Superconductivity and crystallographic properties of La2 − xMxCuO4 − δ (M = Na, K)

Superconductivity and crystallographic properties of La_{2 − x}M_xCuO_{4 − δ} (M = Na, K) are studied. In the La_{2 − x}M_xCuO_{4 − δ} system, superconductivity is detected for x 0.2. Oxygen content analysis shows that the system has more oxygen vacancies than the La_{2 − x}Sr_xCuO_{4 − δ} system. These oxygen vacancies may reduce the hole concentration, and high Na-doping is needed to produce superconductivity. In the La_{2 − x}K_xCuO_{4 − δ} system, superconductivity is observed for the first time. Resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that T_c(onset) is 40 K and the Meissner volume fraction is about 4% for x = 0.7. The system changes from orthorhombic to a tetragonal K₂NiF₄ structure at x ≈ 0.3 and only tetragonal samples show superconductivity.     

Structural modulation and physical properties of cobalt-doped layered La_2M_5As_3O_2(M=Cu,Ni) compounds

We investigate the structural variation and physical properties of layered La_2M_5As_3O_2(M=Cu,Ni) compound upon Co doping. It is found that the substitution of Co ion just induces the monotonous change of lattice constants without observing the anomalous kink in superconducting La_2(Cu~(1-x)Nix)_5 As_3O_2 solid-solutions. Meanwhile, this doping barely changes As–As bond length in [M_5As_3]~(2-) subunit(±2%), being significantly smaller than 7% shrinkage of that in La_2(Cu~(1-x)Nix)_5 As_3 O_2. Therefore, the doping dependence of crystal structure exhibits similar trend with Ba~(1-x)K_xFe_2 As_2 without the interference of As1–As 2 bonding, implying that the Co substitution for Cu/Ni is hole-doped. In terms of physical property, La2(Cu1-xCox)~5As_3O_2 turns into itinerant ferromagnetic metal, while La2(Ni1-x Cox)5 As3 O2 shows paramagnetism and suppressed structural phase transition upon Co-doping. The distinct structural variation and absence of superconductivity provide important clues to understand the effect of As–As bond in [M_5 As_3]~(2-) subunit.     

Extended phase diagram of La1-xCaxMnO3 by interfacial engineering

The interfacial enhanced ferromagnetism in maganite/ruthenate system is regarded as a promising path to broaden the potential of oxide-based electronic device applications. Here, we systematically studied the physical properties of LaLa_1-xCa_xMnO₃/SrRuO₃ superlattices and compared them with the LaLa_1-xCa_xMnO₃ thin films and bulk compounds. The LaLa_1-xCa_xMnO₃/SrRuO₃ superlattices exhibit significant enhancement of Curie temperature (T_C) beyond the corresponding thin films and bulks. Based on these results, we constructed an extended phase diagram of LaLa_1-xCa_xMnO₃ under interfacial engineering. We considered the interfacial charge transfer and structural proximity effects as the origin of the interface-induced high T_C. The structural characterizations revealed a pronounced increase of B-O-B bond angle, which could be the main driving force for the high T_C in the superlattices. Our work inspires a deeper understanding of the collective effects of interfacial charge transfer and structural proximity on the physical properties of oxide heterostructures.     

Sr掺杂对La_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3/LaAlO_3/SrTiO_3界面电子结构的影响

采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算方法,系统地研究了La_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3层中Sr的掺杂方式和掺杂量对4La_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3/3LaAlO_3/4SrTiO_3(LSMO/LAO/STO)异质结构原子和电子结构的影响.结果表明:对于相同的Sr掺杂量,掺杂方式的差异对体系电子结构的影响微弱,不会导致体系发生金属-绝缘体转变;掺杂量的不同对体系电子结构有着显著的影响,当Sr的掺杂量较少时,LAO/STO界面处存在着准二维电子气,当Sr的掺杂量高于1/3时,LAO/STO界面处准二维电子气消失.我们相信,Sr的引入以及通过Sr掺杂量的改变可以对LSMO覆盖层极化进行调控,这也是导致体系LAO/STO界面处金属-绝缘体转变的可能原因,进一步为极化灾变机制导致的界面处电子重构提供了证据.     

La1-xCaxMnO3(x≤1/3)中Ca掺杂的团簇化及其稳定性

运用原子模拟技术考察了La_1-xCa_xMnO₃(x≤1/3)中Ca的分布,发现低温下掺杂的Ca离子倾向于团簇化分布,形成纳米尺度的团簇.对加压和温度下团簇的稳定性也进行了研究,发现这种团簇在3 GPa和120 K下是稳定的.这种化学相分离可能是造成La_1-xCa_xMnO₃中结构和电磁性质不均匀的原因之一. 关键词： 原子模拟技术 锰氧化物 团簇 相分离     

Effects of(La,Sr) co-doping on electrical conduction and magnetic properties of BiFeO_3 nanoparticles

Multiferroic material as a photovoltaic material has gained considerable attention in recent years.Nanoparticles(NPs)La_(0.1)Bi_(0.9-x)Sr_xFeO_y(LBSF,x = 0,0.2,0.4) with dopant Sr~(2+)ions were synthesized by the sol–gel method.A systematic change in the crystal structure from rhombohedral to tetragonal upon increasing Sr doping was observed.There is an obvious change in the particle size from 180 nm to 50 nm with increasing Sr substitution into LBFO.It was found that Sr doping effectively narrows the band gap from～2.08 e V to～1.94 e V,while it leads to an apparent enhancement in the electrical conductivity of LBSF NPs,making a transition from insulator to semiconductor.This suggests an effective way to modulate the conductivity of BiFeO_(3-)based multiferroic materials with pure phase by co-doping with La and Sr at the A sites of BiFeO_3.     

Sr掺杂对CaMnO_3基氧化物电子性质及热电输运性能的影响

采用密度泛函理论计算分析的方法研究了Ca位Sr掺杂的CaMnO_3基氧化物的电子性质和电性能;采用柠檬酸溶胶-凝胶法结合陶瓷烧结制备工艺制备了Ca位Sr掺杂的CaMnO_3基氧化物块体试样,分析研究了所得试样的热电传输性能.结果表明,Sr掺杂CaMnO_3氧化物仍然呈间接带隙型能带结构,带隙宽度由0.756 eV减小到0.711 eV.Sr掺杂CaMnO_3氧化物费米能级附近的载流子有效质量均得到调控,载流子浓度也有所增大.Sr比Ca具有更强的释放电子能力,其掺杂在CaMnO_3氧化物中表现为n型.Sr掺杂的CaMnO_3基氧化物材料电阻率大幅度降低,Seebeck系数绝对值较本征CaMnO_3基氧化物材料有一定程度的增大,Sr掺杂量为0.06和0.12的Ca_(1-x)Sr_xMnO_3(x=0.06,0.12)试样,其373 K的电阻率分别降低至本征CaMnO_3基氧化物材料的25%和21%,其373 K的Seebeck系数绝对值分别是本征CaMnO_3基氧化物材料的112.9%和111.1%,Sr掺杂有效提高了CaMnO_3基氧化物材料的热电性能.     

Electrochemical behaviour of oxygen at nickel nest cathodic material with catalyst La1−xSrxCoO3

The reduction of oxygen in the three phases gas–liquid–solid using a nickel nest as electrode with a La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ (x=0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) series of combined oxides as a catalyst in different electrolytes of acidic H₃PO₄ or alkaline KOH, NaOH or LiOH solution at a fixed optimum oxygen flow-rate at room temperature was studied by the electrochemical method. The electrochemical parameters, such as electron transfer coefficient and exchange current density, were also determined. The La_1−xSr_xCoO₃ series of catalysts was synthesized by a solid-state reaction. XRD was used to confirm the structure of the catalyst. BET, EDS and resistivity measurements were used to investigated the electrochemical behaviour of the cathodic reduction of oxygen in the presence of the catalyst. SEM was also used to inspect the change before and after the reaction with the catalyst. The electron transfer coefficients, β, from the experiments with the various catalysts in the different alkaline electrolytes were determined as follows:

β(in KOH)>β(in NaOH)>β(in LiOH).

It was discovered that La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO₃ as a catalyst has a higher catalytic activity, a higher specific surface area, lower electrical resistivity, better stability and less agglomeration. Therefore, the above catalyst is the best catalyst for oxygen reduction of those studied.     

稀土硼化物LaxCe1-xB6亚微米粉的制备及光吸收研究

以稀土氧化物La₂O₃和CeO₂为稀土源, 以NaBH₄为硼源在真空环境中通过固相反应成功制备出了分散性好的单相三元La_xCe_1-xB₆亚微米粉. 系统研究了掺杂元素La对CeB₆物相, 微观结构及光吸收性能的影响. 实验结果表明, La元素的掺杂没有改变CeB₆的物相和晶体结构, 而是无序替代了Ce原子晶位. 光吸收结果表明, 随着La掺杂量的增加La_xCe_1-xB₆分散液吸收谷波长从620 nm减小到610 nm出现了蓝移现象.     

Perovskite-like system (Sr,La)(Fe,Ga)O3−δ: structure and ionic transport under oxidizing conditions

The maximum solid solubility of gallium in the perovskite-type La_1−xSr_xFe_1−yGa_yO_3−δ (x=0.40–0.80; y=0–0.60) was found to vary in the approximate range y=0.25–0.45, decreasing when x increases. Crystal lattice of the perovskite phases, formed in atmospheric air, was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron diffraction and identified as cubic. Doping with Ga results in increasing unit cell volume, while the thermal expansion and total conductivity of (La,Sr)(Fe,Ga)O_3−δ in air decrease with gallium additions. The average thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) are in the range (11.7–16.0)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 300–800 K and (19.3–26.7)×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 800–1100 K. At oxygen partial pressures close to atmospheric air, the oxygen permeation fluxes through La_1−xSr_xFe_1−yGa_yO_3−δ (x=0.7–0.8; y=0.2–0.4) membranes are determined by the bulk ambipolar conductivity; the limiting effect of the oxygen surface exchange was found negligible. Decreasing strontium and gallium concentrations leads to a greater role of the exchange processes. As for many other perovskite systems, the oxygen ionic conductivity of La_1−xSr_xFe_1−yGa_yO_3−δ increases with strontium content up to x=0.70 and decreases on further doping, probably due to association of oxygen vacancies. Incorporation of moderate amounts of gallium into the B sublattice results in increasing structural disorder, higher ionic conductivity at temperatures below 1170 K, and lower activation energy for the ionic transport.     

Higher-order elastic constants of La1.84Sr0.16CuO4 high-temperature superconductor

Finite deformation theory is used to obtain the strain energy density of a tetragonal 2–1–4-type single crystal of the high-temperature superconductor La_2−xSr_xCuO₄. The complete set of second and third-order elastic constants of the high-temperature superconductor La_2−xSr_xCuO₄ (x = 0.16) is calculated by taking into account the interactions between nine nearest-neighbour atoms in the lattice and using Mie–Grüneisen interatomic potential. For the sake of comparison we have also computed the values of these constants for x = 0.13–0.20. The values of third-order elastic constants of La_2−xSr_xCuO₄ (x = 0.13–0.20) are negative and their absolute magnitudes are one order higher than those of the second-order elastic constants.     

Substitution effect on the superconductivity in Mo_(3-x)Re_xAl_2C with β-Mn structure prepared by microwave method

We report the microwave synthesis and the doping effect of Mo_(3-)xRe_xAl_2 C(0 ≤x ≤0.3) superconductor.Re doping into Mo_3 Al_2 C results in a regular shrinkage of the lattice,marked by the linear decrease of lattice parameter a from6.868(1) A(for Mo_3 Al_2 C) to 6.846(2) A(for Mo_(2.7)Re_(0.3)Al_2 C).Upon Re doping,T_c of Mo_(3-x)Re_xAl_2 C first increases and then decreases,with the maximum T_c=9.14 K at the optimal doping level of x=0.09.Our report provides a convenient method to synthesize Mo_(3-)xRe_xAl_2 C within minutes,and also marks the first Re doping study with enhanced superconductivity on the non-centrosymmetric superconductor Mo_3 Al_2 C.     

Effects of Pr substitution on the hydrogenating process and magnetocaloric properties of La_(1-x)Pr_xFe_(11.4)Si_(1.6)H_y hydrides

In this paper, we study the effects of Pr substitution on the hydrogenating process and magnetocaloric properties of La_(1-x)Pr_xFe_(11.4)Si_(1.6)H_y hydrides. The powder x-ray diffraction patterns of the La_(1-x)Pr_xFe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) and its hydrides show that each of the alloys is crystallized into the single phase of cubic Na Zn_(13)-type structure. There are hydrogen-absorbing plateaus under 0.4938 MPa and 0.4882 MPa in the absorbing curves for the La_(0.8)Pr_(0.2)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) and La_(0.6)Pr_(0.4)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) compounds. The releasing processes lag behind the absorbing process, which is obviously different from the coincidence between absorbing and releasing curves of the La Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) compound. The remnant hydrogen content for La_(0.6)Pr_(0.4)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) is significantly more than that for La_(0.8)Pr_(0.2)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6) after hydrogen desorption, indicating that more substitutions of Pr for La are beneficial to retaining more hydrogen atoms in the alloys. The values of maximum magnetic entropy change are 14.91 J/kg·K and 17.995 J/kg·K for La_(0.8)Pr_(0.2)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6)H_(0.13) and La_(0.6)Pr_(0.4)Fe_(11.4)Si_(1.6)H_(0.87),respectively.     

放电等离子烧结原位合成LaxCe1-xB6化合物及性能研究

以LaH₂, CeH₂纳米粉和无定形B粉为原料, 通过放电等离子烧结原位合成法制备了单相、高致密度的La_xCe_1-xB₆稀土六硼化物. 系统研究了该系列化合物的晶体结构、表面织构、力学性能、电输运特性及热发射性能. 结果表明, 该方法制备出的样品致密度均高于96%, 维氏硬度最高值达到2310 kg/mm², 说明具有良好的力学性能. 热发射结果表明, 当阴极温度为1873 K, 外加电压为1 kV时, La_0.6Ce_0.4B₆的最大发射电流密度达到40.7 A/cm², 该值高于单纯LaB₆和CeB₆电流密度值. 因此, La_xCe_1-xB₆多元稀土六硼化物作为热阴极材料将有良好的应用前景. 关键词： 稀土六硼化物 阴极材料 热电子发射     

Effects of cation- or oxide ion-defect on conductivities of apatite-type La–Ge–O system ceramics

A series of apatite-type La–Ge–O ceramics were prepared and their cation-defect at the 4f+6h sites and oxide ion-defect at 2a site were investigated. In La_xGe₆O_12+1.5x ceramics of x=6–12, the higher conductivities were obtained in the region of apatite composition, La_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5x−12 (x=8–9.33), and the highest conductivity was achieved for La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=9), where the number of cation (La³⁺) occupying the 4f+6h sites is 9 and the number of oxide ion occupying the 2a site is 1.5. The ceramics with cation- and oxide ion-defects were La_9−0.66xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=0–1), La_9−1.33xZr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 (x=0–1), La_9−xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5−0.5x (x=0–3), La_9−xZr_x(GeO₄)₆O_1.5+0.5x (x=0–1), La_x(GeO₄)_3x−21(AsO₄)_27−3xO_1.5 (x=0–3), La_x(GeO₄)_33−3x(AlO₄)_3x−27O_1.5 (x=0–3), La₉(GeO₄)_6−x (AlO₄)_xO_1.5−0.5x (x=0–3), La₉(GeO₄)_6−x(AsO₄)_xO_1.5+0.5x (x=0–1), La_9.33−xSr_x(GeO₄)₆O_2−0.5x (x=0–1.2) and La_x(GeO₄)_4.5(AlO₄)_1.5O_1.5x−12.75 (x=8.8–9.83), which were prepared by the partial substitution of La³⁺and GeO₄⁴⁻of the basic apatite La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5 with Sr²⁺ or Zr⁴⁺ and AlO₄⁵⁻ or AsO₄³⁻. Such substitutions lowered the conductivity of La₉(GeO₄)₆O_1.5. These results were discussed by the electrostatic interaction between Sr²⁺, Zr⁴⁺, AlO₄⁵⁻ or AsO₄³⁻ and oxide ion as a conductive species.     

Metal/insulator manganite multilayers

We have studied the transport and magnetic properties of strongly textured metal/insulator La_1−xSr_xMnO₃ (x=0.4,0.1) bilayers and trilayers, grown by DC magnetron sputtering over MgO and SrTiO₃ substrates. The multilayers present transport properties similar to those of the La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ films, being very sensitive to deposition conditions. Magnetic multilayers show a metal–insulator transition around T_c (250 K) and colossal magnetoresistance which is maximum around T_c. No extrinsic magnetoresistance associated with the multilayered structure was observed, probably due to the presence of ferromagnetic coupling between the metallic layers, as suggested by magnetization measurements.     

多铁材料Bi1-xCaxFeO3的介电、铁磁特性和高温磁相变

采用溶胶凝胶法制备Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃ (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2)陶瓷样品. X衍射图谱表明所有样品的主衍射峰均与纯相BiFeO₃相符合且具有良好的晶体结构. 随着x的增大, Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃样品的主衍射峰由双峰(104)与(110) 逐渐重叠为单峰(110), 当x ≥0.15时, 样品呈现正方晶系结构; 扫描电镜形貌分析可知, 晶粒由原来的0.5 μm逐渐增大到2 μm. Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃样品介电常数和介电损耗随着x 的增加先增大而后减小. 当f=1 kHz, Bi_0.9Ca_0.1FeO₃ 的介电常数达到最大值, 是BiFeO₃的7.5倍, 而Bi_0.8Ca_0.2FeO₃的介电常数达到最小值, 仅仅是BiFeO₃的十分之一. Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃样品所呈现的介电特性是由偶极子取向极化和空间电荷限制电流两种极化机理共同作用的结果. 随着Ca²⁺ 的引入, BiFeO₃ 样品的铁磁性显著提高. X射线光电子能谱图表明Fe²⁺和Fe³⁺ 共存于Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃ 样品中, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺比例随着Ca²⁺ 掺杂量的增加而增大, 证明Ca²⁺掺杂增加了Fe²⁺的含量, 增强BiFeO₃的铁磁特性. 从M-T曲线观察到BiFeO₃样品在878 K附近发生铁磁相变, 示差扫描量热法测试再次证明BiFeO₃ 在878 K发生相变. Ca²⁺掺杂使BiFeO₃样品的T_N略有变化而T_M基本不变, 其主要原因是Fe-O-Fe反铁磁超交换作用的强弱和磁结构相对稳定.     

Effects of rapid thermal annealing on crystallinity and Sn surface segregation of Ge_(1-x)Sn_x films on Si(100) and Si(111)

Germanium-tin films with rather high Sn content(28.04% and 29.61%) are deposited directly on Si(100) and Si(111)substrates by magnetron sputtering. The mechanism of the effect of rapid thermal annealing on the Sn surface segregation of Ge_(1-x)Sn_x films is investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and atomic force microscopy(AFM). The x-ray diffraction(XRD) is also performed to determine the crystallinities of the Ge_(1-x)Sn_x films. The experimental results indicate that root mean square(RMS) values of the annealed samples are comparatively small and have no noticeable changes for the as-grown sample when annealing temperature is below 400℃. The diameter of the Sn three-dimensional(3 D) island becomes larger than that of an as-grown sample when the annealing temperature is 700℃. In addition, the Sn surface composition decreases when annealing temperature ranges from 400℃ to 700℃. However, Sn bulk compositions in samples A and B are kept almost unchanged when the annealing temperature is below 600℃. The present investigation demonstrates that the crystallinity of Ge_(1-x)Sn_x/Si(111) has no obvious advantage over that of Ge_(1-x)Sn_x/Si(100) and the selection of Si(111) substrate is an effective method to improve the surface morphologies of Ge_(1-x)Sn_x films. We also find that more severe Sn surface segregation occurs in the Ge_(1-x)Sn_x/Si(111) sample during annealing than in the Ge_(1-x)Sn_x/Si(100) sample.     

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the solid solutions La2−xSrxNiOy (0≤x≤0.5)

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and electrical resistance of a series La_2−xSr_xNiO_y solid solutions, where x=0.0, 0.2 and 0.5 in argon flows at oxygen partial pressures 1.5, 10.2, 49.2, 100 and 286 Pa within the temperature range of 20–1050°C were studied. Nickelate oxygen desorption/sorption spectra when heating–cooling at constant rate demonstrated strong dependence of cation composition of the samples. Unlike La_1.5Sr_0.5NiO_y compounds those of La₂NiO_y and La_1.8Sr_0.2NiO_y have weakly bonded oxygen, capable to exchange reversibly with the gas phase at the temperatures higher than 250°C. The equilibrium values of oxygen nonstoichiometry and specific resistance for the these nickelates were determined at 300–1050°C and p_O2=1.5–286 Pa as a functions of temperature versus oxygen partial pressure. All nickelate studied appear to be p-type conductors with metal electric conductivity at equilibrium states.     

Revealing the A_(1g)-type strain effect on superconductivity and nematicity in FeSe thin flake

The driving mechanism of nematicity and its twist with superconductivity in iron-based superconductors are still under debate.Recently,a dominant B_(1 g)-type strain effect on superconductivity is observed in underdoped iron-pnictides superconductors Ba(Fe_(1-x)Co_x)_2 As_2,suggesting a strong interplay between nematicity and superconductivity.Since the long-range spin order is absent in FeSe superconductor,whether a similar strain effect could be also observed or not is an interesting question.Here,by utilizing a flexible film as substrate,we successfully achieve a wide-range-strain tuning of FeSe thin flake,in which both the tensile and compressive strain could reach up to ～0.7%,and systematically study the strain effect on both superconducting and nematic transition(T_c and T_s) in the FeSe thin flake.Our results reveal a predominant A_(1 g)-type strain effect on T_c.Meanwhile,T_s exhibits a monotonic anti-correlation with T_c and the maximum T_c reaches to 12 K when T_s is strongly suppressed under the maximum compressive strain.Finally,in comparison with the results in the underdoped Ba(Fe_(1-x)Co_x)_2 As_2,the absence of B_(1 g)-type strain effect in FeSe further supports the role of stripe-type spin fluctuations on superconductivity.In addition,our work also supports that the orbital degree of freedom plays a key role to drive the nematic transition in FeSe.