Leonard Spinu

Superconductivity close to magnetic instability in Fe(Se 1-xTex)0.82

We report our study of the evolution of superconductivity and the phase diagram of the ternary Fe(Se1-xTex)0.82 (0≤x≤1.0) system. We discovered a superconducting phase with T c,max=14 K in the 0.3<x<1.0 range. This superconducting phase is suppressed when the sample composition approaches the end member FeTe 0.82, which exhibits an incommensurate antiferromagnetic order. We discuss the relationship between the superconductivity and magnetism of this material system in terms of recent results from neutron-scattering measurements. Our results and analyses suggest that superconductivity in this class of Fe-based compounds is associated with magnetic fluctuations and therefore may be unconventional in nature.

Insights into the Origin of Cooperative Effects in the Spin Transition of [Fe(NH2trz)3](NO3)2: the Role of Supramolecular Interactions Evidenced in the Crystal Structure of [Cu(NH2trz)3](NO3)2·H2O

The thermally induced hysteretic spin transition (ST) that occurs in the polymeric chain compound [Fe(NH(2)trz)(3)](NO(3))(2) (1) above room temperature (T(c)(upward arrow) = 347 K, T(c)(downward arrow) = 314 K) has been tracked by (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray powder diffraction (XPRD) at variable temperatures. From the XRPD pattern indexation, an orthorhombic primitive cell was observed with the following cell parameters: a = 11.83(2) A, b = 9.72(1) A, c = 6.361(9) A at 298 K (low-spin state) and a = 14.37(2) A, b = 9.61(4) A, c = 6.76(4) A at 380 K (high-spin state). The enthalpy and entropy variation associated to the ST of 1, have been evaluated by DSC as DeltaH = 23(1) kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS = 69.6(1) J mol(-1) K(-1). These thermodynamic data were used within a two-level Ising like model for the statistical analysis of First Order Reversal Curve (FORC) diagram that was recorded for 1, in the cooling mode. Strong intramolecular cooperative effects are witnessed by the derived interaction parameter of J = 496 K. The crystal structure of [Cu(NH(2)trz)(3)](NO(3))(2).H(2)O (2) was obtained thanks to high quality single crystals prepared by slow evaporation after hydrothermal pretreatment. The catena poly[mu-tris(4-amino-1,2,4-triazole-N1,N2) copper(II)] dinitrate monohydrate (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a = 16.635(6) A, b = 13.223(4) A, c = 7.805(3) A, beta = 102.56(3) degrees, Z = 4. Complex 2 is a 1D infinite chain containing triple N1,N2-1,2,4-triazole bridges with an intra-chain distance of Cu...Cu = 3.903(1) A. A dense H-bonding network with the nitrate counteranion involved in intra-chain and inter-chain interactions is observed. Such a supramolecular network could be at the origin of the unusually large hysteresis loop displayed by 1 (DeltaT approximately 33 K), as a result of an efficient propagation of elastic interactions through the network. This hypothesis is strengthened by the crystal structure of 2 and by the absence of crystallographic phase transition for 1 over the whole temperature range of investigation as shown by XRPD.

Extraordinary Hall effect and ferromagnetism in Fe-doped reduced rutile

Room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed in reduced rutile TiO2−δ by Fe doping. The epitaxial films grown by pulsed-laser deposition are carefully examined by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic and transport measurements. The films exhibit the extraordinary Hall-effect and thin-film magnetic shape anisotropy. The magnetic moments and anticipated Curie temperatures of the films rule out Fe particles, iron oxides, and Ti–Fe oxides as possible sources for the observed magnetic signals. The carriers of the Fe-doped reduced rutile are p-type, with a carrier density of 1×1022/cm3. This room-temperature dilute magnetic semiconductor should find potential applications in spintronics.

Characterization of the natural barriers of intergranular tunnel junctions: Cr2O3 surface layers on CrO2 nanoparticles

Cold-pressed powder compacts of CrO2 show large negative magnetoresistance (MR) due to intergranular tunneling. Powder compacts made from needle-shaped nanoparticles exhibit MR of about 28% at 5 K. Temperature dependence of the resistivity indicates that the Coulomb blockade intergranular tunneling is responsible for the conductance at low temperature. In this letter we report direct observation and characterization of the microstructure of the intergranular tunnel barriers, using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A very thin native oxide layer with a thickness of 1–3 nm on the surface of CrO2 powders has been observed. The composition and crystal structure of this surface layer has been determined to be Cr2O3 by XPS and XRD. The dense and uniform Cr2O3 surface layers play an ideal role of tunnel barriers in the CrO2 powder compacts.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with Variable Size and an Iron Oxidation State as Prospective Imaging Agents

Magnetite nanoparticles in the size range of 3.2-7.5 nm were synthesized in high yields under variable reaction conditions using high-temperature hydrolysis of the precursor iron(II) and iron(III) alkoxides in diethylene glycol solution. The average sizes of the particles were adjusted by changing the reaction temperature and time and by using a sequential growth technique. To obtain γ-iron(III) oxide particles in the same range of sizes, magnetite particles were oxidized with dry oxygen in diethylene glycol at room temperature. The products were characterized by DLS, TEM, X-ray powder diffractometry, TGA, chemical analysis, and magnetic measurements. NMR r(1) and r(2) relaxivity measurements in water and diethylene glycol (for OH and CH(2) protons) have shown a decrease in the r(2)/r(1) ratio with the particle size reduction, which correlates with the results of magnetic measurements on magnetite nanoparticles. Saturation magnetization of the oxidized particles was found to be 20% lower than that for Fe(3)O(4) with the same particle size, but their r(1) relaxivities are similar. Because the oxidation of magnetite is spontaneous under ambient conditions, it was important to learn that the oxidation product has no disadvantages as compared to its precursor and therefore may be a better prospective imaging agent because of its chemical stability.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism in manganese doped reduced rutile titanium dioxide thin films

MnxTi1−xO2−δ (x=0.02–0.12) thin films grown on α-Al2O3 substrates by pulsed-laser deposition have been investigated. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results indicate that the films are single phase and reduced rutile-type. Superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer measurements show the films are ferromagnetic at room temperature with nonzero coercivity up to 170 Oe. The saturation magnetization of the reduced films is as high as 0.83 μB per Mn atom at room temperature. The temperature dependence of the resistivity shows semiconducting behavior with p-type carriers. The nature of the p-type conduction and its significance to the ferromagnetism are discussed.

Ferromagnetism and transport properties of Fe-doped reduced-rutile TiO2−δ thin films

We have investigated FexTi1−xO2−δ (x=0.02, 0.06, and 0.08) thin films grown on α-Al2O3 substrates by pulsed-laser deposition. X-ray diffraction results indicate that the films are single phase and of reduced-rutile type. Detailed microstructural observations reveal no measurable magnetic impurities in the films. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements show the films are ferromagnetic at room temperature with coercivity ranging from 340 to 770 Oe. The temperature dependence of the resistivity shows nearly metallic behavior at room temperature but semiconducting behavior at lower temperatures. The extraordinary Hall effect with coercivities similar to those in magnetic hysteresis curves was observed at room temperature. The carriers are p type with a carrier density of about 1022/cm3.

Study of the microstructure and of the permeability spectra of Ni–Zn–Cu ferrites

Abstract Microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni–Zn ferrite are highly sensitive to the preparation methodology, sintering conditions and to the amount of constituent metal oxides, impurities or doping levels. This paper focuses its discussion on dependence of permeability spectra on the frequency for samples of Ni–Zn–Cu ferrite sintered at different temperatures. The experimental and calculated complex permeability curves are compared.

Magnetic properties of high frequency Ni-Zn ferrites doped with CuO

Cu substituted Ni-Zn ferrites, with different copper content, were prepared by a conventional ceramic technique. Structural and magnetic properties of the ferrites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, frequency dependent power loss, and high frequency (10/sup 6/-10/sup 9/ Hz) permeability measurements. These studies revealed that the magnetic performances increase considerably with the optimum concentration of the additions. The contribution of two magnetization mechanisms, domain wall motion and magnetization rotation, on the high frequency complex permeability, is also discussed.

The Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2/SiO2/Fe2O3 Hybrid Particles Containing Micelle- Induced Macropores through an Aerosol Based Process

Mesoporous SiO(2)/TiO(2)/Fe(2)O(3) particles containing macropores of about 50 nm in diameter have been prepared by an aerosol process using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a templating agent. In contrast to the traditional templating effect of CTAB to form ordered mesoporous silicas, the morphology here is vastly different due to the presence of precursor iron salts. The particles have mesoporosity templated by CTAB but additionally have large voids leading to a combined macroporous and mesoporous structure. The morphology is explained through the formation of colloidal structures containing species such as CTA(+)X(-1)Fe(3+) colloids in the aerosol droplets, indicating of a salt bridging effect. This dual porosity has applied implications, as the macropores provide easy entry to the particle interior in potentially diffusion limited situations. Furthermore, the particles encapsulate Fe(2)O(3) and contain TiO(2) leading to the dual functional properties of magnetic response and photocatalytic activity.