Surface and interface properties of epitaxial Fe3O4 films studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Stoichiometric Fe₃O₄ films have formed epitaxially on -Al₂O₃ and MgO single-crystal substrates by a reactive vapor deposition method. In order to apply conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy depth-selectively, a 5–7 Åthick probe layer containing ⁵⁷Fe was formed at various depths in inactive ⁵⁶Fe₃O₄ matrix films. At the topmost surfaces and also at the interfaces, the essential electronic features of bulk Fe₃O₄ are retained, including a rapid electron hopping between the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions at B sites. Minor depth-dependent changes are confined to a few outermost atomic layers, and the changes depend on the orientation and the lattice mismatch with the substrate. For (111) growth on -Al₂O₃, the surface layer seems to be strongly relaxed to reduced the electric polarization, while a high density of defects seems to be concentrated at the interface with -Al₂O₃. For (001) growth on MgO, the surface retains the spinel lattice though slightly oxidized, while the interface with MgO has good crystallinity and stoichiometry. An enhanced thermal fluctuation of the Fe³⁺-spins in contact with the MgO substrate and in the topmost surface layer can be seen in their reduced magnetic hyperfine field at 300 K.     

Surface termination, composition and reconstruction of Fe3O4(001) and γ-Fe2O3(001)

We address a current controversy concerning the nature of the surfaces of Fe₃O₄(001) and γ-Fe₂O₃(001) grown on MgO(001) by molecular beam epitaxy. Despite recent claims to the contrary, we show that γ-Fe₂O₃(001) unambiguously exhibits a (1×1) surface net, in contrast to Fe₃O₄(001), which assumes a R45 reconstruction. In addition, we present high-energy-resolution Fe 2p and O 1s core-level photoelectron spectra obtained at both normal and grazing emission for γ-Fe₂O₃(001) and Fe₃O₄(001). These spectra show that the Fe₃O₄(001) surface has a higher Fe(III)/Fe(II) ratio than the bulk, and that the asymmetry in the O 1s line shape for Fe₃O₄(001) is due to final state effects rather than the presence of a surface oxygen or hydroxyl species.     

Fe3O4纳米粒子对P3HT:PCBM电池的影响

为了提高太阳能电池的性能,研究磁性纳米粒子在外加磁场的作用下对聚合物太阳能电池有源层P3HT:PCBM成膜及太阳能电池性能的影响。本文采用热分解法制备了磁性Fe₃O₄纳米粒子,将不同质量分数的Fe₃O₄纳米粒子掺入到P3HT:PCBM溶液中,旋涂后在外加磁场的作用下自组成膜。通过TEM、XRD对制备的Fe₃O₄纳米粒子进行表征,并利用偏光显微镜、原子力显微镜对成膜质量进行探究。结果表明,采用热分解法制备的Fe₃O₄纳米粒子直径在10 nm左右,在外加磁场作用下,Fe₃O₄纳米粒子对成膜有一定的调控作用。当Fe₃O₄纳米粒子掺杂质量分数为1%时,太阳能电池器件的开路电压增加3.77%,短路电流增加24.93%,光电转换效率提高7.82%。     

Magnetic anisotropic properties in Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 ferrite epitaxy thin films

Epitaxial thin films of Fe₃O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ on MgO (0 0 1) substrates were grown by molecular beam epitaxy at low temperature growth process. Magnetization and hysteresis loop of both films were measured to investigate magnetic anisotropic properties at various temperatures. Anomalous magnetic properties are found to be correlated with crystalline, shape, and stress anisotropies. The Fe₃O₄ film below Verwey structural transition has a change in crystal structure, thus causing many anomalous magnetic properties. Crystalline anisotropy and anomalous magnetic properties are affected substantially by Co ions. The saturation magnetization of Co–ferrite film becomes much lower than that of Fe₃O₄ film, being very different from the bulks. It indicates that the low temperature growth process could not provide enough energy to have the lowest energy state.     

空心Fe_3O_4纳米微球的制备及超顺磁性

采用水热控制合成法,以六水三氯化铁、柠檬酸三钠和尿素为原料,聚丙烯酰胺为稳定剂, 200?C下反应12 h制备得到了超顺磁性空心Fe_3O_4纳米微球.通过X射线衍射仪、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜对样品的结构和形貌进行表征,并采用振动样品磁强计测试了样品的磁性能.结果表明:所得样品为具有尖晶石结构的Fe_3O_4纳米微球,尺寸为160 nm左右,呈分等级结构,即整个微球由粒径约18 nm的初级晶粒自组装堆叠而成;室温下表现为典型的超顺磁性,且饱和磁化强度为73.3 emu/g (1 emu/g=1 A·m~2/kg),这种高饱和磁化强度可以由其初级晶粒晶化程度高且粒径较大以及这种特殊的二次自组装结构进行解释.这种Fe_3O_4纳米微球为疏松多孔的空心球状结构,具有粒径分布均匀、分散性良好和超顺磁性的特点,在药物靶向输运和肿瘤热疗中有潜在的应用.     

Magnetoresistance of Fe3O4/Au/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/Au/Fe spin-valve structures

A detailed study of the in-plane magnetotransport properties of spin valves with one and two Fe₃O₄ electrodes is presented. Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe₃O₄ spin valves exhibit a clear anisotropic magnetoresistance in small magnetic fields but no giant magnetoresistance (GMR). The absence of GMR in these structures is due to simultaneous magnetization reversal in the two Fe₃O₄ layers. By contrast, a negative GMR effect is measured on Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe spin valves. The negative GMR is attributed to an electron spin scattering asymmetry at the Fe₃O₄/Au interface or an induced spin scattering asymmetry in the Au interfacial layers.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of polyaniline/Fe3O4 nanostructures

We report on electrical and magnetic properties of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes (150 nm in diameter) and PANI/Fe₃O₄ nanowires (140 nm in diameter) containing Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a typical size of 12 nm. These systems were prepared by a template-free method. The conductivity of the nanostructures is 10⁻¹–10⁻² S/cm; and the temperature dependent resistivity follows a ln ρT^−1/2 law. The composites (6 and 20 wt% of Fe₃O₄) show a large negative magnetoresistance compared with that of pure PANI nanotubes and a considerably lower saturated magnetization (M_s=3.45 emu/g at 300 K and 4.21 emu/g at 4 K) compared with the values measured from bulk magnetite (M_s=84 emu/g) and pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (M_s=65 emu/g). AC magnetic susceptibility was also measured. It is found that the peak position of the AC susceptibility of the nanocomposites shifts to a higher temperature (>245 K) compared with that of pure Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (190–200 K). These results suggest that interactions between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles take place in these nanocomposites.     

Heat capacity investigation of dopant effects on the magnetic disordering temperature in Fe3O4†

The heat capacities of ZnFe₂O₄, Zn_0.005Fe_2.995O₄, Zn_0.066Fe_2.934O₄, and Cd_0.010Fe_2.990O₄ were measured over the temperature range of 350–1000 K by means of differential scanning calorimetry. The temperatures at which the maximum in heat capacity occurs due to the ferrimagnetic anomaly in the doped-Fe₃O₄ samples were found to decrease with increasing dopant. The excess entropy associated with the ferrimagnetic anomaly was estimated using three methods. One method, used previously for Fe₃O₄, employed a calculated lattice contribution for Fe₃O₄. The other two methods used the experimentally determined heat capacity of ZnFe₂O₄, either unmodified or mass adjusted, to approximate contributions from lattice vibrations.     

Structure determination, magnetic and optical properties of a new chromium(II) thioantimonate, [Cr((NH2CH2CH2)3N)]Sb4S7

The chromium(II) antimony(III) sulphide, [Cr((NH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N)]Sb₄S₇, was synthesised under solvothermal conditions from the reaction of Sb₂S₃, Cr and S dissolved in tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) at 438 K. The products were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.9756(7), b=10.5191(9), c=25.880(2) Å and β=90.864(5)°. Alternating SbS₃³⁻ trigonal pyramids and Sb₃S₆³⁻ semi-cubes generate Sb₄S₇²⁻ chains which are directly bonded to Cr(tren)²⁺ pendant units. The effective magnetic moment of 4.94(6)μ_B shows a negligible orbital contribution, in agreement with expectations for Cr(II):d⁴ in a ⁵A ground state. The measured band gap of 2.14(3) eV is consistent with a correlation between optical band gap and framework density that is established from analysis of a wide range of antimony sulphides.     

γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花的合成、微结构与磁性

利用溶剂热/热分解的方法合成出微结构可控的γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳结构纳米花.分析表明NiO壳层是由单晶结构的纳米片构成,这些纳米片不规则地镶嵌在γ-Fe_2O_3核心的表面.Fe3O4/Ni(OH)_2前驱体的煅烧时间对γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳体系的晶粒生长、NiO相含量和壳层致密度均有很大的影响.振动样品磁强计和超导量子干涉仪的测试分析表明,尺寸效应、NiO相含量和铁磁-反铁磁界面耦合效应是决定γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花磁性能的重要因素.随着NiO相含量的增加,磁化强度减小,矫顽力增大.在5 K下,γ-Fe_2O_3/NiO核-壳纳米花表现出一定的交换偏置效应(H_E=46 Oe),这来自于(亚)铁磁性γ-Fe_2O_3和反铁磁性NiO之间的耦合相互作用.与此同时,这种交换耦合效应也进一步提高了样品的矫顽力(H_C=288 Oe).     

Growth and magnetism of Ni nanoparticles in Ni/Al2O3/Si or Si3N4 multilayers

We report on the fabrication of Ni/Al₂O₃/Si and textured Ni/Al₂O₃/Si₃N₄ multilayers containing Ni nanoparticles that exhibit significantly improved results. The secondary phases arising from thermal reaction between Ni and Si can be remarkably suppressed with increasing layers of Al₂O₃ and deposition of Ni/Al₂O₃ multilayers on Si₃N₄ substrates. Atomic force microscopy shows the formation of large as well as nanoclusters of Ni when grown on Si, whereas textured Ni nanoparticles are formed on Si₃N₄ substrates. The magnetization measurements on Ni/Al₂O₃/Si containing a single buffer layer of Al₂O₃ shows higher coercivity field with magnetic nanowire-like behavior, whereas with several Al₂O₃ alternate layers almost a superparamagnetic-like behavior is observed. However, significantly improved magnetic hysteresis was observed in textured Ni/Al₂O₃/Si₃N₄ multilayers due to preferred alignment of Ni nanocrystallites.     

BaO-Li2O-B2O3三元系中BaB2O4-Li2B2O4和BaB2O4-Li2O截面相平衡关系的研究

本文用X射线和差热分析方法对BaO-Li₂O-B₂O₃三元系中的两个截面:BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄和BaB₂O₄-Li₂O作了研究。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄赝二元系中发现了一个新的化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄。化合物在930±3℃由包晶反应形成,并与Li₂B₂O₄形成共晶反应。共晶温度为797±3℃,共晶点组分为79mol％Li₂B₂O₄。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂O截面中也存在化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄,其包晶反应温度从930±3℃随Li₂O含量增加下降到908±3℃。在组分60mol％Li₂O处形成另一个新的化合物2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O。该化合物在630±3℃也是由包晶反应形成,并与Li₂O和Li₂CO₃分别形成共晶反应,共晶温度分别为400±3℃和612±3℃。在BaB₂O₄-Li₂B₂O₄和BaB₂O₄-Li₂O体系中都没有观察到固溶体。用计算机程序分别对化合物4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄和2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O的X射线粉末衍射图案进行了指标化,其结果:4BaB₂O₄·Li₂B₂O₄的空间群为Pmma,a=13.033?,b=14.630?,c=4.247?,每个单胞包含两个化合式单位;2BaB₂O₄·3Li₂O的空间群为Pmmm,a=4.814?,b=9.897?,c=11.523?,每个单胞也含有两个化合式单位。 关键词：     

An examination of the initial oxidation of a uranium-base alloy (U–14.1 at.% Nb) by O2 and D2O using surface-sensitive techniques

The corrosion resistance of uranium is greatly enhanced by alloying with niobium. In this study the initial stages of corrosion of a specific uranium-base alloy (U–14.1 at.% Nb) by O₂ or D₂O have been examined using the surface specific techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal programmed desorption (TPD), static secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SSIMS), and sputtered neutrals mass spectroscopy (SNMS). XPS studies of the U–14.1 at.% Nb surface following oxidation using O₂ at 300 K indicate production of a thin oxide overlayer of stoichiometric UO_2.0 intermixed with Nb₂O₅. The same stoichiometry is exhibited for uranium when the oxide is prepared at 500 K with O₂; although, niobium is much less oxidized exhibiting a mixture of NbO and Nb. Contrary to previous XPS literature, SNMS depth profiling studies reveal that oxidation by O₂ is much greater (as judged by oxide layer thickness) than that exhibited by D₂O. An oxide layer thickness of less than 20 Å was created using D₂O as an oxidant at 300 K with exposures >3500 L (oxide layers created from O₂ are significantly greater at much smaller exposures). Formation of a critical density of Nb₂O₅ is suggested to be responsible for the enhanced corrosion resistance by preventing diffusion of O⁻ (O²⁻) or OD⁻/OH⁻ into the oxide/metal interface region. The domains of stability of hydroxyl formation have also been followed using TPD, SSIMS and XPS. Maximal surface hydroxyl concentrations (Θ_rel=0.30) are obtained at a surface temperature of 175 K for these experimental conditions.     

Surface atomic imaging of La2CuO4 and superconducting Tl2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10

Surface structures of the high T_c oxide superconductors Tl₂Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ and La₂CuO₄ have been studied by high resolution electron microscopy. In addition to the single atomic layer of La on the (113) surface observed previously, several atomic layers of the C-form of La₂O₃ were found to coat the (001) surfaces of La₂CuO₄. Surface reconstruction with the incorporation of excess Ba on the (110) surface of Tl₂Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ has been observed together with a stepped (11l) surface produced by a combination of the (110) and (001) planes. The (001) surface of Tl₂Ba₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ was also found to terminate with a Ba-O layer. Possible mechanisms for the formation of these surface structures are discussed.     

On the behavior of a dense indium oxide/yttria-stabilized zirconia electrode

The electrical, structural and electrochemical properties of a dense In₂O₃ layer in contact with a single crystal YSZ electrolyte were studied. As a result of dc and ac investigations, it was found that under anodic polarization the rate of Faraday reaction at the surface of the In₂O₃ electrode is as low as in an ionically blocked electrode. Under cathodic polarization, however, the electrochemical activity of the electrode improves depending on the magnitude of the polarization voltage. Likewise, the electrode polarization resistance decreases after platinum or praseodymium oxide having been deposited on the surface of the In₂O₃ layer. The possible mechanism responsible for such a peculiar behaviour and the limiting step of the electrode reactions are discussed.     

氧化铟/聚(3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩)复合材料的微结构及其热电性能研究

通过化学氧化合成的方法将纳米In_2O_3复合到聚(3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩)(PEDOT)中得到In_2O_3/PEDOT复合材料.利用X射线衍射、红外光谱、电子显微镜及正电子湮没等方法对复合材料的微观结构进行了系统研究,同时对材料的热学和电学性能进行了表征.结果表明,当In_2O_3的含量在22 wt%以下时,In_2O_3能很好地分散到PEDOT基体中.热电性能测试则显示In_2O_3/PEDOT复合材料的导电率随In_2O_3含量增加明显增大.纯PEDOT的电导率仅为7.5 S/m,而含12.3 wt%In_2O_3的复合材料的电导率达到25.75 S/m.该复合材料相应的功率因子(68.8×10~(-4)μW/m·K~2)相对于纯的PEDOT(14.5×10~(-4)μW/m·K~2)提高了近4倍.另外,复合材料的热导率相对于纯PEDOT也有所降低.最终复合材料的热电优值由0.015×10~(-4)提高到了0.073×10~(-4).结果表明,In_2O_3/PEDOT复合材料的热电性能相对于纯PEDOT的热电性能得到了比较明显的提高.     

溶剂热制备锂电池负极材料CNT-ZnFe2O4及其电化学性能

为了改善锂离子电池负极材料ZnFe₂O₄导电性差和循环寿命低的缺点,利用溶剂热反应方法制备了ZnFe₂O₄,并通过复合碳纳米管对ZnFe₂O₄进行改性。充放电测试结果表明：经过50次充放电后,碳纳米管复合改性后的ZnFe₂O₄容量保持在860 mA·h·g^-1,具有较好的循环稳定性。碳纳米管具有良好的导电性与导热性,改善了ZnFe₂O₄导电性差的缺点。     

Magnetic properties of xFe2O3(1−x)[B2O3 · PbO] glasses

The magnetic measurements performed on xFe₂O₃(1-x)[B₂O₃ · PbO] glasses show that for x 5 mol.% Fe₂O₃ the thermal variation of reciprocal susceptibility obeys a Curie behaviour. For higher iron content, at T 50 K, a nonlinear variation, typical for systems with random distribution of exchange interactions is observed. At greater temperatures than 50 K a Curie-Weiss behaviour is shown. The composition dependence of the Curie constants is analysed in correlation with the number of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ ions as determined from Mössbauer effect measurements. A comparison with the data obtained in case of xFe₂O₃(1-x)[3B₂O₃ · PbO] glasses is made.     

Sol–gel preparation and characterisation of dense proton conducting Sr3CaZr0.5Ta1.5O8.75 thin films

Dense proton conducting Sr₃CaZr_0.5Ta_1.5O_8.75 films (1.25 μm, with grain size in the 200–400 nm range) were deposited, using the sol–gel method, on Al₂O₃–8%Y₂O₃-stabilised ZrO₂ plates. The obtained gels were characterised by differential and thermogravimetric thermal analysis (DTA–TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of a study of the structural and electrical properties of Sr₃CaZr_0.5Ta_1.5O_8.75 films deposited on the mentioned substrates are presented herein. The structural data for the gels and films were compared with those obtained for the same material prepared by solid state synthesis. Electrical properties of the sandwich-type structure were investigated by AC impedance conductivity measurements at different temperatures, in both dry and wet 5% H₂/Ar atmospheres. A careful analysis of the impedance spectra for this complex structure was performed, using a model with a series of five electrical circuits, having resistance and capacitance coupled in parallel. The specific responses observed in the impedance spectra were assigned to the corresponding substrate and layer contributions. A significant improvement, by an order of magnitude, in the electrode response was observed in the presence of the interleaving Sr₃CaZr_0.5Ta_1.5O_8.75 proton conducting layer, between the electrode and electrolyte. This enhancement is lost at temperatures above that at which the Sr₃CaZr_0.5Ta_1.5O_8.75 dehydrates and its protonic conductivity diminishes. Considering the structural and electrical characterisation results, these Sr₃CaZr_0.5Ta_1.5O_8.75 sol–gel derived films have a potential use for proton conducting electrolyte or intermediate layer in fuel cells.     

Electrical properties of pure and Li2O-doped CuO/Fe2O3 system precalcined at different temperatures

The electrical properties of pure and Li₂O-doped CuO/Fe₂O₃ solids were investigated. Pure and variously doped solids were subjected to thermal treatment at 1073–1273 K and the amount of dopant was varied between 0.84 to 3.36 mol%. The effect of precalcination temperature and amount of Li₂O added on the electrical conductivity σ, activation energy E_a and dielectric constant * were studied. The variation of ′ and ″ as a function of frequency for pure and variously doped solids precalcined at different temperatures was also investigated. The results obtained were discussed.