Tran Dang Thanh

Coexistence of conventional and inverse magnetocaloric effects and critical behaviors in Ni50Mn50−xSnx (x = 13 and 14) alloy ribbons

A systematic study of the conventional and inverse magnetocaloric effects and critical behaviors in Ni50Mn50−xSnx (x = 13 and 14) alloy ribbons has been performed. We show that although the magnetic entropy change around the second-order ferromagnetic-paramagnetic (FM-PM) transition (ΔSm ≈ −4 J/kg K) in the austenitic phase is about five times smaller than that around the first-order martensitic-austenitic (M-A) transformation (ΔSm ≈ 22 J/kg K), the refrigerant capacity (RC) – an important figure of merit – is about two times larger for the former case (RC ≈ 160 J/kg) than for the latter case (RC ≈ 75 J/kg). This finding points to an important fact that to assess the usefulness of a magnetocaloric material, one should not only consider ΔSm but also must evaluate both ΔSm and RC. Our critical analysis near the second-order FM-PM transition reveals that Sn addition tends to drive the system, in the austenitic FM phase, from the short-range (x = 13) to long-range (x = 14) FM order.

Critical behavior and magnetic-entropy change of orthorhombic La0.7Ca0.2Sr0.1MnO3

We prepared a polycrystalline sample of orthorhombic La0.7Ca0.2Sr0.1MnO3 and then investigated its magnetic properties. Detailed studies and analyses in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic (FM)-paramagnetic phase-transition temperature prove the sample undergoing a second-order phase transition, where variations of the saturation magnetization and the initial susceptibility versus temperature obey asymptotic relations. Basing on the modified Arrott plot, we have determined the critical parameters (TC, β, γ, and δ) in the two characteristic regions of low- and high-magnetic fields, and in the cases of no-subtracting and subtracting the demagnetization field (Hd). The experimental results reveal that values of the critical parameters depend remarkably on analysis routes of isothermal-magnetization data. Intrinsically, β keeps close to the value expected for the 3D Heisenberg ferromagnets with ferromagnetic short-range interactions, while γ is close to the value of the mean-field theory. These results are diff...

Structural, optical and magnetic properties of polycrystalline BaTi1−xFexO3 ceramics

Polycrystalline BaTi1−xFexO3 ceramics have been prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. Their structural, optical and magnetic properties are then studied by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering (RS) and absorption spectrometers, and a physical properties measurement system. Detailed analyses of XRD patterns and RS spectra reveal the phase separation of the tetragonal-hexagonal structure at a threshold concentration of x = 0.005. The increase in the Fe-doping content (x) leads to development of the hexagonal phase. Magnetic measurements prove that many BaTi1−xFexO3 samples exhibit the room-temperature ferromagnetic order, excepting the samples with x = 0.02–0.06. The ferromagnetism depends strongly on concentration of Fe impurities. The nature of this ferromagnetism is discussed by means of the results of structural analyses and optical absorption spectra.

Influence of Mn doping on structural, optical, and magnetic properties of Zn1-xMnxO nanorods

We prepared Zn1−xMnxO nanorods by thermal diffusion. These samples were then studied the structural, optical, and magnetic properties. The structural analyses basing on x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope revealed the absence of Mn-related secondary phases. The study of photoluminescence spectra revealed the blueshift in the UV emission when the Mn doping concentration was increased, as a consequence of the extension of the band gap energy. Besides this situation, the increase in emission intensity associated with extrinsic defects at about 680 nm also took place. Concerning the Raman scattering spectra, apart from conventional phonon modes related to the ZnO wurtize-type structure, there were some additional modes introduced by the doping. Their origin was assessed carefully. Particularly, the shift in peak position of E2(high) toward low frequencies due to the increase in the Mn doping concentration could be explained well by means of the spatial correlation model. Magnetic measuremen...

Structural phase separation and optical and magnetic properties of BaTi1−xMnxO3 multiferroics

Our work studies the influences of the Mn doping on structural characterization and optical and magnetic properties of BaTi1−xMnxO3 (x = 0.0–0.12) prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. Detailed analyses of XRD patterns and Raman scattering spectra indicate an incorporation of Mn dopants into the Ti sites of BaTiO3 host lattices, and the tetragonal-hexagonal transformation taking place at a threshold concentration of xc ≈ 0.01. An increase of Mn-doping content in BaTi1-xMnxO3 introduces more electronic levels associated with lattice defects and Mn ions to the forbidden gap and thus reduces luminescent intensity in the visible region. Magnetic data recorded at room temperature reveal that all the samples exhibit ferromagnetic order, and there is a phase separation in magnetism as varying x values. Particularly, the samples with x = 0.5–0.7 have a coexistence of two ferromagnetic phases with different coercivities, which are associated with tetragonal and hexagonal Mn-doped BaTiO3 structures. The na...

Crossover from first-order to second-order phase transitions and magnetocaloric effect in La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.91Ni0.09O3

We have prepared La0.7Ca0.3Mn0.91Ni0.09O3 and then studied its critical behavior and magnetocaloric effect. Analyzing temperature and field dependences of magnetization around the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition reveals the sample undergoing the second-order magnetic phase transition with the critical parameters TC ≈ 199.4 K, β = 0.171 ± 0.006, and γ = 0.976 ± 0.012. A considerable difference of these critical exponents compared with those expected for the standard models is due to the sample exhibiting the crossover property (tricriticality); its exponent values are more close to those expected for the tricritical mean-field theory with β = 0.25 and γ = 1. Under the field 40 kOe, the maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔSmax) around TC is about 7.1 J·kg−1·K−1, corresponding to a refrigerant capacity RC ≈ 170 J/kg. Particularly, its magnetic-field dependence obeys a power law |ΔSmax| ∝ Hn, where n = 0.55 is quite far from the value calculated from the relation n = 1 + (β − 1)/(β + γ).

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in Fe90−xNixZr10 alloy ribbons

We report magnetic properties and magnetocaloric (MC) effect in Fe90−xNixZr10 (x = 0, 5, 10, and 15) alloy ribbons prepared by rapid-quenching method. We found the Curie temperature (TC) of the alloy ribbons depends strongly on Ni-doping concentration (x) increasing from 245 K for (x = 0), through 306 K (for x = 5) up to TC = 403 (for x = 15). Also, the dependence of the maximum magnetic entropy change (|ΔSmax|) on Ni content was readily apparent. Indeed, for the x = 0 and 5 samples that have TC around room temperature, the |ΔSmax| values increment under magnetic field changes of 10, 20, and 40 kOe was found to be as high as 0.87, 1.76, and 3.04 J·kg−1·K−1 for x = 0, and 1.03, 1.90, and 3.26 J·kg−1·K−1 for x = 5, respectively. These values correspond to refrigerant capacity in the range of 86-334 J·kg−1 and are comparable to other known MC materials. High magnetocaloric performance in rare-earth-free non-expensive metallic alloys indicates that these materials could be competitive candidate for active mag...

Y-doped La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 manganites exhibiting a large magnetocaloric effect and the crossover of first-order and second-order phase transitions

We prepared orthorhombic La0.7−xYxCa0.3MnO3 samples (x = 0, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) by conventional solid-state reaction and then studied their magnetic properties and magnetocaloric (MC) effect based on magnetization versus temperature and magnetic-field measurements, M(T, H). The experimental results revealed that an x increase in La0.7−xYxCa0.3MnO3 reduced the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition temperature (TC) from 260 K (for x = 0) to ∼126 K (for x = 0.08). Around the TC, maximum magnetic-entropy changes for a magnetic-field variation interval H = 50 kOe are about 10.7, 8.5, 7.4, and 5.8 J·kg−1·K−1 for x = 0, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08, respectively, corresponding to refrigerant capacities RC = 250–280 J·kg−1. These values are comparable to those of some conventional MC materials, revealing the applicability of La0.7−xYxCa0.3MnO3 in magnetic refrigeration. Using the Arrott method and scaling hypothesis as analyzing high-field M(H, T) data, and the universal-curve construction of the magnetic entropy chang...

Critical behavior of the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition in Fe90−xNixZr10 alloy ribbons

This work presents a detailed study on the critical behavior of the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic (FM-PM) phase transition in Fe90−xNixZr10 (x = 0 and 5) alloy ribbons. Basing on field dependences of magnetization (M-H), M2 versus H/M plots prove the alloys exhibiting a second-order magnetic phase transition. To investigate the nature of the FM-PM phase transition at TC = 245 and 306 K for x = 0 and 5, respectively, we performed a critical-exponent study. The values of critical components β, γ, and δ determined by using the modified Arrott plots, Kouvel-Fisher (KF), and critical isotherm analyses agree with each other. For x = 0, the critical parameters β = 0.365 ± 0.013 and γ = 1.615 ± 0.033 are obtained by modified Arrott plots while β = 0.368 ± 0.008 and γ = 1.612 ± 0.016 are obtained by the KF method. These values are close to those expected for the 3D-Heisenberg model, revealing short-range FM interactions in Fe90Zr10. Meanwhile, for x = 5, the values of the critical parameters β = 0.423 ± 0.008 and γ =...

Perovskite nanoparticles synthesised by reactive milling combined with thermal processing: preparation, morphology and structure characterisation

Reactive milling and thermal processing methods were used to prepare a large variety of perovskites like ABO3 and La2NiO4. The single-phase nanoparticle of ABO3 was synthesised at different milling times in dependence on the starting oxides. The grain size of ABO3 nanoparticles in the range of 10-30 nm was conditional upon milling time. Single-phase nanoparticles of La2NiO4 were obtained by using 6 h milling combined with annealing at 750°C. A structure conversion from a layer into a single perovskite of La2NiO4 was observed as milling time increased, whereas the crystalline structure of ABO3 remained almost unchanged. Further analysis of HRTEM images confirms a core-shell structure of nanoparticles.