi alloy containing over 90 wt % low-temperature phase (LTP) has been obtained by high-temperature sintering and magnetic purification. The coercivity of the bonded MnBi magnet increases with increasing temperatures. A coercivity of 2.0 T has been achieved at 400 K. The maximum energy product (BH)max of the magnet is 7.7 MGOe (61 kJ/m3) and 4.6 MGOe (37 kJ/m3) at room temperature and 400 K, respectively. Neutron diffraction and magnetic data reveal a spin reorientation, which gives rise to low anisotropy fields and coercivity at lower temperatures for the LTP MnBi alloy.

Crystal structure, magnetic properties and electronic structure of the MnBi intermetallic compound

The low-temperature phase of the MnBi alloy has a coercivity μ0Hc of 2.0 T at 400 K and exhibits a positive temperature coefficient from 0 to 400 K. In the higher temperature range it shows a much higher coercivity than that of the NdFeB magnets, which suggests that it has considerable potential as a permanent magnet for use at high temperatures. In the temperature range from 30 to 150 K, the Mn atom is found to change its spin direction from a perpendicular to a parallel orientation with respect to the c axis. The anisotropy field increases with increasing temperature which gives rise to a higher coercivity at the higher temperatures. The maximum energy product (BH)max of the magnet is 7.7 and 4.6 MG Oe at room temperature and 400 K, respectively. The electronic structure of MnBi indicates that the Mn atom possesses a magnetic moment of 3.6μB, and that the Bi atom has a magnetic moment of −0.15μB which is due to the s–d and p–d hybridization between Bi and Mn atoms. We have also investigated the volume dependence of the magnetic moments of Mn and Bi. The results indicate that an increase in the intra-atomic exchange splitting due to the cell volume expansion leads to a large magnetic moment for the Mn atom. The Mn magnetic moment attains a value of 4.6μB at a volume expansion rate of ΔV/V ≈ 100%.

Crystal and electronic structures of LiNH2

The crystal structure of LiNH2 was reinvestigated using powder neutron diffraction with high sensitivity. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4¯ with lattice parameters a=b=5.03442(24)A,c=10.25558(52)A. It is found that H atoms occupy 8g1(0.2429, 0.1285, 0.1910) and 8g2 (0.3840, 0.3512, 0.1278) sites. The bond lengths between the nearest nitrogen and hydrogen atoms are 0.986 and 0.942 A, respectively. The bond angle between H–N–H is about 99.97°. These results are significantly different from those of previous experiments. The electronic structure was calculated according to the revised structural data. The calculated density of states and charge density distribution show strong ionic characteristics between the ionic Li+ cation and the covalent bonded [NH2]− anion.

Magnetic and structural studies of the Verwey transition in Fe3−δO4 nanoparticles

Stoichiometric and cation-deficient magnetite Fe3−δO4 and γ-Fe2O3 particles have been prepared by the chemical method followed by heat treatments. The magnetic and structural properties were studied using neutron diffraction, magnetic measurements, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Charge ordering of Fe3+ and Fe2+ and lattice distortion are not observed below the Verwey transition temperature in the stoichiometric and cation-deficient magnetite. It is found that the lattice parameter and the Verwey transition temperature decrease as the cation vacancy increases. The Verwey transition almost disappears in the Fe3−δO4 sample with δ=0.066. Mossbauer spectra show that the ratio of Fe3+/Fe2.5+ in stoichiometric magnetite can be modified by heat treatment. The Fe vacancies on the B sites change the nature of the Verwey transition. No cation vacancy ordering is observed for γ-Fe2O3, due to the small amount of cation vacancies in the compound.Stoichiometric and cation-deficient magnetite Fe3−δO4 and γ-Fe2O3 particles have been prepared by the chemical method followed by heat treatments. The magnetic and structural properties were studied using neutron diffraction, magnetic measurements, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Charge ordering of Fe3+ and Fe2+ and lattice distortion are not observed below the Verwey transition temperature in the stoichiometric and cation-deficient magnetite. It is found that the lattice parameter and the Verwey transition temperature decrease as the cation vacancy increases. The Verwey transition almost disappears in the Fe3−δO4 sample with δ=0.066. Mossbauer spectra show that the ratio of Fe3+/Fe2.5+ in stoichiometric magnetite can be modified by heat treatment. The Fe vacancies on the B sites change the nature of the Verwey transition. No cation vacancy ordering is observed for γ-Fe2O3, due to the small amount of cation vacancies in the compound.

Charge disproportionation and ordering in La1/3Sr2/3FeO3-δ

The perovskite La1/3Sr2/3FeO3−δ was investigated by neutron diffraction, magnetic and Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements. La1/3Sr2/3FeO3−δ undergoes magnetic ordering at T = 190–200 K accompanied by charge disproportionation. Magnetic peaks due to charge ordering are observed below 200 K. The charge ordering is gradually developed below 200 K along with a charge disproportionation, 2Fe4+ Fe3+ + Fe5+. La1/3Sr2/3FeO3−δ shows an antiferromagnetic structure at low temperature. Magnetic moments of about 3 and 1.3 μB were obtained from the neutron diffraction data refinement for Fe3+ and Fe5+ at 15 K, respectively, which suggest that both Fe ions are in a low spin state. These values are significantly lower than those reported by Battle et al for La1/3Sr2/3FeO2.98. Mossbauer spectra indicate that full charge ordering might be reached below 20 K with no Fe4+.

Structure and magnetic properties of the MnBi low temperature phase

High purity MnBi low temperature phase has been prepared and analyzed using magnetic measurements and neutron diffraction. The low-temperature phase of the MnBi alloy has a coercivity μ0iHc of 2.0 T at 400 K, and exhibits a positive temperature coefficient from 0 to at least 400 K. The neutron data refinement indicated that the Mn atom changes its spin direction from c axis above room temperature to nearly perpendicular to the c axis at 50 K. A canted magnetic structure has been observed below 200 K. The anisotropy field increases with increasing temperature which gives rise to a high coercivity at the higher temperatures. The anisotropic bonded magnets have maximum energy products (BH)max of 7.7 and 4.6 MGOe at room temperature and 400 K, respectively.

Electronic structure of La0.7Sr0.3Mn1?xCuxO3 (0.0?x?0.30)

We have investigated the electronic structure of Cu-substituted La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and using density functional theory within local spin-density approximations (LSDA) and LSDA+U. We find that there is a coexistence of mixed-valent Cu ions, Cu3+ with Cu2+ dominant, in all Cu-substituted LSMO samples. From a deconvolution of the XPS spectra of Cu-2p3/2, we determined the ratios of Cu2+/Cu3+ and Mn3+/Mn4+, and in turn calculated the change in the tolerance factors of Cu-substituted LSMO. Valence-band photoelectron spectra show that the density of states at the Fermi level is made up mainly of the O-2p and Mn-3d states with a small contribution near EF from the Cu-3d states. We find that LSDA+U calculations for La1/2Sr1/2Mn1−xCuxO3 describe the half-metallicity and ground state ferromagnetic ordering with no evidence of antiferromagnetism for all systems consistent with experimental neutron diffraction data. Two electron transport channels of the major Mn–O–Mn and the minor Cu–O–Cu chains are found. This suggests that the electronic transport behavior of Cu-substituted LSMO systems may be explained by a combination of two different transport mechanisms: (i) a σpd hybridization between the eg states in a majority spin-up Mn-d channel with O-2p orbitals in the Mn–O–Mn chain and (ii) a σpd hybridization between the eg states in a dominant minority spin-down Cu-d channel with O-2p orbitals in the Cu–O–Cu chain. We also find that the half-metallicity of the compounds is lost upon Cu-substitution with a resulting anisotropic electronic transport of the Cu-pair electrons in the basal plane and along the c axis.

Possible ordering of Ru and Cu in the charge-reservoir of magneto-superconductor RuSr2GdCu2O8 (Ru-1212): Magnetic, transport, and TEM microstructural studies

Magnetization vs temperature behavior of RuSr2GdCu2O8−δ (Ru-1212) measured in an field of 5 Oe, shows a clear branching of zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) curves around 140 K, a cusp at 135 K, and a diamagnetic transition around 20 K (in the ZFC branch). The cusp at 135 K is due to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Ru moments. The magnetization-field isotherms, below 50 K, show a nonlinear contribution from a ferromagnetic component. The resistance vs temperature behavior of the compound, in applied fields of 0, 3, and 7 T, confirms that the sample is superconducting at around 20 K. The superconducting transition exhibits field broadening of a type different than that known for conventional high Tc superconductors. The magnetoresistance (MR) is negative above the Ru magnetic ordering temperature of 135 K, while below this temperature, MR displays a positive peak in low fields and becomes negative in higher fields. A maximum of 2% is observed for the negative MR value at the Ru magnetic ordering temperature. An electron diffraction pattern obtained for this Ru-1212 sample shows two types of superstructure; one with a weak spot at the center of the a–b rectangle and the other only along the b direction. It is possible that either Ru/Cu or Ru4+/Ru5+ ordering of 2b periodicity takes place along the b direction.Magnetization vs temperature behavior of RuSr2GdCu2O8−δ (Ru-1212) measured in an field of 5 Oe, shows a clear branching of zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) curves around 140 K, a cusp at 135 K, and a diamagnetic transition around 20 K (in the ZFC branch). The cusp at 135 K is due to the antiferromagnetic ordering of the Ru moments. The magnetization-field isotherms, below 50 K, show a nonlinear contribution from a ferromagnetic component. The resistance vs temperature behavior of the compound, in applied fields of 0, 3, and 7 T, confirms that the sample is superconducting at around 20 K. The superconducting transition exhibits field broadening of a type different than that known for conventional high Tc superconductors. The magnetoresistance (MR) is negative above the Ru magnetic ordering temperature of 135 K, while below this temperature, MR displays a positive peak in low fields and becomes negative in higher fields. A maximum of 2% is observed for the negative MR value at the Ru magnetic o...

High coercivity of Nd–Dy–Fe–(C, B) ribbons prepared by melt spinning

High coercivities μ0iHC of 1.8 and 2.0 T, twice as high as previously reported, remanences Br of 0.63 and 0.69 T, and maximum energy products (BH)max of 70 and 89 kJ/m3 at 293 K are achieved for Nd13Dy2Fe77C8−xBx ribbons with x=0 and 2 after optimum heat treatment, respectively. The samples prepared by rapid quenching and short-time vacuum annealing are of tetragonal Nd2Fe14B (2:14:1)-type structure. It was confirmed that boron addition accelerates the formation of the 2:14:1-type structure, which is formed directly from melt spinning. A very high coercivity of 2.5 T was observed for as-quenched Nd13Dy2Fe77C6B2 ribbons, however with poorer B–H-loop shape.

Electrical, Thermoelectric, and Structural Properties of La ( M x Fe1 − x ) O3 ( M = Mn , Ni , Cu )

Electrical, thermoelectric, and structural properties were studied in transition metal ion-substituted LaFeO 3 : La(Mn x Fe 1-x )O 3 , La(Ni x Fe 1-x )O 3 , and La(Cu x Fe 1-x )O 3 . Structural analysis showed that a continuous series of solid solutions with no intermediate phases are forming over a wide range (0 < x < 1) with substitutions of Mn and Ni, whereas the maximum Cu content is 30% from this study. The Ni-substituted LaFeO 3 specimens have substantially higher conductivity than those substituted with either Mn or Cu, measured in air from 100 to 1000°C. The Seebeck coefficient of La(Mn x Fe 1-x )O 3 and La(Cu x Fe 1-x )O 3 has a strong temperature dependence, indicating a thermally activated carrier formation. The activation energy for carrier formation in La(Cu x Fe 1-x )O 3 is greater than that in La(Mn x Fe 1-x )O 3 . Thermoelectric and electrical properties evidence conduction through polaron hopping in both Mn- and Cu-substituted LaFeO 3 , whereas the Ni-substituted LaFeO 3 shows metallic conductivity.