A comparative study on the magnetic and electrical properties of Bi{sub 0.89}Tb{sub 0.11}FeO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 0.89}Tb{sub 0.11}FeO{sub 3}/CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} multiferroic thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tan, Guoqiang, E-mail: tan3114@163.com; Luo, Yangyang; Dong, Guohua; Liu, Wenlong; Ren, Huijun; Xia, Ao

2015-02-25

Highlights: • BTFO and CFO phases have perfect double layered structure on FTO substrates. • The CFO layer has a large effect on the dielectric properties of the BTFO/CFO. • The huge ferroelectric polarization (2P{sub r} ∼ 218 μC/cm{sup 2}) is obtained in BTFO/CFO. • BTFO/CFO exhibits the desired magnetic characteristics (2M{sub r} ∼ 100.9 emu/cm{sup 3}). - Abstract: A double layered multiferroic thin film consisting of Bi{sub 0.89}Tb{sub 0.11}FeO{sub 3} (BTFO) and CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (CFO) layers has been deposited on a FTO/glass substrate by the chemical solution deposition method. The influence of magnetic layer on the crystal structure, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetic properties of the double layered film was investigated. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra and scanning electron microscope results demonstrate the perfect formation of double layered thin film structure without second phase. With the introduction CFO magnetic layer, the double layered film of dielectric constant shows strong frequency dependence, and the leakage current density and the multiferroic properties have been significantly improved. It is believed that at room temperature the superior multiferroic parameters (2P{sub r} ∼ 218 μC/cm{sup 2} and 2M{sub r} ∼ 100.9 emu/cm{sup 3}) of the BTFO/CFO film are a major breakthrough in the double layered BFO-based films. The double layered film with excellent multiferroic properties become an attractive research focus in potential multifunctional devices.

AFM study of growth of Bi2Sr2-xLaxCuO6 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Haitao Yang; Hongjie Tao; Yingzi Zhang; Duogui Yang; Lin Li; Zhongxian Zhao

1997-01-01

c-axis-oriented Bi 2 Sr 1.6 La 0.4 CuO 6 thin films deposited on flat planes of (100)SrTiO 3 , (100)LaAlO 3 and (100)MgO substrates and vicinal planes (off-angle ∼ 6 deg.) of SrTiO 3 substrates by RF magnetron sputtering were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). T c of these films reached 29 K. Film thickness ranged from 15 nm to 600 nm. Two typical growth modes have been observed. AFM images of thin films on flat planes of substrates showed a terraced-island growth mode. By contrast, Bi-2201 thin films on vicinal planes of substrates showed a step-flow growth mode. The growth unit is a half-unit-cell in the c-axis for both growth modes. No example of spiral growth, which was thought to be the typical structure of YBCO thin films, was found in either of these kinds of thin films. (author)

Sol-gel synthesis of Bi2WO6/graphene thin films with enhanced photocatalytic performance for nitric monoxide oxidation under visible light irradiation

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Chufeng; Wang, Yanbin; Su, Qiong

2018-06-01

Bi2WO6 and Bi2WO6/graphene thin films were fabricated by spin coating and post annealing at 600 °C for 2 h. In four different thin film samples, the graphene concentration was controlled as 0, 2, 4 and 6 wt%, respectively. The morphology, grain size and elemental distribution of the thin films were characterized by SEM and TEM. The crystallization and crystal phases were determined by XRD patterns, and the existence of graphene in Bi2WO6/graphene composite thin films were confirmed by Raman spectra. The photocatalytic performance of Bi2WO6 and Bi2WO6/graphene thin films was investigated by oxidizing NO under visible light irradiation. The results showed that Bi2WO6/graphene with 4 wt% of graphene showed the highest photocatalytic performance among all samples. This could be attributed to the increased electron conductivity with the presence of graphene. However, a further increased graphene concentration resulted in a decreased photocatalytic performance.

Multiferroic properties of BiFeO{sub 3}/BaTiO{sub 3} multilayered thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sharma, Savita [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Department of Applied Physics, Delhi Technological University, Delhi 110042 (India); Tomar, Monika [Physics Department, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Kumar, Ashok [CSIR—National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012 (India); Puri, Nitin K. [Department of Applied Physics, Delhi Technological University, Delhi 110042 (India); Gupta, Vinay, E-mail: drguptavinay@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India)

2014-09-01

Multilayered structures of multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) and ferroelectric BaTiO{sub 3} (BTO) have been fabricated using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties of the multilayered system (BFO/BTO) have been investigated. It could be inferred that the magnetization increases with the incorporation of BTO buffer layer, which indicates a coupling between the ferroelectric and ferromagnetic orders. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements performed on the prepared multiferroic samples show that the magnetization is significantly increased (M{sub s}=56.88 emu/cm{sup 3}) for the multilayer system with more number of layers (four) keeping the total thickness of the multilayered system constant (350 nm) meanwhile maintaining the sufficiently enhanced ferroelectric properties (P{sub r}=29.68 µC/cm{sup 2})

Nanoscale Control of Exchange Bias with BiFeO3 Thin Films

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Martin, Lane W.; Chu, Ying-Hao; Holcomb, Mikel B.; Huijben, Mark; Yu, Pu; Han, Shu-Jen; Lee, Donkoun; Wang, Shan X.; Ramesh, R.

2008-01-01

We demonstrate a direct correlation between the domain structure of multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films and exchange bias of Co0.9Fe0.1/BiFeO3 heterostructures. Two distinct types of interactions − an enhancement of the coercive field (exchange enhancement) and an enhancement of the coercive field

Enhanced multiferroic properties in scandium doped Bi2Fe4O9

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dutta, Dimple P.; Tyagi, A. K.

2013-01-01

Undoped and Sc 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles have been synthesized using sonochemical method. The phase purity of the samples was checked using powder X-rau diffraction technique. EDS analysis was done to confirm the extent of Sc 3+ doping in the samples. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles have been analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles show a weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, which is quite different from the linear M–H relationship reported for bulk Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 . This is mainly attributed to the uncompensated moments at the disordered particle surface resulting from the reduced coordination of the surface spins, arising due to lattice strain or oxygen deficiency. Addition of Sc 3+ dopant in varying concentrations in these Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles, improves their magnetic as well as ferroelectric properties. The leakage current is considerably reduced and electric polarization increases significantly in case of Bi 2 Fe 4(1-x) Sc x O 9 (x = 0.1) nanoparticles. Hence it can be inferred that Sc 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 nanoparticles shows promise as good multiferroic materials.

Multiferroic BiFeO3-BiMnO3 Nanocheckerboard From First Principles

OpenAIRE

Palova, L.; Chandra, P.; Rabe, K. M.

2010-01-01

We present a first principles study of an unusual heterostructure, an atomic-scale checkerboard of BiFeO3-BiMnO3, and compare its properties to the two bulk constituent materials, BiFeO3 and BiMnO3. The "nanocheckerboard" is found to have a multiferroic ground state with the desired properties of each constituent: polar and ferrimagnetic due to BiFeO3 and BiMnO3, respectively. The effect of B-site cation ordering on magnetic ordering in the BiFeO3-BiMnO3 system is studied. The checkerboard ge...

A comparative investigation on structure and multiferroic properties of bismuth ferrite thin films by multielement co-doping

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dong, Guohua; Tan, Guoqiang, E-mail: tan3114@163.com; Luo, Yangyang; Liu, Wenlong; Xia, Ao; Ren, Huijun

2014-12-15

Highlights: • Multielement (Tb, Cr and Mn) co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} films were fabricated by CSD method. • Multielement co-doping induces a structural transition. • It is found effective to stabilize the valence of Fe ions at +3 by the strategy. • The co-doping at A/B-sites gives rise to the superior multiferroic properties. - Abstract: (Tb, Cr and Mn) multielement co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} (BTFCMO) thin films were prepared by the chemical solution deposition method on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement and Raman analyses revealed that a phase transition from rhombohedral to triclinic structure occurs in the multielement co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} films. It is found that the doping is conducive to stabilizing the valence of Fe ions and reducing leakage current. In addition, the highly enhanced ferroelectric properties with a huge remanent polarization (2P{sub r}) of 239.6 μC/cm{sup 2} and a low coercive field (2E{sub c}) of 615.6 kV/cm are ascribed to the well film texture, the structure transition and the reduced leakage current by the co-doping. Moreover, the structure transition is the dominant factor resulting in the significant enhancement observed in magnetization (M{sub s} ∼ 10.5 emu/cm{sup 3}), owing to the collapse of the space-modulated spin structure. In this contribution, these results demonstrate that the multielement co-doping is in favor of the enhanced multiferroic properties of the BFO films for possible multifunctional applications.

Structural and optical properties of cobalt doped multiferroics BiFeO3 nanostructure thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Prasannakumara, R.; Naik, K. Gopalakrishna

2018-05-01

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) and Cobalt doped BiFeO3 (BiFe1-XCoXO3) nanostructure thin films were deposited on glass substrates by the sol-gel spin coating method. The X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) of the grown BiFeO3 and BiFe1-XCoXO3 nanostructure thin films showed distorted rhombohedral structure. The shifting of peaks to higher angles was observed in cobalt doped BiFeO3. The surface morphology of the BiFeO3 and BiFe1-XCoXO3 nanostructure thin films were studied using FESEM, an increase in grain size was observed as Co concentration increases. The thickness of the nanostructure thin films was examined using FESEM cross-section. The EDX studies confirmed the elemental composition of the grown BiFeO3 and BiFe1-XCoXO3 nanostructure thin films. The optical characterizations of the grown nanostructure thin films were carried out using FTIR, it confirms the existence of Fe-O and Bi-O bands and UV-Visible spectroscopy shows the increase in optical band gap of the BiFeO3 nanostructure thin films with Co doping by ploting Tauc plot.

Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics: thin films and nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin, L W; Crane, S P; Chu, Y-H; Holcomb, M B; Gajek, M; Huijben, M; Yang, C-H; Balke, N; Ramesh, R [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States); Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 (United States)], E-mail: lwmartin@lbl.gov

2008-10-29

Multiferroic materials, or materials that simultaneously possess two or more ferroic order parameters, have returned to the forefront of materials research. Driven by the desire to achieve new functionalities-such as electrical control of ferromagnetism at room temperature-researchers have undertaken a concerted effort to identify and understand the complexities of multiferroic materials. The ability to create high quality thin film multiferroics stands as one of the single most important landmarks in this flurry of research activity. In this review we discuss the basics of multiferroics including the important order parameters and magnetoelectric coupling in materials. We then discuss in detail the growth of single phase, horizontal multilayer, and vertical heterostructure multiferroics. The review ends with a look to the future and how multiferroics can be used to create new functionalities in materials.

Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics: thin films and nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Martin, L. W.; Crane, S. P.; Chu, Y.-H.; Holcomb, M. B.; Gajek, M.; Huijben, M.; Yang, C.-H.; Balke, N.; Ramesh, R.

2008-10-01

Multiferroic materials, or materials that simultaneously possess two or more ferroic order parameters, have returned to the forefront of materials research. Driven by the desire to achieve new functionalities—such as electrical control of ferromagnetism at room temperature—researchers have undertaken a concerted effort to identify and understand the complexities of multiferroic materials. The ability to create high quality thin film multiferroics stands as one of the single most important landmarks in this flurry of research activity. In this review we discuss the basics of multiferroics including the important order parameters and magnetoelectric coupling in materials. We then discuss in detail the growth of single phase, horizontal multilayer, and vertical heterostructure multiferroics. The review ends with a look to the future and how multiferroics can be used to create new functionalities in materials.

Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics: thin films and nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martin, L W; Crane, S P; Chu, Y-H; Holcomb, M B; Gajek, M; Huijben, M; Yang, C-H; Balke, N; Ramesh, R

2008-01-01

Multiferroic materials, or materials that simultaneously possess two or more ferroic order parameters, have returned to the forefront of materials research. Driven by the desire to achieve new functionalities-such as electrical control of ferromagnetism at room temperature-researchers have undertaken a concerted effort to identify and understand the complexities of multiferroic materials. The ability to create high quality thin film multiferroics stands as one of the single most important landmarks in this flurry of research activity. In this review we discuss the basics of multiferroics including the important order parameters and magnetoelectric coupling in materials. We then discuss in detail the growth of single phase, horizontal multilayer, and vertical heterostructure multiferroics. The review ends with a look to the future and how multiferroics can be used to create new functionalities in materials.

Optical, ferroelectric and magnetic properties of multiferroelectric BiFeO3-(K0.5Na0.5)0.4(Sr 0.6Ba0.4)0.8Nb2O6 thin films

KAUST Repository

Yao, Yingbang

2014-02-01

Multiferroic BiFeO3-(K0.5Na0.5) 0.4(Sr0.6Ba0.4)0.8Nb 2O6 (BFO-KNSBN) trilayer thin films, were epitaxially grown on MgO(0 0 1) and SrTiO3(0 0 1) by using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Their ferroelectric, magnetic, dielectric and optical properties were investigated. It was found that both ferroelectric polarization and dielectric constant of the films were enhanced by introducing KNSBN as a barrier layer. Meanwhile, ferromagnetism of BFO was maintained. More interestingly, a double hysteresis magnetic loop was observed in the KNSBN-BFO-KNSBN trilayer films, where exchange bias and secondary phase in the BFO layer played crucial roles. Interactions between adjacent layers were revealed by temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopic measurements. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pressure-induced phase transitions of multiferroic BiFeO3

OpenAIRE

XiaoLi, Zhang; Ye, Wu; Qian, Zhang; JunCai, Dong; Xiang, Wu; Jing, Liu; ZiYu, Wu; DongLiang, Chen

2013-01-01

Pressure-induced phase transitions of multiferroic BiFeO3 have been investigated using synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction with diamond anvil cell technique at room temperature. Present experimental data clearly show that rhombohedral (R3c) phase of BiFeO3 first transforms to monoclinic (C2/m) phase at 7 GPa, then to orthorhombic (Pnma) phase at 11 GPa, which is consistent with recent theoretical ab initio calculation. However, we observe another peak at 2{\\theta}=7{\\deg} in the pressure ...

Multiferroic properties of BiFeO3/Bi4Ti3O12 double-layered thin films fabricated by chemical solution deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yi, Seung Woo; Kim, Sang Su; Kim, Jin Won; Jo, Hyun Kyung; Do, Dalhyun; Kim, Won-Jeong

2009-01-01

Multiferroic BiFeO 3 /Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 (BFO/BTO) double-layered film was fabricated on a Pt(111)/Ti/SiO 2 /Si(100) substrate by a chemical solution deposition method. The effect of an interfacial BTO layer on electrical and magnetic properties of BFO was investigated by comparing those of pure BFO and BTO films prepared by the same condition. The X-ray diffraction result showed that no additional phase was formed in the double-layered film, except BFO and BTO phases. The remnant polarization (2P r ) of the double-layered film capacitor was 100 μC/cm 2 at 250 kV/cm, which is much larger than that of the pure BFO film capacitor. The magnetization-magnetic field hysteresis loop revealed weak ferromagnetic response with remnant magnetization (2M r ) of 0.4 kA/m. The values of dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the double-layered film capacitor were 240 and 0.03 at 100 kHz, respectively. Leakage current density measured from the double-layered film capacitor was 6.1 x 10 -7 A/cm 2 at 50 kV/cm, which is lower than the pure BFO and BTO film capacitors.

Photovoltaic effect in transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Puli, Venkata Sreenivas; Chrisey, Douglas B; Pradhan, Dhiren Kumar; Katiyar, Rajesh Kumar; Misra, Pankaj; Scott, J F; Katiyar, Ram S; Coondoo, Indrani; Panwar, Neeraj

2014-01-01

We report photovoltaic (PV) effect in multiferroic Bi 0.9 Sm 0.1 Fe 0.95 Co 0.05 O 3 (BSFCO) thin films. Transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO 3 (BFO) thin films have been deposited on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si substrate successfully through pulsed laser deposition (PLD). PV response is observed under illumination both in sandwich and lateral electrode configurations. The open-circuit voltage (V oc ) and the short-circuit current density (J sc ) of the films in sandwich electrode configuration under illumination are measured to be 0.9 V and −0.051 µA cm −2 . Additionally, we report piezoresponse for BSFCO films, which confirms ferroelectric piezoelectric behaviour. (paper)

Chapter 23. Single and Heterostructure Multiferroic Thin Films

OpenAIRE

Barbier , Antoine

2018-01-01

International audience; Multiferroic oxide materials exhibiting several long range ferroic orders are of high interest because of their wide range of potential applications. The incorporation of their genuine properties in new devices, offering additional physical properties, requires often elaborating them in form of thin films. Retaining their multiferroic characteristics is very challenging. However, thin films can be structured on the nanometer scale and additional degrees of freedom, suc...

Room-Temperature Multiferroics and Thermal Conductivity of 0.85BiFe1-2xTixMgxO3-0.15CaTiO3 Epitaxial Thin Films (x = 0.1 and 0.2).

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Ji; Sun, Wei; Zhao, Jiangtao; Sun, Lei; Li, Lei; Yan, Xue-Jun; Wang, Ke; Gu, Zheng-Bin; Luo, Zhen-Lin; Chen, Yanbin; Yuan, Guo-Liang; Lu, Ming-Hui; Zhang, Shan-Tao

2017-08-02

Thin films of 0.85BiFe 1-2x Ti x Mg x O 3 -0.15CaTiO 3 (x = 0.1 and 0.2, abbreviated to C-1 and C-2, respectively) have been fabricated on (001) SrTiO 3 substrate with and without a conductive La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 buffer layer. The X-ray θ-2θ and ϕ scans, atomic force microscopy, and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy confirm the (001) epitaxial nature of the thin films with very high growth quality. Both the C-1 and C-2 thin films show well-shaped magnetization-magnetic field hysteresis at room temperature, with enhanced switchable magnetization values of 145.3 and 42.5 emu/cm 3 , respectively. The polarization-electric loops and piezoresponse force microscopy measurements confirm the room-temperature ferroelectric nature of both films. However, the C-1 films illustrate a relatively weak ferroelectric behavior and the poled states are easy to relax, whereas the C-2 films show a relatively better ferroelectric behavior with stable poled states. More interestingly, the room-temperature thermal conductivity of C-1 and C-2 films are measured to be 1.10 and 0.77 W/(m·K), respectively. These self-consistent multiferroic properties and thermal conductivities are discussed by considering the composition-dependent content and migration of Fe-induced electrons and/or charged point defects. This study not only provides multifunctional materials with excellent room-temperature magnetic, ferroelectric, and thermal conductivity properties but may also stimulate further work to develop BiFeO 3 -based materials with unusual multifunctional properties.

Investigations on electrical, magnetic and optical behaviors of five-layered Aurivillius Bi6Ti3Fe2O18 polycrystalline films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bai, W.; Xu, W.F.; Wu, J.; Zhu, J.Y.; Chen, G.; Yang, J.; Lin, T.; Meng, X.J.; Tang, X.D.; Chu, J.H.

2012-01-01

Five-layered Aurivillius Bi 6 Ti 3 Fe 2 O 18 (BTF2) polycrystalline thin films were prepared by a chemical solution deposition route. The crystalline structures and microstructures were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, micro-Raman spectrometer and atomic force microscopy. Its electrical and magnetic properties were investigated, and especially optical properties were addressed in detail. Coexistence of the ferroelectric and weak ferromagnetic properties indicated the multiferroic behavior of the BTF2 films. The optical dielectric functions in the photon energy range of 1.13–4.13 eV have been extracted by fitting the experimental data in the light of the Tauc–Lorentz dispersion model. A direct interband transition with bandgap energy ∼ 3.72 eV was determined for the BTF2 films. The weak absorption below band-gap edge was explained by the Urbach band tail rule. Finally, the optical dispersion behaviors of the BTF2 films in the transparent oscillating region were described using a single oscillator model. - Highlights: ► Five-layered Aurivillius Bi 6 Ti 3 Fe 2 O 18 (BTF2) thin films were prepared. ► Electrical and magnetic properties of the BTF2 films were investigated. ► Optical properties of the BTF2 films were especially addressed in detail.

Analysis of multiferroic properties in BiMnO3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Grizalez, M; Mendoza, G A; Prieto, P

2009-01-01

Textured BiMnO 3 [111] thin films on SrTiO 3 (100) and Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 substrates were grown via r.f. magnetron sputtering (13.56 MHz). The XRD spectra confirmed a monoclinic structure and high-quality textured films for the BiMnO 3 films. The films grown on SrTiO 3 (100) showed higher crystalline quality than those developed on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 . Through optimized oxygen pressure of 5x10 -2 mbar during the r.f. sputtering deposition, the crystalline orientation of the BiMnO 3 film was improved with respect to the previously reported value of 2x10 -1 mbar. The values of spontaneous polarization (P s ), remnant polarization (P r ), and coercive field (F c ) from ferroelectric hysteresis loops (P-E) at different temperatures were also obtained. Samples with higher crystalline order revealed better dielectric properties (high P s and P r values and a low F c ). For films on both types of substrates, the ferroelectric behavior was found to persist up to 400K. Measurements at higher temperatures were difficult to obtain given the increased conductivity of the films. Magnetic hysteresis loops from 5K to 120K were obtained for BiMnO 3 films grown on SrTiO 3 and Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 substrates. The results suggested that the coexistence of the magnetic and electric phases persists up to 120K.

Low Temperature Broad Band Dielectric Spectroscopy of Multiferroic Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 Ceramics

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lisińska-Czekaj A.

2016-09-01

Full Text Available In the present research the tool of broadband dielectric spectroscopy was utilized to characterize dielectric behavior of Bi6Fe2Ti3O18 (BFTO Aurivillius-type multiferroic ceramics. Dielectric response of BFTO ceramics was studied in the frequency domain (Δν=0.1Hz – 10MHz within the temperature range ΔT=-100°C – 200°C. The Kramers-Kronig data validation test was employed to validate the impedance data measurements and it was found that the measured impedance data exhibited good quality justifying further analysis. The residuals were found to be less than 1%, whereas the “chi-square” parameter was within the range χ2~10−7−10−5. Experimental data were analyzed using the circle fit of simple impedance arc plotted in the complex Z”-Z’ plane (Nyquist plot. The total ac conductivity of the grain boundaries was thus revealed and the activation energy of ac conductivity for the grain boundaries was calculated. It was found that activation energy of ac conductivity of grain boundaries changes from EA=0.20eV to EA=0.55eV while temperature rises from T=-100°C up to T=200°C. On the base of maxima of the impedance semicircles (ωmτm=1 the relaxation phenomena were characterized in terms of the temperature dependence of relaxation times and relevant activation energy was calculated (EA=0.55eV.

Pressure-induced phase transitions of multiferroic BiFeO3

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Xiaoli; Dong Juncai; Liu Jing; Chen Dongliang; Wu Ye; Zhang Qian; Wu Xiang; Wu Ziyu

2013-01-01

Pressure-induced phase transitions of multiferroic BiFeO 3 have been investigated using synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction with diamond anvil cell technique at room temperature. Present experimental data clearly show that rhombohedral (R3c) phase of BiFeO 3 first transforms to monoclinic (C2/m) phase at 7 GPa, then to orthorhombic (Pnma) phase at 11 GPa, which is consistent with recent theoretical ab initio calculation. However, we observe another peak at 2θ=7° in the pressure range of 5-7 GPa that has not been reported previously. Further analysis reveals that this reflection peak is attributed to the orthorhombic (Pbam) phase, indicating the coexistence of monoclinic phase with orthorhombic phase in low pressure range. (authors)

Thin film composites in the BiFeO3–Bi4Ti3O12 system obtained by an aqueous solution-gel deposition methodology

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Carlos Gumiel

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Thin film multiferroic composites, with a high quantity of interfaces between the different materials, represent a more feasible alternative to single phase systems in which the multifunctional response is usually hampered due to intrinsic physical constraints. Nowadays some of these composites can be produced by applying deposition techniques such as PLD, CVD, MBE or the like, which allow a high degree of crystallographic control. However, despite their effectiveness, all these techniques also involve a high consumption of energy in terms of temperature and/or vacuum. Within this frame, the present contribution proposes a sustainable chemical solution deposition process to prepare thin films of the multiferroic BiFeO3–Bi4Ti3O12 composite system. More specifically an aqueous solution-gel plus spin-coating methodology is employed which also avoids the organic solvents typically used in a conventional sol–gel method, so further keeping an eye on the environmentally friendly conditions. Attempts are conducted that demonstrate how by systematically controlling the processing parameters it is possible to obtain thin film composites with a promising 3-3 type connectivity at temperatures as low as 600 °C.

Thin film composites in the BiFeO3–Bi4Ti3O12 system obtained by an aqueous solution-gel deposition methodology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gumiel, C.; Vranken, T.; Bernardo, M.S.; Jardiel, T.; Hardy, A.; Van Bael, M.K.; Peiteado, M.

2018-01-01

Thin film multiferroic composites, with a high quantity of interfaces between the different materials, represent a more feasible alternative to single phase systems in which the multifunctional response is usually hampered due to intrinsic physical constraints. Nowadays some of these composites can be produced by applying deposition techniques such as PLD, CVD, MBE or the like, which allow a high degree of crystallographic control. However, despite their effectiveness, all these techniques also involve a high consumption of energy in terms of temperature and/or vacuum. Within this frame, the present contribution proposes a sustainable chemical solution deposition process to prepare thin films of the multiferroic BiFeO3–Bi4Ti3O12 composite system. More specifically an aqueous solution-gel plus spin-coating methodology is employed which also avoids the organic solvents typically used in a conventional sol–gel method, so further keeping an eye on the environmentally friendly conditions. Attempts are conducted that demonstrate how by systematically controlling the processing parameters it is possible to obtain thin film composites with a promising 3-3 type connectivity at temperatures as low as 600°C. [es

Structural defects in multiferroic BiMnO3 studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, H.; Chi, Z. H.; Yao, L. D.; Zhang, W.; Li, F. Y.; Jin, C. Q.; Yu, R. C.

2006-01-01

The multiferroic material BiMnO 3 synthesized under high pressure has been systematically studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and some important structural defects are revealed in this multiferroic material. The frequently observed defects are characterized to be Σ3(111) twin boundaries, Ruddlesden-Popper [Acta Crystallogr. 11, 54 (1958)] antiphase boundaries, and a p p superdislocations connected with a small segment of Ruddlesden-Popper defect. These defects are present initially in the as-synthesized sample. In addition, we find that ordered voids (oxygen vacancies) are easily introduced into the multiferroic BiMnO 3 by electron-beam irradiation

Multicaloric effect in bi-layer multiferroic composites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vopson, M. M.; Zhou, D.; Caruntu, G.

2015-01-01

The multicaloric effect was theoretically proposed in 2012 and, despite numerous follow up studies, the effect still awaits experimental confirmation. The main limitation is the fact that the multicaloric effect is only observed at a temperature equal to the transition temperature of the magnetic and electric phases coexisting within a multiferroic (MF) (i.e., T ≈ T c m  ≈ T c e ). Such condition is hard to fulfill in single phase MFs and a solution is to develop suitable composite MF materials. Here, we examine the multicaloric effect in a bi-layer laminated composite MF in order to determine the optimal design parameters for best caloric response. We show that magnetically induced multicaloric effect requires magnetic component of heat capacity smaller than that of the electric phase, while the layer thickness of the magnetic phase must be at least 5 times the thickness of the electric phase. The electrically induced multicaloric effect requires the magnetic layer to be 10% of the electric phase thickness, while its heat capacity must be larger than that of the electric phase. These selection rules are generally applicable to bulk as well as thin film MF composites for optimal multicaloric effect

Analysis of multiferroic properties in BiMnO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Grizalez, M [Universidad de la Amazonia, Florencia (Colombia); Mendoza, G A [Department of Physics, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota (Colombia); Prieto, P, E-mail: pprieto@calima.univalle.edu.c [Center of Excellence on Novel Materials - CENM (Colombia)

2009-05-01

Textured BiMnO{sub 3} [111] thin films on SrTiO{sub 3} (100) and Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} substrates were grown via r.f. magnetron sputtering (13.56 MHz). The XRD spectra confirmed a monoclinic structure and high-quality textured films for the BiMnO{sub 3} films. The films grown on SrTiO{sub 3} (100) showed higher crystalline quality than those developed on Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}. Through optimized oxygen pressure of 5x10{sup -2} mbar during the r.f. sputtering deposition, the crystalline orientation of the BiMnO{sub 3} film was improved with respect to the previously reported value of 2x10{sup -1} mbar. The values of spontaneous polarization (P{sub s}), remnant polarization (P{sub r}), and coercive field (F{sub c}) from ferroelectric hysteresis loops (P-E) at different temperatures were also obtained. Samples with higher crystalline order revealed better dielectric properties (high P{sub s} and P{sub r} values and a low F{sub c}). For films on both types of substrates, the ferroelectric behavior was found to persist up to 400K. Measurements at higher temperatures were difficult to obtain given the increased conductivity of the films. Magnetic hysteresis loops from 5K to 120K were obtained for BiMnO{sub 3} films grown on SrTiO{sub 3} and Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} substrates. The results suggested that the coexistence of the magnetic and electric phases persists up to 120K.

Structural transitions and multiferroic properties of high Ni-doped BiFeO3

Science.gov (United States)

Betancourt-Cantera, L. G.; Bolarín-Miró, A. M.; Cortés-Escobedo, C. A.; Hernández-Cruz, L. E.; Sánchez-De Jesús, F.

2018-06-01

Nickel doped bismuth ferrite powders, BiFe1-x NixO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), were synthesized by high-energy ball milling followed by an annealing at 700 °C. A detailed study about the substitution of Fe3+ by Ni2+ on the crystal structure and multiferroic properties is presented. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the formation of rhombohedral structure with small amounts of Bi2Fe4O9 as a secondary phase for x behavior indicates the frustration of the G-antiferromagnetic order typical of the un-doped BiFeO3, caused by the presence of small amounts of Ni2+ (x Behavior modifications of electrical conductivity, permittivity and dielectric loss versus frequency are related with crystal structure transformations, when nickel concentration is increased.

The synthesis, structure and reactivity of iron-bismuth complexes : Potential Molecular Precursors for Multiferroic BiFeO3

OpenAIRE

Wójcik, Katarzyna

2009-01-01

The thesis presented here is focused on the synthesis of iron-bismuth alkoxides and siloxides as precursors for multiferroic BiFeO3 systems. Spectrum of novel cyclopentadienyl substituted iron-bismuth complexes of the general type [{Cpy(CO)2Fe}BiX2], as potential precursors for cyclopentadienyl iron-bismuth alkoxides or siloxides [{Cpy(CO)2Fe}Bi(OR)2] (R-OtBu, OSiMe2tBu), were obtained and characterised. The use of wide range of cyclopentadienyl rings in the iron carbonyl compounds allowed fo...

Photocatalytic activity of Bi_2WO_6/Bi_2S_3 heterojunctions: the facilitation of exposed facets of Bi_2WO_6 substrate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yan, Long; Wang, Yufei; Shen, Huidong; Zhang, Yu; Li, Jian; Wang, Danjun

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6 hybrids with exposed (020) Bi_2WO_6 facets have been synthesized. • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that a small amount of Bi_2S_3 was formed. • The enhanced photoactivity of hybrids is due to heterojunction and (020) facets. • A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism is proposed. - Abstract: Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6 hybrid architectures with exposed (020) Bi_2WO_6 facets have been synthesized via a controlled anion exchange approach. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that a small amount of Bi_2S_3 was formed on the surface of Bi_2WO_6 during the anion exchange process, thus leading to the transformation from the Bi_2WO_6 to Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6. A rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution was chosen as model organic pollutants to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6 catalysts. Under visible light irradiation, the Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6-TAA displayed the excellent visible light photoactivities compared with pure Bi_2S_3, Bi_2WO_6 and other composite photocatalysts. The efficient photocatalytic activity of the Bi_2S_3/Bi_2WO_6-TAA composite microspheres was ascribed to the constructed heterojunctions and the inner electric field caused by the exposed (020) Bi_2WO_6 facets. Active species trapping experiments revealed that h"+ and O_2·"− are the main active species in the photocatalytic process. Furthermore, the as-obtained photocatalysts showed good photocatalytic activity after four recycles. The results presented in this study provide a new concept for the rational design and development of highly efficient photocatalysts.

Enhanced magnetoelectric coupling in a composite multiferroic system via interposing a thin film polymer

Science.gov (United States)

Xiao, Zhuyun; Mohanchandra, Kotekar P.; Lo Conte, Roberto; Ty Karaba, C.; Schneider, J. D.; Chavez, Andres; Tiwari, Sidhant; Sohn, Hyunmin; Nowakowski, Mark E.; Scholl, Andreas; Tolbert, Sarah H.; Bokor, Jeffrey; Carman, Gregory P.; Candler, Rob N.

2018-05-01

Enhancing the magnetoelectric coupling in a strain-mediated multiferroic composite structure plays a vital role in controlling magnetism by electric fields. An enhancement of magnetoelastic coupling between ferroelectric single crystal (011)-cut [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3](1-x)-[PbTiO3]x (PMN-PT, x≈ 0.30) and ferromagnetic polycrystalline Ni thin film through an interposed benzocyclobutene polymer thin film is reported. A nearly twofold increase in sensitivity of remanent magnetization in the Ni thin film to an applied electric field is observed. This observation suggests a viable method of improving the magnetoelectric response in these composite multiferroic systems.

Multiferroic iron oxide thin films at room temperature

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Gich, M.; Fina, I.; Morelli, Alessio; Sánchez, F.; Alexe, M.; Gazquez, J.; Fontcuberta, J.; Roig, A.

2014-01-01

Roč. 26, č. 27 (2014), s. 4645-4652 ISSN 0935-9648 Institutional support: RVO:68378271 Keywords : multiferroic * iron oxide * thin film Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 17.493, year: 2014

Magnetoelectric properties of Pb free Bi2FeTiO6: A theoretical investigation

Science.gov (United States)

Patra, Lokanath; Ravindran, P.

2018-05-01

The structural, electronic, magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Pb free double perovskite multiferroic Bi2FeTiO6 are investigated using density functional theory within the general gradient approximation (GGA) method. Our structural optimization using total energy calculations for different potential structures show a minimum energy for a non-centrosymmetric rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. Bi2FeTiO6 is found to be an antiferromagnetic insulator with C-type magnetic ordering with bandgap value of 0.3 eV. The calculated magnetic moment of 3.52 μB at Fe site shows the high spin arrangement of 3d electrons which is also confirmed by our orbital projected density of states analysis. We have analyzed the characteristics of bonding present between the constituents of Bi2FeTiO6 with the help of calculated partial density of states and Born effective charges. The ground state of the nearest centrosymmetric structure is found to be a G-type antiferromagnet with half metallicity showing that by the application of external electric field we can not only get a polarized state but also change the magnetic ordering and electronic structure in the present compound indicating strong magnetoelectric coupling. The cation sites the coexistence of Bi 6s lone pair (bring disproportionate charge distribution) and Ti4+ d0 ions which brings covalency produces off-center displacement and favors a non-centrosymmetric ground state and thus ferroelectricity. Our Berry phase calculation gives a polarization of 48 µCcm-2 for Bi2FeTiO6.

Multiferroic properties of nanocrystalline BiFe1−xNixO3 (x=0.0–0.15) perovskite ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaudhari, Yogesh; Mahajan, Chandrashekhar M.; Singh, Amrita; Jagtap, Prashant; Chatterjee, Ratnamala; Bendre, Subhash

2015-01-01

Ni doped BiFeO 3 (x=0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) nanocrystalline ceramics were synthesized by the solution combustion method (SCM) to obtain optimal multiferroic properties. The effect of Ni doping on structural, morphological, ferroelectric, magnetic and dielectric properties of BiFeO 3 was studied. The structural investigations by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed that BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 ceramics have rhombhohedral perovskite structure. The ferroelectric hysteresis measurements for BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) compound at room temperature found to exhibit unsaturated behavior and presents partial reversal of polarization. The magnetic measurements demonstrated an enhancement of ferromagnetic property due to Ni doping in BiFeO 3 when compared with undoped BiFeO 3 . The variation of dielectric constant with temperature in BiFe 0.9 Ni 0.1 O 3 and BiFe 0.85 Ni 0.15 O 3 samples evidenced an apparent dielectric anomaly around 350 °C and 300 °C which corresponds to antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition of (T N ) of BiFeO 3 . The dependence of room temperature dielectric properties on frequency signifies that both dielectric constant (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ) are the strong function of frequency. The results show that solution combustion method leads to synthesis of an excellent and reproducible BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 multiferroic ceramics. - Highlights: • Synthesis of BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 (x=0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) multiferroic ceramics. • Solution Combustion Method (SCM). • Ferroelectric and dielectric properties of undoped and Ni doped BiFeO 3 ceramics. • High temperature synthesis of BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 multiferroic ceramics. • First detailed report about SCM synthesized the BiFe 1−x Ni x O 3 ceramics

Phase transitions and domain structures in multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Vlahos, Eftihia

2011-12-01

Thin film ferroelectrics and multiferroics are two important classes of materials interesting both from a scientific and a technological prospective. The volatility of lead and bismuth as well as environmental issues regarding the toxicity of lead are two disadvantages of the most commonly used ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) materials such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 and SrBi2Ta2O9. Therefore lead-free thin film ferroelectrics are promising substitutes as long as (a) they can be grown on technologically important substrates such as silicon, and (b) their T c and Pr become comparable to that of well established ferroelectrics. On the other hand, the development of functional room temperature ferroelectric ferromagnetic multiferroics could lead to very interesting phenomena such as control of magnetism with electric fields and control of electrical polarization with magnetic fields. This thesis focuses on the understanding of material structure-property relations using nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Nonlinear spectroscopy is an excellent tool for probing the onset of ferroelectricity, and domain dynamics in strained ferroelectrics and multiferroics. Second harmonic generation was used to detect ferroelectricity and the antiferrodistortive phase transition in thin film SrTiO3. Incipient ferroelectric CaTiO3 has been shown to become ferroelectric when strained with a combination of SHG and dielectric measurements. The tensorial nature of the induced nonlinear polarization allows for probing of the BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 polarization contributions in nanoscale BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices. In addition, nonlinear optics was used to demonstrate ferroelectricity in multiferroic EuTiO3. Finally, confocal SHG and Raman microscopy were utilized to visualize polar domains in incipient ferroelectric and ferroelastic CaTiO3.

Defect-Induced Hedgehog Polarization States in Multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Linze; Cheng, Xiaoxing; Jokisaari, Jacob R.; Gao, Peng; Britson, Jason; Adamo, Carolina; Heikes, Colin; Schlom, Darrell G.; Chen, Long-Qing; Pan, Xiaoqing

2018-03-01

Continuous developments in nanotechnology require new approaches to materials synthesis that can produce novel functional structures. Here, we show that nanoscale defects, such as nonstoichiometric nanoregions (NSNRs), can act as nano-building blocks for creating complex electrical polarization structures in the prototypical multiferroic BiFeO3 . An array of charged NSNRs are produced in BiFeO3 thin films by tuning the substrate temperature during film growth. Atomic-scale scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging reveals exotic polarization rotation patterns around these NSNRs. These polarization patterns resemble hedgehog or vortex topologies and can cause local changes in lattice symmetries leading to mixed-phase structures resembling the morphotropic phase boundary with high piezoelectricity. Phase-field simulations indicate that the observed polarization configurations are mainly induced by charged states at the NSNRs. Engineering defects thus may provide a new route for developing ferroelectric- or multiferroic-based nanodevices.

Sample-size resonance, ferromagnetic resonance and magneto-permittivity resonance in multiferroic nano-BiFeO3/paraffin composites at room temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Lei; Li, Zhenyu; Jiang, Jia; An, Taiyu; Qin, Hongwei; Hu, Jifan

2017-01-01

In the present work, we demonstrate that ferromagnetic resonance and magneto-permittivity resonance can be observed in appropriate microwave frequencies at room temperature for multiferroic nano-BiFeO 3 /paraffin composite sample with an appropriate sample-thickness (such as 2 mm). Ferromagnetic resonance originates from the room-temperature weak ferromagnetism of nano-BiFeO 3 . The observed magneto-permittivity resonance in multiferroic nano-BiFeO 3 is connected with the dynamic magnetoelectric coupling through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) magnetoelectric interaction or the combination of magnetostriction and piezoelectric effects. In addition, we experimentally observed the resonance of negative imaginary permeability for nano BiFeO 3 /paraffin toroidal samples with longer sample thicknesses D=3.7 and 4.9 mm. Such resonance of negative imaginary permeability belongs to sample-size resonance. - Highlights: • Nano-BiFeO 3 /paraffin composite shows a ferromagnetic resonance. • Nano-BiFeO 3 /paraffin composite shows a magneto-permittivity resonance. • Resonance of negative imaginary permeability in BiFeO 3 is a sample-size resonance. • Nano-BiFeO 3 /paraffin composite with large thickness shows a sample-size resonance.

SILAR deposited Bi2S3 thin film towards electrochemical supercapacitor

Science.gov (United States)

Raut, Shrikant S.; Dhobale, Jyotsna A.; Sankapal, Babasaheb R.

2017-03-01

Bi2S3 thin film electrode has been synthesized by simple and low cost successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method on stainless steel (SS) substrate at room temperature. The formation of interconnected nanoparticles with nanoporous surface morphology has been achieved and which is favourable to the supercapacitor applications. Electrochemical supercapacitive performance of Bi2S3 thin film electrode has been performed through cyclic voltammetry, charge-discharge and stability studies in aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. The Bi2S3 thin film electrode exhibits the specific capacitance of 289 Fg-1 at 5 mVs-1 scan rate in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte.

Growth and magnetic properties of multiferroic LaxBi1-xMnO3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Gajek, M.; Bibes, M.; Wyczisk, F.; Varela, M.; Fontcuberta, J.; Barthélémy, A.

2007-05-01

A comparative study of LaxBi1-xMnO3 thin films grown on SrTiO3 substrates is reported. It is shown that these films grow epitaxially in a narrow pressure-temperature range. A detailed structural and compositional characterization of the films is performed within the growth window. The structure and the magnetization of this system are investigated. We find a clear correlation between the magnetization and the unit-cell volume that we ascribe to Bi deficiency and the resultant introduction of a mixed valence on the Mn ions. On these grounds, we show that the reduced magnetization of LaxBi1-xMnO3 thin films compared to the bulk can be explained quantitatively by a simple model, taking into account the deviation from nominal composition and the Goodenough-Kanamori-Anderson rules of magnetic interactions.

Sample-size resonance, ferromagnetic resonance and magneto-permittivity resonance in multiferroic nano-BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin composites at room temperature

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Lei; Li, Zhenyu; Jiang, Jia; An, Taiyu; Qin, Hongwei; Hu, Jifan, E-mail: hujf@sdu.edu.cn

2017-01-01

In the present work, we demonstrate that ferromagnetic resonance and magneto-permittivity resonance can be observed in appropriate microwave frequencies at room temperature for multiferroic nano-BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin composite sample with an appropriate sample-thickness (such as 2 mm). Ferromagnetic resonance originates from the room-temperature weak ferromagnetism of nano-BiFeO{sub 3}. The observed magneto-permittivity resonance in multiferroic nano-BiFeO{sub 3} is connected with the dynamic magnetoelectric coupling through Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) magnetoelectric interaction or the combination of magnetostriction and piezoelectric effects. In addition, we experimentally observed the resonance of negative imaginary permeability for nano BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin toroidal samples with longer sample thicknesses D=3.7 and 4.9 mm. Such resonance of negative imaginary permeability belongs to sample-size resonance. - Highlights: • Nano-BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin composite shows a ferromagnetic resonance. • Nano-BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin composite shows a magneto-permittivity resonance. • Resonance of negative imaginary permeability in BiFeO{sub 3} is a sample-size resonance. • Nano-BiFeO{sub 3}/paraffin composite with large thickness shows a sample-size resonance.

Epitaxial growth and multiferroic properties of cation-engineered (Bi{sub 0.45}La{sub 0.05}Ba{sub 0.5})(Fe{sub 0.75}Nb{sub 0.25})O{sub 3} thin film on Ir-buffered (0 0 1) MgO substrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Paik, Hanjong [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853 (United States); Kim, Hyun-Suk [Department of Materials Engineering, Chungnam University, Daejeon 305-764 (Korea, Republic of); Hong, Jongin, E-mail: hongj@cau.ac.kr [Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756 (Korea, Republic of)

2015-04-15

Highlights: • Epitaxial (Bi{sub 0.45}La{sub 0.05}Ba{sub 0.5})(Fe{sub 0.75}Nb{sub 0.25})O{sub 3} thin film was grown on the Ir-buffered (0 0 1) MgO substrate by pulsed laser deposition. • Its ferroelectric polarization switching was investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy. • Its ferromagnetic hysteresis at room temperature and ferrimagnetic–ferromagnetic transition at low temperature were evaluated. • Artificial A- and B-site cation engineering would result in stable multiferroic properties at room temperature. - Abstract: An epitaxial (Bi{sub 0.45}La{sub 0.05}Ba{sub 0.5})(Fe{sub 0.75}Nb{sub 0.25})O{sub 3} (BLB-FNO) thin film was successfully grown on an Ir-buffered (0 0 1) MgO substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The “cube-on-cube” epitaxial relation, (0 0 1)[1 0 0] BLB-FNO//(0 0 1)[1 0 0] Ir//(0 0 1)[1 0 0] MgO, was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pole figures and cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The ferroelectric polarization switching of the BLB-FNO thin film was investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Its magnetic properties, such as ferromagnetic hysteresis at room temperature and possible magnetic transition at low temperature, were also evaluated. Accordingly, we successfully demonstrated that artificial A- and B-site cation engineering would allow for stable multiferroic properties at room temperature.

Study of multiferroic properties of Bi2Fe2WO9 ceramic for device application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jyoshna Rout

2016-09-01

Full Text Available The Bi2Fe2WO9 ceramic was prepared using a standard solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary analysis of X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of single-phase compound with orthorhombic crystal symmetry. The surface morphology of the material captured using scanning electron microscope (SEM exhibits formation of a densely packed microstructure. Comprehensive study of dielectric properties showed two anomalies at 200∘C and 450∘C: first one may be related to magnetic whereas second one may be related to ferroelectric phase transition. The field dependent magnetic study of the material shows the existence of small remnant magnetization (Mr of 0.052emμ/g at room temperature. The existence of magneto-electric (ME coupling coefficient along with above properties confirms multi-ferroic characteristics of the compound. Selected range temperature and frequency dependent electrical parameters (impedance, modulus, conductivity of the compound shows that electric properties are correlated to its microstructure. Detailed studies of frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggest that the material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law.

Electronic conduction in doped multiferroic BiFeO3

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Chan-Ho; Seidel, Jan; Kim, Sang-Yong; Gajek, M.; Yu, P.; Holcomb, M. B.; Martin, L. W.; Ramesh, R.; Chu, Y. H.

2009-03-01

Competition between multiple ground states, that are energetically similar, plays a key role in many interesting material properties and physical phenomena as for example in high-Tc superconductors (electron kinetic energy vs. electron-electron repulsion), colossal magnetoresistance (metallic state vs. charge ordered insulating state), and magnetically frustrated systems (spin-spin interactions). We are exploring the idea of similar competing phenomena in doped multiferroics by control of band-filling. In this paper we present systematic investigations of divalent Ca doping of ferroelectric BiFeO3 in terms of structural and electronic conduction properties as well as diffusion properties of oxygen vacancies.

Enhancement of photocurrents due to the oxidation of water and organic compounds at BiZn2VO6 particulate thin film electrodes by treatment with a TiCl4 solution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Haimei; Imanishi, Akihito; Yang Wensheng; Nakato, Yoshihiro

2010-01-01

Photocurrents due to water oxidation at BiZn 2 VO 6 (E g 2.4 eV) particulate thin film electrodes were largely enhanced by pre-treatment with an aqueous TiCl 4 solution. Photocurrents for BiZn 2 VO 6 electrodes with no TiCl 4 treatment were also enhanced by the addition of organic compounds such as methanol and trimethyl amine to the aqueous electrolyte. Interestingly, such enhanced photocurrents by organic compounds were further enhanced by the TiCl 4 pre-treatment. EDAX and SEM investigations showed the formation of a flock-like TiO 2 overlayer on BiZn 2 VO 6 particles after the TiCl 4 treatment. The photocurrent enhancement by the TiCl 4 pre-treatment is thus mainly attributed to the necking effect of the flock-like TiO 2 overlayer, which facilitates the transport of photogenerated electrons within the BiZn 2 VO 6 particulate thin film electrode.

Multiferroic magnetoelectric coupling effect of bilayer La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7/PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3 complex thin film

Science.gov (United States)

Liang, K.; Zhou, P.; Ma, Z. J.; Qi, Y. J.; Mei, Z. H.; Zhang, T. J.

2017-05-01

Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effect of 2-2-type ferromagnetic/ferroelectric bi-layer multiferroic epitaxial thin film (La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7/PbZr0.3Ti0.7O3, LSMO/PZT) on SrRuO3 (SRO) substrate is investigated systematically by using Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire (LGD) thermodynamic theory and modified constitutive equations. The calculating results clarify the detail relationships between ME coupling response and the residual strain, the volume fraction of constituent phases, the interface coupling coefficients, the magnetic field and the temperature. It also shows that improved ME coupling response can be modulated by these parameters. External magnetic fields (H1) induced ME coupling effect could be enhanced around Curie Temperature (Tc) of ferromagnetic phase and ME voltage coefficient (αE31) approaches a maximum at H1 ∼ 4.5 kOe near Tc. The remarkable variations of ME coupling response can be used to provide useful guidelines on the design of multifunctional devices.

Valence and magnetic state of transition-metal and rare-earth ions in single-crystal multiferroics RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (R = Y, Bi, Eu, Gd) from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kozakov, A.T. [Scientific-Research Institute of Physics at Southern Federal University, 194 Stachki, Rostov-na-Donu 344194 (Russian Federation); Kochur, A.G., E-mail: agk@rgups.ru [Rostov State University of Transport Communication, 2 Narodnogo Opolcheniya, Rostov-na-Donu 344038 (Russian Federation); Nikolsky, A.V.; Googlev, K.A.; Smotrakov, V.G.; Eremkin, V.V. [Scientific-Research Institute of Physics at Southern Federal University, 194 Stachki, Rostov-na-Donu 344194 (Russian Federation)

2011-11-15

Highlights: {yields} Single crystals RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (R = Y, Bi, Eu, Gd) and YMnO{sub 3} are grown. {yields} Core level XPS are measured and calculated with inclusion of temperature effect. {yields} Mn2p, Mn3s, R4s, and R4d (R = Eu, Gd) XPS are sensitive to valence and spin state. {yields} Paramagnetic moments per structural cell are estimated. - Abstract: Single crystals of orthorhombic multiferroics RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (R = Y, Bi, Eu, Gd), and of hexagonal manganite YMnO{sub 3} are grown. X-ray photoelectron spectra of the core levels of the Mn, Y, Bi, Eu, Gd, and O atoms in multiferroics are obtained at room temperature with the ESCALAB 250 microprobe system with monochromatization of the exciting X-ray radiation. X-ray photoelectron spectra of Mn2p, Mn3s, R4s, and R4d (R = Eu, Gd) levels are assigned based on one-configuration isolated-ion approximation calculations with taking the temperature effect into account. It is shown using the photoelectron spectroscopy methods that both Mn{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 4+} ions are present in orthorhombic multiferroics, while Eu and Gd are in trivalent state. Paramagnetic moments per structural unit are calculated and compared with those determined from our spectroscopic data and with the data from other authors.

Bi2O3 nanoparticles encapsulated in surface mounted metal-organic framework thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Guo, Wei; Chen, Zhi; Yang, Chengwu; Neumann, Tobias; Kübel, Christian; Wenzel, Wolfgang; Welle, Alexander; Pfleging, Wilhelm; Shekhah, Osama; Wöll, Christof; Redel, Engelbert

2016-03-01

We describe a novel procedure to fabricate a recyclable hybrid-photocatalyst based on Bi2O3@HKUST-1 MOF porous thin films. Bi2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized within HKUST-1 (or Cu3(BTC)2) surface-mounted metal-organic frame-works (SURMOFs) and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Bi2O3 semiconductor NPs (diameter 1-3 nm)/SURMOF heterostructures exhibit superior photo-efficiencies compared to NPs synthesized using conventional routes, as demonstrated via the photodegradation of the nuclear fast red (NFR) dye.We describe a novel procedure to fabricate a recyclable hybrid-photocatalyst based on Bi2O3@HKUST-1 MOF porous thin films. Bi2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized within HKUST-1 (or Cu3(BTC)2) surface-mounted metal-organic frame-works (SURMOFs) and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Bi2O3 semiconductor NPs (diameter 1-3 nm)/SURMOF heterostructures exhibit superior photo-efficiencies compared to NPs synthesized using conventional routes, as demonstrated via the photodegradation of the nuclear fast red (NFR) dye. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr00532b

Photocatalytic activity of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} heterojunctions: the facilitation of exposed facets of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} substrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yan, Long [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yulin University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Low Metamorphic Coal Clean Utilization, Yulin 71900 (China); School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yan’an University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Yan’an 716000 (China); Wang, Yufei [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yulin University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Low Metamorphic Coal Clean Utilization, Yulin 71900 (China); Shen, Huidong; Zhang, Yu [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yan’an University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Yan’an 716000 (China); Li, Jian [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yulin University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Low Metamorphic Coal Clean Utilization, Yulin 71900 (China); Wang, Danjun, E-mail: yulyanlong@aliyun.com [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yan’an University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Yan’an 716000 (China)

2017-01-30

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hybrids with exposed (020) Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} facets have been synthesized. • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that a small amount of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} was formed. • The enhanced photoactivity of hybrids is due to heterojunction and (020) facets. • A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism is proposed. - Abstract: Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hybrid architectures with exposed (020) Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} facets have been synthesized via a controlled anion exchange approach. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that a small amount of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} was formed on the surface of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} during the anion exchange process, thus leading to the transformation from the Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} to Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. A rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution was chosen as model organic pollutants to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of the Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalysts. Under visible light irradiation, the Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-TAA displayed the excellent visible light photoactivities compared with pure Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}, Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} and other composite photocatalysts. The efficient photocatalytic activity of the Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-TAA composite microspheres was ascribed to the constructed heterojunctions and the inner electric field caused by the exposed (020) Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} facets. Active species trapping experiments revealed that h{sup +} and O{sub 2}·{sup −} are the main active species in the photocatalytic process. Furthermore, the as-obtained photocatalysts showed good photocatalytic activity after four recycles. The results presented in this study provide a new concept for the rational design and development of highly efficient photocatalysts.

Electric modulation of conduction in multiferroic Ca-doped BiFeO3 films

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, C.-H.; Seidel, J.; Kim, S. Y.; Rossen, P. B.; Yu, P.; Gajek, M.; Chu, Y. H.; Martin, L. W.; Holcomb, M. B.; He, Q.; Maksymovych, P.; Balke, N.; Kalinin, S. V.; Baddorf, A. P.; Basu, S. R.; Scullin, M. L.; Ramesh, R.

2009-06-01

Many interesting materials phenomena such as the emergence of high-Tc superconductivity in the cuprates and colossal magnetoresistance in the manganites arise out of a doping-driven competition between energetically similar ground states. Doped multiferroics present a tantalizing evolution of this generic concept of phase competition. Here, we present the observation of an electronic conductor-insulator transition by control of band-filling in the model antiferromagnetic ferroelectric BiFeO3 through Ca doping. Application of electric field enables us to control and manipulate this electronic transition to the extent that a p-n junction can be created, erased and inverted in this material. A `dome-like' feature in the doping dependence of the ferroelectric transition is observed around a Ca concentration of ~1/8, where a new pseudo-tetragonal phase appears and the electric modulation of conduction is optimized. Possible mechanisms for the observed effects are discussed on the basis of the interplay of ionic and electronic conduction. This observation opens the door to merging magnetoelectrics and magnetoelectronics at room temperature by combining electronic conduction with electric and magnetic degrees of freedom already present in the multiferroic BiFeO3.

YIG: Bi2O3 Nanocomposite Thin Films for Magnetooptic and Microwave Applications

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. Nur-E-Alam

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Y3Fe5O12-Bi2O3 composite thin films are deposited onto Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG substrates and their annealing crystallization regimes are optimized (in terms of both process temperatures and durations to obtain high-quality thin film layers possessing magnetic properties attractive for a range of technological applications. The amount of bismuth oxide content introduced into these nanocomposite-type films is controlled by adjusting the RF power densities applied to both Y3Fe5O12 and Bi2O3 sputtering targets during the cosputtering deposition processes. The measured material properties of oven-annealed YIG-Bi2O3 films indicate that cosputtering of YIG-Bi2O3 composites can provide the flexibility of application-specific YIG layers fabrication of interest for several existing, emerging, and also frontier technologies. Experimental results demonstrate large specific Faraday rotation (of more than 1°/µm at 532 nm, achieved simultaneously with low optical losses in the visible range and very narrow peak-to-peak ferromagnetic resonance linewidth of around ΔHpp= 6.1 Oe at 9.77 GHz.

Multiferroic fluoride BaCoF4 Thin Films Grown Via Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Science.gov (United States)

Borisov, Pavel; Johnson, Trent; García-Castro, Camilo; Kc, Amit; Schrecongost, Dustin; Cen, Cheng; Romero, Aldo; Lederman, David

Multiferroic materials exhibit exciting physics related to the simultaneous presence of multiple long-range orders, in many cases consisting of antiferromagnetic (AF) and ferroelectric (FE) orderings. In order to provide a new, promising route for fluoride-based multiferroic material engineering, we grew multiferroic fluoride BaCoF4 in thin film form on Al2O3 (0001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. The films grow with the orthorhombic b-axis out-of-plane and with three in-plane structural twin domains along the polar c-axis directions. The FE ordering in thin films was verified by FE remanent hysteresis loops measurements at T = 14 K and by room temperature piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). An AF behavior was found below Neel temperature TN ~ 80 K, which is in agreement with the bulk properties. At lower temperatures two additional magnetic phase transitions at 19 K and 41 K were found. First-principles calculations demonstrated that the growth strain applied to the bulk BaCoF4 indeed favors two canted spin orders, along the b- and a-axes, respectively, in addition to the main AF spin order along the c-axis. Supported by FAME (Contract 2013-MA-2382), WV Research Challenge Grant (HEPC.dsr.12.29), and DMREF-NSF 1434897.

Origin of Ferrimagnetism and Ferroelectricity in Room-Temperature Multiferroic ɛ -Fe2O3

Science.gov (United States)

Xu, K.; Feng, J. S.; Liu, Z. P.; Xiang, H. J.

2018-04-01

Exploring and identifying room-temperature multiferroics is critical for developing better nonvolatile random-access memory devices. Recently, ɛ -Fe2O3 was found to be a promising room-temperature multiferroic with a large polarization and magnetization. However, the origin of the multiferroicity in ɛ -Fe2O3 is still puzzling. In this work, we perform density-functional-theory calculations to reveal that the spin frustration between tetrahedral-site Fe3 + spins gives rise to the unexpected ferrimagnetism. For the ferroelectricity, we identify a low-energy polarization switching path with an energy barrier of 85 meV /f .u . by performing a stochastic surface walking simulation. The switching of the ferroelectric polarization is achieved by swapping the tetrahedral Fe ion with the octahedral Fe ion, different from the usual case (e.g., in BaTiO3 and BiFeO3 ) where the coordination number remains unchanged after the switching. Our results not only confirm that ɛ -Fe2O3 is a promising room-temperature multiferroic but also provide guiding principles to design high-performance multiferroics.

Magnetic properties of nano-multiferroic materials

Science.gov (United States)

Ramam, Koduri; Diwakar, Bhagavathula S.; Varaprasad, Kokkarachedu; Swaminadham, Veluri; Reddy, Venu

2017-11-01

Latent magnetization in the multiferroics can be achieved via the structural distortion with respect to particle size and destroying the spiral spin structure, which plays the vital role in high-performance applications. In this investigation, multifunctional single phase Bi1-xLaxFe1-yCoyO3 nanomaterials were synthesized by co-precipitation technique. The chemical composition, phase genesis, morphology and thermal characteristics of the Bi1-xLaxFe1-yCoyO3 were studied by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDS, TEM and TGA. XRD studies confirmed single phase distorted rhombohedral structure in Bi1-xLaxFe1-yCoyO3. The novelty in magnetic behavior of the Bi0.85La0.15Fe0.75Co0.25O3 multiferroic at room temperature showed both ferro and anti-ferromagnetic nature with higher order remanent magnetization among other nanocomposites in this study. This magnetic anomaly in Bi0.85La0.15Fe0.75Co0.25O3 is due to doping and size effects on the crystal structure that leads to spin-orbit interactions. Besides, Bi0.85La0.15Fe0.75Co0.25O3 integrated graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite has shown the change in the magnetic hysteresis that indicates the effect of the semiconducting behavior of GO on the ordered magnetic moments in the multiferroic. This kind of magnetic anomaly could form advanced multiferroic devices.

Multiferroic properties of nanocrystalline BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0.0–0.15) perovskite ceramics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chaudhari, Yogesh [Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, Maharastra (India); Department of Physics, Shri. Pancham Khemaraj Mahavidyalaya, Sawantwadi 416510, Maharastra (India); Mahajan, Chandrashekhar M. [Department of Engineering Sciences and Humanities (DESH), Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune 411 016, Maharastra (India); Singh, Amrita [Magnetics and Advanced Ceramics Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 (India); Jagtap, Prashant [Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, Maharastra (India); Chatterjee, Ratnamala [Magnetics and Advanced Ceramics Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 (India); Bendre, Subhash, E-mail: bendrest@gmail.com [Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon 425001, Maharastra (India)

2015-12-01

Ni doped BiFeO{sub 3} (x=0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) nanocrystalline ceramics were synthesized by the solution combustion method (SCM) to obtain optimal multiferroic properties. The effect of Ni doping on structural, morphological, ferroelectric, magnetic and dielectric properties of BiFeO{sub 3} was studied. The structural investigations by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed that BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics have rhombhohedral perovskite structure. The ferroelectric hysteresis measurements for BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) compound at room temperature found to exhibit unsaturated behavior and presents partial reversal of polarization. The magnetic measurements demonstrated an enhancement of ferromagnetic property due to Ni doping in BiFeO{sub 3} when compared with undoped BiFeO{sub 3}. The variation of dielectric constant with temperature in BiFe{sub 0.9}Ni{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} and BiFe{sub 0.85}Ni{sub 0.15}O{sub 3} samples evidenced an apparent dielectric anomaly around 350 °C and 300 °C which corresponds to antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition of (T{sub N}) of BiFeO{sub 3}. The dependence of room temperature dielectric properties on frequency signifies that both dielectric constant (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ) are the strong function of frequency. The results show that solution combustion method leads to synthesis of an excellent and reproducible BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} multiferroic ceramics. - Highlights: • Synthesis of BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} (x=0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) multiferroic ceramics. • Solution Combustion Method (SCM). • Ferroelectric and dielectric properties of undoped and Ni doped BiFeO{sub 3} ceramics. • High temperature synthesis of BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} multiferroic ceramics. • First detailed report about SCM synthesized the BiFe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics.

Determination and analysis of the dispersive optical constants of the 5,5',6,6'-tetraphenyl-2,2'-bi([1,3]dithiolo[4,5-b][1,4]dithiinylidene)-DDQ complex thin film

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Atalay, Y.; Basoglu, A.; Avci, D.; Arslan, M.; Ozturk, T.; Ertas, E.

2008-01-01

The synthesis and optical properties of the 5,5',6,6'-tetraphenyl-2,2'-bi([1,3]dithiolo [4,5-b] [1,4]dithiinylidene)-2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) complex thin film were investigated by the optical characterization. The optical constants such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and absorption coefficient were determined using the transmittance T(λ) and reflectance R(λ) spectra and the refractive index dispersion was analyzed using single oscillator of Wemple-Didomenico model. The single oscillator energy E 0 and the dispersion energy E d were calculated. The effect of temperature on refractive dispersion and optical band gap E g is also discussed. As a result, the annealing temperatures have an important effect on refractive index of thin film

Phase relations and crystal structures in the systems (Bi,Ln)2WO6 and (Bi,Ln)2MoO6 (Ln=lanthanide)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berdonosov, Peter S.; Charkin, Dmitri O.; Knight, Kevin S.; Johnston, Karen E.; Goff, Richard J.; Dolgikh, Valeriy A.; Lightfoot, Philip

2006-01-01

Several outstanding aspects of phase behaviour in the systems (Bi,Ln) 2 WO 6 and (Bi,Ln) 2 MoO 6 (Ln=lanthanide) have been clarified. Detailed crystal structures, from Rietveld refinement of powder neutron diffraction data, are provided for Bi 1.8 La 0.2 WO 6 (L-Bi 2 WO 6 type) and BiLaWO 6 , BiNdWO 6 , Bi 0.7 Yb 1.3 WO 6 and Bi 0.7 Yb 1.3 WO 6 (all H-Bi 2 WO 6 type). Phase evolution within the solid solution Bi 2- x La x MoO 6 has been re-examined, and a crossover from γ(H)-Bi 2 MoO 6 type to γ-R 2 MoO 6 type is observed at x∼1.2. A preliminary X-ray Rietveld refinement of the line phase BiNdMoO 6 has confirmed the α-R 2 MoO 6 type structure, with a possible partial ordering of Bi/Nd over the three crystallographically distinct R sites. - Graphical abstract: A summary of phase relations in the lanthanide-doped bismuth tungstate and bismuth molybdate systems is presented, together with some additional structural data on several of these phases

Understanding the spin-driven polarizations in Bi MO3 (M = 3 d transition metals) multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Kc, Santosh; Lee, Jun Hee; Cooper, Valentino R.

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) , a promising multiferroic, stabilizes in a perovskite type rhombohedral crystal structure (space group R3c) at room temperature. Recently, it has been reported that in its ground state it possess a huge spin-driven polarization. To probe the underlying mechanism of this large spin-phonon response, we examine these couplings within other Bi based 3 d transition metal oxides Bi MO3 (M = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) using density functional theory. Our results demonstrate that this large spin-driven polarization is a consequence of symmetry breaking due to competition between ferroelectric distortions and anti-ferrodistortive octahedral rotations. Furthermore, we find a strong dependence of these enhanced spin-driven polarizations on the crystal structure; with the rhombohedral phase having the largest spin-induced atomic distortions along [111]. These results give us significant insights into the magneto-electric coupling in these materials which is essential to the magnetic and electric field control of electric polarization and magnetization in multiferroic based devices. Research is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering Division and the Office of Science Early Career Research Program (V.R.C) and used computational resources at NERSC.

Crystal Structure of AgBi2I7 Thin Films.

Science.gov (United States)

Xiao, Zewen; Meng, Weiwei; Mitzi, David B; Yan, Yanfa

2016-10-06

Synthesis of cubic-phase AgBi 2 I 7 iodobismuthate thin films and fabrication of air-stable Pb-free solar cells using the AgBi 2 I 7 absorber have recently been reported. On the basis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and nominal composition, it was suggested that the synthesized films have a cubic ThZr 2 H 7 crystal structure with AgBi 2 I 7 stoichiometry. Through careful examination of the proposed structure and computational evaluation of the phase stability and bandgap, we find that the reported "AgBi 2 I 7 " films cannot be forming with the ThZr 2 H 7 -type structure, but rather more likely adopt an Ag-deficient AgBiI 4 type. Both the experimental X-ray diffraction pattern and bandgap can be better explained by the AgBiI 4 structure. Additionally, the proposed AgBiI 4 structure, with octahedral bismuth coordination, removes unphysically short Bi-I bonding within the [BiI 8 ] hexahedra of the ThZr 2 I 7 model. Our results provide critical insights for assessing the photovoltaic properties of AgBi 2 I 7 iodobismuthate materials.

High resistance ratio of bipolar resistive switching in a multiferroic/high-K Bi(Fe0.95Cr0.05)O3/ZrO2/Pt heterostructure

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, B. W.; Miao, Jun; Han, J. Z.; Shao, F.; Yuan, J.; Meng, K. K.; Wu, Y.; Xu, X. G.; Jiang, Y.

2018-03-01

An novel heterostructure composed of multiferroic Bi(Fe0.95Cr0.05)O3 (BFCO) and high-K ZrO2 (ZO) layers is investigated. Ferroelectric and electrical properties of the BFZO/ZO heterostructure have been investigated. A pronounced bipolar ferroelectric resistive switching characteristic was achieved in the heterostructure at room temperature. Interestingly, the BFCO/ZO structures exhibit a reproducible resistive switching with a high On/Off resistance ratio ∼2×103 and long retention time. The relationship between polarization and band structure at the interface of BFCO/ZO bilayer under the positive and negative sweepings has been discussed. As a result, the BFCO/ZO multiferroic/high-K heterostructure with high On/Off resistance ratio and long retention characterizes, exhibits a potential in future nonvolatile memory application.

Effect of Al3+ substitution on the structural, magnetic, and electric properties in multiferroic Bi2Fe4O9 ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Huang, S.; Shi, L.R.; Tian, Z.M.; Yuan, S.L.; Zhu, C.M.; Gong, G.S.; Qiu, Y.

2015-01-01

Structural, magnetic, and electric properties have been investigated in polycrystalline Bi 2 (Fe 1−x Al x ) 4 O 9 (0≤x≤0.25) ceramics synthesized by a modified Pechini method. Structural analysis reveals that Al 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 crystallizes in orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. Surface morphology of the end products is examined by scanning electron microscopy and the grain size has a tendency to decrease with increase in Al 3+ doping level. Compared with pure Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 , room temperature coexistent multiferroic-like behavior is observed in Al 3+ doped Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 . By analyzing magnetic properties, the Néel temperature monotonously shifts to low temperatures from ~260 K (x=0) to ~35 K (x=0.25). Moreover, the spin dynamic measured by the shift in ac magnetic susceptibility as a function of frequency provides a possibility of spin-glass-like behavior, which is further confirmed by fitting the critical slowing down power law and memory effect. - Graphical abstract: Compared with pure Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 , room temperature weak ferromagnetic property and enhanced ferroelectric-like behavior can be achieved simultaneously with proper Al 3+ doping. - Highlights: • Bi 2 (Fe 1−x Al x ) 4 O 9 (0≤x≤0.25) ceramics are fabricated via a Pechini method. • Weak ferromagnetic and ferroelectric behaviors can be achieved simultaneously. • Spin-glass-like behavior is detected with proper Al 3+ doping. • The memory and aging effects are observed with proper Al 3+ doping

Enhancement of the chemical stability in confined δ-Bi2O3

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sanna, Simone; Esposito, Vincenzo; Andreasen, Jens Wenzel

2015-01-01

Bismuth-oxide-based materials are the building blocks for modern ferroelectrics1, multiferroics2, gas sensors3, light photocatalysts4 and fuel cells5,6. Although the cubic fluorite δ-phase of bismuth oxide (δ-Bi2O3) exhibits the highest conductivity of known solid-state oxygen ion conductors5, its...... instability prevents use at low temperature7–10. Here we demonstrate the possibility of stabilizing δ-Bi2O3 using highly coherent interfaces of alternating layers of Er2O3-stabilized δ-Bi2O3 and Gd2O3-doped CeO2. Remarkably, an exceptionally high chemical stability in reducing conditions and redox cycles...

BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films and devices: past, present and future

Science.gov (United States)

Sando, D.; Barthélémy, A.; Bibes, M.

2014-11-01

The celebrated renaissance of the multiferroics family over the past ten years has also been that of its most paradigmatic member, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3). Known since the 1960s to be a high temperature antiferromagnet and since the 1970s to be ferroelectric, BiFeO3 only had its bulk ferroic properties clarified in the mid-2000s. It is however the fabrication of BiFeO3 thin films and their integration into epitaxial oxide heterostructures that have fully revealed its extraordinarily broad palette of functionalities. Here we review the first decade of research on BiFeO3 films, restricting ourselves to epitaxial structures. We discuss how thickness and epitaxial strain influence not only the unit cell parameters, but also the crystal structure, illustrated for instance by the discovery of the so-called T-like phase of BiFeO3. We then present its ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties and their evolution near morphotropic phase boundaries. Magnetic properties and their modification by thickness and strain effects, as well as optical parameters, are covered. Finally, we highlight various types of devices based on BiFeO3 in electronics, spintronics, and optics, and provide perspectives for the development of further multifunctional devices for information technology and energy harvesting.

Heterojunction BiOI/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite with much enhanced photocatalytic activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, Wen Ting; Zheng, Yi Fan; Yin, Hao Yong; Song, Xu Chun

2015-01-01

BiOI/Bi 2 MoO 6 heterostructures with different amounts of BiOI were successfully prepared via a facile deposition method. The obtained BiOI/Bi 2 MoO 6 photocatalysts exhibited much higher visible light (λ > 420 nm) induced photocatalytic activity compared with single Bi 2 MoO 6 and BiOI photocatalysts. 20 % BiOI/Bi 2 MoO 6 nanocomposite exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with almost all RhB decomposed within 70 min. However, excess BiOI covering on the surface of Bi 2 MoO 6 can inversely reduce the photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activities could be resulted from the function of the novel p–n heterojunction interface between Bi 2 MoO 6 and BiOI, which could separate photoinduced carriers efficiently. Possible mechanisms on the basis of the relative band positions were also discussed

Pr and Gd co-doped bismuth ferrite thin films with enhanced ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

in Pr content, the crystal structures of BPGFO thin films retain rhombohedral (R3c) symmetry accompanied by structure distortion. ... Pr and Gd co-modified BiFeO3 thin film; ferroelectric properties; sol-gel. 1. Introduction. In recent years, great attention has been paid to single- phase BiFeO3 (BFO) multiferroic materials ...

Optical Diode Effect at Spin-Wave Excitations of the Room-Temperature Multiferroic BiFeO_{3}.

Science.gov (United States)

Kézsmárki, I; Nagel, U; Bordács, S; Fishman, R S; Lee, J H; Yi, Hee Taek; Cheong, S-W; Rõõm, T

2015-09-18

Multiferroics permit the magnetic control of the electric polarization and the electric control of the magnetization. These static magnetoelectric (ME) effects are of enormous interest: The ability to read and write a magnetic state current-free by an electric voltage would provide a huge technological advantage. Dynamic or optical ME effects are equally interesting, because they give rise to unidirectional light propagation as recently observed in low-temperature multiferroics. This phenomenon, if realized at room temperature, would allow the development of optical diodes which transmit unpolarized light in one, but not in the opposite, direction. Here, we report strong unidirectional transmission in the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO_{3} over the gigahertz-terahertz frequency range. The supporting theory attributes the observed unidirectional transmission to the spin-current-driven dynamic ME effect. These findings are an important step toward the realization of optical diodes, supplemented by the ability to switch the transmission direction with a magnetic or electric field.

Coulomb-Gas scaling law for a superconducting Bi(2+y)Sr(2-x-y)La(x)CuO(6+delta) thin films in magnetic fields

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang; Deltour; Zhao

2000-10-16

The electrical transport properties of epitaxial superconducting Bi(2+y)Sr(2-x-y)La(x)CuO(6+delta) thin films have been studied in magnetic fields. Using a modified Coulomb-gas scaling law, we can fit all the magnetic field dependent low resistance data with a universal scaling curve, which allows us to determine a relation between the activation energy of the thermally activated flux flow resistance and the characteristic temperature scaling parameters.

Synthesis of chemically bonded BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} microspheres with exposed (0 2 0) Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} facets and their enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ma, Yongchao [Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109 (China); Chen, Zhiwei [School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255049 (China); Qu, Dan [Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109 (China); Shi, Jinsheng, E-mail: jsshiqn@aliyun.com [Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109 (China)

2016-01-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composites were prepared via a controlled anion exchange method. • The shell of composites was composed of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} sheets with exposed (0 2 0) facets. • The BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composites showed efficient photocatalytic activity. • A possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism is proposed. - Abstract: Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} photocatalysts has been extensively studied for its photocatalytic activity. However, few works have been conducted on hierarchical Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composite photocatalysts with specifically exposed facets. In this work, we report a facile method to synthesize BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical composite microspheres. Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanosheets with specifically exposed (0 2 0) facet were directly formed on the surface of BiOCl precursor microspheres via a controlled anion exchange route between BiOCl and Na{sub 2}WO{sub 4}. The visible-light photocatalytic activity of the BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} heterojunction with exposed (0 2 0) facets (denoted as BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}) was investigated by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The experimental results indicated that the BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composite microsphere with intimate interfacial contacts exhibited improved efficiency for RhB photodegradation in comparison with pure BiOCl and Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composite microsphere also shows high photocatalytic activity for degradation of CIP under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of BiOCl@Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-020 hierarchical microspheres can be ascribed to the improved visible light harvesting ability, high charge separation and transfer. This work will make significant contributions toward the exploration of novel heterostructures with high potential in photocatalytic applications.

Dopant rearrangement and superconductivity in Bi2Sr2-xLaxCuO6 thin films under annealing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cancellieri, C; Lin, P H; Ariosa, D; Pavuna, D

2007-01-01

By combining x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and AC susceptibility measurements we investigate the evolution of structural and superconducting properties of La-doped Bi-2201 thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) under different annealing conditions. We find that the main effect of oxygen annealing is to improve the crystal coherence by enabling La cation migration to the Sr sites. This activates the desired hole doping. Short-time Ar annealing removes the interstitial oxygen between the BiO layers, fine adjusting the effective hole doping. The superconducting critical temperature is consequently enhanced. However, longer annealings result in phase separation and segregation of the homologous compound Bi-1201. We attribute this effect to the loss of Bi during the annealing

Evidence for surface-generated photocurrent in (Bi,Sb)2Se3and(Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Pan, Yu; Richardella, Anthony; Yao, Bing; Lee, Joon Sue; Flanagan, Thomas; Kandala, Abhinav; Samarth, Nitin; Yeats, Andrew; Mintun, Peter; Awschalom, David

2015-03-01

Illumination with circularly polarized light is known produce a helicity-dependent photocurrent in topological insulators such as Bi2Se3 [e.g. Nature Nanotech. 7, 96 (2012)]. However, the exact origin of this effect is still unclear since it is observed with photons well above the bulk band gap. We report measurements of the polarization-dependent photocurrent in a series of (Bi,Sb)2Se3 thin films with different carrier concentrations and find that the photocurrent is enhanced as we increase the population of the surface states. This finding is supported by a study of helicity-dependent photocurrents in back-gated (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films, where the chemical potential is varied electrostatically. By illuminating our samples at different wavelengths, we show that the helicity-dependent photocurrent is enhanced when the photon energy approaches the energy difference between the lowest and first excited (unoccupied) topological surface states. This leads us to attribute the helicity-dependent photocurrent in topological insulators to optical excitations between these two spin-textured surface states. We will also discuss experiments imaging the spatial variation of these helicity-dependent photocurrents. This work is supported by ONR.

Engineering Nano-Structured Multiferroic Thin Films

Science.gov (United States)

Cheung, Pui Lam

Multiferroics exhibit remarkable tunabilities in their ferromagnetic, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric properties that provide the potential in enabling the control of magnetizations by electric field for the next generation non-volatile memories, antennas and motors. In recent research and developments in integrating single-phase ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials, multiferroic composite demonstrated a promising magnetoelectric (ME) coupling for future applications. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, on the other hand, allows fabrications of complex multiferroic nanostructures to investigate interfacial coupling between the two materials. In this work, radical-enhanced ALD of cobalt ferrite (CFO) and thermal ALD of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) were combined in fabricating complex multiferroic architectures in investigating the effect of nanostructuring and magnetic shape anisotropy on improving ME coupling. In particular, 1D CFO nanotubes and nanowires; 0D-3D CFO/PZT mesoporous composite; and 1D-1D CFO/PZT core-shell nanowire composite were studied. The potential implementation of nanostructured multiferroic composites into functioning devices was assessed by quantifying the converse ME coupling coefficient. The synthesis of 1D CFO nanostructures was realized by ALD of CFO in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. This work provided a simple and inexpensive route to create parallel and high aspect ratio ( 55) magnetic nanostructures. The change in magnetic easy axis of (partially filled) CFO nanotubes from perpendicular to parallel in (fully-filled) nanowires indicated the significance of the geometric factor in controlling magnetizations and ME coupling. The 0D-3D CFO/PZT mesoporous composite demonstrated the optimizations of the strain transfer could be achieved by precise thickness control. 100 nm of mesoporous PZT was synthesized on Pt/TiOx/SiO2/Si using amphiphilic diblock copolymers as a porous ferroelectric template (10 nm pore diameter) for

Magnetization manipulation in multiferroic devices.

Science.gov (United States)

Gajek, Martin; Martin, Lane; Hao Chu, Ying; Huijben, Mark; Barry, Micky; Ramesh, Ramamoorthy

2008-03-01

Controlling magnetization by purely electrical means is a a central topic in spintronics. A very recent route towards this goal is to exploit the coupling between multiple ferroic orders which coexist in multiferroic materials. BiFeO3 (BFO) displays antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric orderings at room temperature and can thus be used as an electrically controllable pinning layer for a ferromagnetic electrode. Furthermore BFO remains ferroelectric down to 2nm and can therefore be integrated as a tunnel barrier in MTJ's. We will describe these two architecture schemes and report on our progresses towards the control of magnetization via the multiferroic layer in those structures.

Synthesis of BiFeO3 thin films on single-terminated Nb : SrTiO3 (111 substrates by intermittent microwave assisted hydrothermal method

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ivan Velasco-Davalos

2016-06-01

Full Text Available We report on a simple and fast procedure to create arrays of atomically flat terraces on single crystal SrTiO3 (111 substrates and the deposition of ferroelectric BiFeO3 thin films on such single-terminated surfaces. A microwave-assisted hydrothermal method in deionized water and ammonia solution selectively removes either (SrO34− or Ti4+ layers to ensure the same chemical termination on all terraces. Measured step heights of 0.225 nm (d111 and uniform contrast in the phase image of the terraces confirm the single termination in pure and Nb doped SrTiO3 single crystal substrates. Multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films were then deposited by the same microwave assisted hydrothermal process on Nb : SrTiO3 (111 substrates. Bi(NO33 and Fe(NO33 along with KOH served as the precursors solution. Ferroelectric behavior of the BiFeO3 films on Nb : SrTiO3 (100 substrates was verified by piezoresponse force microscopy.

Ultrathin Limit of Exchange Bias Coupling at Oxide Multiferroic/Ferromagnetic Interfaces

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Huijben, Mark; Yu, P.; Martin, L.W.; Molegraaf, Hajo; Chu, Y.H.; Holcomb, M.B.; Balke, N.; Rijnders, Augustinus J.H.M.; Ramesh, R.

2013-01-01

Exchange bias coupling at the multiferroic- ferromagnetic interface in BiFeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructures exhibits a critical thickness for ultrathin BiFeO3 layers of 5 unit cells (2 nm). Linear dichroism measurements demonstrate the dependence on the BiFeO3 layer thickness with a strong

Excitation of spin waves in BiFeO3 multiferroic film by the slot line transducer

Science.gov (United States)

Korneev, V. I.; Popkov, A. F.; Solov'yov, S. V.

2018-01-01

Analysis of the efficiency of magnetoelectric excitation of spin-waves in BiFeO3 multiferroic films by a slot line is performed based on the solution of dynamic Ginzburg-Landau equations for the antiferromagnetic vector. The excitation efficiency is determined by the magnitude of the conversion coefficient of the electromagnetic wave to the spin wave by the slot line transducer or in other words, losses on conversion in the slot line. Calculations are made for a homogeneous antiferromagnetic state of the multiferroic in the presence of a sufficiently large magnetic field and for a spatially modulated spin state (SMSS) at zero magnetic field. It is shown that in the case of a homogeneous antiferromagnetic state, the losses on the excitation of spin waves exceed the excitation efficiency in the SMSS state; however, as the frequency approaches the spin excitation gap, it falls and becomes lower than in the SMSS state. Spin wave excitation in the presence of antiferromagnetic cycloid strongly depends on the relation of the slot width of the transducer to the cycloid periodicity and on the magnitude of the shift of the position of the transducer along the cycloid on its period. The usage of multiferroics for delay lines in the considered frequency range from 100 to 600 GHz requires significant reduction in conversion and propagation losses. More promising seems multiferroic usage in phase shifters and switches for this range.

At last! The single-crystal X-ray structure of a naturally occurring sample of the ilmenite-type oxide FeCrO3.

Science.gov (United States)

Pérez-Cruz, María Ana; Elizalde-González, María de la Paz; Escudero, Roberto; Bernès, Sylvain; Silva-González, Rutilo; Reyes-Ortega, Yasmi

2015-10-01

A natural single crystal of the ferrimagnetic oxide FeCrO3, which was found in an opencast mine situated in the San Luis Potosí State in Mexico, has been characterized in order to elucidate some outstanding issues about the actual structure of this material. The single-crystal X-ray analysis unambiguously shows that transition metal cations are segregated in alternating layers normal to the threefold crystallographic axis, affording a structure isomorphous to that of ilmenite (FeTiO3), in the space group R3̅. The possible occurrence of cation antisite and vacancy defects is below the limit of detection available from X-ray data. Structural and magnetic results are in agreement with the coherent slow intergrowth of magnetic phases provided by the two antiferromagnetic corundum-type parent oxides Fe2O3 (hematite) and Cr2O3 (eskolaite). Our results are consistent with the most recent density functional theory (DFT) studies carried out on digital FeCrO3 [Sadat Nabi & Pentcheva (2011). Phys. Rev. B, 83, 214424], and suggest that synthetic samples of FeCrO3 might present a cation distribution different to that of the ilmenite structural type.

Investigation on synthesis of Bi-based thin films on flat sputter-deposited Ag film by melting process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Su Yanjing; Satoh, Yoshimasa; Arisawa, Shunichi; Awane, Toru; Fukuyo, Akihiro; Takano, Yoshihiko; Ishii, Akira; Hatano, Takeshi; Togano, Kazumasa

2003-01-01

We report on the fabrication of ribbon-like thin films on flat sputter-deposited Ag films whose surface smoothness remained within the order of tens of nm. It was found that the addition of Pb to the starting material improves the wettability of molten phase and facilitates the growth of Bi-2212 ribbon-like thin films on a flat Ag substrate, and that the increase of Ca and Cu in starting material suppresses the intergrowth of the Bi-2201 phase in ribbon-like thin films. By using (Bi,Pb)-2246 powders, with nominal composition of Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sr 1.6 Ca 3.2 Cu 4.8 O y , as the starting material, the superconducting Bi-2212 ribbon-like thin films with an onset T c at 74 K on a very flat Ag substrate were successfully synthesized. Additionally, the growth mechanism of ribbon-like thin films on flat Ag substrate was investigated by in situ high temperature microscope observation

High photocatalytic performance of BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} toward toluene and Reactive Brilliant Red

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li Huiquan [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuyang Normal College, Fuyang 236041 (China); Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanotechnology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Cui Yumin, E-mail: cuiyumin0908@163.com [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuyang Normal College, Fuyang 236041 (China); Hong Wenshan [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuyang Normal College, Fuyang 236041 (China)

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: When BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalyst was exposed to UV or visible light, the electrons in the valence band of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} would be excited into the conduction band and then injected into the more positive conduction band of BiOI. Therefore, the photoelectrons were generated from Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} and transferred across the interface between BiOI and Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} to the surface of BiOI, leaving the photogenerated holes in the valence band of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. In this way, the photoinduced electron-hole pairs were effectively separated. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BiOI sensitized Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalysts were successfully prepared by a facile method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 13.2% BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalyst exhibits higher photoactivities than P25. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A possible transfer process of photogenerated carriers was proposed. - Abstract: BiOI sensitized nano-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} photocatalysts with different BiOI contents were successfully synthesized by a facile deposition method at room temperature, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements. The photocatalytic activity of BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} was evaluated by the photo-degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red (X-3B) in suspended solution and toluene in gas phase. It has been shown that the BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalysts exhibit a coexistence of both tetragonal BiOI and orthorhombic Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} phases. With increasing BiOI content, the absorption intensity of BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalysts increases in the 380-600 nm region and the absorption edge shifts significantly to longer wavelengths as compared to pure Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The 13.2% BiOI/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} catalyst exhibits

Effects of magnetic annealing on structure and multiferroic properties of pure and dysprosium substituted BiFeO 3

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Shuxia; Yao, Yingbang; Chen, Yao; Wang, Dongliang; Zhang, Xianping; Awaji, Satoshi; Watanabe, Kazuo; Ma, Yanwei

2012-01-01

In this work, the effects of magnetic annealing on crystal structure and multiferroic properties of BiFeO 3 and Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 have been investigated. It is found that the X-ray diffraction patterns of pure BiFeO 3 samples are obviously broadened after magnetic annealing, whereas those of Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 samples are almost unchanged. Magnetic field annealing did not affect the magnetic properties of these two kinds of samples much. However, ferroelectric properties of the two materials exhibited different behaviors after magnetic field annealing. For pure BiFeO 3 samples, the remnant polarizations (P r) are suppressed; in contrast, for Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 samples, P r is greatly enhanced. Possible mechanisms for the effects of magnetic field annealing have been discussed. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of magnetic annealing on structure and multiferroic properties of pure and dysprosium substituted BiFeO 3

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Shuxia

2012-07-01

In this work, the effects of magnetic annealing on crystal structure and multiferroic properties of BiFeO 3 and Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 have been investigated. It is found that the X-ray diffraction patterns of pure BiFeO 3 samples are obviously broadened after magnetic annealing, whereas those of Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 samples are almost unchanged. Magnetic field annealing did not affect the magnetic properties of these two kinds of samples much. However, ferroelectric properties of the two materials exhibited different behaviors after magnetic field annealing. For pure BiFeO 3 samples, the remnant polarizations (P r) are suppressed; in contrast, for Bi 0.85Dy 0.15FeO 3 samples, P r is greatly enhanced. Possible mechanisms for the effects of magnetic field annealing have been discussed. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy of the Ba atomic layer deposition on the ceramic multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Benemanskaya, G.V., E-mail: galina.benemanskaya@mail.ioffe.ru [Ioffe Institute, Politekhnicheskaya str. 26, St. Petersburg, 194021 (Russian Federation); Dementev, P.A.; Lapushkin, M.N. [Ioffe Institute, Politekhnicheskaya str. 26, St. Petersburg, 194021 (Russian Federation); Timoshnev, S.N. [St Petersburg Academic University, Khlopina str.8/3, St. Petersburg, 194021 (Russian Federation); Senkovskiy, B. [Helmholts-Zentrum Berlin, Elektronenspeicherring BESSY II, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 15, D-12489 Berlin (Germany)

2017-04-01

Highlights: • Ba/BiFeO{sub 3} interface was studied by X-ray synchrotron- photoemission spectroscopy. • Ba adsorption is found to modify the Bi 4f, O 1s and Fe 2p core level spectra. • Ba induced charge transfer causes increasing in Bi-valency and O-ionicity. • Ba adsorption results in increasing the amount of Fe{sup 2+} ions in the surface region. - Abstract: Electronic structure of the ceramic multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} and the Ba/BiFeO{sub 3} nanointerface is investigated in situ in an ultrahigh vacuum by synchrotron-based photoemission spectroscopy with the excited photon energy from 120 eV to 900 eV. The Bi 4f, O 1s, Fe 2p, and Ba 5p core-levels spectra are studied. The Ba atomic layer deposition is found to induce a significant change in spectra that is originated from the charge transfer between Ba adatoms and Bi, O surface atoms with increasing the Bi-valency and O-ionicity. The Fe 2p{sub 3/2} core level spectrum for the clean BiFeO{sub 3} is shown to contain both the Fe{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 3+} ion components with the atomic ratio of Fe{sup 2+}/Fe{sup 3+} ∼1. The Ba adsorption is found to increase the ratio up to ∼1.5. This new effect is clearly caused by recharge between Fe{sup 3+} ↔ Fe{sup 2+} ions with increasing the amount of Fe{sup 2+} ions.

Density functional study of BiSbTeSe{sub 2} topological insulator thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mohammadpourrad, Zahra; Abolhassani, Mohammadreza [Department of Physics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2017-08-15

In this work, using density functional theory calculations, we have investigated the band topology of bulk BiSbTeSe{sub 2} and its thin film electronic properties in several thicknesses. It is one member of the quaternary compounds Bi{sub 2-x}Sb{sub x}Te{sub 3-y}Se{sub y} (BSTS) with the best intrinsic bulk insulating behavior. Based on our calculations we have found that a band inversion at Γ-point is induced when spin-orbit coupling is turned on, with an energy gap of about 0.318 eV. The film thickness has an effect on the surface states such that a gap opens at Dirac point in 6 quintuple-layers film and with decrease in thickness, the magnitude of the gap increases. The atomic contributions have been mapped out for the first few layers of thin films to demonstrate the surface states. The relative charge density has been calculated layer-wise and the penetration depth of the surface states into the bulk region is found to be about 2.5-3.5 quintuple layers, depending on the termination species of thin films. (copyright 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Composition-driven magnetic and structural phase transitions in Bi1-xPrxFe1-xMnxO3 multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Khomchenko, V. A.; Ivanov, M. S.; Karpinsky, D. V.; Paixão, J. A.

2017-09-01

Magnetic ferroelectrics continue to attract much attention as promising multifunctional materials. Among them, BiFeO3 is distinguished by exceptionally high transition temperatures and, thus, is considered as a prototype room-temperature multiferroic. Since its properties are known to be strongly affected by chemical substitution, recognition of the doping-related factors determining the multiferroic behavior of the material would pave the way towards designing the structures with enhanced magnetoelectric functionality. In this paper, we report on the crystal structure and magnetic and local ferroelectric properties of the Bi1-xPrxFe1-xMnxO3 (x ≤ 0.3) compounds prepared by a solid state reaction method. The polar R3c structure specific to the parent BiFeO3 has been found to be unstable with respect to doping for x ≳ 0.1. Depending on the Pr/Mn concentration, either the antipolar PbZrO3-like or nonpolar PrMnO3-type structure can be observed. It has been shown that the non-ferroelectric compounds are weak ferromagnetic with the remanent/spontaneous magnetization linearly decreasing with an increase in x. The samples containing the polar R3c phase exhibit a mixed antiferromagnetic/weak ferromagnetic behavior. The origin of the magnetic phase separation taking place in the ferroelectric phase is discussed as related to the local, doping-introduced structural heterogeneity contributing to the suppression of the cycloidal antiferromagnetic ordering characteristic of the pure BiFeO3.

Effects of Na incorporation and plasma treatment on Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} ultra-thin layers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moreno-Garcia, H., E-mail: hamog@ier.unam.mx [Laboratorio de Espectroscopía, Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 48-3, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico); Messina, S. [Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Ciudad de la Cultura “Amado Nervo” S/N, C.P. 63155 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico); Calixto-Rodriguez, M. [Universidad Tecnológica Emiliano Zapata del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad Tecnológica No. 1, C.P. 62760 Emiliano Zapata, Morelos (Mexico); Martínez, H. [Laboratorio de Espectroscopía, Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 48-3, 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico)

2016-04-01

As-deposited bismuth sulfide thin films prepared by means of a chemical bath deposition were treated with argon AC plasma. In this paper, we present the results on the physical modifications which were observed when a pre-treatment, containing a solution of 1 M sodium hydroxide, was applied to the glass substrates before depositing the bismuth sulfide. The bismuth sulfide thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV–VIS, and electrical measurements. The XRD analysis demonstrated an enhancement in the crystalline properties, as well as an increment in the crystal size. The energy band gap value was calculated as 1.60 eV. Changes in photoconductivity (σ{sub p}) values were also observed due to the pre-treatment in NaOH. A value of σ{sub p} = 6.2 × 10{sup −6} (Ω cm){sup −1} was found for samples grown on substrates without pre-treatment, and a value of σ{sub p} = 0.28 (Ω cm){sup −1} for samples grown on substrates with pre-treatment. Such σ{sub p} values are optimal for the improvement of solar cells based on Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films as absorber material. - Highlights: • We report our findings about Na incorporation and plasma treatment on Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin layers. • The Na pre-treatment improves the structural and electrical properties of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} films. • The E{sub g} value was 1.60 eV for films with pre-treatment with NaOH and treatment in Ar plasma.

Interfacial effects on the electrical properties of multiferroic BiFeO3/Pt/Si thin film heterostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yakovlev, S.; Zekonyte, J.; Solterbeck, C.-H.; Es-Souni, M.

2005-01-01

Polycrystalline BiFeO 3 thin films of various thickness were fabricated on (111)Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates via chemical solution deposition. The electrical properties were investigated using impedance and leakage current measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with Ar ion milling (depth profiling) was used to investigate elemental distribution near the electrode-film interface. It is shown that the dielectric constant depends on film thickness due to the presence of an interfacial film-electrode layer evidenced by XPS investigation. Direct current conductivity is found to be governed by Schottky and/or Poole-Frenkel mechanisms

Electronic structure of multiferroic BiFeO3 by resonant soft-x-ray emission spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Higuchi, Tohru; Higuchi, T.; Liu, Y.-S.; Yao, P.; Glans, P.-A.; Guo, Jinghua; Chang, C.; Wu, Z.; Sakamoto, W.; Itoh, N.; Shimura, T.; Yogo, T.; Hattori, T.

2008-07-11

The electronic structure of multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} has been studied using soft-X-ray emission spectroscopy. The fluorescence spectra exhibit that the valence band is mainly composed of O 2p state hybridized with Fe 3d state. The band gap corresponding to the energy separation between the top of the O 2p valence band and the bottom of the Fe 3d conduction band is 1.3 eV. The soft-X-ray Raman scattering reflects the features due to charge transfer transition from O 2p valence band to Fe 3d conduction band. These findings are similar to the result of electronic structure calculation by density functional theory within the local spin-density approximation that included the effect of Coulomb repulsion between localized d states.

Tunnel junctions with multiferroic barriers

Science.gov (United States)

Gajek, Martin; Bibes, Manuel; Fusil, Stéphane; Bouzehouane, Karim; Fontcuberta, Josep; Barthélémy, Agnès; Fert, Albert

2007-04-01

Multiferroics are singular materials that can exhibit simultaneously electric and magnetic orders. Some are ferroelectric and ferromagnetic and provide the opportunity to encode information in electric polarization and magnetization to obtain four logic states. However, such materials are rare and schemes allowing a simple electrical readout of these states have not been demonstrated in the same device. Here, we show that films of La0.1Bi0.9MnO3 (LBMO) are ferromagnetic and ferroelectric, and retain both ferroic properties down to a thickness of 2nm. We have integrated such ultrathin multiferroic films as barriers in spin-filter-type tunnel junctions that exploit the magnetic and ferroelectric degrees of freedom of LBMO. Whereas ferromagnetism permits read operations reminiscent of magnetic random access memories (MRAM), the electrical switching evokes a ferroelectric RAM write operation. Significantly, our device does not require the destructive ferroelectric readout, and therefore represents an advance over the original four-state memory concept based on multiferroics.

First principles studies of multiferroic materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Picozzi, Silvia; Ederer, Claude

2009-01-01

Multiferroics, materials where spontaneous long-range magnetic and dipolar orders coexist, represent an attractive class of compounds, which combine rich and fascinating fundamental physics with a technologically appealing potential for applications in the general area of spintronics. Ab initio calculations have significantly contributed to recent progress in this area, by elucidating different mechanisms for multiferroicity and providing essential information on various compounds where these effects are manifestly at play. In particular, here we present examples of density-functional theory investigations for two main classes of materials: (a) multiferroics where ferroelectricity is driven by hybridization or purely structural effects, with BiFeO 3 as the prototype material, and (b) multiferroics where ferroelectricity is driven by correlation effects and is strongly linked to electronic degrees of freedom such as spin-, charge-, or orbital-ordering, with rare-earth manganites as prototypes. As for the first class of multiferroics, first principles calculations are shown to provide an accurate qualitative and quantitative description of the physics in BiFeO 3 , ranging from the prediction of large ferroelectric polarization and weak ferromagnetism, over the effect of epitaxial strain, to the identification of possible scenarios for coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic order. For the second class of multiferroics, ab initio calculations have shown that, in those cases where spin-ordering breaks inversion symmetry (e.g. in antiferromagnetic E-type HoMnO 3 ), the magnetically induced ferroelectric polarization can be as large as a few μC cm -2 . The examples presented point the way to several possible avenues for future research: on the technological side, first principles simulations can contribute to a rational materials design, aimed at identifying spintronic materials that exhibit ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at or above room temperature. On the

Growth and structure of thermally evaporated Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rogacheva, E.I., E-mail: rogacheva@kpi.kharkov.ua [National Technical University “Kharkov Polytechnic Institute”, 21 Frunze St., Kharkov 61002 (Ukraine); Budnik, A.V. [National Technical University “Kharkov Polytechnic Institute”, 21 Frunze St., Kharkov 61002 (Ukraine); Dobrotvorskaya, M.V.; Fedorov, A.G.; Krivonogov, S.I.; Mateychenko, P.V. [Institute for Single Crystals of NAS of Ukraine, 60 Lenin Prospect, Kharkov 61001 (Ukraine); Nashchekina, O.N.; Sipatov, A.Yu. [National Technical University “Kharkov Polytechnic Institute”, 21 Frunze St., Kharkov 61002 (Ukraine)

2016-08-01

The growth mechanism, microstructure, and crystal structure of the polycrystalline n-Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films with thicknesses d = 15–350 nm, prepared by thermal evaporation in vacuum onto glass substrates, were studied. Bismuth telluride with Te excess was used as the initial material for the thin film preparation. The thin film characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scan electron microscopy, and electron force microscopy. It was established that the chemical composition of the prepared films corresponded rather well to the starting material composition and the films did not contain any phases apart from Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3}. It was shown that the grain size and the film roughness increased with increasing film thickness. The preferential growth direction changed from [00l] to [015] under increasing d. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that the thickness of the oxidized surface layer did not exceed 1.5–2.0 nm and practically did not change in the process of aging at room temperature, which is in agreement with the results reported earlier for single crystals. The obtained data show that using simple and inexpensive method of thermal evaporation in vacuum and appropriate technological parameters, one can grow n-Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films of a sufficiently high quality. - Highlights: • The polycrystalline n-Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films were grown thermal evaporation onto glass. • The growth mechanism and film structure were studied by different structure methods. • The grain size and film roughness increased with increasing film thickness. • The growth direction changes from [00l] to [015] under film thickness increasing. • The oxidized layer thickness (1–2 nm) did not change under aging at room temperature.

Exchange coupling in permalloy/BiFeO3 heterostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Heron, John; Wang, Chen; Carlton, David; Nowakowski, Mark; Gajek, Martin; Awschalom, David; Bokor, Jeff; Ralph, Dan; Ramesh, R.

2010-03-01

BiFeO3 is a ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic multiferroic with the ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic order parameters coupled at room temperature. This coupling results in the reorientation of the ferroelectric and magnetic domains as applied voltages switch the electric polarization. Previous studies using ferromagnet/BiFeO3 heterostructures have shown that the anisotropy of the ferromagnetic layer can be tuned by the ferroelectric domain structure of the BiFeO3 film [1, 2]. The physical mechanism driving this exchange bias with BiFeO3 is still under investigation. We use patterned permalloy structures, with varying aspect ratios, on BiFeO3 thin films to investigate the physics of this interaction. The results of our studies using MFM, PEEM, and MOKE to understand this mechanism as a means to electric field control of magnetic structures will be presented. [4pt] [1] H. Bea et al., Physical Review Letters 100, 017204 (2008).[0pt] [2] L.W. Martin et al., Nanoletters 8, 2050 (2008).

Synthesis, microstructure and properties of BiFeO3-based multiferroic materials: A review

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bernardo, M. S.

2014-02-01

Full Text Available BiFeO3-based materials are currently one of the most studied multiferroics due to their possible applications at room temperature. However, among the large number of published papers there is much controversy. For example, possibility of synthesizing a pure BiFeO3 phase is still source of discussion in literature. Not even the nature of the binary Bi2O3-Fe2O3 diagram has been clarified yet. The difficulty in controlling the formation of parasite phases reaches the consolidation step. Accordingly, the sintering conditions must be carefully determined both to get dense materials and to avoid bismuth ferrite decomposition. However, the precise conditions to attain dense bismuth ferrite materials are frequently contradictory among different works. As a consequence, the reported properties habitually result opposed and highly irreproducible hampering the preparation of BiFeO3 materials suitable for practical applications. In this context, the purpose of the present review is to summarize the main researches regarding BiFeO3 synthesis, microstructure and properties in order to provide an easier understanding of these materials.Los materiales basados en BiFeO3 son en la actualidad uno de los multiferroicos más estudiados debido a sus posibles aplicaciones a temperatura ambiente. Sin embargo, entre la multitud de trabajos publicados referentes a estos materiales existe mucha controversia. Por ejemplo, la posibilidad de sintetizar una fase BiFeO3 pura es aún objeto de discusión en la bibliografía y la naturaleza de los diagramas de fases del sistema Bi2O3-Fe2O3 aún no está clara. La dificultad para controlar las fases parásitas se extiende al proceso de consolidación por lo que las condiciones de sinterización deben ser cuidadosamente controladas para obtener materiales densos y al mismo tiempo evitar la descomposición de la ferrita. No obstante, las condiciones precisas para obtener materiales densos de BiFeO3 son frecuentemente

Synthesis and crystal structure of Bi6.4Pb0.6P2O15.2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arumugam, N.; Lynch, V.; Steinfink, H.

2007-01-01

Bi 6.4 Pb 0.6 P 2 O 15.2 is a polymorph of structures with the general stoichiometry Bi 6+x M 1-x P 2 O 15+y . However, unlike previously published structures that consist of layers formed by edge sharing OBi 4 tetrahedra bridged by PO 4 and TO 6 (T=transition metal) tetrahedra and octahedra the title compound's structure is more complex. It is monoclinic, C2, a=19.4698(4) A, b=11.3692(3) A, c=16.3809(5) A, β=101.167(1) o , Z=10. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were refined by least squares on F 2 converging to R 1 =0.0387, wR 2 =0.0836 for 7023 intensities. The crystal twins by mirror reflection across (001) as the twin plane and twin component 1 equals 0.74(1). Oxygen ions are in tetrahedral coordination to four metal ions and the O(BiPb) 4 units share corners to form layers that are part of the three-dimensional framework. Eight oxygen ions form a cube around the two crystallographically independent Pb ions. Pb-O bond lengths vary from 2.265(14) to 2.869(14) A. Pairs of such cubes share an edge to form a Pb 3 O 20 unit. The two oxygen ions from the unshared edges are part of irregular Bi polyhedra. Other oxygen ions of Bi polyhedra are part only of O(BiPb) 4 units, and some oxygen ions of the polyhedra are also part of PO 4 tetrahedra. One, two, three and or four PO 4 moieties are connected to the Bi polyhedra. Bi-O bond lengths ≤3.1 A vary from 2.090(12) to 3.07(3) A. The articulations of Pb cubes, Bi polyhedra and PO 4 tetrahedra link into the three-dimensional structure. - Graphical abstract: View of the structure of Bi 6.4 Pb 0.6 P 2 O 15.2 parallel to the b-axis

Weak magnetism of Aurivillius-type multiferroic thin films probed by polarized neutron reflectivity

Science.gov (United States)

Zhai, Xiaofang; Grutter, Alexander J.; Yun, Yu; Cui, Zhangzhang; Lu, Yalin

2018-04-01

Unambiguous magnetic characterization of room-temperature multiferroic materials remains challenging due in part to the difficulty of distinguishing their very weak ferromagnetism from magnetic impurity phases and other contaminants. In this study, we used polarized neutron reflectivity to probe the magnetization of B i6FeCoT i3O18 and LaB i5FeCoT i3O18 in their epitaxial thin films while eliminating a variety of impurity contributions. Our results show that LaB i5FeCoT i3O18 exhibits a magnetization of about 0.016 ±0.027 μB/Fe -Co pair at room temperature, while the B i6FeCoT i3O18 thin film only exhibits a weak magnetic moment below room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of 0.049 ±0.015 μB/Fe -Co pair at 50 K. This polarized-neutron-reflectivity study places an upper magnetization limit on the matrix material of the magnetically doped Aurivillius oxides and helps to clarify the true mechanism behind the room-temperature magnetic performance.

Improved photoelectrochemical performance of BiVO4/MoO3 heterostructure thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Kodan, Nisha; Mehta, B. R.

2018-05-01

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) and Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) thin films have been prepared by RF sputtering technique. BiVO4 thin films were deposited on indium doped tin oxide (In: SnO2; ITO) substrates at room temperature and 80W applied rf power. The prepared BiVO4 thin films were further annealed at 450°C for 2 hours in air to obtain crystalline monoclinic phase and successively coated with MoO3 thin films deposited at 150W rf power and 400°C for 30 minutes. The effect of coupling BiVO4 and MoO3 on the structural, optical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties have been studied. Optical studies reveal that coupling of BiVO4 and MoO3 results in improvement of optical absorption in visible region of solar spectrum. PEC study shows approximate 3-fold and 38-fold increment in photocurrent values of BiVO4/MoO3 (0.38 mA/cm2) heterostructure thin film as compared to MoO3 (0.15 mA/cm2) and BiVO4 (10 µA/cm2) thin films at applied bias of 1 V vs Ag/AgCl in 0.5 M Na2SO4 (pH=7) electrolyte.

Impedance spectroscopy and ferromagnetic properties of Bi{sub 0.8}Gd{sub 0.2}FeO{sub 3} multiferroics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tian, Yahui [School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Xue, Fei [Center of Collaboration and Innovation, Jiangxi University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330098 (China); Fu, Qiuyun, E-mail: fuqy@mail.hust.edu.cn [School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China); Zhou, Dongxiang; Hu, Yunxiang; Zhou, Ling; Zheng, Zhiping; Xin, Zengnian [School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2017-08-01

Highlights: • BGFO ceramics exhibited high density, strong ferroelectricity, and good magnetism. • BGFO ceramics exhibited typical relaxor behavior. • There are different conductivity mechanisms at different temperatures for BGFO. - Abstract: Multiferroic Bi{sub 0.8}Gd{sub 0.2}FeO{sub 3} (BGFO) ceramics were prepared by a rapid-liquid phase sintering process. BGFO ceramics can be sintered at a sintering temperature range of 875 °C–940 °C and shown a pure orthorhombic (space group, Pnma) structure. The crystal symmetry and lattice parameters were determined from the Rietveld analysis for the experimental data. BGFO ceramics sintered at 900 °C exhibited high theoretical relative density (∼98%), strong ferroelectricity and good magnetism. BGFO ceramics exhibited the similar dielectric relaxation properties to the typical relaxor ferroelectrics. The role of oxygen vacancies at high temperature in dielectric and ac conductivity behavior was also discussed. The diffusing of structure defects between the grain and grain boundary was established using Impedance Spectroscopy (IS).

Physical properties of chemically deposited Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films using two post-deposition treatments

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moreno-García, H., E-mail: hamog@ier.unam.mx [Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Laboratorio de espectroscopia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 48-3, C.P. 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico); Messina, S. [Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Ciudad de la Cultura “Amado Nervo” S/N, C.P. 63155 Tepic, Nayarit (Mexico); Calixto-Rodriguez, M. [Universidad Tecnológica Emiliano Zapata del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad Tecnológica No. 1, C.P. 62760 Emiliano Zapata, Morelos (Mexico); Martínez, H. [Instituto de Ciencias Físicas, Laboratorio de espectroscopia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 48-3, C.P. 62210 Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico)

2014-08-30

Highlights: • The post-deposition treatment by Ar plasma is a viable alternative to enhance the optical, electrical, morphological and structural properties of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} semiconductor thin films. • The plasma treatment avoids the loss in thickness of the chemically deposited Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films. • The E{sub g} values were 1.60 eV for the thermally annealed samples and 1.56 eV for the Ar plasma treated samples. • The highest value obtained for the electrical conductivity was 7.7 × 10{sup −2} (Ω cm){sup −1} in plasma treated samples. - Abstract: As-deposited bismuth sulfide (Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3}) thin films prepared by chemical bath deposition technique were treated with thermal annealed in air atmosphere and argon AC plasma. The as-deposited, thermally annealing and plasma treatment Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, atomic force microscopy analysis (AFM), transmission, specular reflectance and electrical measurements. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the films are compared. The XRD analysis showed that both post-deposition treatments, transform the thin films from amorphous to a crystalline phase. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement showed a reduction of roughness for the films treated in plasma. The energy band gap value of the as-prepared film was E{sub g} = 1.61 eV, while for the film thermally annealed was E{sub g} = 1.60 eV and E{sub g} = 1.56 eV for film treated with Plasma. The electrical conductivity under illumination of the as-prepared films was 3.6 × 10{sup −5} (Ω cm){sup −1}, whereas the conductivity value for the thermally annealed films was 2.0 × 10{sup −3} (Ω cm){sup −1} and for the plasma treated films the electrical conductivity increases up to 7.7 × 10{sup −2} (Ω cm){sup −1}.

Experimental evidence of enhanced ferroelectricity in Ca doped BiFeO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Costa, L.V.; Deus, R.C. [Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Av. Dr. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Bairro Portal das Colinas, CEP 12516-410 Guaratinguetá, SP (Brazil); Foschini, C.R.; Longo, E. [Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Faculdade de Engenharia de Bauru, Dept. de Eng. Mecânica, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo C. Coube 14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP (Brazil); Cilense, M. [Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Instituto de Química – Laboratório Interdisciplinar em Cerâmica (LIEC), Rua Professor Francisco Degni s/n, 14800-90 Araraquara, SP (Brazil); Simões, A.Z., E-mail: alezipo@yahoo.com [Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Faculdade de Engenharia de Guaratinguetá, Av. Dr. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha, 333, Bairro Portal das Colinas, CEP 12516-410 Guaratinguetá, SP (Brazil)

2014-04-01

Calcium (Ca)-doped bismuth ferrite (BiFeO{sub 3}) thin films prepared by using the polymeric precursor method (PPM) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), polarization and piezoelectric measurements. Structural studies by XRD and TEM reveal the co-existence of distorted rhombohedral and tetragonal phases in the highest doped BiFeO{sub 3} where enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are produced by internal strain. Resistive switching is observed in BFO and Ca-doped BFO which are affected by the barrier contact and work function of multiferroic materials and Pt electrodes. A high coercive field in the hysteresis loop is observed for the BiFeO{sub 3} film. Piezoelectric properties are improved in the highest Ca-doped sample due to changes in the crystal structure of BFO for a primitive cubic perovskite lattice with four-fold symmetry and a large tetragonal distortion within the crystal domain. This observation introduces magnetoelectronics at room temperature by combining electronic conduction with electric and magnetic degrees of freedom which are already present in the multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3}. - Highlights: • Ca doped BiFeO{sub 3} thin films were obtained by the polymeric precursor method. • Co-existence of distorted rhombohedral and tetragonal phases are evident. • Enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are produced by the internal strain in the Ca doped BiFeO{sub 3} film.

Structural phase transition and multiferroic properties of Bi0.8A0.2Fe0.8Mn0.2O3 (A = Ca, Sr)

Science.gov (United States)

Rout, Jyoshna; Choudhary, R. N. P.

2018-05-01

The multiferroic BiFeO3 and Bi0.8A0.2Fe0.8Mn0.2O3 (A = Ca, Sr) have been synthesized using direct mechanosynthesis. Detailed investigations were made on the influence of Ca-Mn and Sr-Mn co-substitutions on the structure change, electric and magnetic properties of the BFO. Rietveld refinement on the XRD pattern of the modified samples clarifies the structural transition from R3c:H (parent BiFeO3) to the biphasic structure (R3c: H + Pnma). Scanning electron micrographs confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the materials and each of the microstructure comprised of uniformly distributed grains with less porosity. The dielectric measurements reveal that enhancement in dielectric properties due to the reduction of oxygen vacancies by substitutional ions. Studies of frequency-dependence of impedance and related parameters exhibit that the electrical properties of the materials are strongly dependent on temperature, and bear a good correlation with its microstructure. The bulk resistance (evaluated from impedance studies) is found to decrease with increasing temperature for all the samples. The alternating current (ac) conductivity spectra show a typical signature of an ionic conducting system, and are found to obey Jonscher's universal power law. Preliminary studies of magnetic characteristics of the samples reveal enhanced magnetization for Ca-Mn co-substituted sample. The magnetoelectric coefficient as the function of applied dc magnetizing field under fixed ac magnetic field 15.368 Oe is measured and this ME coefficient αME corresponds to induction of polarization by a magnetic field.

Enhanced multiferroic properties in (1–y)BiFeO{sub 3}–yNi{sub 0.50}Cu{sub 0.05}Zn{sub 0.45}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} composites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mazumdar, S.C. [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh); Department of Physics, Comilla University, Comilla (Bangladesh); Khan, M.N.I. [Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh); Islam, Md. Fakhrul [Department of Glass and Ceramic Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh); Hossain, A.K.M. Akther, E-mail: akmhossain@phy.buet.ac.bd [Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000 (Bangladesh)

2015-09-15

Multiferroic composites (1–y)BiFeO{sub 3}–yNi{sub 0.50}Cu{sub 0.05}Zn{sub 0.45}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (y=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) are synthesized by the standard solid state reaction method. The X-ray diffraction analysis affirms the formation of both the component phases and also reveals that there is no chemical reaction between them. From the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy study it is observed that the percentage of the elements in the component phases is well consistent with the nominal composition of the composites. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis shows almost homogeneous mixture of the two phases. The real part of the initial permeability increases (up to 67%) and the loss decreases with the ferrite content in the composites which is important in application point of view. Dielectric constant (ε′), loss tangent and AC conductivity are measured as a function of frequency at room temperature. The highest ε′ is obtained for 0.6BiFeO{sub 3}–0.4Ni{sub 0.50}Cu{sub 0.05}Zn{sub 0.45}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} composite. The dielectric dispersion at lower frequency (<10{sup 5} Hz) is due to the interfacial polarization. The complex impedance spectroscopy is used to correlate between the electrical properties of the studied samples with their microstructures. Two semicircular arcs corresponding to both grain and grain boundary contribution to electrical properties have been observed in all the studied samples. The maximum magnetoelectric voltage coefficient is found to be ∼38 mV cm{sup −1} Oe{sup −1} for the composite with 80% ferroelectric+20% ferrite phases. The present composite might be a promising candidate as multiferroic materials showing effective electric and magnetic properties. - Highlights: • XRD shows coexistance of ferroelectric and ferrimagnetic phases and no third phase. • The multiferroic composites show enhanced initial permeability and low loss. • Dielectric constant exhibits excellent high frequency stability

Properties of SrBi2Nb2O9 thin films on Pt-coated Si

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Avila, R.E.; Navarro, P.O.; Martin, V. del C.; Fernandez, L.M.; Sylvester, G.; Retuert, P.J.; Gramsch, E.

2002-01-01

SrBi 2 Nb 2 O 9 powders and thin films, on Pt-coated Si, were synthesised by the sol-gel method. Three-layer thin films appear homogeneous down to the 100 nm scale, polycrystalline in the tetragonal Aurivillius phase, at a average thickness of 40 nm per layer. The index of refraction at the center of the visible range increases with the sintering temperature from roughly 2.1 (at 400 Centigrade) to 2.5 (at 700 Centigrade). The expression n 2 -1 increases linearly with the relative density of the thin films, in similar fashion as previous studies in PbTiO 3 thin films. The dielectric constant in quasistatic and high frequency (1 MHz) modes, is between 160 and 230. (Author)

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of Bi0.8A0.2FeO3 (A = La, Ca, Sr, Ba multiferroics using neutron diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Manisha Rangi

2014-08-01

Full Text Available Bi0.8A0.2FeO3 (A = La, Ca, Sr, Ba multiferroics were studied using x-ray, neutron diffraction and magnetization techniques. All the samples crystallized in rhombohedral structure with space group R3c. The compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic (AFM ordering at 300 K and no evidence of further structural or magnetic transition was observed on lowering of temperature below it. The magnetic structure of these substituted compounds are found to be collinear G-type AFM structure as against the non collinear incommensurate magnetic structure reported in the case of parent compound. The moments on Fe at 6 K are aligned along the a-axis in the case of Ca-doped sample. With increase in the ionic radii of dopant, the moments are found to be aligned in the ac plane and the angle of tilt away from the a-axis increases. The observed change in the magnetic structure with substitution is attributed to the intrinsic structural distortion as evidenced by the change in the bond angle (Fe-O-Fe and bond distances (Bi-O, Fe-O. It has been found that heterovalent substitution A2+ results in the formation of oxygen vacancies in the parent lattices as the possibility of Fe4+ ruled out by Mössbauer spectra recorded at room temperature. Higher value of remnant magnetization (0.4187 emu/g and coercivity (4.7554kOe is observed in Bi0.8Ba0.2FeO3 sample in comparison to other substituted samples revealing a strong correlation between ionic radii and magnetization.

A novel perovskite oxide chemically designed to show multiferroic phase boundary with room-temperature magnetoelectricity

Science.gov (United States)

Fernández-Posada, Carmen M.; Castro, Alicia; Kiat, Jean-Michel; Porcher, Florence; Peña, Octavio; Algueró, Miguel; Amorín, Harvey

2016-09-01

There is a growing activity in the search of novel single-phase multiferroics that could finally provide distinctive magnetoelectric responses at room temperature, for they would enable a range of potentially disruptive technologies, making use of the ability of controlling polarization with a magnetic field or magnetism with an electric one (for example, voltage-tunable spintronic devices, uncooled magnetic sensors and the long-searched magnetoelectric memory). A very promising novel material concept could be to make use of phase-change phenomena at structural instabilities of a multiferroic state. Indeed, large phase-change magnetoelectric response has been anticipated by a first-principles investigation of the perovskite BiFeO3-BiCoO3 solid solution, specifically at its morphotropic phase boundary between multiferroic polymorphs of rhombohedral and tetragonal symmetries. Here, we report a novel perovskite oxide that belongs to the BiFeO3-BiMnO3-PbTiO3 ternary system, chemically designed to present such multiferroic phase boundary with enhanced ferroelectricity and canted ferromagnetism, which shows distinctive room-temperature magnetoelectric responses.

Photoreduction of non-noble metal Bi on the surface of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Xiaojing [State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8, Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu 610500 (China); The Center of New Energy Materials and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8, Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu 610500 (China); Yu, Shan; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Qian [The Center of New Energy Materials and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8, Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu 610500 (China); Zhou, Ying, E-mail: yzhou@swpu.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8, Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu 610500 (China); The Center of New Energy Materials and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8, Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu 610500 (China)

2017-02-28

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi composite was synthesized by in situ photoreduction of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi exhibits improved photocatalytic efficiency towards degradation of Rhodamine B. • The generation of elemental Bi in Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi induces vacancy and structure distortion of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. • The surface oxygen adsorption mode changes from hydroxyl group on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} to molecular oxygen on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi. - Abstract: In this report, Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi composite was prepared through an in situ photoreduction method and was characterized systematically by X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The as-prepared Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi maintains the same crystal structure with the pristine Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} regardless of some surface defects. Nevertheless, these surface defects result in the change of surface oxygen adsorption mode from hydroxyl to molecular oxygen on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. Photocatalytic activity over Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi is 2.4 times higher than that of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} towards the degradation of organic dye Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). A deep study shows that cleavage of benzene ring is the main pathway for RhB degradation over Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}, but both the benzene cleavage and de-ethylation pathway coexist for RhB decomposition in the presence of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi as the photocatalyst. Photoelectrochemical study including transient photocurrent tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements shows that Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-Bi could facilitate the charge transfer process compared to Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. These data above has indicated a new insight into the promotion mechanism based on Bi related heterostructures.

Bi-epitaxial YBa2Cu3Ox Thin Films on Tilted-axes NdGaO3 Substrates with CeO2 Seeding Layer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mozhaev, P B; Mozhaeva, J E; Jacobsen, C S; Hansen, J Bindslev; Bdikin, I K; Luzanov, V A; Kotelyanskii, I M; Zybtsev, S G

2006-01-01

Bi-epitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (YBCO) thin films with out-of-plane tilt angle in the range 18 - 27 0 were manufactured using pulsed laser deposition on NdGaO 3 tilted-axes substrates with CeO 2 seeding layers. The YBCO thin film orientation over the seeding layer depended on deposition conditions. Removal of the seeding layer from part of the substrate surface by ionbeam etching resulted in formation of a bi-epitaxial thin film with different c-axis orientation of two parts of the film. The bi-epitaxial film orientation and structure were studied using X-ray diffraction techniques, and surface morphology was observed with atomic force microscope (AFM). Photolithography and ion-beam etching techniques were used for patterning bi-epitaxial thin films. Electrical characterization of the obtained structures was performed

Synthesis of BiFeO{sub 3} thin films on single-terminated Nb : SrTiO{sub 3} (111) substrates by intermittent microwave assisted hydrothermal method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Velasco-Davalos, Ivan; Ambriz-Vargas, Fabian; Kolhatkar, Gitanjali; Thomas, Reji, E-mail: ruediger@emt.inrs.ca, E-mail: reji.thomas@emt.inrs.ca; Ruediger, Andreas, E-mail: ruediger@emt.inrs.ca, E-mail: reji.thomas@emt.inrs.ca [Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, INRS, 1650 Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X1S2 (Canada)

2016-06-15

We report on a simple and fast procedure to create arrays of atomically flat terraces on single crystal SrTiO{sub 3} (111) substrates and the deposition of ferroelectric BiFeO{sub 3} thin films on such single-terminated surfaces. A microwave-assisted hydrothermal method in deionized water and ammonia solution selectively removes either (SrO{sub 3}){sup 4−} or Ti{sup 4+} layers to ensure the same chemical termination on all terraces. Measured step heights of 0.225 nm (d{sub 111}) and uniform contrast in the phase image of the terraces confirm the single termination in pure and Nb doped SrTiO{sub 3} single crystal substrates. Multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} thin films were then deposited by the same microwave assisted hydrothermal process on Nb : SrTiO{sub 3} (111) substrates. Bi(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} and Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} along with KOH served as the precursors solution. Ferroelectric behavior of the BiFeO{sub 3} films on Nb : SrTiO{sub 3} (100) substrates was verified by piezoresponse force microscopy.

TOPICAL REVIEW: First principles studies of multiferroic materials

Science.gov (United States)

Picozzi, Silvia; Ederer, Claude

2009-07-01

Multiferroics, materials where spontaneous long-range magnetic and dipolar orders coexist, represent an attractive class of compounds, which combine rich and fascinating fundamental physics with a technologically appealing potential for applications in the general area of spintronics. Ab initio calculations have significantly contributed to recent progress in this area, by elucidating different mechanisms for multiferroicity and providing essential information on various compounds where these effects are manifestly at play. In particular, here we present examples of density-functional theory investigations for two main classes of materials: (a) multiferroics where ferroelectricity is driven by hybridization or purely structural effects, with BiFeO3 as the prototype material, and (b) multiferroics where ferroelectricity is driven by correlation effects and is strongly linked to electronic degrees of freedom such as spin-, charge-, or orbital-ordering, with rare-earth manganites as prototypes. As for the first class of multiferroics, first principles calculations are shown to provide an accurate qualitative and quantitative description of the physics in BiFeO3, ranging from the prediction of large ferroelectric polarization and weak ferromagnetism, over the effect of epitaxial strain, to the identification of possible scenarios for coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic order. For the second class of multiferroics, ab initio calculations have shown that, in those cases where spin-ordering breaks inversion symmetry (e.g. in antiferromagnetic E-type HoMnO3), the magnetically induced ferroelectric polarization can be as large as a few µC cm-2. The examples presented point the way to several possible avenues for future research: on the technological side, first principles simulations can contribute to a rational materials design, aimed at identifying spintronic materials that exhibit ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at or above room temperature. On the

Theoretical study of the multiferroic properties in M-doped (M=Co, Cr, Mg) ZnO thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bahoosh, S.G. [Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, Weinberg 2, 06120 Halle (Germany); Apostolov, A.T. [University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Faculty of Hydrotechnics, Department of Physics, 1, Hristo Smirnenski Blvd., 1046 Sofia (Bulgaria); Apostolova, I.N. [University of Forestry, Faculty of Forest Industry, 10, Kl. Ohridsky Blvd., 1756 Sofia (Bulgaria); Trimper, S. [Institute of Physics, Martin-Luther-University, D-06099 Halle (Germany); Wesselinowa, Julia M. [University of Sofia, Department of Physics, Blvd. J. Bouchier 5, 1164 Sofia (Bulgaria)

2015-01-01

The origin of multiferroism is still an open problem in ZnO. We propose a microscopic model to clarify the occurrence of multiferroism in this material. Using Green's function technique we study the influence of ion doping and size effects on the magnetization and polarization of ZnO thin films. The calculations for magnetic Co- and Cr-ions are based on the s–d model, the transverse Ising model in terms of pseudo-spins and a biquadratic magnetoelectric coupling, whereas in case of nonmagnetic Mg-ions the model takes into account the Coulomb interaction and an indirect coupling between the pseudo-spins via the conduction electrons. We show that the magnetization M exhibits a maximum for a fixed concentration of the doping ions. Furthermore M increases with decreasing film thickness N. The polarization increases with increasing concentration of the dopant and decreasing N. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data. - Highlights: • The paper analyzes the multiferroic properties of doped ZnO thin films by a microscopic model. • The magnetization exhibits a maximum at a fixed doping concentration. • The polarization increases with growing dopant concentration. • The ferroelectric transition temperature is enhanced for increasing dopant concentration.

Study of the circular photo-galvanic effect in electrically gated (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Pan, Yu; Pillsbury, Timothy; Richardella, Anthony; Flanagan, Thomas; Samarth, Nitin

Illumination with circularly polarized light is known to produce a helicity dependent photocurrent in topological insulators such as Bi2Se3 [Nature Nanotech. 7, 96 (2012)]. Symmetry considerations suggest that this ``circular photo-galvanic effect'' (CPGE) arises purely from the surface. However, whether or not the CPGE is directly related to optical excitations from the helical surface states is still under debate. To clarify the origin of the CPGE, we first compare the helicity dependent photocurrent in intrinsic (Bi,Sb)2Te3 to Cr doped (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films in which the Dirac surface states are perturbed by magnetic coupling. Secondly, we discuss the tunable CPGE in electrically gated (Bi,Sb)2Te3 thin films excited by optical excitations at different wavelengths. The dependence on the chemical potential and the photon energy of the excitation unveils the origin of the CPGE. Funded by ONR.

Sintering time effect on crystal structure and magnetic properties of Bi{sub 0.8}La{sub 0.2}FeO{sub 3} multiferroics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Ompal, E-mail: om19901990@gmail.com; Agarwal, Ashish; Sanghi, Sujata; Singh, Jogender [Department of Applied Physics Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar – 125001 (Haryana) (India)

2016-05-06

Effect of sintering time over the structure and magnetic properties has been studied in Bi{sub 0.8}La{sub 0.2}FeO{sub 3} multiferroic ceramics prepared by solid state reaction technique. The structure changes with the advent mixed phase rhombohedral and orthorhombic symmetry to immaculate orthorhombic structure with sintering time from 2 to 3 hour, as revealed by means of the simulation of XRD patterns via Rietveld analysis through FullProf software. The M – H plots depict decent enhancement in magnetization with values of remnant magnetization (Mr) from 0.01868emu/g to 0.09357emu/g while the sintering time is varied from 2 to 3 hour. The metamagnetic transition may be attributed to the crumpling of the modulated spin cycloid existing inherently in the pristine compound. The presented study may have considerable impact in commercial as well as advanced electronic applications.

Photoelectrochemical solar cells based on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}; Celdas solares fotoelectroquimicas basadas en Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Madriz, Lorean; Tata, Jose; Cuartas, Veronica; Cuellar, Alejandra; Vargas, Ronald, E-mail: lmadriz@usb.ve [Departamento de Quimica, Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of)

2014-04-15

In this study, photoelectrochemical solar cells based on bismuth tungstate electrodes were evaluated. Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. For comparison, solar cells based on TiO{sub 2} semiconductor electrodes were evaluated. Photoelectrochemical response of Grätzel-type solar cells based on these semiconductors and their corresponding sensitization with two inexpensive phthalocyanines dyes were determined. Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-based solar cells presented higher values of photocurrent and efficiency than those obtained with TiO{sub 2} electrodes, even without sensitization. These results portray solar cells based on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} as promising devices for solar energy conversion owing to lower cost of production and ease of acquisition. (author)

Magnetic Field Control of Cycloidal Domains and Electric Polarization in Multiferroic BiFeO3

Science.gov (United States)

Bordács, S.; Farkas, D. G.; White, J. S.; Cubitt, R.; DeBeer-Schmitt, L.; Ito, T.; Kézsmárki, I.

2018-04-01

The magnetic field induced rearrangement of the cycloidal spin structure in ferroelectric monodomain single crystals of the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO3 is studied using small-angle neutron scattering. The cycloid propagation vectors are observed to rotate when magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the rhombohedral (polar) axis exceed a pinning threshold value of ˜5 T . In light of these experimental results, a phenomenological model is proposed that captures the rearrangement of the cycloidal domains, and we revisit the microscopic origin of the magnetoelectric effect. A new coupling between the magnetic anisotropy and the polarization is proposed that explains the recently discovered magnetoelectric polarization perpendicular to the rhombohedral axis.

Lead palladium titanate: A room-temperature multiferroic

Science.gov (United States)

Gradauskaite, Elzbieta; Gardner, Jonathan; Smith, Rebecca M.; Morrison, Finlay D.; Lee, Stephen L.; Katiyar, Ram S.; Scott, James F.

2017-09-01

There have been a large number of papers on bismuth ferrite (BiFe O3 ) over the past few years, trying to exploit its room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroic properties. Although these are attractive, BiFe O3 is not the ideal multiferroic due to weak magnetization and the difficulty in limiting leakage currents. Thus there is an ongoing search for alternatives, including such materials as gallium ferrite (GaFe O3 ). In the present work we report a comprehensive study of the perovskite PbT i1 -xP dxO3 with 0 2 , and P d3Pb . The work is remarkable in two ways: Pd is difficult to substitute into A B O3 perovskite oxides (where it might be useful for catalysis), and Pd is magnetic under only unusual conditions (under strain or internal electric fields).

Electrical and optical properties of thin films with a SnS{sub 2} - Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} alloy grown by sulphurization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dussan, A; Mesa, F; Gordillo, G [Departamento de Fisica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota Cr.30 No 45-03 (Colombia); Botero, M, E-mail: ggordillog@unal.edu.c, E-mail: adussanc@unal.edu.c [Departamento de Fisica, Universidad Central, Bogota Cr.5 No 21A-03 (Colombia)

2009-05-01

In this work, thin films of SnS{sub 2} with increased Bi content were grown by sulphurization of a thin film of Sn:Bi alloy, at temperatures around 300{sup 0}C. The effect of the Bi concentration on the optical, electrical and structural properties was determined through measurements of spectral transmittance, conductivity and x-ray diffraction XRD respectively. It was found that the optical constants (refractive index n, absorption coefficient alpha and energy gap Eg) and the electrical conductivity are significantly affected by the Bi concentration. In particular, a variation of the energy gap between 1.44 and 1.63 eV and a change of the conductivity greater than three orders of magnitude were observed when the content of Bi in the Sn:Bi alloy varied between 0 and 100 %. The analysis of the XRD measurements allowed us to find that the SnS: Bi films grow with a mixture of the SnS{sub 2} and Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} phases, independently of the Bi content.

Dependency of the properties of Sr xBi yTa2O9 thin films on the Sr and Bi stoichiometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Viapiana, Matteo; Schwitters, Michael; Wouters, Dirk J.; Maes, Herman E.; Van der Biest, Omer

2005-01-01

In this study the properties of ferroelectric SBT thin films crystallized at 700 deg. C have been investigated as function of the Sr and Bi stoichiometry. A matrix of 130 nm Sr x Bi y Ta 2 O 9 films with 0.7 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 and 2.0 ≤ y ≤ 2.4 has been realized by metal-organic spin-on deposition technique on Pt/IrO 2 /Ir/TiAlN/SiO 2 /Si substrates. Within this composition range, we found that the ferroelectric properties peak into a narrow window of 0.8 ≤ x ≤ 0.9 and y ∼ 2.25 with Pr and Ec of 6.5 μC/cm 2 and 50 kV/cm, respectively (at 2.5 V). Outside this composition window, the Pr decreases while the hysteresis loop becomes slanted. For some Sr/Bi-ratios even no ferroelectricity was achieved. 2Ec-tendencies were seen as function of the x/y-ratios, too. Examination of the microstructure of the films by scanning electron microscopy showed that film grain size increased with decreasing Sr-deficiency and that nucleation increased with increasing Bi-excess. At high Sr-deficiency and low Bi-excess, no complete crystallization of the SBT film occurs. From the film morphology, also different phases can be discriminated. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a strong correlation of the film orientation with the film composition. While our results show a clear correlation of Pr, film grain size and orientation with composition, further investigations are required to clarify the relation of the hysteresis parameters with film orientation

Visible-light photocatalytic activity of graphene oxide-wrapped Bi2WO6 hierarchical microspheres

Science.gov (United States)

Zhai, Jiali; Yu, Hongwen; Li, Haiyan; Sun, Lei; Zhang, Kexin; Yang, Hongjun

2015-07-01

A facile approach of fabricating homogeneous graphene oxide (GO)-wrapped Bi2WO6 microspheres (GO/Bi2WO6) is developed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that a heterojunction interface between GO and Bi2WO6. The UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) reveal that the as-prepared GO/Bi2WO6 composites own more intensive absorption in the visible light range compared with pure Bi2WO6. These characteristic structural and optical properties endow GO/Bi2WO6 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the GO/Bi2WO6 is attributed predominantly to the synergetic effect between GO and Bi2WO6, causing rapid generation and separation of photo-generated charge carriers.

Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of Sr and V doped BiFeO{sub 3} multiferroics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dahiya, Reetu; Agarwal, Ashish, E-mail: aagju@yahoo.com; Sanghi, Sujata; Hooda, Ashima; Godara, Priyanka

2015-07-01

Bi{sub 0.85}Sr{sub 0.15}FeO{sub 3} (BSFO), Bi{sub 0.85}Sr{sub 0.15}Fe{sub 0.97}V{sub 0.03}O{sub 3} (BSFVO1) and Bi{sub 0.85}Sr{sub 0.15}Fe{sub 0.95}V{sub 0.05}O{sub 3} (BSFVO2) ceramics were synthesized by solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction studies and Rietveld refinement results indicate that all the samples crystallized in rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure. The remnant magnetization and coercive field of BSFVO2 were greatly enhanced in comparison with BSFO. The enhancement of remnant magnetization was attributed to collapse of the spiral spin structure caused by change in bond length and bond angles of BSFO on V substitution. The enhanced value of coercive field might be attributed to decreased grain size with V substitution. BSFO sample shows dispersion in dielectric constant (έ) and dielectric loss (tan δ) values in lower frequency region. With V doping this dispersion is reduced resulting in frequency independent region. Dielectric anomaly peak due to charge defects in BSFO sample is also suppressed significantly on V substitution. BSFVO2 sample shows almost temperature stable behavior in έ and tan δ in the studied temperature range. Temperature dependence of index ‘s’ of power law suggests that overlapping large polaron tunneling model is applicable for describing the conduction mechanism in BSFO sample while small polaron tunneling model is appropriate for BSFVO1 and BSFVO2 samples in the studied temperature range. - Highlights: • Sr and V doped BiFeO{sub 3} multiferroics were synthesized by solid state reaction. • Ceramics crystallized in rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure. • Remnant magnetization and coercive field were improved with V doping.

Calcination temperature influenced multiferroic properties of Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dhir, Gitanjali; Uniyal, Poonam; Verma, N. K.

2015-01-01

The influence of Ca-doping and particle size on structural, morphological and magnetic properties of BiFeO 3 nanoparticles has been studied. A sol-gel method was employed for the synthesis of nanoparticles and their particle size was tailored by varying the calcination temperature. Structural analysis revealed a rhombohedral distortion induced by Ca-substitution. The broadening of diffraction peaks with decreasing calcination temperature was indicative of reduction in crystallite size. The morphological analysis revealed the formation of agglomerated nanoparticles having average particle size ranging from 10-15 and 50-55 nm for C4 and C6, respectively. The agglomeration is attributed to high surface energy of nanoparticles. Ferromagnetism has been displayed by all the synthesized nanoparticles. Enhancement of saturation magnetization with Ca-substitution is attributed to suppression of spin cycloid structure by the reduction in size, lattice distortion and creation of oxygen vacancies by the substitution of divalent ion at trivalent site. Further, this value increases as a function of decreasing particle size. Strong particle size effects on magnetic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles are owed to increasing surface to volume ratio. All these observations are indicative of strong dependence of multiferroism on particle size

Effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on structural and opto-electrical properties of bi-layer CdS-Bi2S3 thin films prepared by solution growth technique at room temperature

Science.gov (United States)

Shaikh, Shaheed U.; Siddiqui, Farha Y.; Desale, Deepali J.; Ghule, Anil V.; Singh, Fouran; Kulriya, Pawan K.; Sharma, Ramphal

2015-01-01

CdS-Bi2S3 bi-layer thin films have been deposited by chemical bath deposition method on Indium Tin Oxide glass substrate at room temperature. The as-deposited thin films were annealed at 250 °C in an air atmosphere for 1 h. An air annealed thin film was irradiated using Au9+ ions with the energy of 120 MeV at fluence 5×1012 ions/cm2 using tandem pelletron accelerator. The irradiation induced modifications were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy and I-V characteristics. XRD study reveals that the as-deposited thin films were nanocrystalline in nature. The decrease in crystallite size, increase in energy band gap and resistivity were observed after irradiation. Results are explained on the basis of energy deposited by the electronic loss after irradiation. The comparative results of as-deposited, air annealed and irradiated CdS-Bi2S3 bi-layer thin films are presented.

Electric-field control of spin waves in multiferroic BiFeO3: Theory

Science.gov (United States)

de Sousa, Rogério; Rovillain, P.; Gallais, Y.; Sacuto, A.; Méasson, M. A.; Colson, D.; Forget, A.; Bibes, M.; Barthélémy, A.; Cazayous, M.

2011-03-01

Our recent experiment demonstrated gigantic (30%) electric-field tuning of magnon frequencies in multiferroic BiFeO3. We demonstrate that the origin of this effect is related to two linear magnetoelectric interactions that couple the component of electric field perpendicular to the ferroelectric vector to a quadratic form of the Néel vector. We calculate the magnon spectra due to each of these interactions and show that only one of them is consistent with experimental data. At high electric fields, this interaction induces a phase transition to a homogeneous state, and the multi-magnon spectra will fuse into two magnon frequencies. We discuss the possible microscopic mechanisms responsible for this novel interaction and the prospect for applications in magnonics. We acknowledge support from NSERC-Discovery (Canada) and the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (France).

Visible-light photocatalytic activity of Ag2O coated Bi2WO6 hierarchical microspheres assembled by nanosheets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Lin; Hua, Hao; Yang, Qi; Hu, Chenguo

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Bi 2 WO 6 hierarchical microspheres assembled by nanosheets and dispersed nanosheets are synthesized. • Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 heterostuctures exhibites an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with the Bi 2 WO 6 nanostructures. • Photocatalytic activity of the Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 microspheres is higher than that of the nanosheets. • Bi 2 WO 6 hierarchical structure is an excellent architecture for loading of Ag 2 O nanoparticles. - Abstract: Bi 2 WO 6 hierarchical microspheres assembled by nanosheets and dispersed nanosheets were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction in different conditions. Ag 2 O nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of Bi 2 WO 6 microspheres and nanosheets by the chemical precipitation method. The photocatalytic performance of pure Bi 2 WO 6 nanostructures and Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 heterostructures were evaluated by the photocatalytic decolorization of RhB solution under visible-light irradiation. Compared with the pure Bi 2 WO 6 nanostructures, the Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 heterostructures exhibited an obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity. And photocatalytic activity of the Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 microspheres is higher than that of the Ag 2 O/Bi 2 WO 6 nanosheets. This work demonstrates that the Bi 2 WO 6 hierarchical three-dimensional structure is an excellent architecture for the loading of Ag 2 O nanoparticles to build a highly efficient photocatalyst

Multiferroic oxide thin films and heterostructures

KAUST Repository

Lu, Chengliang; Hu, Weijin; Tian, Yufeng; Wu, Tao

2015-01-01

Multiferroic materials promise a tantalizing perspective of novel applications in next-generation electronic, memory, and energy harvesting technologies, and at the same time they also represent a grand scientific challenge on understanding complex

Quantum interference effects in [Co/Bi]n thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Athanasopoulos P.

2014-07-01

Full Text Available Magnetoconductivity (MC, Δσ(Β, and Hall coefficient, RH(B, measurements have been performed in polycrystalline thin films of Bi(15nm, Bi(10nm/Co(1nm/Bi(10nm trilayer and [Co(0.7nm/Bi(2nm]10 multilayer, grown by magnetron scattering. The temperature dependence of RH(B curves reveal the existence of a second conduction channel below 250K, that can be assigned to surface states. MC measurements between ±0.4T show at 5K an interplay between weak-antilocalization (WAL in Bi and Bi/Co/Bi films and weal-localization (WL in [Co/Bi]10 multilayer.

Domain wall magnetoresistance in BiFeO3 thin films measured by scanning probe microscopy

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Domingo, N.; Farokhipoor, S.; Santiso, J.; Noheda, B.; Catalan, G.

2017-01-01

We measure the magnetotransport properties of individual 71 degrees domain walls in multiferroic BiFeO3 by means of conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) in the presence of magnetic fields up to one Tesla. The results suggest anisotropic magnetoresistance at room temperature, with the sign of

Multiferroicity in oxide thin films and heterostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Glavic, Artur

2012-01-01

In this work a variety of different systems of transition metal oxides ABO 3 (perovskite materials, where B stands for a transition metal and A for a rare earth element) were produced as thin films and heterostructures and analyzed for the structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties. For the epitaxial film preparation mostly pulse laser deposition (PLD) was applied. For one series high pressure oxide sputter deposition was used as well. The bulk multiferroics TbMnO 3 and DyMnO 3 , which develop their electric polarization due to a cycloidal magnetic order, have been prepared as single layers with thicknesses between 2 and 200 nm on YAlO 3 substrates using PLD and sputter deposition. The structural characterization of the surfaces and crystal structure where performed using X-ray reflectometry and diffraction, respectively. These yielded low surface roughness and good epitaxial growth. The magnetic behavior was macroscopically measured with SQUID magnetometry and microscopically with polarized neutron diffraction and resonant magnetic X-ray scattering. While all investigated samples showed antiferromagnetic order, comparable with the collinear magnetic phase of their bulk materials, only the sputter deposited samples exhibited the multiferroic low temperature cycloidal order. The investigation of the optical second harmonic generation in a TbMnO 3 sample could proof the presence of a ferroelectric order in the low temperature phase. The respective transition temperatures of the thin films have been very similar to those of the bulk materials. In contrast an increase in the rare earth ordering temperature has been observed, which reduces the Mn order slightly, an effect not known from bulk TbMnO 3 crystals. The coupling of the antiferromagnetic order in TbMnO 3 to ferromagnetic layers of LaCoO 3 was investigated in super-lattices containing 20 bilayers produced with PLD on the same substrates. The SQUID magnetometry yielded a strong influence of the

Physicochemical investigation of Bi2MoO6 solid-phase interaction with Sm2MoO6

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khajkina, E.G.; Kovba, L.M.; Bazarova, Zh.G.; Khal'baeva, K.M.; Khakhinov, V.V.; Mokhosoev, M.V.

1986-01-01

Bi 2 MoO 6 -Sm 2 MoO 6 interaction in the temperature range of 700-1000 deg C is studied using X-ray phase analysis and vibrational spectroscopy. Formation of monoclinic solid solutions based on γ'-Bi 2 MoO 6 and B 2-x Sm x MoO 6 varied composition phase with α-Ln 2 MoO 6 structure which homogeneity region extent at 1000 deg C constitutes ∼ 50 mol % (0.7≤x≤1.7) is stated. Crystallographic characteristics of the synthesized phases are determined

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of MgBi2O6 with Ag additions

Science.gov (United States)

Zhong, Liansheng; Hu, Chaohao; Zhu, Binqing; Zhong, Yan; Zhou, Huaiying

2018-02-01

Ag-doped MgBi2O6 photocatalysts were synthesized by the low temperature hydrothermal method in combination with heat treatment reaction using NaBiO3·2H2O, MgCl2·6H2O, and AgNO3 as raw materials. The products were characterized by using power X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS), and UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activity of MgBi2O6 with Ag additions was evaluated by degrading MB (10 mg/L) under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The results showed that in comparison with pure MgBi2O6, the photocatalytic activity of MgBi2O6 with about 5% Ag concentration is increased by about 24% after 120 min reaction. The enhancement of catalytic activity of Ag-doped MgBi2O6 photocatalysts should be related to the band structure, morphology and larger specific surface area.

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of a shape memory Ni-Ti bi-layer thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mohri, Maryam [School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology, 76021 Karlsruhe (Germany); Nili-Ahmadabadi, Mahmoud, E-mail: nili@ut.ac.ir [School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Center of Excellence for High Performance Materials, University of Tehran, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ivanisenko, Julia [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology, 76021 Karlsruhe (Germany); Schwaiger, Ruth [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Applied Materials, 76021 Karlsruhe (Germany); Hahn, Horst; Chakravadhanula, Venkata Sai Kiran [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Nanotechnology, 76021 Karlsruhe (Germany)

2015-05-29

Two different single-layers and a bi-layer Ni-Ti thin films with chemical compositions of Ni{sub 45}Ti{sub 50}Cu{sub 5}, Ni{sub 50.8}Ti{sub 49.2} and Ni{sub 50.8}Ti{sub 49.2}/Ni{sub 45}Ti{sub 50}Cu{sub 5} (numbers indicate at.%) determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were deposited on Si (111) substrates using DC magnetron sputtering. The structures, surface morphology and transformation temperatures of annealed thin films at 500 °C for 15 min and 1 h were studied using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Nanoindentation was used to characterize the mechanical properties. The DSC and X-ray diffraction results indicated the austenitic structure of the Ni{sub 50.8}Ti{sub 49.2} and martensitic structure of the Ni{sub 45}Ti{sub 50}Cu{sub 5} thin films while the bi-layer was composed of austenitic and martensitic thin films. TEM study revealed that copper encourages crystallization in the bi-layer such that crystal structure containing nano-precipitates in the Ni{sub 45}Ti{sub 50}Cu{sub 5} layer was detected after 15 min annealing while the Ni{sub 50.8}Ti{sub 49.2} layer crystallized after 60 min at 500 °C. Furthermore, after annealing at 500 °C for 15 min, a precipitate free zone and thin layer amorphous were observed closely to the interface in the top layer. The bi-layer was completely crystallized at 500 °C for 1 h and the orientation of the Ni-rich precipitates indicated a stress gradient in the bi-layer. The bi-layer thin film showed different transformation temperatures and mechanical behavior from the single-layers. The developed bi-layer has different phase transformation temperatures, the higher temperatures of shape memory effect and lower temperature of pseudo-elastic behavior compared to the single-layers. Also, the bi-layer thin film exhibited a combined pseudo-elastic behavior and shape memory effect with a reduced

Highly efficient visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/BiVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chaiwichian, Saranyoo [Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai50200 (Thailand); Inceesungvorn, Burapat [Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Wetchakun, Khatcharin [Program of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Ubon Ratchathani 34000 (Thailand); Phanichphant, Sukon [Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200 (Thailand); Kangwansupamonkon, Wiyong [National Nanotechnology Center, Thailand Science Park, Phahonyotin Road, Klong 1, Klong Luang, Phathumthani 12120 (Thailand); Wetchakun, Natda, E-mail: natda_we@yahoo.com [Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai50200 (Thailand)

2014-06-01

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/BiVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts were obtained using hydrothermal method. • Physicochemical properties played a significant role on photocatalytic efficiency. • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/BiVO{sub 4} heterogeneous structures were greatly enhanced for degradation of MB. • A tentative mechanism of charge transfer process in MB degradation was proposed. - Abstract: The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/BiVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Physical properties of the heterojunction photocatalyst samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The XRD results indicated that BiVO{sub 4} retain monoclinic and tetragonal structures, while Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} presented as orthorhombic structure. The Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) adsorption–desorption of nitrogen gas for specific surface area determination at the temperature of liquid nitrogen was performed on all samples. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS) were used to identify the absorption range and band gap energy of the heterojunction photocatalysts. The photocatalytic performance of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}/BiVO{sub 4} heterojunction photocatalysts was studied via the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results indicated that the heterojunction photocatalyst at 0.5:0.5 mole ratio of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}:BiVO{sub 4} shows the highest photocatalytic activity.

Pressure induced phase transition in Pb6Bi2S9

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Olsen, Lars Arnskov; Friese, Karen; Makovicky, Emil

2011-01-01

consists of two types of moduli with SnS/TlI archetype structure in which the Pb and Bi lone pairs are strongly expressed. The mechanism of the phase transition is described in detail and the results are compared to the closely related phase transition in Pb3Bi2S6 (lillianite).......The crystal structure of Pb6Bi2S9 is investigated at pressures between 0 and 5.6 GPa with X-ray diffraction on single-crystals. The pressure is applied using diamond anvil cells. Heyrovskyite (Bbmm, a = 13.719(4) Å, b = 31.393(9) Å, c = 4.1319(10) Å, Z = 4) is the stable phase of Pb6Bi2S9...... at ambient conditions and is built from distorted moduli of PbS-archetype structure with a low stereochemical activity of the Pb2+ and Bi3+ lone electron pairs. Heyrovskyite is stable until at least 3.9 GPa and a first-order phase transition occurs between 3.9 and 4.8 GPa. A single-crystal is retained after...

Photoluminescence of electron beam evaporated CaS:Bi thin films

CERN Document Server

Smet, P F; Poelman, D R; Meirhaeghe, R L V

2003-01-01

For the first time, the photoluminescence (PL) of electron beam evaporated CaS:Bi thin films is reported. Luminescent CaS:Bi powder prepared out of aqueous solutions was used as source material. The influence of substrate temperature on the PL and the morphology of thin films is discussed, and an optimum is determined. Substrate temperatures between 200 deg. C and 300 deg. C lead to good quality thin films with sufficient PL intensity. As-deposited thin films show two emission bands, peaking at 450 and 530 nm. Upon annealing the emission intensity increases, and annealing at 800 deg. C is sufficient to obtain a homogeneously blue emitting thin film (CIE colour coordinates (0.17; 0.12)), thanks to a single remaining emission band at 450 nm. The influence of ambient temperature on the PL of CaS:Bi powder and thin films was also investigated and it was found that CaS:Bi thin films show a favourable thermal quenching behaviour near room temperature.

Effect of synthesis conditions on the photocatalytic property of multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} towards the degradation of phenol red

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dhanalakshmi, Radhalayam; Muneeswaran, M.; Giridharan, N. V., E-mail: giri@nitt.edu [Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli-620 015 (India)

2016-05-23

Multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} has been synthesized through hydrothermal route under different reaction conditions. From the basic characterization such as of X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD), the synthesized Nps were found to having rhombohedral structure with R3c space group. Photodegradation studies of toxic dye phenol red have been investigated under visible light irradiation. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis has been carried out to identify the magnetic properties and recycle ability photocatalysts.

Josephson effectss in bicrystalline Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Amrein, T.

1994-08-01

A pulsed laser deposition process is developed for preparing high quality thin films of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x on different substrates. Both microstructural and electrical properties of the superconducting films are well characterized, e.g. by SEM, TEM and AFM. The high reproducability of the thin film quality facilitated a detailed study of Josephson effects in bicrystalline grain boundary junctions (GBJs). Thin films are deposited on commercially available (001) SrTiO 3 bicrystalls and patterned by standard photolithography using wet-etching or Ar + -ion milling. The width of the micobridges ranges from 2 to 111 μm. The critical current densities across grain boundaries of thin film bicrystals have been measured as a function of the tilt angle Θ. For Θ=0 to 45 , the ratio of the grain boundary critical current density to the bulk critical current density decreases exponentially with increasing tilt angle. Microstructure investigations show a rough grain boundary of the superconductor (roughness 100 nm-1 μm) which is not determined by the roughness of the substrate grain boundary (1-3 nm) but by the island-plus-layer growth of the twin domains. The electrical properties are well described by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. The I c R n -product reaches values of 2.2 mV at 4.2 K and 60 μV at 77 K. An optimized design for dc SQUIDs (Θ=24 ) is developed relating to the results of single GBJs. The values of the transfer function (∂V/∂Φ) run up to 74 μV/Φ o . The equivalent flux noise which is measured in a flux-locked loop mode amounts 4.5 to 25 μPhi o Hz in the white noise region for Φ≥25-50 Hz and 13 to 150 μΦ o Hz at 1 Hz. In conclusion, microstructural as well as electrical properties of bicrystalline Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O x and YBa 2 Cu 3 O y GBJs are more or less equal. (orig.)

Growth and characterization of MnGa thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy on BiSb topological insulator

Science.gov (United States)

Duy Khang, Nguyen Huynh; Ueda, Yugo; Yao, Kenichiro; Hai, Pham Nam

2017-10-01

We report on the crystal growth as well as the structural and magnetic properties of Bi0.8Sb0.2 topological insulator (TI)/MnxGa1-x bi-layers grown on GaAs(111)A substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. By optimizing the growth conditions and Mn composition, we were able to grow MnxGa1-x thin films on Bi0.8Sb0.2 with the crystallographic orientation of Bi0.8Sb0.2(001)[1 1 ¯ 0]//MnGa (001)[100]. Using magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy, we detected both the L10 phase ( x 0.6 ) of MnxGa1-x. For 0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.55 , we obtained ferromagnetic L10-MnGa thin films with clear perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, which were confirmed by MCD hysteresis, anomalous Hall effect as well as superconducting quantum interference device measurements. Our results show that the BiSb/MnxGa1-x bi-layer system is promising for perpendicular magnetization switching using the giant spin Hall effect in TIs.

Annealing Effect on the Photoelectrochemical Properties of BiVO_4 Thin Film Electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Siti Nur Farhana Mohd Nasir; Mohd Asri Mat Teridi; Mehdi Ebadi; Sagu, J.S.

2015-01-01

Monoclinic bismuth vanadate (BiVO_4) thin film electrodes were fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). Annealing and without annealing effect of thin films were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and current voltage measurement. All BiVO_4 thin films showed an anodic photocurrent. The sample of BiVO_4 annealed at 400 degree Celsius exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.44 mAcm"-"2 vs. Ag/ AgCl at 1.23 V. (author)

A plate-on-plate sandwiched Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst: BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Shengyao [College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070 (China); Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070 (China); Yang, Xianglong; Zhang, Xuehao; Ding, Xing; Yang, Zixin [College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070 (China); Dai, Ke [College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070 (China); Chen, Hao, E-mail: hchenhao@mail.hzau.edu.cn [College of Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070 (China); Key Laboratory of Environment Correlative Dietology, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430070 (China)

2017-01-01

Highlights: • A visible light heterojunction photocatalyst of BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} was simply synthesized. • Carriers transferred efficiently in sandwiched layers causing an enhance activity. • A possible direct Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism of BiOBr-Bi2MoO6 is proposed. - Abstract: In this study, a direct Z-scheme heterojunction BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} with greatly enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance was fabricated via a two-step coprecipitation method. It was indicated that a plate-on-plate heterojunctions be present between BiOBr and Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} through different characterization techniques including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoelectrochemical measurements. The crystal structure and morphology analysis revealed that the heterointerface in BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} occurred mainly on the (001) facets of BiOBr and (001) facets of Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}. The photocatalytic activity of the BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} was investigated by degradation of RhB and about 66.7% total organic carbon (TOC) could be removed. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) was employed to rule out the photosensitization. It was implied that the higher activity of BiOBr-Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} could be attribute to the strong redox ability in the Z-scheme system, which was subsequently confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and active spices trapping experiments. This study provides a promising platform for Z-scheme heterojunction constructing and also sheds light on highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalysts designing.

Interfacial effects revealed by ultrafast relaxation dynamics in BiFeO 3 / YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 bilayers

KAUST Repository

Springer, D.

2016-02-12

The temperature dependence of the relaxation dynamics in the bilayer thin film heterostructure composed of multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) and superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) grown on a (001) SrTiO3 substrate is studied by a time-resolved pump-probe technique, and compared with that of pure YBCO thin film grown under the same growth conditions. The superconductivity of YBCO is found to be retained in the heterostructure. We observe a speeding up of the YBCO recombination dynamics in the superconducting state of the heterostructure, and attribute it to the presence of weak ferromagnetism at the BFO/YBCO interface as observed in magnetization data. An extension of the Rothwarf-Taylor model is used to fit the ultrafast dynamics of BFO/YBCO, that models an increased quasiparticle occupation of the ferromagnetic interfacial layer in the superconducting state of YBCO.

Interfacial effects revealed by ultrafast relaxation dynamics in BiFeO 3 / YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 bilayers

KAUST Repository

Springer, D.; Nair, Saritha K.; He, Mi; Lu, C. L.; Cheong, S. A.; Wu, Tao; Panagopoulos, C.; Chia, Elbert E. M.; Zhu, Jian-Xin

2016-01-01

The temperature dependence of the relaxation dynamics in the bilayer thin film heterostructure composed of multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) and superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) grown on a (001) SrTiO3 substrate is studied by a time-resolved pump-probe technique, and compared with that of pure YBCO thin film grown under the same growth conditions. The superconductivity of YBCO is found to be retained in the heterostructure. We observe a speeding up of the YBCO recombination dynamics in the superconducting state of the heterostructure, and attribute it to the presence of weak ferromagnetism at the BFO/YBCO interface as observed in magnetization data. An extension of the Rothwarf-Taylor model is used to fit the ultrafast dynamics of BFO/YBCO, that models an increased quasiparticle occupation of the ferromagnetic interfacial layer in the superconducting state of YBCO.

Controlling compositional homogeneity and crystalline orientation in Bi0.8Sb0.2 thermoelectric thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Rochford, C.; Medlin, D. L.; Erickson, K. J.; Siegal, M. P.

2015-12-01

Compositional-homogeneity and crystalline-orientation are necessary attributes to achieve high thermoelectric performance in Bi1-xSbx thin films. Following deposition in vacuum, and upon air exposure, we find that 50%-95% of the Sb in 100-nm thick films segregates to form a nanocrystalline Sb2O3 surface layer, leaving the film bulk as Bi-metal. However, we demonstrate that a thin SiN capping layer deposited prior to air exposure prevents Sb-segregation, preserving a uniform film composition. Furthermore, the capping layer enables annealing in forming gas to improve crystalline orientations along the preferred trigonal axis, beneficially reducing electrical resistivity.

Controlling compositional homogeneity and crystalline orientation in Bi0.8Sb0.2 thermoelectric thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

C. Rochford

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Compositional-homogeneity and crystalline-orientation are necessary attributes to achieve high thermoelectric performance in Bi1−xSbx thin films. Following deposition in vacuum, and upon air exposure, we find that 50%–95% of the Sb in 100-nm thick films segregates to form a nanocrystalline Sb2O3 surface layer, leaving the film bulk as Bi-metal. However, we demonstrate that a thin SiN capping layer deposited prior to air exposure prevents Sb-segregation, preserving a uniform film composition. Furthermore, the capping layer enables annealing in forming gas to improve crystalline orientations along the preferred trigonal axis, beneficially reducing electrical resistivity.

Synthesis of magnetic and multiferroic materials from polyvinyl alcohol-based gels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lisnevskaya, I.V.; Bobrova, I.A.; Lupeiko, T.G.

2016-01-01

This review article summarizes results on the synthesis of the magnetic materials including modified nickel ferrite (Ni{sub 0.9}Co{sub 0.1}Cu{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 1.9}O{sub 4−δ}), yttrium iron garnet (Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12}), lanthanum-containing manganites (M{sub x}La{sub 1−x}MnO{sub 3} (M=Pb, Ba or Sr; x=0.3−0.35)), and multiferroics (BiFeO{sub 3} and BiFe{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 3}) from polyvinyl alcohol-based gels. It is shown that the ammonium nitrate accelerates destruction of organic components of xerogels and thus Ni{sub 0.9}Co{sub 0.1}Cu{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 1.9}O{sub 4−δ} and BiFeO{sub 3} can be prepared at record low temperatures (100 and 250 °C, respectively) which are 200–300 °C lower compared to the process where air is used as an oxidizing agent. As for the synthesis of Y{sub 3}Fe{sub 5}O{sub 12}, M{sub x}La{sub 1−x}MnO{sub 3} and BiFe{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 0.5}O{sub 3}, the presence of NH{sub 4}NO{sub 3} favors formation of foreign phases, which ultimately complicate reaction mechanisms and lead to the higher temperature to synthesize target products. Developed methods provide nanoscale magnetic and multiferroic materials with an average particle size of ∼20–50 nm. - Highlights: • This review summarizes results on the synthesis of the magnetic materials and multiferroics. • Ammonium nitrate accelerates destruction of organic components of xerogels. • Ni{sub 0.9}Co{sub 0.1}Cu{sub 0.1}Fe{sub 1.9}O{sub 4−δ} and BiFeO{sub 3} can be prepared at record low temperatures. • Developed methods provide nanoscale magnetic and multiferroic materials.

Properties of SrBi sub 2 Nb sub 2 O sub 9 thin films on Pt-coated Si

CERN Document Server

Avila, R E; Martin, V D C; Fernandez, L M; Sylvester, G S; Retuert, P J; Gramsch, E

2002-01-01

SrBi sub 2 Nb sub 2 O sub 9 powders and thin films, on Pt-coated Si, were synthesised by the sol-gel method. Three-layer thin films appear homogeneous down to the 100 nm scale, polycrystalline in the tetragonal Aurivillius phase, at a average thickness of 40 nm per layer. The index of refraction at the center of the visible range increases with the sintering temperature from roughly 2.1 (at 400 Centigrade) to 2.5 (at 700 Centigrade). The expression n sup 2 -1 increases linearly with the relative density of the thin films, in similar fashion as previous studies in PbTiO sub 3 thin films. The dielectric constant in quasistatic and high frequency (1 MHz) modes, is between 160 and 230. (Author)

Visible-light photocatalytic activity of graphene oxide-wrapped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical microspheres

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhai, Jiali; Yu, Hongwen, E-mail: yuhw@iga.ac.cn; Li, Haiyan; Sun, Lei; Zhang, Kexin; Yang, Hongjun

2015-07-30

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} are readily fabricated by facile bubbling pretreatment and freeze drying. • GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} possess excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. • The visible light activity of GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} is affected by the amount of GO. • The photostablity of GO is due to the photo-generated electrons transfer to Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. - Abstract: A facile approach of fabricating homogeneous graphene oxide (GO)-wrapped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} microspheres (GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}) is developed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that a heterojunction interface between GO and Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The UV–vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS) reveal that the as-prepared GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composites own more intensive absorption in the visible light range compared with pure Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. These characteristic structural and optical properties endow GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the GO/Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} is attributed predominantly to the synergetic effect between GO and Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}, causing rapid generation and separation of photo-generated charge carriers.

Electronic structure of clean and Ag-covered single-crystalline Bi2Sr2CuO6

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lindberg, P.A.P.; Shen, Z.; Wells, B.O.; Mitzi, D.B.; Lindau, I.; Spicer, W.E.; Kapitulnik, A.

1989-01-01

Photoemission studies of single-crystalline samples of Bi 2 Sr 2 CuO 6 show clear resemblance to the corresponding data for single crystals of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 . In particular, a sharp Fermi-level cutoff, giving evidence of metallic conductivity at room temperature, as well as single-component O 1s emission and Cu 2p satellites with a strength amounting to about 50% of that of the main Cu 2p line, are observed. An analysis of the relative core-level photoemission intensities shows that the preferential cleavage plane of single-crystalline Bi 2 Sr 2 CuO 6 is between adjacent Bi-O layers. Deposition of Ag adatoms causes only weak reaction with the Bi and O ions of the Bi 2 Sr 2 CuO 6 substrate, while the Cu states rapidly react with the Ag adatoms, as monitored by a continuous reduction of the Cu 2p satellite intensity as the Ag overlayer becomes thicker

Structural transformation and multiferroic properties of single-phase Bi{sub 0.89}Tb{sub 0.11}Fe{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}O{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dong, Guohua; Tan, Guoqiang, E-mail: tan3114@163.com; Luo, Yangyang; Liu, Wenlong; Ren, Huijun; Xia, Ao

2014-01-30

Pure BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) and Tb, Mn co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} (BTFMO) thin films were deposited on SnO{sub 2}: F (FTO)/glass substrates using a chemical solution deposition method. Detailed investigations were made on the influence of (Tb, Mn) co-doping on the structure change and the electric properties of the BFO films. With the co-doping of Tb and Mn, the structural transformation from rhombohedral R3c to triclinic P1 is confirmed through XRD, Rietveld refinement and Raman analysis. XPS analysis clarifies that (Tb, Mn) co-doping avails to decrease oxygen vacancy concentration, showing less Fe{sup 2+} ions in the co-doped BTFMO thin films than that of the pure BFO thin film. Among the co-doped thin films, the BTFM{sub 1}O film shows the highly enhanced ferroelectric properties with a giant remnant polarization value (2P{sub r} = 180.3 μC/cm{sup 2}). The structural transformation, the well-distributed fine grains and the reduction of leakage current favor enhanced ferroelectric property of (Tb, Mn) co-doped BFO films. It is also found that the BTFM{sub 1}O film shows the enhanced ferromagnetism with the saturated magnetization (M{sub s} = 2.5 emu/cm{sup 3}) as a result of the collapse of space modulated spin structure by the structure transformation.

Synthesis, Analysis, and Testing of BiOBr-Bi2WO6 Photocatalytic Heterojunction Semiconductors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiangchao Meng

2015-01-01

Full Text Available In photocatalysis, the recombination of electron-hole pairs is generally regarded as one of its most serious drawbacks. The synthesis of various composites with heterojunction structures has increasingly shed light on preventing this recombination. In this work, a BiOBr-Bi2WO6 photocatalytic heterojunction semiconductor was synthesized by the facile hydrothermal method and applied in the photocatalytic degradation process. It was determined that both reaction time and temperature significantly affected the crystal structure and morphologies of the photocatalysts. BiOBr (50 at%-Bi2WO6 composites were prepared under optimum synthesis conditions (120°C for 6 h and by theoretically analyzing the DRS results, it was determined that they possessed the suitable band gap (2.61 eV to be stimulated by visible-light irradiation. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared photocatalysts were evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB under visible-light irradiation. The experimental conditions, including initial concentration, pH, and catalyst dosage, were explored and the photocatalysts in this system were proven stable enough to be reused for several runs. Moreover, the interpreted mechanism of the heterojunction enhancement effect proved that the synthesis of a heterojunction structure provided an effective method to decrease the recombination rate of the electron-hole pairs, thereby improving the photocatalytic activity.

Controllable synthesis of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoplate self-assembled hierarchical erythrocyte microspheres via a one-pot hydrothermal reaction with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Zhenya; Huang, Lin; Xie, Yanyu; Lin, Zheguan; Fan, Yunyan; Liu, Dan; Chen, Lu; Zhang, Zizhong, E-mail: z.zhang@fzu.edu.cn; Wang, Xuxu

2017-05-01

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical erythrocyte structure was designed by F{sup −}-assisted one-pot reaction. • Erythrocyte structure enhanced the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. • Superoxide radical anions and h{sup +} were the main active species for RhB degradation. - Abstract: This work provides a simple approach of the F{sup −}-assisted one-pot hydrothermal reaction to successfully synthesize Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical erythrocyte microspheres. The importance role of F{sup −} was systematically investigated by comparing different type of halogen ions, hydrothermal temperature and time. The possible growth mechanism of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical structures was proposed. The hierarchical erythrocytes were formed through the well-ordered and oriented self-assembly of thin Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoplate primary subunits. F{sup −} ions were absorbed on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoplate surface to suppress the nanoplate stack but to induce a self-assembly through the edge interaction of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoplates into erythrocyte-like hierarchical microspheres superstructures. This erythrocyte structure narrowed the band gap energy and enhanced the visible-light photocatalytic activity of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. Moreover, superoxide radical anions and h{sup +} were revealed as the main active species responding for the RhB degradation on Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} under visible light irradiation.

Preparation of BiOBr thin films with micro-nano-structure and their photocatalytic applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Rui [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024 (China); Fan, Caimei, E-mail: fancm@163.com [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024 (China); Zhang, Xiaochao, E-mail: zhang13598124761@163.com [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024 (China); Wang, Yawen; Wang, Yunfang [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024 (China); Zhang, Hui [Particle Technology Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B9 (Canada)

2014-07-01

A series of micro-nano-structure BiOBr thin films were prepared at a low temperature by the alcoholysis-coating method using BiBr{sub 3} as precursor. The as-prepared films were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The obtained results indicated that micro-nano-structure tetragonal BiOBr films with different intensity ratios of (110) to (102) characteristic peaks could be synthesized through controlling the reaction temperature and the calcination temperatures. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of BiOBr thin films with different preparation conditions have been evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation, suggesting that the photocatalytic activity should be closely related to the solvent, the alcoholysis reaction temperature, and the calcining temperature. The best photocatalytic degradation efficiency of MO for BiOBr thin films reaches 98.5% under 2.5 h UV irradiation. The BiOBr thin films display excellent stability and their photocatalytic activity still remains above 90% after being used five times. The main reasons for the higher photocatalytic activity of micro-nano-structure BiOBr microspheres have been investigated. In addition, the possible formation mechanism of BiOBr thin films with micro-nano-structure and excellent photocatalytic activity was proposed and discussed. - Highlights: • The BiOBr film was prepared at low temperature via alcoholysis-coating method. • The optimum process conditions of preparing BiOBr film were discussed. • As-prepared BiOBr films were composed of micro-nano flake structures. • The BiOBr films demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity. • The formation mechanism of BiOBr films with high activity was proposed.

Pressure effects on the physical properties of Kagome Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl metamagnet

Science.gov (United States)

Tseng, Wu-Jyun; Wu, Hung-Cheng; Yang, Pei-Ying; Kakarla, D. Chandrasekhar Kakarla; Yang, Hung-Duen; Low temperature physics Lab, Department of physics, National Sun Yat-Sen University Team

The effects of pressure on the structural and magnetic properties have been studied in Kagome Cu3Bi(Se1-xTexO3)2 O2Cl polycrystalline samples. The initial crystal structure Pmmn is gradually converted to Pcmn space group when x >= 0.6, which could be determined by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. The antiferromagnetic transition temperature (TN) and the critical field (HC) of metamagnetic spin-flip transition increase, but the value of saturation magnetization (MS) decreases with Te doping concentration. Under external pressure, the TN and MS increase, while the HC reduces. These anisotropic pressure results could be explained by the modulation of competition between ferromagnetic intralayer and antiferromagnetic interlayer interactions. The route to control the metamagnetic spin-flip transition by anisotropic pressure effects might be helpful to understand the mechanism of field- induced multiferroic Cu3Bi(SeO3)2 O2Cl

Shielded high-T{sub c} (Bi, Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) superconducting tapes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lelovic, M.; Eror, N.G. [Department of Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (United States); Balachandran, U.; Prorok, B. [Energy Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States); Selvamanickam, V.; Haldar, P. [Intermagnetics General Corporations, Latham, NY (United States); Talvacchio, J.; Young, R. [Science and Technology Center, Northrop Grumman, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

1998-11-01

A new composite tape was fabricated in which the primary function of the central Ag-sheathed (Bi, Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) filaments was to conduct transport current. A YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7-{delta}} (Y-123) thin film was deposited on the top of the Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tape to shield the applied magnetic field and to protect the central Bi-2223 filaments. The critical current densities of the Y-123-coated, Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 tapes were better than those of an uncoated tape. However, the Y-123 thin film exhibited T{sub c} approx.= 72 K and a broad transition region that shifted the effect to lower temperatures. Furthermore, pole figure measurements showed widely spread a,b planes along the rolling direction, indicating high-angle grain boundaries that diminished the magnitude of the effect. Microstructural observations showed platelike grains of Y-123 with fine growth ledges in the thin film that was heat treated, in contrast with the microstructure of an as-coated thin film that showed large twinned grains. From the processing point of view, the results showed that heat treating Y-123 thin film according to the Bi-2223 tape schedule was compatible with and beneficial for Y-123. These preliminary results may provide a basis for further improvements in processing of long-length Bi-2223 tapes for high-field applications. (author)

Improvement of critical current density in thallium-based (Tl,Bi)Sr1.6Ba0.4Ca2Cu3Ox superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ren, Z.F.; Wang, C.A.; Wang, J.H.

1994-01-01

Epitaxial (Tl,Bi)Sr 1.6 Ba 0.4 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x (Tl,Bi)-1223 thin films on (100) single crystal LaAlO 3 substrates were synthesized by a two-step procedure. Phase development, microstructure, and relationships between film and substrate were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Resistance versus temperature, zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization, and transport critical current density (J c ) were measured. The zero-resistance temperature was 105-111 K. J c at 77 K and zero field was > 2 x 10 6 A/cm 2 . The films exhibited good flux pinning properties

Bi-epitaxial YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} Thin Films on Tilted-axes NdGaO{sub 3} Substrates with CeO{sub 2} Seeding Layer

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mozhaev, P B [Institute of Physics and Technology RAS, 117218, Moscow (Russian Federation); Mozhaeva, J E [Institute of Physics and Technology RAS, 117218, Moscow (Russian Federation); Jacobsen, C S [Technical University of Denmark, Physics Department, Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark (Denmark); Hansen, J Bindslev [Technical University of Denmark, Physics Department, Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark (Denmark); Bdikin, I K [CICECO, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193 (Portugal); Luzanov, V A [Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics, Moscow, 125009 (Russian Federation); Kotelyanskii, I M [Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics, Moscow, 125009 (Russian Federation); Zybtsev, S G [Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics, Moscow, 125009 (Russian Federation)

2006-06-01

Bi-epitaxial YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} (YBCO) thin films with out-of-plane tilt angle in the range 18 - 27{sup 0} were manufactured using pulsed laser deposition on NdGaO{sub 3} tilted-axes substrates with CeO{sub 2} seeding layers. The YBCO thin film orientation over the seeding layer depended on deposition conditions. Removal of the seeding layer from part of the substrate surface by ionbeam etching resulted in formation of a bi-epitaxial thin film with different c-axis orientation of two parts of the film. The bi-epitaxial film orientation and structure were studied using X-ray diffraction techniques, and surface morphology was observed with atomic force microscope (AFM). Photolithography and ion-beam etching techniques were used for patterning bi-epitaxial thin films. Electrical characterization of the obtained structures was performed.

Multiferroics and magnetoelectrics: thin films and nanostructures

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Martin, L.W.; Crane, S.P.; Chu, Y.H.; Holcomb, M.B.; Gajek, M.; Huijben, Mark; Yang, C.H.; Balke, N.; Ramesh, R.

2008-01-01

Multiferroic materials, or materials that simultaneously possess two or more ferroic order parameters, have returned to the forefront of materials research. Driven by the desire to achieve new functionalities—such as electrical control of ferromagnetism at room temperature—researchers have

TbxBi1-xFeO3 nanoparticulate multiferroics fabricated by micro-emulsion technique: Structural elucidation and magnetic behavior evaluation

KAUST Repository

Anwar, Zobia

2014-04-01

Tb-doped BiFeO3 multiferroics nanoparticles fabricated via micro-emulsion route were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fully characterized TbxBi1-xFeO3 nanoparticles were then subjected to magnetic behavior evaluation for various technological applications. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) conducted in the range 25-1000 C predicted the temperature (~960 C) for phase formation. XRD estimated the crystallite size 30-47 nm, while the particles size estimated by SEM was found (80-120 nm). The XRD data confirmed the rhombohedral (space group R3c) phase with average cell volume 182.66 Å3 (for BiFeO 3). Various other physical parameters like bulk density, X-ray density and porosity were also determined from the XRD data and found in agreement with theoretical predictions. The magnetic studies showed that as Bi3+ was substituted by Tb3+, all magnetic parameters were altered. The maximum saturation magnetization (Ms) (0.6691 emug -1) was exhibited by Tb0.02Bi0.98FeO 3 while the Tb0.00Bi1.00Fe1.00O 3 showed the maximum (549 Oe) coercivity. The evaluated magnetic behavior categorized these materials as soft magnetic materials that may be useful for fabricating advanced technological applications. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic heterostructure of rf-sputtered Ni–Mn–Ga thin film on PMN–PT

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Teferi, M.Y.; Amaral, V.S.; Lounrenco, A.C.; Das, S.; Amaral, J.S.; Karpinsky, D.V.; Soares, N.; Sobolev, N.A.; Kholkin, A.L.; Tavares, P.B.

2012-01-01

In this paper, we report a preparation of multiferroic heterostructure from thin film of Ni–Mn–Ga (NMG) alloy and lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate (PMN–PT) with effective magnetoelectric (ME) coupling between the film as ferromagnetic material and PMN–PT as piezoelectric material. The heterostructure was prepared by relatively low temperature (400 °C) deposition of the film on single crystal of piezoelectric PMN–PT substrate using rf magnetron co-sputtering of Ni 50 Mn 50 and Ni 50 Ga 50 targets. Magnetic measurements by Superconducting Quantum Interference Design (SQIUD) Magnetometer and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) on the film revealed that the film is in ferromagnetically ordered martensitic state at room temperature with saturation magnetization of ∼240 emu/cm 3 and Curie temperature of ∼337 K. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) measurement done at room temperature on the substrate showed the presence of expected hysteresis loop confirming the stability of the piezoelectric state of the substrate after deposition. Room temperature ME voltage coefficient (α ME ) of the heterostructure was measured as a function of applied bias dc magnetic field in Longitudinal–Transverse (L–T) ME coupling mode by lock-in technique. A maximum ME coefficient α ME of 3.02 mV/cm Oe was measured for multiferroic NMG/PMN–PT heterostructure which demonstrates that there is ME coupling between the film as ferromagnetic material and PMN–PT as piezoelectric material. - Highlights: ► Multiferroic NMG/PMN–PT heterostructure prepared by depositing NMG alloy thin film on PMN–PT substrate. ► The film is in ferromagnetically ordered martensite state at room temperature. ► The substrate maintains its piezoelectric state after deposition. ► The heterostructure exhibits ME effect with maximum of α ME of 3.02 mV/cm Oe.

Preparation and characterization of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ thin films on MgO single crystal substrates by chemical solution deposition

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Grivel, Jean-Claude; Kepa, Katarzyna; Hlásek, T.

2013-01-01

Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 thin films have been deposited on MgO single crystal substrates by spin-coating a solution based on 2-ethylhexanoate precursors. Pyrolysis takes place between 200°C and 450°C and is accompanied by the release of 2-ethylhexanoic acid, CO2 and H2O vapour. Highly c-axis oriented Bi2Sr2Ca...

Enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic activity of silver and mesoporous carbon co-modified Bi2WO6

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao, Qian; Gong, Ming; Liu, Wangping; Mao, Yulin; Le, Shukun; Ju, Shang; Long, Fei; Liu, Xiufang; Liu, Kai; Jiang, Tingshun

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Silver and mesoporous carbon co-modified Bi 2 WO 6 (Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 /CMK-3) composite was prepared. • Photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 WO 6 was remarkably enhanced by co-modification of silver and mesoporous carbon. • The degradation rate of MB can reach ca. 95.1% under visible light irradiation. • The Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 /CMK-3 composite has good stability and potential application prospects. - Abstract: Ordered mesoporous carbon CMK-3 was prepared by hard template method using SBA-15 as template, sucrose as carbon source. Flower/sphere-like Bi 2 WO 6 and CMK-3/Bi 2 WO 6 photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method, and then Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 and Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 /CMK-3 composite photocatalysts were prepared via a photoreduction process. The samples were characterized by XRD, UV–vis, TEM (HR-TEM), SEM, N 2 physical adsorption and PL and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The results show that both incorporating of CMK-3 and Ag loading greatly improved the photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 WO 6 , and the content of CMK-3 and silver have an impact on the photocatalytic activity of Bi 2 WO 6 . The photocatalytic activity of Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 /CMK-3 photocatalyst is superior to the activities of CMK-3/Bi 2 WO 6 and Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 under comparable conditions, and Ag/Bi 2 WO 6 /CMK-3 photocatalyst has high stability and is easy to be recycled. Also, the mechanism for the enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of CMK-3 and Ag co-modified Bi 2 WO 6 was also investigated

Polymorphism and properties of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} doped with pentavalent antimony

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kharitonova, E.P.; Belov, D.A. [M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow (Russian Federation); Gagor, A.B.; Pietraszko, A.P. [W. Trzebiatowski Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Okólna 2, 50-950 Wrocław (Poland); Alekseeva, O.A. [Shubnikov Institute of Crystallography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 59, 119333 Moscow (Russian Federation); Voronkova, V.I., E-mail: voronk@polly.phys.msu.ru [M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow (Russian Federation)

2014-04-05

Highlights: • The limit of Bi{sub 2}W{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x}O{sub 6−y} solid solutions is at x = 0.05. • Bi{sub 2}W{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x}O{sub 6−y} does not fully transform into high-temperature monoclinic phase. • Sb{sup 5+} has a weak effect on the temperatures of the ferroelectric transitions. • γ→γ{sup ‴} transition near 650 °C was observed as strong permittivity peak at 0.01–8 Hz. • The conductivity of Bi{sub 2}W{sub 0.96}Sb{sub 0.04}O{sub 6−y} at 800 °C reaches 0.02 S/cm. -- Abstract: Antimony-containing solid solutions isostructural with bismuth tungstate, Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}, have been prepared in air as polycrystalline samples by solid-state reactions and as single crystals by unseeded flux growth. The antimony in the solid solutions is in a pentavalent state and substitutes for tungsten in the structure of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The Bi{sub 2}W{sub 1−x}Sb{sub x}O{sub 6−y} solid solutions have been shown to exist in the composition range 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.05. We have examined the effect of Sb{sup 5+} doping on the polymorphism and properties of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. In contrast to undoped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}, antimony-substituted bismuth tungstate does not completely transform into its high-temperature, monoclinic phase at 960 °C and remains two-phase up to temperatures approaching its melting point. Antimony substitution for tungsten has a weak effect on the temperatures of the ferroelectric phase transitions. Heterovalent substitution of Sb{sup 5+} for W{sup 6+} is accompanied by the formation of extra oxygen vacancies and an increase in the electrical conductivity of the solid solutions by one to two orders of magnitude relative to undoped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}.

Electrode contacts on ferroelectric Pb(Zr x Ti1−x )O3 and SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films and their influence on fatigue properties

OpenAIRE

Lee, J. J.; Thio, C. L.; Desu, Seshu B.

1995-01-01

The degradation (fatigue) of dielectric properties of ferroelectric Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O-3 (PZT) and SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films during cycling was investigated. PZT and SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films were fabricated by metalorganic decomposition and pulsed laser deposition, respectively. Samples with electrodes of platinum (Pt) and ruthenium oxide (RuO2) were studied. The interfacial capacitance (if any) at the Pt/PZT, RuO2/PZT, and Pt/SrBi2Ta2O9 interfaces was determined from the thickness dependence of low-fiel...

Piezoelectric properties enhanced of Sr0.6(BiNa)0.2Bi2Nb2O9 ceramic by (LiCe) modification with charge neutrality

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fang, Pinyang; Xi, Zengzhe; Long, Wei; Li, Xiaojuan; Li, Jin

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: The oxygen vacancies were confirmed by the left figure. The role of oxygen vacancy on piezoelectric activities was obtained by comparing to the varieties of oxygen vacancy concentration and piezoelectric coefficient with (LiCe) modification. -- Highlights: • The Sr 0.6 (BiNa) 0.2 Bi 2 Nb 2 O 9 ceramic by (LiCe) modification with the charge neutrality was synthesized by the solid state reaction method. • The Curie temperature and piezoelectric coefficient were found to be T c ∼590 °C and d 33 ∼32 pC/N, respectively. • The mechanism of piezoelectric activities improved by (LiCe) modification was discussed. -- Abstract: Aurivillius-type ceramics, Sr 0.6−x (LiCe) x/2.5 (BiNa) 0.2 Bi 2 Nb 2 O 9 (SLCBNBNO) with the charge neutrality, were synthesized by using conventional solid-state processing. Phase analysis was performed by X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Microstructural morphology was assessed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural, dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electromechanical properties of the SLCBNBNO ceramics were investigated. Piezoelectric properties were significantly enhanced compared to Sr 0.6 (BiNa) 0.2 Bi 2 Nb 2 O 9 (SBNBN) ceramic and the maximum of piezoelectric coefficient d 33 of the SBNBN-LC6 ceramic was 32 pC/N with higher Curie temperature (T c ∼590 °C). In addition, mechanisms for the piezoelectric properties enhanced of the SBNBN-based ceramics were discussed

Structural, Raman, and dielectric studies on multiferroic Mn-doped Bi 1-xLax FeO 3 ceramics

KAUST Repository

Xing, Zhibiao

2014-04-03

Multiferroic Bi1-xLaxFeO3 [BLFO (x)] ceramics with x = 0.10-0.50 and Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics with different doping contents (0.1-1.0 mol%) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. They were crystallized in a perovskite phase with rhombohedral symmetry. In the BLFO (x) system, a composition (x)-driven structural transformation (R3c→C222) was observed at x = 0.30. The formation of Bi2Fe 4O9 impure phase was effectively suppressed with increasing the x value, and the rhombohedral distortion in the BLFO ceramics was decreased, leading to some Raman active modes disappeared. A significant red frequency shift (~13 cm-1) of the Raman mode of 232 cm-1 in the BLFO ceramics was observed, which strongly perceived a significant destabilization in the octahedral oxygen chains, and in turn affected the local FeO6 octahedral environment. In the Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics, the intensity of the Raman mode near 628 cm-1 was increased with increasing the Mn-doping content, which was resulted from an enhanced local Jahn-Teller distortions of the (Mn,Fe)O6 octahedra. Electron microscopy images revealed some changes in the ceramic grain sizes and their morphologies in the Mn-doped samples at different contents. Wedge-shaped 71° ferroelectric domains with domain walls lying on the {110} planes were observed in the BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics, whereas in the 1.0 mol% Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) samples, 71° ferroelectric domains exhibited a parallel band-shaped morphology with average domain width of 95 nm. Dielectric studies revealed that high dielectric loss of the BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics was drastically reduced from 0.8 to 0.01 (measured @ 104 Hz) via 1.0 mol% Mn-doping. The underlying mechanisms can be understood by a charge disproportion between the Mn4+ and Fe2+ in the Mn-doped samples, where a reaction of Mn4+ + Fe2+→Mn3+ + Fe3+ is taken place, resulting in the reduction in the oxygen vacancies and a suppression of the electron hopping from Fe3+ to Fe2+ ions

Structural, Raman, and dielectric studies on multiferroic Mn-doped Bi 1-xLax FeO 3 ceramics

KAUST Repository

Xing, Zhibiao; Zhu, Xinhua; Zhu, Jianmin; Liu, Zhiguo; Al-Kassab, Talaat

2014-01-01

Multiferroic Bi1-xLaxFeO3 [BLFO (x)] ceramics with x = 0.10-0.50 and Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics with different doping contents (0.1-1.0 mol%) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. They were crystallized in a perovskite phase with rhombohedral symmetry. In the BLFO (x) system, a composition (x)-driven structural transformation (R3c→C222) was observed at x = 0.30. The formation of Bi2Fe 4O9 impure phase was effectively suppressed with increasing the x value, and the rhombohedral distortion in the BLFO ceramics was decreased, leading to some Raman active modes disappeared. A significant red frequency shift (~13 cm-1) of the Raman mode of 232 cm-1 in the BLFO ceramics was observed, which strongly perceived a significant destabilization in the octahedral oxygen chains, and in turn affected the local FeO6 octahedral environment. In the Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics, the intensity of the Raman mode near 628 cm-1 was increased with increasing the Mn-doping content, which was resulted from an enhanced local Jahn-Teller distortions of the (Mn,Fe)O6 octahedra. Electron microscopy images revealed some changes in the ceramic grain sizes and their morphologies in the Mn-doped samples at different contents. Wedge-shaped 71° ferroelectric domains with domain walls lying on the {110} planes were observed in the BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics, whereas in the 1.0 mol% Mn-doped BLFO (x = 0.30) samples, 71° ferroelectric domains exhibited a parallel band-shaped morphology with average domain width of 95 nm. Dielectric studies revealed that high dielectric loss of the BLFO (x = 0.30) ceramics was drastically reduced from 0.8 to 0.01 (measured @ 104 Hz) via 1.0 mol% Mn-doping. The underlying mechanisms can be understood by a charge disproportion between the Mn4+ and Fe2+ in the Mn-doped samples, where a reaction of Mn4+ + Fe2+→Mn3+ + Fe3+ is taken place, resulting in the reduction in the oxygen vacancies and a suppression of the electron hopping from Fe3+ to Fe2+ ions

Controlled synthesis of three-dimensional hierarchical Bi2WO6 microspheres with optimum photocatalytic activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Hong; Song, Jimei; Zhang, Hui; Gao, Fei; Zhao, Shaojuan; Hu, Haiqin

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► The synthesized method is very simple. It can be widely used in the production. ► The morphology is novel and the property is fine. ► The formation of 3D hierarchical microsphere can be induced by changing the concentration of KNO 3 . -- Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical Bi 2 WO 6 microsphere and octahedral Bi 2 WO 6 have been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method using KNO 3 solution and distilled water as solvent, respectively. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N 2 adsorption/desorption, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in detail. The concentration of KNO 3 played a key role in the formation of 3D hierarchical Bi 2 WO 6 microspheres. A possible formation mechanism of Bi 2 WO 6 microsphere was proposed. The photocatalytic activity of the as-synthesized products was evaluated by monitoring the degradation of MB solution under sunlight irradiation. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of the 3D hierarchical Bi 2 WO 6 microsphere was superior to the octahedral Bi 2 WO 6 , which was attributed to the larger surface area and special hierarchical structure of Bi 2 WO 6 microsphere.

Joining Chemical Pressure and Epitaxial Strain to Yield Y-doped BiFeO3 Thin Films with High Dielectric Response

Science.gov (United States)

Scarisoreanu, N. D.; Craciun, F.; Birjega, R.; Ion, V.; Teodorescu, V. S.; Ghica, C.; Negrea, R.; Dinescu, M.

2016-05-01

BiFeO3 is one of the most promising multiferroic materials but undergoes two major drawbacks: low dielectric susceptibility and high dielectric loss. Here we report high in-plane dielectric permittivity (ε’ ∼2500) and low dielectric loss (tan δ priced target.

A phase transition close to room temperature in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kreisel, J; Jadhav, P; Chaix-Pluchery, O [Laboratoire des Materiaux et du Genie Physique, Grenoble INP, CNRS, Minatec, 3, parvis Louis Neel, 38016 Grenoble (France); Varela, M [Departamento Fisica Aplicada i Optica, Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer MartI i Franques 1. 08028 Campus UAB, Bellaterra 08193 (Spain); Dix, N; Sanchez, F; Fontcuberta, J, E-mail: jens.kreisel@grenoble-inp.fr [Institut de Ciencia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, Bellaterra 08193 (Spain)

2011-08-31

BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) multiferroic oxide has a complex phase diagram that can be mapped by using appropriately substrate-induced strain in epitaxial films. By using Raman spectroscopy, we conclusively show that films of the so-called supertetragonal T-BFO phase, stabilized under compressive strain, display a reversible temperature-induced phase transition at about 100 deg. C, and thus close to room temperature. (fast track communication)

Light regulated I–V hysteresis loop of Ag/BiFeO{sub 3}/FTO thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wei, Lujun; Sun, Bai; Zhao, Wenxi; Li, Hongwei; Chen, Peng, E-mail: pchen@swu.edu.cn

2017-01-30

A hysteresis loop of current–voltage characteristics based multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} nanoribbons memory device is observed. Moreover, the white-light can greatly regulate both the current–voltage hysteresis loop and the ferroelectric hysteresis loop. The stored space charges within the electrodes/BiFeO{sub 3} interface can lead to hysteresis-type I–V characteristics of Ag/BiFeO{sub 3}/FTO devices. The white-light controlled I–V loop and ferroelectric loop result from photon-generated carries. Since the I–V hysteresis loop and ferroelectric hysteresis loop have a potential application prospect to the memory devices, these two white-light controlled the hysteresis loops curves are likely to provide promising opportunity for developing the multi-functional memory devices.

Bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn2VO6: New crystal structure type and electronic structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eliziario Nunes, Sayonara; Wang, Chun-Hai; So, Karwei; Evans, John S.O.; Evans, Ivana Radosavljević

2015-01-01

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the crystal structure and electronic properties of bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn 2 VO 6 , known for its visible light photocatalytic activity. The crystal structure has been solved from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data using the repeated minimisations from random starting values method. BiZn 2 VO 6 adopts a new structure type, based on the following building blocks: corner- and edge-sharing ZnO 4 tetrahedra, ZnO 6 octahedra and VO 4 tetrahedra, and Bi 2 O 12 dimers. It is the only known member of the BiM 2 AO 6 (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family which does not appear to be structurally closely related to others. The electronic structure of BiZn 2 VO 6 , calculated by DFT methods, shows that it is an indirect gap semiconductor with a calculated band gap of 1.6 eV, which compares favourably to the experimentally measured value of 2.4 eV. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of BiZn 2 VO 6 , a new structure type in the BiM 2 AO 6 (M=Mg, Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn; A=V, P, As) family. - Highlights: • Structure solution from PXRD data by repeated minimisations from random starting values. • New structure type in the BiM 2 AO 6 (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family. • Electronic structure calculation

Domain switching in single-phase multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Jia, Tingting; Cheng, Zhenxiang; Zhao, Hongyang; Kimura, Hideo

2018-06-01

Multiferroics are a time-honoured research subject by reason for their tremendous application potential in the information industry, such as in multi-state information storage devices and new types of sensors. An outburst of studies on multiferroicity has been witnessed in the 21st century, although this field has a long research history since the 19th century. Multiferroicity has now become one of the hottest research topics in condensed matter physics and materials science. Numerous efforts have been made to investigate the cross-coupling phenomena among ferroic orders such as ferroelectricity, (anti-)ferromagnetism, and ferroelasticity, especially the coupling between electric and magnetic orderings that would account for the magnetoelectric (ME) effect in multiferroic materials. The magnetoelectric properties and coupling behavior of single phase multiferroics are dominated by their domain structures. It was also noted that, however, the multiferroic materials exhibit very complicated domain structures. Studies on domain structure characterization and domain switching are a crucial step in the exploration of approaches to the control and manipulation of magnetic (electric) properties using an electric (magnetic) field or other means. In this review, following a concise outline of our current basic knowledge on the magnetoelectric (ME) effect, we summarize some important research activities on domain switching in single-phase multiferroic materials in the form of single crystals and thin films, especially domain switching behavior involving strain and the related physics in the last decade. We also introduce recent developments in characterization techniques for domain structures of ferroelectric or multiferroic materials, which have significantly advanced our understanding of domain switching dynamics and interactions. The effects of a series of issues such as electric field, magnetic field, and stress effects on domain switching are been discussed as well. It

Growth behavior of Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} and Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films on graphene substrate grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Chang Wan [Thin Film Materials Research Group, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Gun Hwan; Kang, Min A.; An, Ki-Seok; Lee, Young Kuk [Thin Film Materials Research Group, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Kang, Seong Gu [School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Hyungjun [School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)

2017-03-15

A comparative study of the substrate effect on the growth mechanism of chalcogenide Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} and Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films was carried out. Obvious microstructural discrepancy in both the as-deposited Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} and Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films was observed when grown on graphene or SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate. Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} and Sb{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films deposited on the graphene substrate were observed to be grown epitaxially along c-axis and show very smooth surface compared to that on SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate. Based on the experimental results of this study, the initial adsorption sites on graphene substrate during deposition process, which had been discussed theoretically, could be demonstrated empirically. (copyright 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Structural and Moessbauer Effect Studies of 0.7Bi0.95Dy0.05FeO3-0.3Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 Multiferroic

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stoch, A.; Kulawik, J.; Stoch, P.; Maurin, J.; Zachariasz, P.

2011-01-01

0.7Bi 0.95 Dy 0.05 FeO 3 -0.3Pb(Fe 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 is a multiferroic material which exhibits ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic ordering. In this paper the way of the synthesis of 0.7Bi 0.95 Dy 0.05 FeO 3 -0.3Pb(Fe 0.5 Nb 0.5 )O 3 is presented. The detailed X-ray and Moessbauer effect studies were done and crystal and hyperfine interaction parameters were obtained. (authors)

The effects of solvent on photocatalytic properties of Bi2WO6/TiO2 heterojunction under visible light irradiation

Science.gov (United States)

Guo, Qiyao; Huang, Yunfang; Xu, Hui; Luo, Dan; Huang, Feiyue; Gu, Lin; Wei, Yuelin; Zhao, Huang; Fan, Leqing; Wu, Jihuai

2018-04-01

Bi2WO6/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts with two different microstructures were controllably fabricated via a facile two-step synthetic route. XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, BET-surface, DRS, PL spectra, photoelectrochemical measurement (Mott-Schottky), and zeta-potential analyzer were employed to clarify structural and morphological characteristics of the obtained products. The results showed that Bi2WO6 nanoparticles/nanosheets grew on the primary TiO2 nanorods. The TiO2 nanorods used as a synthetic template inhibit the growth of Bi2WO6 crystals along the c-axis, resulting in Bi2WO6/TiO2 heterostructure with one-dimensional (1D) morphology. The photocatalytic properties of Bi2WO6/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts were strongly dependent on their shapes and structures. Compared with bare Bi2WO6 and TiO2, Bi2WO6/TiO2 composite have stronger adsorption ability and better visible light photocatalytic activities towards organic dyes. The Bi2WO6/TiO2 composite prepared in EG solvent with optimal Bi:Ti ratio of 2:12 (S-TB2) showed the highest photocatalytic activity, which could totally decompose Rhodamine B within 10 min upon irradiation with visible light (λ > 422 nm), and retained the high photocatalytic performance after five recycles, confirming its stability and practical usability. The results of PL indicated that Bi2WO6 and TiO2 could combine well to form a heterojunction structure which facilitated electron-hole separation, and lead to the increasing photocatalytic activity.

A concept for a magnetic field detector underpinned by the nonlinear dynamics of coupled multiferroic devices

Science.gov (United States)

Beninato, A.; Emery, T.; Baglio, S.; Andò, B.; Bulsara, A. R.; Jenkins, C.; Palkar, V.

2013-12-01

Multiferroic (MF) composites, in which magnetic and ferroelectric orders coexist, represent a very attractive class of materials with promising applications in areas, such as spintronics, memories, and sensors. One of the most important multiferroics is the perovskite phase of bismuth ferrite, which exhibits weak magnetoelectric properties at room temperature; its properties can be enhanced by doping with other elements such as dysprosium. A recent paper has demonstrated that a thin film of Bi0.7Dy0.3FeO3 shows good magnetoelectric coupling. In separate work it has been shown that a carefully crafted ring connection of N (N odd and N ≥ 3) ferroelectric capacitors yields, past a critical point, nonlinear oscillations that can be exploited for electric (E) field sensing. These two results represent the starting point of our work. In this paper the (electrical) hysteresis, experimentally measured in the MF material Bi0.7Dy0.3FeO3, is characterized with the applied magnetic field (B) taken as a control parameter. This yields a "blueprint" for a magnetic (B) field sensor: a ring-oscillator coupling of N = 3 Sawyer-Tower circuits each underpinned by a mutliferroic element. In this configuration, the changes induced in the ferroelectric behavior by the external or "target" B-field are quantified, thus providing a pathway for very low power and high sensitivity B-field sensing.

Effect of doping of vanadium ions on crystal structure, dielectric and magnetic properties of Bi{sub 0.8}Ba{sub 0.2}FeO{sub 3} multiferroic

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Godara, Priyanka; Agarwal, Ashish; Ahlawat, Neetu; Sanghi, Sujata, E-mail: sutkash@yahoo.com; Kaswan, Kavita

2016-05-15

Synthesis of Bi{sub 0.8}Ba{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 1−x}V{sub x}O{sub 3} multiferroics (with x=0.0, 0.02 and 0.04 having code V0, V2 and V4, respectively) have been done by solid-state reaction technique. The structural, magnetic and electrical characterization of the prepared ceramics have been carried out using X-ray diffraction, Vibrating sample magnetometry and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Rietveld refinement studies show that all samples have rhombohedral structure (R3c). The observed lattice distortion is due to the difference in the ionic radii of parent ions and doped ions. Sizeable M–H hysteresis loops revealed the transformation of antiferromagnetic BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) into ferromagnetic with Ba and V addition. The highest values of coercive field ~4.5 kOe and saturation magnetization ~1.14 emu/g are observed for V0 and V2 samples, respectively. The dielectric properties were improved with the co-doping as compared with the pure BFO compound due to structural distortion and decrease of oxygen vacancies by addition of higher valence V{sup 5+} cation. - Highlights: • Refinement has been done by hexagonal representation of R3c space group. • Magnetic properties are affected by the distortion in Fe–O octahedral. • Dielectric properties have improved on co-doping.

Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Phu, Nguyen Dang; Hoang, Luc Huy; Chen, Xiang-Bai; Kong, Meng-Hong; Wen, Hua-Chiang; Chou, Wu Ching

2015-01-01

We present a study of photocatalytic activities of Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method. The photocatalytic activities of the nanoparticles were evaluated by the decolorization of methylene-blue under visible-light-irradiation. Our results show that the surface area of Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles plays a major role for improving photocatalytic activity, while visible-light absorption has only a weak effect on photocatalytic activity. This suggests efficient transportation of photo-generated electrons and holes to the oxidation active sites on the surface of nanoparticles, indicating Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method are promising for achieving high photocatalytic activity under visible-light-irradiation. - Highlights: • The Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles were synthesized via fast microwave-assisted method. • The obtained Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles exhibited visible-light absorbance. • The surface area of Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles plays major role for improving photocatalytic activity. • The Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles are promising for achieving high photocatalytic activity under visible-light-irradiation

Structural and Galvanomagnetic properties in Mn-Bi2Te3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Bidinakis, K.; Speliotis, Th.

2017-12-01

Bismuth-based binary chalcogenide compounds such as Bi2Te3 and Bi2Se3 are well known materials for their excellent thermoelectric properties due to their near-gap electronic structure. In the last few years these materials have received attention for exhibiting new physics of 3D topological insulators (TI). Possible applications of TI based devices range from quantum computing, spin based logic and memory to electrodynamics. The 3D TIs present spin-momentum-locked surface states by time reversal symmetry (TRS). Introducing magnetic doping in a TI, brakes the TRS and is predicted to open the gap at Dirac point, resulting in exotic quantum phenomena. This interaction between magnetism and topologically protected states is of potential attention for applications in modern spintronics. Quantum phenomena such as weak antilocalization observed in these nanostructures are described. In this work, granular Mn-Bi2Te3 thin films were grown by DC magnetron sputtering on Si(111) substrates and were submitted to ex situ annealing. We present results for the crystal structure of sputtered and annealed films characterized with X-ray diffraction and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). The surface analysis was studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Magnetotransport measurements were performed using standard four probe technique with Hall and MR configurations, with perpendicular magnetic fields up to 9T and temperatures from 300 to 3K.

Improvement of critical current density in thallium-based (Tl, Bi)Sr1.6Ba0.4Ca2Cu3O9-δ superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ren, Z.F.; Wang, C.A.; Wang, J.H.

1994-07-01

Epitaxial (Tl,Bi)Sr 1.6 Ba 0.4 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x ((Tl, Bi)-1223) thin films on (100) single crystal LaAlO 3 substrates were synthesized by a two-step procedure. Phase development, microstructure, and relationships between film and substrate were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Resistance versus temperature, zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization, and transport critical current density (J c ) were measured. The zero-resistance temperature was 105--111 K. J c at 77 K and zero field was >2 x 10 6 A/cm 2 . The films exhibited good flux pinning properties

Gadolinium substitution induced defect restructuring in multiferroic BiFeO3: case study by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Mukherjee, A.; Banerjee, M.; Basu, S.; Nambissan, P. M. G.; Pal, M.

2013-12-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) comprising of the measurements of positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening spectra has been carried out to understand and monitor the evolution of the vacancy-type defects arising from the ionic deficiencies at lattice points of the multiferroic perovskite bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) doped with 1, 5 and 10 at% gadolinium (Gd3+) ions. Negatively charged defects in the form of Bi3+ monovacancies (V_{Bi}^{3-} ) were present in the undoped nanocrystallites, which strongly trapped positrons. During the successive doping by Gd3+ ions, the positron trapping efficiency decreased while the doped ions combined with the vacancies to form complexes, which became neutral. A fraction of the positrons got annihilated at the crystallite surfaces too, being evident from the very large positron lifetimes obtained and confirming the nano-size-specific characteristics of the samples. Further, the intercrystallite regions provided favourable sites for orthopositronium formation, although in minute concentrations. The dopant ion-complex formation was also depicted clearly by the defect characteristic S-W plot. Also, the large change of electrical resistivity with Gd concentration has been explained nicely by invoking the defect information from the PAS study. The study has demonstrated the usefulness of an excellent method of defect identification in such a novel material system, which is vital information for exploiting them for further technological applications.

Photoconductivity in BiFeO3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Basu, S. R.; Martin, L. W.; Chu, Y. H.; Gajek, M.; Ramesh, R.; Rai, R. C.; Xu, X.; Musfeldt, J. L.

2008-03-01

The optical properties of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films have been characterized in the visible range. Variable temperature spectra show an absorption onset near 2.17eV, a direct gap (2.667±0.005eV at 300K), and charge transfer excitations at higher energy. Additionally, we report photoconductivity in BiFeO3 films under illumination from a 100mW /cm2 white light source. A direct correlation is observed between the magnitude of the photoconductivity and postgrowth cooling pressure. Dark conductivities increased by an order of magnitude when comparing films cooled in 760 and 0.1Torr. Large increases in photoconductivity are observed in light.

Anisotropic pressure effects on the Kagome Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl metamagnet

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, H. C.; Tseng, W. J.; Yang, P. Y.; Chandrasekhar, K. D.; Berger, H.; Yang, H. D.

2017-07-01

The anisotropic spin-flip-induced multiferroic property of the Kagome single-crystal Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl was recently investigated. The doping effects on the structural and magnetic properties of Cu3Bi(Se1-x Te x O3)2O2Cl (0 ≤slant x≤slant 0.6) polycrystalline samples were studied to further explore and manipulate the metamagnetic spin-flip transition. With higher Te concentration, the lattice constants a and b exhibit a linear increase, whereas the lattice constant c gradually decreases, which indicates that the anisotropic expansion and compression effect is induced by Te substitution in the Se site. Subsequently, the antiferromagnetic transition (T N) shifts to a higher temperature, the critical field ({{H}\\text{c}} ) of the metamagnetic spin-flip transition increases, and the value of the saturation magnetisation ({{M}\\text{s}} ) diminishes. Meanwhile, the effects of isotropic expansion (with Br doping) and compression (with external pressure) do not show a clear influence on the spin-flip phenomena. Our results emphasise the introduction of anisotropic pressure in Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl, which modulates the magnetic interaction of Cu (I)-O1-Cu (I) and Cu (I)-O1-Cu (II) and, consequently, enhances the {{H}\\text{c}} of the spin-flip transition.

Influence of Co doping on structural, optical and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 films deposited on quartz substrates by sol-gel method

Science.gov (United States)

Peng, Lin; Deng, Hongmei; Tian, Jianjun; Ren, Qing; Peng, Cheng; Huang, Zhipeng; Yang, Pingxiong; Chu, Junhao

2013-03-01

Multiferroic BiFe1-xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1) thin films have been prepared on quartz substrates using a sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction data confirms that Co atoms have been successfully incorporated into the host lattice. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibits that the surface morphologies of BiFe0.97Co0.03O3 and BiFe0.95Co0.05O3 thin films become more compact and uniform. With increasing Co dopant, the position of A1-1 and E-4 modes shift towards the lower wavenumber indicates that Co doping induces structural distortion of BiFeO3. With increasing Co composition, the fundamental absorption edges of BiFe1-xCoxO3 films show red shift. Furthermore, transmittance spectra demonstrates that the optical band gap of BiFe1-xCoxO3 films decreases from 2.66 eV to 2.53 eV with the increase of Co from x = 0 to 0.1. At the wavelength of 720 nm, the refractive index decreases and the extinction coefficient increases with increasing the amount of Co. Optical properties reveal that Co doping in BiFeO3 provides preliminary research for optoelectronic devices and infrared detectors. Compared with BiFeO3 prepared under similar conditions, the remanent magnetization Mr of BiFe1-xCoxO3 (x = 0.03, 0.05, 0.1) thin films significantly enhanced, which provides potential applications in information storage.

Electrochemical reaction of lithium with orthorhombic bismuth tungstate thin films fabricated by radio-frequency sputtering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Chilin; Sun Ke; Yu Le; Fu Zhengwen

2009-01-01

Bi 2 WO 6 thin films with fast deposition rate have been fabricated by radio-frequency (R.F.) sputtering deposition, and are used as positive electrodes in rechargeable thin film lithium batteries. An initial discharge capacity of 113 μAh/cm 2 -μm is obtainable for Bi 2 WO 6 film electrode with good capacity reversibility. A multiple-center reactive mechanism associated with both Bi 3+ /Bi 0 and W 6+ /W x+ (x 2 WO 6 electrochemical performance with those of Bi 2 O 3 and WO 3 thin films. A possible explanation about smooth capacity loss of Bi 2 WO 6 after long-term cycling is suggested from the incomplete reaction of Bi component. The advantages of Bi 2 WO 6 thin films over the singer-center Bi 2 O 3 or WO 3 thin films are shown in both the aspects of volumetric capacity and cycling life.

Phase transitions and electrical properties of Bi2W1−xNbxO6−y and Bi2W1−xTaxO6−y

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kharitonova, E.P.; Voronkova, V.I.; Gagor, A.B.; Pietraszko, A.P.; Alekseeva, O.A.

2013-01-01

Highlights: •The limit of Bi 2 W 1−x Me x O 6−y solid solutions is at x = 0.1, 0.15 for Me = Nb, Ta. •Ta and Nb substitutions for W suppress the reconstructive phase transition. •Bi 2 W 0.9 Nb 0.1 O 6−y samples belong to Aurivillius-type structure up to their melting. •Nb and Ta doping shifts ferroelectric transition to low temperatures up to 200 °C. •The highest conductivity reaches 10 −1 S/cm at 800 °C (x = 0.05, 0.1; Me = Nb, Ta). -- Abstract: Polycrystalline samples of Bi 2 W 1−x Me x O 6−y (Me = Nb, Ta) solid solutions have been prepared by solid-state reactions, and the influence of Nb and Ta substitutions for W on the polymorphism and electrical properties of Bi 2 WO 6 has been studied. The limit of the solid solutions is at x = 0.1 for Me = Nb and at x = 0.15 for Me = Ta. The distinctive features of the polymorphism of the Nb- and Ta-doped materials have been identified. According to differential scanning calorimetry data, tantalum and niobium substitutions for tungsten increase the temperature of the high-temperature, orthorhombic-to-monoclinic reconstructive phase transition and suppress the transition starting at x = 0.05 for Me = Nb and x = 0.10 for Me = Ta. As a result, the Bi 2 W 1−x Nb x O 6−y samples have an orthorhombic Aurivillius-type structure up to their melting point. The Bi 2 W 1−x Ta x O 6−y solid solutions at high temperatures consist of a mixture of an orthorhombic and a monoclinic phase. Nb and Ta doping shifts the ferroelectric phase transition to lower temperatures by more than 200 °C, thus markedly extending the stability range of the nonpolar orthorhombic paraelectric phase, which exists in a temperature range as narrow as 930–960 °C in the case of undoped Bi 2 WO 6 . The increase in oxygen vacancy concentration due to heterovalent substitutions of Nb 5+ and Ta 5+ for W 6+ leads to an increase in conductivity by two orders of magnitude relative to the unsubstituted compound

Modification of photosensing property of CdS–Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} bi-layer by thermal annealing and swift heavy ion irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shaikh, Shaheed U.; Siddiqui, Farha Y. [Thin Film and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Physics (India); Department of Nanotechnology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004 (India); Singh, Fouran; Kulriya, Pawan K. [Inter University Accelerator Center, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067 (India); Phase, D.M. [UGC DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Khandwa Road, Indore 452017 (India); Sharma, Ramphal, E-mail: ramphalsharma@yahoo.com [Thin Film and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Physics (India); Department of Nanotechnology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431004 (India)

2016-02-01

The CdS–Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} bi-layer thin films have been deposited on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass substrates at room temperature by Chemical Bath Deposition Technique (CBD) and bi-layer thin films were annealed in air atmosphere for 1 h at 250 {sup °}C. The air annealed sample was irradiated using Au{sup 9+} ions at the fluence 5 × 10{sup 11} ion/cm{sup 2} with 120 MeV energy. Effects of Swift Heavy Ion (SHI) irradiation on CdS–Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} bi-layer thin films were studied. The results are explained on the basis annealing and high electronic excitation, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Selective Electron Area Diffraction (SEAD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Raman Spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy and I–V characteristics. The photosensing property after illumination of visible light over the samples is studied. These as-deposited, annealed and irradiated bi-layer thin films are used to sense visible light at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: Schematic illustration of CdS–Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} bi-layer thin film (a) As-deposited (b) Annealed (c) irradiated sample respectively (d) Model of bi-layer photosensor device (e) Graph of illumination intensity verses photosensitivity. - Highlights: • CdS–Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} bi-layer thin film prepared at room temperature. • Irradiated using Au{sup 9+} ions at the fluence of 5 × 10{sup 11} ion/cm{sup 2} with 120 MeV energy. • Study of modification induced by irradiations. • Study of Photosensitivity after annealing and irradiation.

Thermoelectric power of Bi and Bi{sub 1{minus}x}Sb{sub x} alloy thin films and superlattices grown by MBE

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cho, S; DiVenere, A; Wong, G K; Ketterson, J B; Meyer, J R; Hoffman, C A

1997-07-01

The authors have measured the thermoelectric power (TEP) of MBE-grown epitaxial Bi and Bi{sub 1{minus}x} alloy thin films and superlattices as a function of temperature in the range 20--300 K. They have observed that the TEP of a Bi thin film of 1 {micro}m thickness is in good agreement with the bulk single crystal value and that the TEPs for superlattices with 400 {angstrom} and 800 {angstrom} Bi well thicknesses are enhanced over the bulk values. For x = 0.072 and 0.088 in Bi{sub 1{minus}x}Sb{sub x} thin films showing semiconducting behavior, TEP enhancement was observed by a factor of two. However as Bi or Bi{sub 1{minus}x}Sb{sub x} well thickness decreases in superlattice geometry, the TEP decreases, which may be due to unintentional p-type doping.

Room Temperature Tunable Multiferroic Properties in Sol-Gel-Derived Nanocrystalline Sr(Ti1−xFexO3−δ Thin Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yi-Guang Wang

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Sr(Ti1−xFexO3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 thin films were grown on Si(100 substrates with LaNiO3 buffer-layer by a sol-gel process. Influence of Fe substitution concentration on the structural, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties, as well as the leakage current behaviors of the Sr(Ti1−xFexO3−δ thin films, were investigated by using the X-ray diffractometer (XRD, atomic force microscopy (AFM, the ferroelectric test system, and the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM. After substituting a small amount of Ti ion with Fe, highly enhanced ferroelectric properties were obtained successfully in SrTi0.9Ti0.1O3−δ thin films, with a double remanent polarization (2Pr of 1.56, 1.95, and 9.14 μC·cm−2, respectively, for the samples were annealed in air, oxygen, and nitrogen atmospheres. The leakage current densities of the Fe-doped SrTiO3 thin films are about 10−6–10−5 A·cm−2 at an applied electric field of 100 kV·cm−1, and the conduction mechanism of the thin film capacitors with various Fe concentrations has been analyzed. The ferromagnetic properties of the Sr(Ti1−xFexO3−δ thin films have been investigated, which can be correlated to the mixed valence ions and the effects of the grain boundary. The present results revealed the multiferroic nature of the Sr(Ti1−xFexO3−δ thin films. The effect of the annealing environment on the room temperature magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Sr(Ti0.9Fe0.1O3−δ thin films were also discussed in detail.

Structural and magnetic properties of [001] CoCr2O4 thin films

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Guzman, Roger; Heuver, Jeroen; Matzen, Sylvia; Magen, Cesar; Noheda, Beatriz

2017-01-01

The spinel CoCr2O4 (CCO) is one of the few bulk multiferroics with net magnetic moment. However, studies on the properties of CCO thin films are scarce. Here, we investigate the interplay between microstructure and magnetism of a series of CCO epitaxial thin films by means of x-ray diffraction,

Comparison of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Bi{sup 3+} phosphor thin films fabricated by the spin coating and radio frequency magnetron techniques

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jafer, R.M.; Yousif, A. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa); Department of Physics, Faculty of Education, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 321, Postal Code 11115 Omdurman (Sudan); Kumar, Vinod [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa); Photovoltaic Laboratory, Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110016 (India); Pathak, Trilok Kumar [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa); Semiconductor Physics Lab, Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar (India); Purohit, L.P. [Semiconductor Physics Lab, Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar (India); Swart, H.C., E-mail: swarthc@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa); Coetsee, E., E-mail: CoetseeE@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa)

2016-09-15

The reactive radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and spin coating fabrication techniques were used to fabricate Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.5%} phosphor thin films. The two techniques were analysed and compared as part of investigations being done on the application of down-conversion materials for a Si solar cell. The morphology, structural and optical properties of these thin films were investigated. The X-ray diffraction results of the thin films fabricated by both techniques showed cubic structures with different space groups. The optical properties showed different results because the Bi{sup 3+} ion is very sensitive towards its environment. The luminescence results for the thin film fabricated by the spin coating technique is very similar to the luminescence observed in the powder form. It showed three obvious emission bands in the blue and green regions centered at about 360, 410 and 495 nm. These emissions were related to the {sup 3}P{sub 1}–{sup 1}S{sub 0} transition of the Bi{sup 3+} ion situated in the two different sites of the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} matrix with I a-3(206) space group. Whereas the thin film fabricated by the radio frequency magnetron technique showed a broad single emission band in the blue region centered at about 416 nm. This was assigned to the {sup 3}P{sub 1}–{sup 1}S{sub 0} transition of the Bi{sup 3+} ion situated in one of the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} matrix's sites with a Fm-3 (225) space group. The spin coating fabrication technique is suggested to be the best technique to fabricate the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Bi{sup 3+} phosphor thin films. - Highlights: • RF sputtering and spin coating were used to fabricate Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.5%} phosphor thin films. • XRD results of the two films showed cubic structures with different space groups. • PL showed different emission for the Bi{sup 3+} ions in the two films. • Three emission bands in the blue and green regions centered at about 360, 410 and 495 nm. • RF

Unidirectional THz radiation propagation in BiFeO3

Science.gov (United States)

Room, Toomas

The mutual coupling between magnetism and electricity present in many multiferroic materials permit the magnetic control of the electric polarization and the electric control of the magnetization. These static magnetoelectric (ME) effects are of enormous interest: The ability to write a magnetic state current-free by an electric voltage would provide a huge technological advantage. However, ME coupling changes the low energy electrodynamics of these materials in unprecedented way - optical ME effects give rise to unidirectional light propagation as recently observed in low-temperature multiferroics. The transparent direction can be switched with dc magnetic or electric field, thus opening up new possibilities to manipulate the propagation of electromagnetic waves in multiferroic materials. We studied the unidirectional transmission of THz radiation in BiFeO3 crystals, the unique multiferroic compound offering a real potential for room temperature applications. The electrodynamics of BiFeO3 at 1THz and below is dominated by the spin wave modes of cycloidal spin order. We found that the optical magnetoelectric effect generated by spin waves in BiFeO3 is robust enough to cause considerable nonreciprocal directional dichroism in the GHz-THz range even at room temperature. The supporting theory attributes the observed unidirectional transmission to the spin-current-driven dynamic ME effect. Our work demonstrates that the nonreciprocal directional dichroism spectra of low energy excitations and their theoretical analysis provide microscopic model of ME couplings in multiferroic materials. Recent THz spectroscopy studies of multiferroic materials are an important step toward the realization of optical diodes, devices which transmit light in one but not in the opposite direction.

Synthesis and Visible-Light Photocatalytic Property of Bi2WO6Hierarchical Octahedron-Like Structures

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Li Yuanyuan

2008-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract A novel octahedron-like hierarchical structure of Bi2WO6has been fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method in high quantity. XRD, SEM, TEM, and HRTEM were used to characterize the product. The results indicated that this kind of Bi2WO6crystals had an average size of ~4 μm, constructed by quasi-square single-crystal nanosheets assembled in a special fashion. The formation of octahedron-like hierarchical structure of Bi2WO6depended crucially on the pH value of the precursor suspensions. The photocatalytic activity of the hierarchical Bi2WO6structures toward RhB degradation under visible light was investigated, and it was found to be significantly better than that of the sample fabricated by SSR. The better photocatalytic property should be strongly associated with the high specific surface area and the abundant pore structure of the hierarchical octahedron-like Bi2WO6.

Thickness oscillations of the transport properties in n-type Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} topological insulator thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rogacheva, E.I., E-mail: rogacheva@kpi.kharkov.ua [National Technical University “Kharkov Polytechnic Institute”, 21 Frunze Street, Kharkov 61002 (Ukraine); Budnik, A.V.; Sipatov, A.Yu.; Nashchekina, O.N. [National Technical University “Kharkov Polytechnic Institute”, 21 Frunze Street, Kharkov 61002 (Ukraine); Fedorov, A.G. [Institute for Single Crystals of NAS of Ukraine, 60 Lenin Prospect, Kharkov 61001 (Ukraine); Dresselhaus, M.S.; Tang, S. [Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 (United States)

2015-11-02

The dependences of the electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and Hall coefficient on the thickness (d = 20–155 nm) of the n-type thin films grown on the glass substrates by the thermal evaporation in vacuum of the n-type Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} topological insulator crystals have been measured. It has been established that these dependences have an oscillatory character with a substantial amplitude. The obtained results are interpreted in terms of quantum size effects, taking into account the peculiar properties of the surface layers of the Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} films connected with the topological insulator nature of the bismuth telluride. - Highlights: • The thickness dependences of Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} thin films kinetic coefficients were obtained. • The dependences have oscillatory character with a substantial undamped amplitude. • The oscillation period increases with decreasing film thickness. • The oscillations are attributed to electron confinement in the film growth direction. • It is suggested that topological surface layer affects quantum processes in films.

Ternary reduced-graphene-oxide/Bi2MoO6/Au nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bi, Jinhong; Fang, Wei; Li, Li; Li, Xiaofen; Liu, Minghua; Liang, Shijing; Zhang, Zizhong; He, Yunhui; Lin, Huaxiang; Wu, Ling; Liu, Shengwei; Wong, Po Keung

2015-01-01

A novel ternary nanocomposite photocatalyst consisted of reduced-graphene-oxide (RGO), Bi 2 MoO 6 and plasmonic Au nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by multiple steps including a simple solvothermal process and photochemical reduction process. RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Au was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In comparison with Bi 2 MoO 6 , RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 and Au/Bi 2 MoO 6 , RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Au exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity for decomposition of Rhodamine B under visible light. The separation efficiency of the photogenerated holes and electrons on Bi 2 MoO 6 is promoted by the combined effect of both RGO and Au in the ternary composite, and thus enhances photocatalytic activity. The scavenger study revealed that both hole and superoxide are the major reactive species for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B using RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Au photocatalyst. - Graphical abstract: A novel ternary nanocomposite photocatalyst consisted of reduced-graphene-oxide (RGO), Bi 2 MoO 6 and plasmonic Au nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by multiple steps including a simple solvothermal process and photochemical reduction process. The resulted ternary nanocomposites greatly enhanced the visible light photocatalytic properties compared to Bi 2 MoO 6 , RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 or Au/Bi 2 MoO 6 binary systems. The improved photocatalytic activity was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of Au and RGO with better separation of the photogenerated holes and electrons, resulting from the surface plasmonic resonance and extra strong electron magnetic field of Au nanoparticles and the high electron conductivity of RGO. - Highlights: • The ternary nanocomposites RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Au were constructed for the first time. • RGO/Bi 2 MoO 6 /Au showed much higher visible photoactivity than RGO (Au)/Bi 2 MoO 6 . • The improved

Photoelectrochemical Performance Observed in Mn-Doped BiFeO3 Heterostructured Thin Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hao-Min Xu

2016-11-01

Full Text Available Pure BiFeO3 and heterostructured BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 (5% Mn-doped BiFeO3 thin films have been prepared by a chemical deposition method. The band structures and photosensitive properties of these films have been investigated elaborately. Pure BiFeO3 films showed stable and strong response to photo illumination (open circuit potential kept −0.18 V, short circuit photocurrent density was −0.023 mA·cm−2. By Mn doping, the energy band positions shifted, resulting in a smaller band gap of BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 layer and an internal field being built in the BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 interface. BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 and BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin films demonstrated poor photo activity compared with pure BiFeO3 films, which can be explained by the fact that Mn doping brought in a large amount of defects in the BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 layers, causing higher carrier combination and correspondingly suppressing the photo response, and this negative influence was more considerable than the positive effects provided by the band modulation.

Effect of double layer thickness on magnetoelectric coupling in multiferroic BaTiO3-Bi0.95Gd0.05FeO3 multilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Hohenberger, S.; Lazenka, V.; Temst, K.; Selle, S.; Patzig, C.; Höche, T.; Grundmann, M.; Lorenz, M.

2018-05-01

The effect of double-layer thickness and partial substitution of Bi3+ by Gd3+ is demonstrated for multiferroic BaTiO3–BiFeO3 2–2 heterostructures. Multilayers of 15 double layers of BaTiO3 and Bi0.95Gd0.05FeO3 were deposited onto (0 0 1) oriented SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition with various double layer thicknesses. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations revealed a systematic strain tuning with layer thickness via coherently strained interfaces. The multilayers show increasingly enhanced magnetoelectric coupling with reduced double layer thickness. The maximum magnetoelectric coupling coefficient was measured to be as high as 50.8 V cm‑1 Oe‑1 in 0 T DC bias magnetic field at room temperature, and 54.9 V cm‑1 Oe‑1 above 3 T for the sample with the thinnest double layer thickness of 22.5 nm. This enhancement is accompanied by progressively increasing perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and compressive out-of-plane strain. To understand the origin of the enhanced magnetoelectric coupling in such multilayers, the temperature and magnetic field dependency of is discussed. The magnetoelectric performance of the Gd3+ substituted samples is found to be slightly enhanced when compared to unsubstituted BaTiO3–BiFeO3 multilayers of comparable double-layer thickness.

The effects of Zn doping on magnetic properties of Cu3Bi(SeO3)2O2Cl

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Pei-Ying; Tseng, Wu-Jyun; Wu, Hung-Cheng; Kakarla, D. Chandrasekhar; Yang, Hung-Duen; Department of Physics, Natl Sun Yat Sen Univ Team

Recently, layered spin-frustrated Cu3Bi(SeO3)2 O2Cl has received considerable research attention due to its unusual magnetic properties. Two inequivalent Cu2 + ions form a pseudo-kagome lattice that invokes spin frustration and anisotropic magnetic properties. In this study, the influence of Zn doping on the complex magnetic properties has been explored. Polycrystalline (Cu1-xZnx) Bi(SeO3)2 O2Cl (0 x 0.5) samples were synthesized using solid-state reaction and characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The Zn doping strongly modulates the magnetic ground state of the system. The antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN = 24 K and magnetic field-induced hysteresis observed for x = 0 at low field are systematically shifted to lower temperature and reduced with Zn doping. These results can illustrate the insight of the occurrence of field-induced spin-flip type multiferroics in Cu3Bi(SeO3)2 O2Cl.

Strongly compressed Bi (111) bilayer films on Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, K. F.; Yang, Fang; Song, Y. R. [Key Laboratory of Artificial Structures and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Liu, Canhua; Qian, Dong; Gao, C. L.; Jia, Jin-Feng [Key Laboratory of Artificial Structures and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing 210093 (China)

2015-09-21

Ultra-thin Bi films show exotic electronic structure and novel quantum effects, especially the widely studied Bi (111) film. Using reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy, we studied the structure and morphology evolution of Bi (111) thin films grown on Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3}. A strongly compressed, but quickly released in-plane lattice of Bi (111) is found in the first three bilayers. The first bilayer of Bi shows a fractal growth mode with flat surface, while the second and third bilayer show a periodic buckling due to the strong compression of the in-plane lattice. The lattice slowly changes to its bulk value with further deposition of Bi.

Inductive effect of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) on morphology and photocatalytic performance of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Qiang; Chen, Jinxing; Xie, Yunyun; Wang, Mozhen; Ge, Xuewu, E-mail: xwge@ustc.edu.cn

2016-04-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • PVP molecular chains will induce the assembly of the primary Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanosheets. • The assembly of primary Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanosheets forms various 3D topological structure. • Sheet-like, flower-like, red-blood-cell-like and square-pillar-like Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} were formed. • Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} formed at low concentration or molecular weight of PVP has better activity. - Abstract: Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} has great potential applications in the field of photocatalyst due to its excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance. This work studied the detailed morphological evolution of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} particles synthesized in a simple hydrothermal system induced by the stabilizer poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). The XRD and HRTEM results show PVP would not change the crystal structure of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}, but the distribution of PVP on the initially formed Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanosheets will induce the crystal growth, resulting in a distinct morphology evolution of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with the increase of the concentration of PVP. At the same time, with the increase of the molecular weight of PVP, the morphology of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} varied from simple sheet-like (S-BWO) to some complicated morphology, such as flower-like (F-BWO), red blood cell-like (B-BWO), and square-pillar-like (SP-BWO). The photocatalytic performances of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with various morphologies on the decomposition of RhB under visible light irradiation reveal that S-BWO has the best photocatalytic performance, while SP-BWO has the worst. This work not only gives the explanation of the inductive effect of PVP molecular chains on the morphological formation of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} particles, but also provides the controllable way to the preparation of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} with various morphologies taking advantage of the stabilizer PVP.

Comparative studies of the dielectric properties of (1−x)BiFeO{sub 3}-xNi{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0) multiferroic nanocomposite with their single phase BiFeO{sub 3} and Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mani, Angom Devadatta, E-mail: angomdevadattamani@gmail.com; Soibam, Ibetombi

2017-02-15

BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) and nickel zinc ferrite Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (NZFO) were prepared by sol gel and auto combustion route respectively. Stoichiometric proportions were mixed to obtain the multiferroic nanocomposites having the compositional formula (1−x)BiFeO{sub 3}-x Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0). The phases were confirmed by XRD analyses. SEM micrographs showed the agglomerated nature of the particles with continuous grain growth in all directions. Elemental compositions were confirmed from EDAX studies. FTIR studies showed the stretching and bending vibrations of the various bonds present in the samples. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant, ε′ and dielectric loss tangent, tanδ were studied for the spinel, perovskite and nanocomposite ferrites. Experimental result shows an increasing trend in the value of dielectric constant in going from spinel to perovskite phase. The frequency dependence of tanδ showed minimum loss for x=0.5 nanocomposite. Possible mechanisms explaining the above results were being discussed.

Space charge limited current conduction in Bi2Te3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sathyamoorthy, R.; Dheepa, J.; Velumani, S.

2007-01-01

Bi 2 Te 3 is known for its large thermoelectric coefficients and is widely used as a material for Peltier devices. Bi 2 Te 3 thin films with thicknesses in the range 125-300 A have been prepared by Flash Evaporation at a pressure of 10 -5 m bar on clean glass substrates at room temperature. An Al-Bi 2 Te 3 -Al sandwich structure has been used for electrical conduction properties in the temperature range 303 to 483 K. I-V characteristics showed Ohmic conduction in the low voltage region. In the higher voltage region, a Space Charge Limited Conduction (SCLC) takes place due to the presence of the trapping level. The transition voltage (V t ), between the Ohmic and the SCLC condition was proportional to the square of thickness. Further evidence for this conduction process was provided by the linear dependence of V t on t 2 and log J on log t. The hole concentration in the films were found to be n 0 = 1.65 * 10 10 m -3 . The carrier mobility increases with increasing temperature whereas the density of trapped charges decreases with increasing temperature. The barrier height decreases with an increase in temperature. The increase in the trapping concentration V t is correlated with ascending the degree of preferred orientation of the highest atomic density plane. The activation energy was estimated and the values found to decrease with increasing applied voltage. The zero field value of the activation energy is found to be 0.4 eV

Bulk contribution to magnetotransport properties of low-defect-density Bi2Te3 topological insulator thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Ngabonziza, P.; Wang, Y.; Brinkman, A.

2018-04-01

An important challenge in the field of topological materials is to carefully disentangle the electronic transport contribution of the topological surface states from that of the bulk. For Bi2Te3 topological insulator samples, bulk single crystals and thin films exposed to air during fabrication processes are known to be bulk conducting, with the chemical potential in the bulk conduction band. For Bi2Te3 thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy, we combine structural characterization (transmission electron microscopy), chemical surface analysis as function of time (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and magnetotransport analysis to understand the low defect density and record high bulk electron mobility once charge is doped into the bulk by surface degradation. Carrier densities and electronic mobilities extracted from the Hall effect and the quantum oscillations are consistent and reveal a large bulk carrier mobility. Because of the cylindrical shape of the bulk Fermi surface, the angle dependence of the bulk magnetoresistance oscillations is two dimensional in nature.

Conduction Mechanisms in Multiferroic Multilayer BaTiO3/NiFe2O4/BaTiO3 Memristors

Science.gov (United States)

Samardzic, N.; Bajac, B.; Srdic, V. V.; Stojanovic, G. M.

2017-10-01

Memristive devices and materials are extensively studied as they offer diverse properties and applications in digital, analog and bio-inspired circuits. In this paper, we present an important class of memristors, multiferroic memristors, which are composed of multiferroic multilayer BaTiO3/NiFe2O4/BaTiO3 thin films, fabricated by a spin-coating deposition technique on platinized Si wafers. This cost-effective device shows symmetric and reproducible current-voltage characteristics for the actuating voltage amplitude of ±10 V. The origin of the conduction mechanism was investigated by measuring the electrical response in different voltage and temperature conditions. The results indicate the existence of two mechanisms: thermionic emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling, which alternate with actuating voltage amplitude and operating temperature.

The microscopic model of BiFeO3

Science.gov (United States)

Fishman, R. S.

2018-05-01

Many years and great effort have been spent constructing the microscopic model for the room temperature multiferroic BiFeO3. However, earlier models implicitly assumed that the cycloidal wavevector q was confined to one of the three-fold symmetric axes in the hexagonal plane normal to the electric polarization. Because recent measurements indicate that q can be rotated by a magnetic field, it is essential to properly treat the anisotropy that confines q at low fields. We propose that the anisotropy energy -K3S6sin6 θ cos 6 ϕ confines the wavevectors q to the three-fold axis ϕ = 0 and ± 2 π / 3 within the hexagonal plane with θ = π / 2 .

Crystalline structure and XMCD studies of Co40Fe40B20 grown on Bi2Te3, BiTeI and Bi2Se3

OpenAIRE

Kaveev, A. K.; Sokolov, N. S.; Suturin, S. M.; Zhiltsov, N. S.; Golyashov, V. A.; Tereshchenko, O. E.; Prosvirin, I. P.; Kokh, K. A.; Sawada, M.

2018-01-01

Epitaxial films of Co40Fe40B20 (further - CoFeB) were grown on Bi2Te3(001) and Bi2Se3(001) substrates by laser molecular beam epitaxy (LMBE) technique at 200-400C. Bcc-type crystalline structure of CoFeB with (111) plane parallel to (001) plane of Bi2Te3 was observed, in contrast to polycrystalline CoFeB film formed on Bi2Se3(001) at RT using high-temperature seeding layer. Therefore, structurally ordered ferromagnetic thin films were obtained on the topological insulator surface for the firs...

Comparative study on substitution effects in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films fabricated on FTO substrates by chemical solution deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xue, Xu; Tan, Guoqiang, E-mail: tan3114@163.com; Hao, Hangfei; Ren, Huijun

2013-10-01

Pure BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO), BiFe{sub 0.97}Co{sub 0.03}O{sub 3−δ} (BFCO) and Bi{sub 0.90}Gd{sub 0.10}Fe{sub 0.97}Co{sub 0.03}O{sub 3−δ} (BGFCO) thin films were successfully deposited on FTO substrates by chemical solution deposition technique. The field emission scanning electron microscope reveals that the surface morphology of the BGFCO thin film becomes more compact and uniform than that of the other two films. A slight lattice distortion is created in the BFCO thin film, whereas 10% Gd doping gives rise to tetragonal phase transition and (1 1 0) preferentially oriented film texture for the BGFCO thin film, as evidenced by Raman scattering spectra and X-ray diffraction analyses. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses clarify that Co-doping results in the increase of oxygen vacancy concentration in the BFCO film, while further introduction of Gd into the BFCO lattice can decrease oxygen vacancy concentration, and the concentrations of Fe{sup 2+} ions in the BFCO and BGFCO thin films are less than that in the BFO counterpart. The BFCO film shows the improved remanent polarization (P{sub r}) of 11.2 μC/cm{sup 2} compared with that of 1.4 μC/cm{sup 2} for the BFO film. The high breakdown strength, low leakage current density in the high electric filed, improved dielectric properties as well as the increased stereochemical activity of Bi ion lone electron pair of the BGFCO thin film all together contribute to the giant P{sub r} of 139.6 μC/cm{sup 2} at room temperature.

Engineering Nanoscale Multiferroic Composites for Memory Applications with Atomic Layer Deposition of Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 Thin Films

Science.gov (United States)

Chien, Diana

This work focuses on the development of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for lead zirconate titanate, Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O 3 (PZT). Leveraging the surface-reaction controlled process based on alternating self-limiting surface reactions, PZT can be synthesized not only with elemental precision to realize the desired composition (Zr/Ti = 52/48) but also with outstanding conformality. The latter enables the integration of PZT with a ferromagnetic phase to realize multiferroism (MF) and magnetoelectric (ME) effect. Since PZT is one of the best known ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials due the large displacements of the Pb ions at the morphotropic phase boundary, PZT based MF composites could lead to stronger ME coupling through strain coupling at the interface. Specifically, ALD PZT thin films were synthesized by using beta-diketonate metalorganic precursors Pb(TMHD)2, Zr(TMHD)4, and Ti(O.i-Pr) 2(TMHD)2 and H2O. The number of local cycles and global cycles were regulated to achieve the desired stoichiometry and thickness, respectively. ALD of PZT was studied to obtain (100) textured PZT on Pt (111) oriented platinized silicon substrates. In order to attain a highly oriented PZT thin film, a (100) textured PbTiO3 seed layer was required because PZT orientation is governed by nucleation. MF nanocomposites were engineered using ALD PZT thin films to achieve controlled complex nanoscale structures, enabling porosity to be studied as a new additional parameter for nanocomposite architectures to enhance ME effect. Specifically, 3--6 nm-thick ALD PZT thin films were deposited to uniformly coat the walls of mesoporous cobalt ferrite (CFO) template. The PZT/CFO nanocomposites were electrically poled ex-situ and the change in magnetic moment was measured. The inverse magnetoelectric coupling coefficient, a, was determined to be 85.6 Oe-cm/mV. The in-plane results show no significant change in magnetization (1--4%) as a function of electric field, which was expected due to the effect

Multifunctional Bi2ZnOB2O6 single crystals for second and third order nonlinear optical applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Iliopoulos, K.; Kasprowicz, D.; Majchrowski, A.; Michalski, E.; Gindre, D.; Sahraoui, B.

2013-01-01

Bi 2 ZnOB 2 O 6 nonlinear optical single crystals were grown by means of the Kyropoulos method from stoichiometric melt. The second and third harmonic generation (SHG/THG) of Bi 2 ZnOB 2 O 6 crystals were investigated by the SHG/THG Maker fringes technique. Moreover, SHG microscopy studies were carried out providing two-dimensional SHG images as a function of the incident laser polarization. The high nonlinear optical efficiency combined with the possibility to grow high quality crystals make Bi 2 ZnOB 2 O 6 an excellent candidate for photonic applications

Spintronics with multiferroics

Science.gov (United States)

Béa, H.; Gajek, M.; Bibes, M.; Barthélémy, A.

2008-10-01

In this paper, we review the recent research on the functionalization of multiferroics for spintronics applications. We focus more particularly on antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric BiFeO3 and its integration in several types of architectures. For instance, when used as a tunnel barrier, BiFeO3 allows the observation of a large tunnel magnetoresistance with Co and (La,Sr)MnO3 ferromagnetic electrodes. Also, its antiferromagnetic and magnetoelectric properties have been exploited to induce an exchange coupling with a ferromagnet. The mechanisms of such an exchange coupling open ways to electrically control magnetization and possibly the logic state of spintronics devices. We also discuss recent results concerning the use of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric (La,Bi)MnO3 as an active tunnel barrier in magnetic tunnel junctions with Au and (La,Sr)MnO3 electrodes. A four-resistance-state device has been obtained, with two states arising from a spin filtering effect due to the ferromagnetic character of the barrier and two resulting from the ferroelectric behavior of the (La,Bi)MnO3 ultrathin film. These results show that the additional degree of freedom provided by the ferroelectric polarization brings novel functionalities to spintronics, either as a extra order parameter for multiple-state memory elements, or as a handle for gate-controlled magnetic memories.

Spintronics with multiferroics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bea, H; Gajek, M; Bibes, M; Barthelemy, A

2008-01-01

In this paper, we review the recent research on the functionalization of multiferroics for spintronics applications. We focus more particularly on antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric BiFeO 3 and its integration in several types of architectures. For instance, when used as a tunnel barrier, BiFeO 3 allows the observation of a large tunnel magnetoresistance with Co and (La,Sr)MnO 3 ferromagnetic electrodes. Also, its antiferromagnetic and magnetoelectric properties have been exploited to induce an exchange coupling with a ferromagnet. The mechanisms of such an exchange coupling open ways to electrically control magnetization and possibly the logic state of spintronics devices. We also discuss recent results concerning the use of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric (La,Bi)MnO 3 as an active tunnel barrier in magnetic tunnel junctions with Au and (La,Sr)MnO 3 electrodes. A four-resistance-state device has been obtained, with two states arising from a spin filtering effect due to the ferromagnetic character of the barrier and two resulting from the ferroelectric behavior of the (La,Bi)MnO 3 ultrathin film. These results show that the additional degree of freedom provided by the ferroelectric polarization brings novel functionalities to spintronics, either as a extra order parameter for multiple-state memory elements, or as a handle for gate-controlled magnetic memories.

Spintronics with multiferroics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bea, H; Gajek, M; Bibes, M; Barthelemy, A [Unite Mixte de Physique CNRS/Thales, Route departementale 128, F-91767 Palaiseau (France); Universite Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay (France)], E-mail: agnes.barthelemy@thalesgroup.com

2008-10-29

In this paper, we review the recent research on the functionalization of multiferroics for spintronics applications. We focus more particularly on antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric BiFeO{sub 3} and its integration in several types of architectures. For instance, when used as a tunnel barrier, BiFeO{sub 3} allows the observation of a large tunnel magnetoresistance with Co and (La,Sr)MnO{sub 3} ferromagnetic electrodes. Also, its antiferromagnetic and magnetoelectric properties have been exploited to induce an exchange coupling with a ferromagnet. The mechanisms of such an exchange coupling open ways to electrically control magnetization and possibly the logic state of spintronics devices. We also discuss recent results concerning the use of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric (La,Bi)MnO{sub 3} as an active tunnel barrier in magnetic tunnel junctions with Au and (La,Sr)MnO{sub 3} electrodes. A four-resistance-state device has been obtained, with two states arising from a spin filtering effect due to the ferromagnetic character of the barrier and two resulting from the ferroelectric behavior of the (La,Bi)MnO{sub 3} ultrathin film. These results show that the additional degree of freedom provided by the ferroelectric polarization brings novel functionalities to spintronics, either as a extra order parameter for multiple-state memory elements, or as a handle for gate-controlled magnetic memories.

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of lead-free (Bi,Na)TiO3-based thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Abazari, M.; Safari, A.; Bharadwaja, S. S. N.; Trolier-McKinstry, S.

2010-02-01

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of morphotropic phase boundary (Bi,Na)TiO3-(Bi,K)TiO3-BaTiO3 epitaxial thin films deposited on SrRuO3 coated SrTiO3 substrates were reported. Thin films of 350 nm thickness exhibited small signal dielectric permittivity and loss tangent values of 750 and 0.15, respectively, at 1 kHz. Ferroelectric hysteresis measurements indicated a remanent polarization value of 30 μC/cm2 with a coercive field of 85-100 kV/cm. The thin film transverse piezoelectric coefficient (e31,f) of these films after poling at 600 kV/cm was found to be -2.2 C/m2. The results indicate that these BNT-based thin films are a potential candidate for lead-free piezoelectric devices.

Optical and Electrical Properties of Al/(p)Bi2S3 Schottky Junction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kachari, T.; Wary, G.; Rahman, A.

2010-01-01

Thin film Al/(p)Bi 2 S 3 Schottky junctions were prepared by vacuum evaporation under pressure 10 -6 Torr. The p-type Bi 2 S 3 thin films with acceptor concentration (3.36-7.33)x10 16 /cm 3 were obtained by evaporating 'In' along with Bi 2 S 3 powder and then annealing the films at 453K for 5 hours. Different junction-parameters such as ideality factor, barrier height, effective Richardson's constant, short-circuit current, etc. were determined from I-V characteristics. The junctions exhibited rectifying I-V characteristics and also photovoltaic effect. Ideality factor was found to decrease with the increase of temperature. Proper doping, annealing, and hydrogenation are necessary to reduce the series resistance so as to achieve high carrier efficiency. More works are being carried out in this direction.

Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4/SiO2/Bi2MoO6 composite as magnetically separable photocatalyst

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hou, Xuemei; Tian, Yanlong; Zhang, Xiang; Dou, Shuliang; Pan, Lei; Wang, Wenjia; Li, Yao; Zhao, Jiupeng

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composite was prepared by a hydrothermal method. • The composite has an enhanced visible absorption compared with pure Bi 2 MoO 6 . • The magnetic photocatalyst displayed excellent stability and reusability. • O 2 ·− and · OH play a major role during the photocatalytic process. - Abstract: In this paper, Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 microspheres were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed that flower-like three dimensional (3D) Bi 2 MoO 6 microspheres were decorated with Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 magnetic nanoparticles. The UV–vis diffuse reflection spectra showed extended absorption within the visible light range compared with pure Bi 2 MoO 6 . We evaluated the photocatalytic activities of Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 microspheres on the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation and found that the obtained composite exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pure Bi 2 MoO 6 and P25. Moreover, the Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composite also displayed excellent stability and their photocatalytic activity decreased slightly after reusing 5 cycles. Meanwhile, the composite could be easily separated by applying an external magnetic field. The trapping experiment results suggest that superoxide radical species O 2 ·− and hydroxyl radicals · OH play a major role in Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Bi 2 MoO 6 system under visible light irradiation. The combination of flower-like three dimensional (3D) Bi 2 MoO 6 microspheres and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 magnetic nanospheres provides a useful strategy for designing multifunctional nanostructure materials with enhanced photocatalytic activities in the potential applications of water purification

Insights into the photocatalytic mechanism of mediator-free direct Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures: A hybrid density functional theory study

Science.gov (United States)

Opoku, Francis; Govender, Krishna Kuben; Sittert, Cornelia Gertina Catharina Elizabeth van; Govender, Penny Poomani

2018-01-01

Graphite-like carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based heterostructures have received much attention due to their prominent photocatalytic activity. The g-C3N4/Bi2WO6 and g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures, which follow a typical hetero-junction charge transfer mechanisms show a weak potential for hydrogen evolution and reactive radical generation under visible light irradiation. A mediator-free Z-scheme g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures photocatalyst are designed for the first time using first-principles studies. Moreover, theoretical understanding of the underlying mechanism, the effects of interfacial composition and the role the interface play in the overall photoactivity is still unexplained. The calculated band gap of the heterostructures is reduced compared to the bulk Bi2WO6 and Bi2MoO6. In this study, we systematically calculated energy band structure, optical properties and charge transfer of the g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) and g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) heterostructures using the hybrid density functional theory approach. The results show that the charge transfer at the interface of the heterostructures induces a built-in potential, which benefits the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6(010) heterostructure with more negative adhesion energy (-1.10 eVA-2) is predicted to have a better adsorptive ability and can form more easily compared to the g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) interface (-1.16 eVA-2). Therefore, our results show that the g-C3N4 interaction with Bi2MoO6 is stronger than Bi2WO6, which is also verified by the smaller vertical separation (3.25 Å) between Bi2MoO6 and g-C3N4 compared to the g-C3N4/Bi2WO6(010) interface (3.36 Å). The optical absorption verifies that these proposed Z-scheme heterostructures are excellent visible light harvesting semiconductor photocatalyst materials. This enhancement is ascribed to the role of g-C3N4 monolayer as an electron acceptor and the direct Z-scheme charge carrier transfer at the interface of

Raman scattering study of phonons in Bi-based superconductor thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mejia-Garcia, C.; Diaz-Valdes, E.; Contreras-Puente, G.; Lopez-Lopez, J.L.; Jergel, M.; Morales, A.

2004-01-01

Raman spectra were obtained from samples of Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BPSCCO) thin films after varying several growth parameters, such as covering material, annealing time (t R ), annealing temperature (T R ), and nominal lead content (x). Thin films with the nominal composition Bi 1.4 Pb x Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O δ were grown on MgO substrates by a spray pyrolysis technique, followed by a solid state reaction. The results of Raman scattering measurements at room temperature show a series of vibrational optical modes within the range 300-900 cm -1 . The assignment of these modes was made by involving mainly the 2212 and 2223 phases and was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction and resistance in dependence of the temperature (R-T) measurements as well

Preparation of thin layers of BiSrCaCuO by method MOCVD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beran, P.; Stejskal, J.; Strejc, A.; Nevriva, M.; Sedmibudsky, D.; Leitner, J.

1999-01-01

Preparation of superconducting material on the basis mixed oxides of BiSrCaCuO by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method is described. Surface morphology and concentration profiles of elements were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and microprobe. Phase of layers was analysed by X-ray diffraction (radiation of Cu kα ). Samples of thin layers were characterized by magnetic susceptibility in temperature interval 10 to 150 K. Obtained results confirm formation of superconducting phases Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 1 Cu 2 O x and Bi 2 Sr 2 Xa 2 Cu 3 O x

Electron microscopy analyses and electrical properties of the layered Bi2WO6 phase

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Taoufyq, A.; Ait Ahsaine, H.; Patout, L.; Benlhachemi, A.; Ezahri, M.

2013-01-01

The bismuth tungstate Bi 2 WO 6 was synthesized using a classical coprecipitation method followed by a calcination process at different temperatures. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) analyses. The Rietveld analysis and electron diffraction clearly confirmed the Pca2 1 non centrosymmetric space group previously proposed for this phase. The layers Bi 2 O 2 2+ and WO 4 2− have been directly evidenced from the HRTEM images. The electrical properties of Bi 2 WO 6 compacted pellets systems were determined from electrical impedance spectrometry (EIS) and direct current (DC) analyses, under air and argon, between 350 and 700 °C. The direct current analyses showed that the conduction observed from EIS analyses was mainly ionic in this temperature range, with a small electronic contribution. Electrical change above the transition temperature of 660 °C is observed under air and argon atmospheres. The strong conductivity increase observed under argon is interpreted in terms of formation of additional oxygen vacancies coupled with electron conduction. - Graphical abstract: High resolution transmission electron microscopy: inverse fast Fourier transform giving the layered structure of the Bi 2 WO 6 phase, with a representation of the cell dimensions (b and c vectors). The Bi 2 O 2 2+ and WO 4 2− sandwiches are visible in the IFFT image. - Highlights: • Using transmission electron microscopy, we visualize the layered structure of Bi 2 WO 6 . • Electrical analyses under argon gas show some increase in conductivity. • The phase transition at 660 °C is evidenced from electrical modification

Superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O thin films from metallo-organic complexes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gruber, H.; Krautz, E.; Fritzer, H.P.; Popitsch, A.

1991-01-01

Thin films in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system are produced by decomposition of organic precursor compounds containing different metallo-organic complexes. The superconducting phase identified is Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x on (100)-MgO single crystal substrates, polycrystalline Au- and Ag-ribbons and Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10+x on Ag-ribbons. For the 2212-phase a zero resistance temperature of 79 K is found. The 2223-samples on Ag-ribbons show a broad transition at 110 K with a zero resistance at 85 K. SEM and EDX are used for the detection of the microstructure and composition of the prepared films. (orig.)

Nest-like structures of Sr doped Bi2WO6: Synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Ying; Wang Weimin; Fu Zhengyi; Wang Hao; Wang Yucheng; Zhang Jinyong

2011-01-01

Highlights: → Bi 2 WO 6 with 3D nest-like structures was obtained without the presence of templates but after Sr-doping, which represents a marked improvement over previous reports. → The products showed enhanced photocatalytic properties over pure Bi 2 WO 6 . → Samples subsequently thermal treated at 500 deg. C show better photocatalytic activities. - Abstract: A series of Sr-doped Bi 2 WO 6 with three-dimensional (3D) nest-like structures were synthesized through simple hydrothermal route and characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS, UV-vis DRS, etc. Morphology observation revealed that the as-synthesized Bi 2 WO 6 were self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) nest-like structures, which were constructed from nanoplates. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that the samples had absorption in both UV and visible light areas. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under UV and visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The photocatalytic properties were enhanced after Sr doping. Samples subsequently thermal treated at 500 deg. C showed higher photocatalytic activities. The reasons for the differences in the photocatalytic activities of these nest-like Bi 2 WO 6 microstructures were further investigated.

Modification of TiO{sub 2} nanorods by Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} nanoparticles for high performance visible-light photocatalysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li Na; Zhu Li [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640 (China); Zhang Weide, E-mail: zhangwd@scut.edu.cn [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640 (China); Yu Yuxiang; Zhang Wenhui; Hou Meifang [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Guangzhou 510640 (China)

2011-10-13

Highlights: > Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} heterojunction photocatalysts. > Effective separation of photoexcited electrons and holes. > High visible light photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: In this work, TiO{sub 2} nanorods were prepared by a hydrothermal process and then Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} nanoparticles were deposited onto the TiO{sub 2} nanorods by a solvothermal process. The nanostructured Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} composites were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} composites was evaluated by degradation of methylene blue. The Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} composites exhibit higher catalytic activity than pure Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} and TiO{sub 2} for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation ({lambda} > 420 nm). Further investigation revealed that the ratio of Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} to TiO{sub 2} in the composites greatly influenced their photocatalytic activity. The experimental results indicated that the composite with Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}:TiO{sub 2} = 1:3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhancement mechanism of the composite catalysts was also discussed.

Crystallized InBiS3 thin films with enhanced optoelectronic properties

Science.gov (United States)

Ali, N.; Hussain, Arshad; Ahmed, R.; Omar, M. Firdaus Bin; Sultan, M.; Fu, Yong Qing

2018-04-01

In this paper, a one-step thermal evaporation approach was used for fabrication of indium bismuth sulphide thin films, and the synergetic effects of co-evaporation of two sources (indium granules and Bi2S3 powders) were investigated using different characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline orthorhombic structure for the post-annealed samples. Surface roughness and crystal size of the obtained film samples were increased with increasing annealing temperatures. Analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the formation of the InBiS3 structure for the obtained films, which is also confirmed by the XRD results. The optical absorption coefficient value of the annealed samples was found to be in the order of 105 cm-1 in the visible region of the solar spectrum. The optical band gap energy and electrical resistivity of the fabricated samples were observed to decrease (from 2.2 to 1.3 eV, and from 0.3 to 0.01 Ω-cm, respectively) with increasing annealing temperatures (from 200 to 350 °C), indicating the suitability of the prepared InBiS3 thin films for solar cell applications.

AgBr/MgBi2O6 heterostructured composites with highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

Science.gov (United States)

Zhong, Liansheng; Hu, Chaohao; Zhuang, Jing; Zhong, Yan; Wang, Dianhui; Zhou, Huaiying

2018-06-01

AgBr/MgBi2O6 heterostructured photocatalysts were synthesized by the deposition-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) were employed to examine the phase structure, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity was investigated by decomposing methylene blue (MB) solution under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). AgBr/MgBi2O6 composites exhibited significantly enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties in comparison with pure MgBi2O6 and AgBr. When the molar ratio of AgBr to MgBi2O6 was 3:1, the composite catalyst showed the optimal photocatalytic activity and excellent stability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of AgBr/MgBi2O6 composites was attributed to the formation of p-n heterojunction between AgBr and MgBi2O6, thereby resulting in the effective separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons-hole pairs.

Photodegradation of Malachite Green by Nanostructured Bi2WO6 Visible Light-Induced Photocatalyst

OpenAIRE

Yijie Chen; Yaqin Zhang; Chen Liu; Aimin Lu; Weihua Zhang

2012-01-01

Bi2WO6 photocatalyst was first utilized to degrade malachite green. The effects of the concentration of malachite green, the pH value, and the concentration of Bi2WO6 on the photocatalytic efficiency were investigated. This study presents a strategy to eliminate highly toxic and persistent dyes such as malachite green.

Refractive index dispersion of swift heavy ion irradiated BFO thin films using Surface Plasmon Resonance technique

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Paliwal, Ayushi; Sharma, Savita; Tomar, Monika; Singh, Fouran; Gupta, Vinay

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Investigated the optical properties of BiFeO_3 (BFO) thin films after irradiation using SPR. • Otto configuration has been used to excite the surface plasmons using gold metal thin film. • BFO thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique. • Examined the refractive index dispersion of pristine and irradiated BFO thin film. - Abstract: Swift heavy ion irradiation (SHI) is an effective technique to induce defects for possible modifications in the material properties. There is growing interest in studying the optical properties of multiferroic BiFeO_3 (BFO) thin films for optoelectronic applications. In the present work, BFO thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique and were irradiated using the 15 UD Pelletron accelerator with 100 MeV Au"9"+ ions at a fluence of 1 × 10"1"2 ions cm"−"2. The as-grown films became rough and porous on ion irradiation. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technique has been identified as a highly sensitive and powerful technique for studying the optical properties of a dielectric material. Optical properties of BFO thin films, before and after irradiation were studied using SPR technique in Otto configuration. Refractive index is found to be decreasing from 2.27 to 2.14 on ion irradiation at a wavelength of 633 nm. Refractive index dispersion of BFO thin film (from 405 nm to 633 nm) before and after ion radiation was examined.

Non-noble metal Bi deposition by utilizing Bi2WO6 as the self-sacrificing template for enhancing visible light photocatalytic activity

Science.gov (United States)

Yu, Shixin; Zhang, Yihe; Li, Min; Du, Xin; Huang, Hongwei

2017-01-01

Bi metal deposited on Bi2WO6 composite photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized via a simple in-situ reduction method at room temperature with using Bi2WO6 as self-sacrificing template and NaBH4 as reducing agent. The reduction extent can be easily modulated by controlling the concentration of NaBH4 solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) and photoelectrochemical measurements were carried out to analyze the phase, morphology, optical property and photoelectrochemical property of the as-prepared samples. The photocatalytic activity is surveyed by degradation of phenol under visible light (λ > 420 nm), which showed that the BWO-0.2 photocatalyst exhibited the highest efficiency, which was over 3 times as high as pure Bi2WO6. The enhanced photocatalytic activity should be attributed to strengthened photoabsorption and charge separation efficiency derived from the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Bi metal.

Bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}: New crystal structure type and electronic structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Eliziario Nunes, Sayonara [Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE (United Kingdom); Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP (Brazil); Wang, Chun-Hai; So, Karwei; Evans, John S.O. [Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE (United Kingdom); Evans, Ivana Radosavljević, E-mail: ivana.radosavljevic@durham.ac.uk [Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE (United Kingdom)

2015-02-15

We report a combined experimental and computational study of the crystal structure and electronic properties of bismuth zinc vanadate, BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, known for its visible light photocatalytic activity. The crystal structure has been solved from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data using the repeated minimisations from random starting values method. BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6} adopts a new structure type, based on the following building blocks: corner- and edge-sharing ZnO{sub 4} tetrahedra, ZnO{sub 6} octahedra and VO{sub 4} tetrahedra, and Bi{sub 2}O{sub 12} dimers. It is the only known member of the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family which does not appear to be structurally closely related to others. The electronic structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, calculated by DFT methods, shows that it is an indirect gap semiconductor with a calculated band gap of 1.6 eV, which compares favourably to the experimentally measured value of 2.4 eV. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of BiZn{sub 2}VO{sub 6}, a new structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Mg, Ca, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn; A=V, P, As) family. - Highlights: • Structure solution from PXRD data by repeated minimisations from random starting values. • New structure type in the BiM{sub 2}AO{sub 6} (M=Pb, Ca, Cd, Mn, Zn, Mg, Cu; A=V, P, As) family. • Electronic structure calculation.

Photo-galvanic effect in Bi2Se3 thin films with ionic liquid gating

Science.gov (United States)

Pan, Yu; Richardella, Anthony; Lee, Joon Sue; Flanagan, Thomas; Samarth, Nitin

2013-03-01

A key challenge in three dimensional (3D) topological insulators (TIs) is to reveal the helical spin-polarized surface states via electrical transport measurements. A recent study [Nature Nanotech. 7, 96 (2012)] showed that circularly polarized light can be used to generate and control photocurrents in the 3D TI Bi2Se3, even at photon energies that are well above the bulk band gap. Symmetry considerations suggest that this ``photo-galvanic effect'' arises purely from photo-currents induced in the surface Dirac states. To gain insights into this phenomenon, we have carried out systematic measurements of the photo-galvanic effect in electrically gated MBE-grown Bi2Se3 thin films of varying thickness. By using an ionic liquid as an optically transparent gate, we map out the behavior of the photo-galvanic effect as a function of Fermi energy over a temperature range 5 K <= T <= 300 K. Supported by ONR and NSF.

Investigation of crystal structure, dielectric and magnetic properties in La and Nd co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} multiferroics

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Singh, Ompal [Department of Physics, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana (India); Agarwal, Ashish, E-mail: aagju@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana (India); Sanghi, Sujata [Department of Physics, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana (India); Das, Amitabh [Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085 (India); Anju [Department of Physics, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125025, Haryana (India)

2017-03-15

For the investigation of the crystal structure, dielectric properties and magnetic properties of La and Nd co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} multiferroics; Bi{sub 0.8}La{sub 0.2−x}Nd{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x=0.075, 0.1, 0.125) samples were prepared through solid state reaction method. Rietveld refinement of the obtained XRD patterns shows that there is change in crystal structure in these samples. At higher concentration of La (at x=0.075), the crystal structure was found to have mixed symmetry with rhombohedral and triclinic phases, while with equal concentration of both the dopants (at x=0.1), the structure changes to mixed symmetry having rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases. At higher concentration of Nd (at x=0.125), again mixed symmetry was established having both phases of the previous composition but approximately in reverse fraction. In dielectric analysis, x=0.1 sample showed the highest values of dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (tan δ). For x=0.125 sample, it was observed that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss response are improved. The magnetic characterization (M–H loops) indicates the significant enhancement in magnetisation with increasing concentration of Nd. Nd doping leads to the destruction of spiral modulation, forming the antiferromagnets, and visualisation of improved magnetisation via canting of spins. - Highlights: • La and Nd co-doped BiFeO{sub 3} were synthesized. • Change in crystal structure is observed. • Significant enhancement in magnetisation is observed.

Multiferroic and magnetoelectric materials – Developments and perspectives

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shvartsman V. V.

2012-06-01

Full Text Available Multiferroic (MF materials with simultaneous magnetic and electric long range order and occasionally, mutual magnetoelectric (ME coupling, have recently attracted considerable interest. The small linear ME effect has been shown to control spintronic devices very efficiently, e.g. via the classic ME antiferromagnet Cr2O3 using exchange bias. Similar nano-engineering concepts exist also for type-I MF single phase materials, whose magnetic and polar orders have distinct origins like BiFeO3. Strong ME coupling occurs in type-II multiferroics, where ferroelectricity is due to spiral spin order as in TbMnO3. Record high ME response coming close to applicability arises in stress-strain coupled multiphase magnetoelectrics such as PZT/FeBSiC composites. Higher order ME response in disordered systems (“type-III multiferroics” extends the conventional MF scenario toward ME quantum paraelectric and multiglass materials with polarization-induced control of magnetic exchange, as e.g. in EuTiO3, Sr0.98Mn0.02TiO3, and PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3.

Facile Br- assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Bi2MoO6 nanoplates with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Peng; Teng, Xiaoxu; Liu, Dongsheng; Fu, Liang; Xie, Hualin; Zhang, Guoqing; Ding, Shimin

2017-01-01

Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoplates have been controllably synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process with the assistance of Br - containing surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or KBr. A remarkable enhancement in the visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B was observed. It was found that reaction temperature and surfactant play crucial roles in the formation and properties of the Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoplates. The best results as photocatalyst were obtained with the sample hydrothermally synthesized at 150 C with the assistance of CTAB. The improved photocatalytic performance could be ascribed to the {001}-oriented nanostructure of the Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoplates. KBr-templated Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoplates also showed better photocatalytic efficiency compared with that of flower-like Bi 2 MoO 6 but inferior to that of CTAB-templated Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoplates. (orig.)

Controllable Fabrication of Ordered Mesoporous Bi2WO6 and Its High Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xueming Dang

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Ordered mesoporous Bi2WO6 was fabricated by nanocasting technique using SBA-15 as the template. The effect of the dosage of SBA-15 on the formation of the ordered structure and the photocatalytic ability of mesoporous Bi2WO6 was discussed. It was confirmed that the ordered mesoporous structure was obtained as the dosage of SBA-15 was 0.3 g. It was found that, compared to Bi2WO6, the RhB degradation rate with ordered mesoporous Bi2WO6 was enhanced under visible light (λ>400 nm by the photocatalytic measurements. The enhanced photocatalytic performance of ordered mesoporous Bi2WO6 was attributed to its particular ordered mesoporous structure which could increase the light-harvesting efficiency, reduce the recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers, and promote the surface reaction.

Effect of synthesis route on the multiferroic properties of BiFeO3: A comparative study between solid state and sol–gel methods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suresh, Pittala; Srinath, S.

2015-01-01

Polycrystalline BiFeO 3 (BFO) powder was prepared through optimized solid state (SS) and sol–gel (SG) reaction methods. The effect of preparation routes on the crystal purity and multiferroic properties of the BFO was investigated. Sol–gel synthesis results almost a single-phase material at relatively lower temperatures while the solid-state method results into BFO with a small amount of Bi 2 Fe 4 O 9 secondary phase. The grain size of SG processed sample reduces to half the size of the one that is prepared by SS. Elemental analysis shows a stoichiometric Bi:Fe content for SG samples by restricting the Bi loss. In comparison with the SS samples, dielectric constant of SG samples exhibit higher values with Maxwell–Wagner type dielectric dispersion. A cusp at 50 K was seen in M–T curves for SS samples, for which no frequency dependence was observed in a.c susceptibility measurements ruling out the earlier predictions of spin glass nature in this system. M−H loops show a typical antiferromagnetic nature at 300 K while a weak ferromagnetic behavior is found at 10 K. A slight increase in H C and M r was observed for SG samples over SS. The improved properties of SG processed BFO makes it more promising for applications. - Highlights: • Optimized conditions to attain the BiFeO 3 with minimized impurities are reported. • The influence of the impurities on the dielectric, magnetic properties is reported. • Maxwell–Wagner relaxation is found for BiFeO 3 prepared by sol–gel technique. • a.c. susceptibility measurements ruled out the possibility of spin glass nature. • The anomalous behavior of H C with the temperature is reported

Stability of low-carrier-density topological-insulator Bi2Se3 thin films and effect of capping layers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Salehi, Maryam; Brahlek, Matthew; Koirala, Nikesh; Moon, Jisoo; Oh, Seongshik; Wu, Liang; Armitage, N. P.

2015-01-01

Although over the past number of years there have been many advances in the materials aspects of topological insulators (TIs), one of the ongoing challenges with these materials is the protection of them against aging. In particular, the recent development of low-carrier-density bulk-insulating Bi 2 Se 3 thin films and their sensitivity to air demands reliable capping layers to stabilize their electronic properties. Here, we study the stability of the low-carrier-density Bi 2 Se 3 thin films in air with and without various capping layers using DC and THz probes. Without any capping layers, the carrier density increases by ∼150% over a week and by ∼280% over 9 months. In situ-deposited Se and ex situ-deposited poly(methyl methacrylate) suppress the aging effect to ∼27% and ∼88%, respectively, over 9 months. The combination of effective capping layers and low-carrier-density TI films will open up new opportunities in topological insulators

Influence of the bismuth deficit on the structural and electric properties of the Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub y} thin films synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alami, H.El.; Rannou, I.; Deville Cavellin, C

2004-07-15

BiSrCaCuO thin films were grown on (1 0 0) SrTiO3 substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with variation of the Bi deposition time. A new 2x212 family with x varied between 1 and 0 was grown. The X-ray study, the Rutherford back scattering (RBS), reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the films. It was shown that the growth method used leads to intergrowth nanostructures. The transport measurements of BiSrCaCuO thin films were performed. The results analysed using the theory of percolation show a 2D character of conductivity in the films studied.

Room temperature multiferroic properties of (Fe{sub x}, Sr{sub 1−x})TiO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Kyoung-Tae; Kim, Cheolbok; Fang, Sheng-Po; Yoon, Yong-Kyu, E-mail: ykyoon@ece.ufl.edu [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 (United States)

2014-09-08

This letter reports the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties of Fe substituted SrTiO{sub 3} thin films in room temperature. The structural data obtained from x-ray diffraction indicates that (Fe{sub x},Sr{sub 1−x})TiO{sub 3}, the so called FST, transforms from pseudocubic to tetragonal structures with increase of the Fe content in SrTiO{sub 3} thin films, featuring the ferroelectricity, while vibrating sample magnetometer measurements show magnetic hysteresis loops for the samples with low iron contents indicating their ferromagnetism. The characterized ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism confirms strong multiferroitism of the single phase FST thin films in room temperature. Also, an FST thin film metal-insulator-metal multiferroic capacitor has been fabricated and characterized in microwave frequencies between 10 MHz and 5 GHz. A capacitor based on Fe{sub 0.1}Sr{sub 0.9}TiO{sub 3} with a thickness of 260 nm shows a high electric tunability of 18.6% at 10 V and a maximum magnetodielectric value of 1.37% at 0.4 mT with a loss tangent of 0.021 at 1 GHz. This high tuning and low loss makes this material as a good candidate for frequency agile microwave devices such as tunable filters, phase shifters, and antennas.

Study of photocatalytic activities of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Phu, Nguyen Dang [Faculty of Physics, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuanthuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hoang, Luc Huy, E-mail: hoanglhsp@hnue.edu.vn [Faculty of Physics, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuanthuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Chen, Xiang-Bai, E-mail: xchen@wit.edu.cn [School of Science and Laboratory of Optical Information Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205 (China); Kong, Meng-Hong [School of Science and Laboratory of Optical Information Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205 (China); Wen, Hua-Chiang; Chou, Wu Ching [Department of Electrophysics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu 30010, Taiwan (China)

2015-10-25

We present a study of photocatalytic activities of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method. The photocatalytic activities of the nanoparticles were evaluated by the decolorization of methylene-blue under visible-light-irradiation. Our results show that the surface area of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles plays a major role for improving photocatalytic activity, while visible-light absorption has only a weak effect on photocatalytic activity. This suggests efficient transportation of photo-generated electrons and holes to the oxidation active sites on the surface of nanoparticles, indicating Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles synthesized by fast microwave-assisted method are promising for achieving high photocatalytic activity under visible-light-irradiation. - Highlights: • The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles were synthesized via fast microwave-assisted method. • The obtained Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles exhibited visible-light absorbance. • The surface area of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles plays major role for improving photocatalytic activity. • The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles are promising for achieving high photocatalytic activity under visible-light-irradiation.

Layered MoSe2/Bi2WO6 composite with P-N heterojunctions as a promising visible-light induced photocatalyst

Science.gov (United States)

Xie, Taiping; Liu, Yue; Wang, Haiqiang; Wu, Zhongbiao

2018-06-01

In this paper, layered MoSe2/Bi2WO6 composites were fabricated by a simple bath sonication method for photocatalytic applications. Their photocatalytic performances were then investigated via the photocatalytic oxidation of gaseous toluene under visible-light irradiation. As a result, 1.5%-MoSe2/Bi2WO6 catalyst showed the highest activity with a degradation rate of nearly 80% during three-hour visible-light irradiation. The k value determined of 1.5%-MoSe2/Bi2WO6 was approximately 6 times higher than that of pure Bi2WO6 and 7 times higher compared with pure MoSe2. After a series of characterizations, it was concluded that the p-n heterojunctions of MoSe2/Bi2WO6 composites with strong interlayer interactions could effectively prolong the life time of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. And both the contents of surface superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were thereby increased, benefitting the photocatalytic process. Furthermore, the hydroxyl radicals and holes were found to be the major active species. This work provided a way to design photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light driven photoactivity toward indoor air pollutants purification.

Growth and properties of SrBi2TaNbO9 ferroelectric thin films using pulsed laser deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang Pingxiong; Deng Hongmei; Shi Meirong; Tong Ziyang; Qin Sumei

2007-01-01

High quality SrBi 2 TaNbO 9 (SBTN) ferroelectric thin films were fabricated on platinized silicon by pulsed laser deposition. Microstructure and ferroelectric properties of the films were characterized. Optical fatigue (light/bias) for the thin films was studied and the average remanent polarization dropped by nearly 55% due to the bias/illumination treatment. Optical properties of the thin films were studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) from the ultraviolet to the infrared region. Optical constants, n ∼ 0.16 in the infrared region and n ∼ 2.12 in the visible spectral region, were determined through refractive index functions. The band gap energy is estimated to be 3.93 eV

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of cadmium-doped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles under simulated solar light

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Song, Xu Chun, E-mail: songxuchunfj@163.com; Li, Wen Ting [Fujian Normal University, Department of Chemistry (China); Huang, Wan Zhen; Zhou, Huan [Zhejiang University of Technology, Research Center of Analysis and Measurement (China); Yin, Hao Yong [Hangzhou Dianzi University, Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (China); Zheng, Yi Fan [Zhejiang University of Technology, Research Center of Analysis and Measurement (China)

2015-03-15

Novel cadmium-doped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanoparticles with different Cd contents have been synthesized by a one-step route using ethylene glycol and water as solvents at 180 °C for 12 h. The as-synthesized samples were characterized in detailed by SEM, XRD, EDS, HRTEM, UV–Vis DRS, BET techniques, and so on. The results shown that with the increase of the Cd{sup 2+} addition, the crystal structure, lattice space, and absorption edge were not significantly changed and the calculated band gap value was 2.58 eV. However, the flower-like Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} sphere was gradually destroyed. Simultaneously, the surface area and photocurrent responses of the catalysts were greatly increased. Photocatalytic activity of the Cd-doped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} samples was determined by monitoring the change of RhB concentration under simulated solar light. The results revealed that cadmium doping greatly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} sample with R{sub Cd} = 0.05 displayed the highest photocatalytic activity, and the degradation rate is about two times greater than pure Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. Moreover, the Cd–Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} photocatalyst remained stable even after five consecutive cycles. A possible mechanism of photocatalytic activity enhancement on basis of the experimental results was proposed.

The effect of different annealing temperatures on the structure and luminescence properties of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Bi{sup 3+} thin films fabricated by spin coating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yousif, A.; Jafer, R.M.; Som, S. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, ZA 9300 (South Africa); Department of Physics, Faculty of Education, University of Khartoum, P.O. Box 321, 11115 Omdurman (Sudan); Duvenhage, M.M.; Coetsee, E. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, ZA 9300 (South Africa); Swart, H.C., E-mail: swarthc@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, ZA 9300 (South Africa)

2016-03-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} thin films were successfully fabricated by the spin coating method. • The Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} thin films were converted into Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Bi films after annealing. • The conversion affected the PL properties of the Bi{sup +} ion in the newly formed host. • A blue shift in emission colour was observed. - Abstract: This paper reports on the structural, morphology and optical properties of Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} micro-and nanophosphors synthesized via the spin coating method. The influence of different annealing temperatures (900–1200 °C) on the morphology, crystal structure and the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the synthesized films were studied in detail. The crystal structure of the films was investigated with X-ray diffraction. The presence of the three major diffraction peaks with Miller indexes (2 1 1), (2 2 2) and (4 0 0) indicated that the Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} thin films were well-crystallized at 900 °C, 1000 °C, 1100 °C and 1200 °C. Additionally, extra diffraction peaks were observed for the sample that was annealed at 1200 °C. Those extra peaks were due to the formation of the Y{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} phase owing to the annealing induced changes in the crystal structure and chemical composition of the Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} thin film. This may also be attributed to inter diffusion of atomic species between the Si substrate and the Y{sub 2−x}O{sub 3}:Bi{sub x=0.005} thin film at the high annealing temperature. Due to structure-sensitive properties of the Bi{sup 3+} ions, a blue shift of the centre PL emission band from 495 nm to 410 nm was clearly observed and explained in detail. The time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy results show the Si diffusion from the Si substrate, whereas, the scanning electron microscopy and the atomic force microscopy were used for the morphology

Refractive index dispersion of swift heavy ion irradiated BFO thin films using Surface Plasmon Resonance technique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Paliwal, Ayushi [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Sharma, Savita [Department of Applied Physics, Delhi Technological University, Delhi (India); Tomar, Monika [Physics Department, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Singh, Fouran [Inter University Accelerator Centre, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110075 (India); Gupta, Vinay, E-mail: drguptavinay@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India)

2016-07-15

Highlights: • Investigated the optical properties of BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) thin films after irradiation using SPR. • Otto configuration has been used to excite the surface plasmons using gold metal thin film. • BFO thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique. • Examined the refractive index dispersion of pristine and irradiated BFO thin film. - Abstract: Swift heavy ion irradiation (SHI) is an effective technique to induce defects for possible modifications in the material properties. There is growing interest in studying the optical properties of multiferroic BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) thin films for optoelectronic applications. In the present work, BFO thin films were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique and were irradiated using the 15 UD Pelletron accelerator with 100 MeV Au{sup 9+} ions at a fluence of 1 × 10{sup 12} ions cm{sup −2}. The as-grown films became rough and porous on ion irradiation. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technique has been identified as a highly sensitive and powerful technique for studying the optical properties of a dielectric material. Optical properties of BFO thin films, before and after irradiation were studied using SPR technique in Otto configuration. Refractive index is found to be decreasing from 2.27 to 2.14 on ion irradiation at a wavelength of 633 nm. Refractive index dispersion of BFO thin film (from 405 nm to 633 nm) before and after ion radiation was examined.

Self-assembled Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} nanofiber heterojunction film with enhanced photocatalytic activities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Hua [School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China); Zhang, Tianxi [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China); Pan, Chao; Pu, Chenchen; Hu, Yang [School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China); Hu, Xiaoyun [School of Physics, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China); Liu, Enzhou, E-mail: liuenzhou@nwu.edu.cn [School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China); Fan, Jun, E-mail: fanjun@nwu.edu.cn [School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069 (China)

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Self-assembled Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} nanofiber film was synthesized. • TiO{sub 2} nanofiber film exhibits excellent visible light scattering property. • The scattering light from TiO{sub 2} overlaps with the absorption light of Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}. • Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} heterojunction photocatalysts show higher photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: TiO{sub 2} nanofiber film (TiO{sub 2} NFF) was successfully fabricated by an ethylene glycol-assisted hydrothermal method, and then self-assembled flake-like Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6} was grown on the surface of TiO{sub 2} nanofiber under alcohol thermal condition. The investigations indicate that the nanofiber structure of TiO{sub 2} films exhibits excellent visible light scattering property, the scattering light overlaps with the absorption band of Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}, which can enhance the utility of incident light. The prepared Bi{sub 2}MoO{sub 6}/TiO{sub 2} composites show obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation compared with pure TiO{sub 2} nanofiber under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The enhanced photocatalytic activity is primarily attributed to the synergistic effect of visible light absorption and effective electron-hole separation at the interfaces of the two semiconductors, which is confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical tests.

Tuning magnetic properties of magnetoelectric BiFeO 3-NiFe 2O 4 nanostructures

Science.gov (United States)

Crane, S. P.; Bihler, C.; Brandt, M. S.; Goennenwein, S. T. B.; Gajek, M.; Ramesh, R.

2009-02-01

Multifunctional thin film nanostructures containing soft magnetic materials such as nickel ferrite are interesting for potential applications in microwave signal processing because of the possibility to shrink the size of device architecture and limit device power consumption. An essential prerequisite to future applications of such a system is a firm understanding of its magnetic properties. We show that nanostructures composed of ferrimagnetic NiFe 2O 4 pillars in a multiferroic BiFeO 3 matrix can be tuned magnetically by altering the aspect ratio of the pillars by depositing films of varying thickness. Magnetic anisotropy is studied using ferromagnetic resonance, which shows that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the growth direction changes sign upon increasing the film thickness. The magnitude of this anisotropy contribution can be explained via a combination of shape and magnetostatic effects, using the object-oriented micromagnetic framework (OOMMF). The key factors determining the magnetic properties of the films are shown to be the aspect ratio of individual pillars and magnetostatic interactions between neighboring pillars.

Tuning magnetic properties of magnetoelectric BiFeO3-NiFe2O4 nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Crane, S.P.; Bihler, C.; Brandt, M.S.; Goennenwein, S.T.B.; Gajek, M.; Ramesh, R.

2009-01-01

Multifunctional thin film nanostructures containing soft magnetic materials such as nickel ferrite are interesting for potential applications in microwave signal processing because of the possibility to shrink the size of device architecture and limit device power consumption. An essential prerequisite to future applications of such a system is a firm understanding of its magnetic properties. We show that nanostructures composed of ferrimagnetic NiFe 2 O 4 pillars in a multiferroic BiFeO 3 matrix can be tuned magnetically by altering the aspect ratio of the pillars by depositing films of varying thickness. Magnetic anisotropy is studied using ferromagnetic resonance, which shows that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the growth direction changes sign upon increasing the film thickness. The magnitude of this anisotropy contribution can be explained via a combination of shape and magnetostatic effects, using the object-oriented micromagnetic framework (OOMMF). The key factors determining the magnetic properties of the films are shown to be the aspect ratio of individual pillars and magnetostatic interactions between neighboring pillars

Hierarchical Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} architectures decorated with Pd nanoparticles for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Jinniu; Chen, Tianhua [School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710062 (China); Lu, Hongbing, E-mail: hblu@snnu.edu.cn [School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710062 (China); Yang, Zhibo; Yin, Feng; Gao, Jianzhi; Liu, Qianru [School of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710062 (China); Tu, Yafang [Department of Physics, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056 (China)

2017-05-15

Highlights: • A new kind of Pd decorated Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hierarchical microarchitecture was synthesized. • Pd nanoparticles remarkably improved the photocatalytic activity of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. • The photo-generated holes and ·O{sub 2}{sup −} played a crucial role in the degradation of RhB. • The photocatalytic enhancement mechanism of the Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} composites was proposed. - Abstract: A new kind of hierarchical Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} architecture decorated with different molar ratios of Pd to Bi, has been fabricated by a hydrothermal process, followed by a chemical deposition method. The photocatalytic activities of the pure Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} and Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanocatalyst were examined in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes and phenol under visible light. The photocatalytic results showed that the Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanocomposites possessed observably enhanced photocatalytic activities. Particularly, the 2.0% Pd loaded Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} had the highest photocatalytic activity, exhibiting a nearly complete degradation of 30 mg/L RhB and 10 mg/L phenol within only 50 and 60 min, respectively. In addition, the trapping experiment results indicated that the photo-generated holes (h{sup +}) and ·O{sub 2}{sup −} played a crucial role in the degradation of RhB. According to the experimental results, the photocatalytic degradation mechanism of Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} was also proposed. The enhanced photocatalytic activities were ascribed to the combined effects of the highly efficient separation of electrons and holes, improved visible light utilization and increased BET specific surface areas of the Pd-Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} nanocomposites.

Dispersion interactions between neighboring Bi atoms in (BiH3 )2 and Te(BiR2 )2.

Science.gov (United States)

Haack, Rebekka; Schulz, Stephan; Jansen, Georg

2018-03-13

Triggered by the observation of a short Bi⋯Bi distance and a BiTeBi bond angle of only 86.6° in the crystal structure of bis(diethylbismuthanyl)tellurane quantum chemical computations on interactions between neighboring Bi atoms in Te(BiR 2 ) 2 molecules (R = H, Me, Et) and in (BiH 3 ) 2 were undertaken. Bi⋯Bi distances atoms were found to significantly shorten upon inclusion of the d shells of the heavy metal atoms into the electron correlation treatment, and it was confirmed that interaction energies from spin component-scaled second-order Møller-Plesset theory (SCS-MP2) agree well with coupled-cluster singles and doubles theory including perturbative triples (CCSD(T)). Density functional theory-based symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (DFT-SAPT) was used to study the anisotropy of the interplay of dispersion attraction and steric repulsion between the Bi atoms. Finally, geometries and relative stabilities of syn-syn and syn-anti conformers of Te(BiR 2 ) 2 (R = H, Me, Et) and interconversion barriers between them were computed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reduced graphene oxide wrapped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} hybrid with ultrafast charge separation and improved photoelectrocatalytic performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Huan [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, PR China (China); Liang, Yinghua, E-mail: liangyh@ncst.edu.cn [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, PR China (China); College of Chemical Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063009, PR China (China); Liu, Li; Hu, Jinshan [College of Chemical Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063009, PR China (China); Cui, Wenquan, E-mail: wkcui@163.com [College of Chemical Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063009, PR China (China)

2017-01-15

Highlights: • The rGO wrapped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} photoelectrode was successfully synthesized. • The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}@rGOhighlyincreasedthechargeseparationefficiency. • The photoelectrode exhibited enhanced photoelectrocatalytic degradation for RhB. - Abstract: A reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wrapped Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6} (Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}@rGO) hybrid as photoelectrode for enhanced photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of organic pollutants is reported, which exhibited excellent charge separation and photoconversion efficiency. The core@shell structured Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}@rGO photoelectrode yielded a pronounced 1.56-fold and 23.8-fold photocurrent density at 1.0 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), than that of loading structured Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}-rGO and pure Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}. The Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}@rGO hybrid exhibited enhanced photoelectrocatalytic efficiency for degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), which was 43.0% and 65.6% higher than that of photocatalytic (PC) and electrocatalytic (EC) processes, respectively. The enhancement in PEC degradation of RhB benefited from: (1) a strong interaction and a wide range of conjugation were formed in the core@shell system; (2) a 0.26 V of flat band potential was negatively shifted in case of Bi{sub 2}WO{sub 6}@rGO composite; (3) the photogenerated electrons and holes could be spatially separated by external electric potentials.

Domain wall magnetoresistance in BiFeO3 thin films measured by scanning probe microscopy.

Science.gov (United States)

Domingo, N; Farokhipoor, S; Santiso, J; Noheda, B; Catalan, G

2017-08-23

We measure the magnetotransport properties of individual 71° domain walls in multiferroic BiFeO 3 by means of conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) in the presence of magnetic fields up to one Tesla. The results suggest anisotropic magnetoresistance at room temperature, with the sign of the magnetoresistance depending on the relative orientation between the magnetic field and the domain wall plane. A consequence of this finding is that macroscopically averaged magnetoresistance measurements for domain wall bunches are likely to underestimate the magnetoresistance of each individual domain wall.

Magneto-optical properties of BiFeO3 thin films using surface plasmon resonance technique

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Paliwal, Ayushi; Sharma, Anjali; Tomar, Monika; Gupta, Vinay

2014-01-01

Indigeneously assembled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) set up has been exploited to study the magnetic field dependent optical properties of BiFeO 3 thin films. BiFeO 3 thin films have been deposited onto gold (Au) coated glass prism by using pulsed laser deposition technique. The surface plasmon modes in prism/Au/BiFeO 3 /air structure have been excited in Kretschmann configuration at the interface of Au/BiFeO 3 thin films. The SPR reflectance curves obtained for prism/Au/BiFeO 3 /air structure were utilized to investigate the optical properties of BiFeO 3 thin films at optical frequency (λ=633 nm) as a function of applied magnetic field. SPR curves shows a continuous shift towards lower angles with increasing applied magnetic field, which indicate the promising application of ferromagnetic BiFeO 3 film as a magnetic field sensor. Complex dielectric constant of deposited BiFeO 3 film was determined by fitting the experimental SPR data with Fresnel's equations. The variation of complex dielectric constant and refractive index of BiFeO 3 film was studied with increase in magnetic field, and the sensitivity of magnetic field sensor was found to be about 0.52 RIU/T

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the Cr-doped spiral antiferromagnet BiMnFe2O6

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Batuk, Dmitry; De Dobbelaere, Christopher; Tsirlin, Alexander A.; Abakumov, Artem M.; Hardy, An; Van Bael, Marlies K.; Greenblatt, Martha; Hadermann, Joke

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The substitution of Cr for Mn in BiMnFe 2 O 6 is possible by the solution–gel method. • The BiCr x Mn 1−x Fe 2 O 6 solid solution is obtained for the x values up to 0.3. • Increasing Cr content lowers the temperature of the antiferromagnetic ordering. - Abstract: We report the Cr 3+ for Mn 3+ substitution in the BiMnFe 2 O 6 structure. The BiCr x Mn 1−x Fe 2 O 6 solid solution is obtained by the solution–gel synthesis technique for the x values up to 0.3. The crystal structure investigation using a combination of X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the compounds retain the parent BiMnFe 2 O 6 structure (for x = 0.3, a = 5.02010(6)Å, b = 7.06594(7)Å, c = 12.6174(1)Å, S.G. Pbcm, R I = 0.036, R P = 0.011) with only a slight decrease in the cell parameters associated with the Cr 3+ for Mn 3+ substitution. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest strong similarities in the magnetic behavior of BiCr x Mn 1−x Fe 2 O 6 (x = 0.2; 0.3) and parent BiMnFe 2 O 6 . Only T N slightly decreases upon Cr doping that indicates a very subtle influence of Cr 3+ cations on the magnetic properties at the available substitution rates

Chemical bath deposition of Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Deshmukh, S.G., E-mail: deshmukhpradyumn@gmail.com; Vipul, Kheraj, E-mail: vipulkheraj@gmail.com [Department of Applied Physics, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat (India); Panchal, A.K. [Department of Electrical Engineering, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Ichchhanath, Surat (India)

2016-05-06

First time, copper bismuth sulfide (Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3}) thin films were synthesized on the glass substrate using simple, low-cost chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. The synthesized parameters such as temperature of bath, pH and concentration of precursors were optimized for the deposition of uniform, well adherent Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3} thin films. The optical, surface morphology and structural properties of the Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3} thin films were studied using UV-VIS-NIR spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The as- synthesized Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3} film exhibits a direct band gap 1.56 to 1.58 eV having absorption coefficient of the order of 10{sup 5} cm{sup −1}. The XRD declares the amorphous nature of the films. SEM images shows films were composed of close-packed fine spherical nanoparticles of 70-80 nm in diameter. The chemical composition of the film was almost stoichiometric. The optical study indicates that the Cu{sub 3}BiS{sub 3} films can be applied as an absorber layer for thin film solar cells.

Fermi-level tuning of the Dirac surface state in (Bi1-x Sb x )2Se3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Satake, Yosuke; Shiogai, Junichi; Takane, Daichi; Yamada, Keiko; Fujiwara, Kohei; Souma, Seigo; Sato, Takafumi; Takahashi, Takashi; Tsukazaki, Atsushi

2018-02-01

We report on the electronic states and the transport properties of three-dimensional topological insulator (Bi1-x Sb x )2Se3 ternary alloy thin films grown on an isostructural Bi2Se3 buffer layer on InP substrates. By angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we clearly detected Dirac surface states with a large bulk band gap of 0.2-0.3 eV in the (Bi1-x Sb x )2Se3 film with x  =  0.70. In addition, we observed by Hall effect measurements that the dominant charge carrier converts from electron (n-type) to hole (p-type) at around x  =  0.7, indicating that the Fermi level can be controlled across the Dirac point. Indeed, the carrier transport was shown to be governed by Dirac surface state in 0.63  ⩽  x  ⩽  0.75. These features suggest that Fermi-level tunable (Bi1-x Sb x )2Se3-based heterostructures provide a platform for extracting exotic topological phenomena.

Optical constants, dispersion energy parameters and dielectric properties of ultra-smooth nanocrystalline BiVO4 thin films prepared by rf-magnetron sputtering

Science.gov (United States)

Sarkar, S.; Das, N. S.; Chattopadhyay, K. K.

2014-07-01

BiVO4 thin films have been prepared through radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering of a pre-fabricated BiVO4 target on ITO coated glass (ITO-glass) substrate and bare glass substrates. BiVO4 target material was prepared through solid-state reaction method by heating Bi2O3 and V2O5 mixture at 800 °C for 8 h. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, LCR meter, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. BiVO4 thin films deposited on the ITO-glass substrate are much smoother compared to the thin films prepared on bare glass substrate. The rms surface roughness calculated from the AFM images comes out to be 0.74 nm and 4.2 nm for the films deposited on the ITO-glass substrate and bare glass substrate for the deposition time 150 min respectively. Optical constants and energy dispersion parameters of these extra-smooth BiVO4 thin films have been investigated in detail. Dielectric properties of the BiVO4 thin films on ITO-glass substrate were also investigated. The frequency dependence of dielectric constant of the BiVO4 thin films has been measured in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 2 MHz. It was found that the dielectric constant increased from 145 to 343 at 20 Hz as the film thickness increased from 90 nm to 145 nm (deposition time increased from 60 min to 150 min). It shows higher dielectric constant compared to the literature value of BiVO4.

Thermoelectric Transport by Surface States in Bi2Se3-Based Topological Insulator Thin Films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li Long-Long; Xu Wen

2015-01-01

We develop a tractable theoretical model to investigate the thermoelectric (TE) transport properties of surface states in topological insulator thin films (TITFs) of Bi 2 Se 3 at room temperature. The hybridization between top and bottom surface states in the TITF plays a significant role. With the increasing hybridization-induced surface gap, the electrical conductivity and electron thermal conductivity decrease while the Seebeck coefficient increases. This is due to the metal-semiconductor transition induced by the surface-state hybridization. Based on these TE transport coefficients, the TE figure-of-merit ZT is evaluated. It is shown that ZT can be greatly improved by the surface-state hybridization. Our theoretical results are pertinent to the exploration of the TE transport properties of surface states in TITFs and to the potential application of Bi 2 Se 3 -based TITFs as high-performance TE materials and devices. (paper)

Synthesis and characterization of hierarchical Bi2MoO6/Polyaniline nanocomposite for all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wu, Fangsheng; Wang, Xiaohong; Zheng, Wanru; Gao, Haiwen; Hao, Chen; Ge, Cunwang

2017-01-01

Bi 2 MoO 6 /Polyaniline (PANI) hybrid nanocomposite with enhanced specific capacity and rate performance was synthesized by compositing Bi 2 MoO 6 with the PANI layer using sodium lignosulphonate (SLS) as a dopant through a simple chemical polymerization. The Bi 2 MoO 6 /PANI (BMP) nanocomposite affords a large reaction surface area, an excellent structural stability, a large number of active sites, good strain accommodation, and fast electron and ion transportation compared with pure Bi 2 MoO 6 , which all are beneficial for improving the electrochemical performance. Hence, the Bi 2 MoO 6 /PANI electrode with 0.15 g Bi 2 MoO 6 (BMP-2) shows a high specific capacitance of 826 F g −1 at a current density of 1 A g −1 and capacitance retention of 75.5% after 3000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g −1 , which is higher than pristine Bi 2 MoO 6 and other electrodes. In addition, an all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) fabricated by the BMP-2 electrode and activated carbon (AC) displays a high specific capacitance of 90.0 F g −1 and a high energy density of 31.9 Wh kg −1 . Moreover, the BMP-2//AC ASC device exhibits high cycle stability, and 86.5% of its initial capacitance is retained after continuous 6000 cycles. Therefore, these results will promote a promising potential application of the Bi 2 MoO 6 /PANI nanocomposite for use as an effective electrode material in supercapacitors.

Synthesis of Bi2WO6 nanoparticles and its electrochemical properties in different electrolytes for pseudocapacitor electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nithya, V.D.; Kalai Selvan, R.; Kalpana, D.; Vasylechko, Leonid; Sanjeeviraja, C.

2013-01-01

Highlights: • A simple, economical and environmentally benign sonochemical technique was utilized for the synthesis of homogeneous Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles. • This is the first attempt to employ Bi 2 WO 6 as a supercapacitor electrode material. • Effect of electrolyte on the capacitive behaviour of the material is studied. • Bi 2 WO 6 displays good capacitive behaviour in 1 M KOH compared with 1 M NaOH and 1 M LiOH and possess sufficient capacity retention. • It presented an energy density of 67 Wh/kg in the potential range from −0.9 V to 0.1 V and it would be a promising negative electrode for supercapacitor. -- Abstract: Nanosized Bi 2 WO 6 particles were successfully synthesized by sonochemical method with an objective to develop an inexpensive and eco-friendly electrode material for supercapacitors. The prepared material was subjected to various thermal, structural, morphological, compositional, electrical and electrochemical studies. Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticle with homogeneous distribution was achieved through sonochemical process. The lattice parameter and atomic positions of Bi 2 WO 6 structure were refined through Reitveld analysis. The electrochemical performance of Bi 2 WO 6 nanoparticles was investigated in various aqueous electrolytes such as 1 M NaOH, 1 M LiOH, 1 M Na 2 SO 4 , 1 M KOH and 6 M KOH solutions. Among these, the material exhibited an enhanced electrochemical performance in KOH electrolyte due to its smaller hydration sphere radius, high ionic mobility and lower equivalent series resistance. The charge–discharge studies rendered a specific capacitance of 608 F/g in 1 M KOH at a current density of 0.5 mA/cm 2 . Bi 2 WO 6 exhibited an excellent coulombic efficiency and specific capacitance of around 304 F/g at 3 mA/cm 2 in the potential range from −0.9 to 0.1 V vs Hg/HgO in 1 M KOH electrolyte. The above results assured that Bi 2 WO 6 could be utilized as suitable negative electrode material for supercapacitor applications and 1 M

Between Localization and Delocalization: Ru(cod)2+ Units in the Zintl Clusters [Bi9 {Ru(cod)}2 ]3- and [Tl2 Bi6 {Ru(cod)}]2.

Science.gov (United States)

Lichtenberger, Niels; Spang, Nils; Eichhöfer, Andreas; Dehnen, Stefanie

2017-10-16

Reactions of [K(crypt-222)] 2 (TlBi 3 )⋅0.5 en (1 b) with [Ru(cod)(H 2 CC(Me)CH 2 ) 2 ] (A) in 1,2-diaminoethane (en) led to the formation of two compounds with new bismuth-rich cluster anions, [K(crypt-222)] 3 [Bi 9 {Ru(cod)} 2 ]⋅1.5 en (2) and [K(crypt-222)] 2 [Tl 2 Bi 6 {Ru(cod)}]⋅2 tol (3), alongside the salt of a binary nido cluster, [K(crypt-222)] 3 (Tl 4 Bi 5 )⋅2 en (4). The anions in 2 and 3 are two further examples of rare heterometallic clusters containing Ru atoms. As one cod ligand is retained on each Ru atom in both clusters, the anions may be viewed as intermediates on the way towards larger, ligand-free intermetalloid clusters. Quantum-chemical studies provided insight into the bonding situation in these clusters. According to these studies, the anion of 2 features both electron-precise and electron-deficient parts. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the clusters undergo stepwise fragmentation. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Sm/Ti co-substituted bismuth ferrite multiferroics: reciprocity between tetragonality and piezoelectricity.

Science.gov (United States)

Jha, Pardeep K; Jha, Priyanka A; Singh, Prabhakar; Ranjan, Rajeev; Dwivedi, R K

2017-10-04

BiFeO 3 (BFO) systems co-modified with Ti, Sm and Sm-Ti have been investigated for piezoelectricity together with dielectric and multiferroic properties. Structural studies revealed the coexistence of orthorhombic and rhombohedral (R3c) phases for x > 0.12. Impurity phases were shown to have hardly any effect on the remanent magnetization, which rather depends on the Fe-O-Fe bond angle. The dielectric loss was reduced considerably by substitution. A correlation between the piezoelectric coefficient and tetragonality was observed in these samples. BFO co-substituted with Sm-Ti exhibited a high piezoelectric coefficient with better ferroic properties, which revealed a unique combination of green piezoelectricity and multiferroicity.

Phase transformation in multiferroic Bi5Ti3FeO15 ceramics by temperature-dependent ellipsometric and Raman spectra: An interband electronic transition evidence

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, P. P.; Duan, Z. H.; Xu, L. P.; Zhang, X. L.; Li, Y. W.; Hu, Z. G.; Chu, J. H.

2014-02-01

Thermal evolution and an intermediate phase between ferroelectric orthorhombic and paraelectric tetragonal phase of multiferroic Bi5Ti3FeO15 ceramic have been investigated by temperature-dependent spectroscopic ellipsometry and Raman scattering. Dielectric functions and interband transitions extracted from the standard critical-point model show two dramatic anomalies in the temperature range of 200-873 K. It was found that the anomalous temperature dependence of electronic transition energies and Raman mode frequencies around 800 K can be ascribed to intermediate phase transformation. Moreover, the disappearance of electronic transition around 3 eV at 590 K is associated with the conductive property.

Structural and electrical properties of c-axis epitaxial and polycrystalline Sr sub 3 Bi sub 4 Ti sub 6 O sub 2 sub 1 thin films

CERN Document Server

Zhang, S T; Sun, H P; Pan Xiao Qing; Tan, W S; Liu, Z G; Ming, N B

2003-01-01

c-axis epitaxial and polycrystalline Sr sub 3 Bi sub 4 Ti sub 6 O sub 2 sub 1 (SBTi) thin films were fabricated on (001)SrTiO sub 3 (STO) single-crystal substrates and Pt/Ti sub 2 /SiO sub 2 /Si substrates respectively, by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Structures of the films were systematically characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), including theta-2 theta-scans, rocking curve scans and phi-scans, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The epitaxial orientation relation of the SBTi films on STO is established by selected-area electron diffraction and XRD phi-scans to be (001)SBTi || (001)STO, [11-bar 0]SBTi || [010]STO. Cross-sectional high-resolution TEM studies on the epitaxial SBTi film revealed that SBTi is a single-phase material. A special kind of irrational atomic shift along the [001] direction was observed and is discussed in detail. By using an evanescent microwave probe (EMP), the room-temperature dielectric constant of the epitaxial SBTi film was measured to be 21...

Ferroelectric properties of bilayer structured Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3/SrBi2Ta2O9 (PZT/SBT) thin films on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Wenqi; Li Aidong; Shao Qiyue; Xia Yidong; Wu Di; Liu Zhiguo; Ming Naiben

2008-01-01

Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 (PZT) thin films with large remanent polarization and SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 (SBT) thin films with excellent fatigue-resisting characteristic have been widely studied for non-volatile random access memories, respectively. To combine these two advantages , bilayered Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 /SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 (PZT/SBT) thin films were fabricated on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si substrates by chemical solution deposition method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the diffraction peaks of PZT/SBT thin films were completely composed of PZT and SBT, and no other secondary phase was observed. The electrical properties of the bilayered structure PZT/SBT films have been investigated in comparison with pure PZT and SBT films. PZT/SBT bilayered thin films showed larger remanent polarization (2P r ) of 18.37 μC/cm 2 than pure SBT and less polarization fatigue up to 1 x 10 9 switching cycles than pure PZT. These results indicated that this bilayered structure of PZT/SBT is a promising material combination for ferroelectric memory applications

Piezoelectric properties enhanced of Sr{sub 0.6}(BiNa){sub 0.2}Bi{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} ceramic by (LiCe) modification with charge neutrality

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fang, Pinyang, E-mail: fpy_2000@163.com [Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Functional Materials and Devices, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an 710032 (China); Xi, Zengzhe; Long, Wei; Li, Xiaojuan [Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Functional Materials and Devices, School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an 710032 (China); Li, Jin [Northwest Institute For Non-ferrous Metal Research, Xi’an 710016 (China)

2013-09-01

Graphical abstract: The oxygen vacancies were confirmed by the left figure. The role of oxygen vacancy on piezoelectric activities was obtained by comparing to the varieties of oxygen vacancy concentration and piezoelectric coefficient with (LiCe) modification. -- Highlights: • The Sr{sub 0.6}(BiNa){sub 0.2}Bi{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} ceramic by (LiCe) modification with the charge neutrality was synthesized by the solid state reaction method. • The Curie temperature and piezoelectric coefficient were found to be T{sub c} ∼590 °C and d{sub 33} ∼32 pC/N, respectively. • The mechanism of piezoelectric activities improved by (LiCe) modification was discussed. -- Abstract: Aurivillius-type ceramics, Sr{sub 0.6−x}(LiCe){sub x/2.5}(BiNa){sub 0.2}Bi{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9}(SLCBNBNO) with the charge neutrality, were synthesized by using conventional solid-state processing. Phase analysis was performed by X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Microstructural morphology was assessed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural, dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electromechanical properties of the SLCBNBNO ceramics were investigated. Piezoelectric properties were significantly enhanced compared to Sr{sub 0.6}(BiNa){sub 0.2}Bi{sub 2}Nb{sub 2}O{sub 9} (SBNBN) ceramic and the maximum of piezoelectric coefficient d{sub 33} of the SBNBN-LC6 ceramic was 32 pC/N with higher Curie temperature (T{sub c} ∼590 °C). In addition, mechanisms for the piezoelectric properties enhanced of the SBNBN-based ceramics were discussed.

Substitution effect of Sr2+ by Ca2+ on structure and superconducting properties of Bi2Sr1.6La0.4CuO6+δ (Bi-2201) ceramics

Science.gov (United States)

Boudjaoui, S.; Amira, A.; Mahamdioua, N.; Altintas, S.; varilci, A.; Terzioglu, C.

2018-02-01

In this work, the effect of Ca2+ iso-valence substitution for Sr2+ on properties of Bi2Sr1.6La0.4CuO6+δ superconductors is presented. Samples series with nominal composition of Bi2Sr1.6-xCaxLa0.4CuO6+δ (x= 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) are prepared by a solid-state reaction method. When Ca content is increased, the X-ray diffraction technique shows that the cell parameters a and c decrease, while b one is almost constant. The scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals that the substitution has no significant effect on the porosity and the grain size of the samples. The physical properties of the samples are studied by the analysis of the magneto-resistivity curves measured under magnetic fields in the range 0-1 T. As Ca is added, the results show that the high temperature transition appears and is pushed up to 94.87 K for x=0.8. The substitution also improves the bulk onset critical transition temperature, the transition width, the residual resistivity, the activation energy of vortices and the irreversibility field. The best results are seen for x=0.4 of Ca content.

Electronic structure of Fe1.08Te bulk crystals and epitaxial FeTe thin films on Bi2Te3

Science.gov (United States)

Arnold, Fabian; Warmuth, Jonas; Michiardi, Matteo; Fikáček, Jan; Bianchi, Marco; Hu, Jin; Mao, Zhiqiang; Miwa, Jill; Singh, Udai Raj; Bremholm, Martin; Wiesendanger, Roland; Honolka, Jan; Wehling, Tim; Wiebe, Jens; Hofmann, Philip

2018-02-01

The electronic structure of thin films of FeTe grown on Bi2Te3 is investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy and first principles calculations. As a comparison, data from cleaved bulk Fe1.08Te taken under the same experimental conditions is also presented. Due to the substrate and thin film symmetry, FeTe thin films grow on Bi2Te3 in three domains, rotated by 0°, 120°, and 240°. This results in a superposition of photoemission intensity from the domains, complicating the analysis. However, by combining bulk and thin film data, it is possible to partly disentangle the contributions from three domains. We find a close similarity between thin film and bulk electronic structure and an overall good agreement with first principles calculations, assuming a p-doping shift of 65 meV for the bulk and a renormalization factor of around two. By tracking the change of substrate electronic structure upon film growth, we find indications of an electron transfer from the FeTe film to the substrate. No significant change of the film’s electronic structure or doping is observed when alkali atoms are dosed onto the surface. This is ascribed to the film’s high density of states at the Fermi energy. This behavior is also supported by the ab initio calculations.

Ferroelectric properties of sandwich structured (Bi, La)4T3O12/Pb(Zr, Ti)O3/ (Bi, La)4Ti3O12 thin films on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bao Dinghua; Wakiya, Naoki; Shinozaki, Kazuo; Mizutani, Nobuyasu

2002-01-01

Sandwich structured (Bi, La) 4 Ti 3 O 12 /Pb(Zr, Ti)O 3 /(Bi, La) 4 Ti 3 O 12 thin films were fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates, with the intention of simultaneously utilizing the advantages of both (Bi, La) 4 Ti 3 O 12 (BLT) and Pb(Zr, Ti)O 3 (PZT) thin films such as non-fatigue behaviours of BLT and good ferroelectric properties of PZT. Both BLT and PZT layers were prepared by a chemical solution deposition technique. The experiments demonstrated that the sandwich structure showed fatigue-free characteristics at least up to 10 10 switching bipolar pulse cycles under 8 V and excellent retention properties. The sandwich structured thin films also exhibited well-defined hysteresis loops with a remanent polarization (2P r ) of 8.8 μC cm -2 and a coercive field (E c ) of 47 kV cm -1 . The room-temperature dielectric constant and dissipation factor were 210 and 0.031, respectively, at a frequency of 100 kHz. These results suggest that this sandwich structure is a promising material combination for ferroelectric memory applications. (author)

Constructing anisotropic single-Dirac-cones in Bi(1-x)Sb(x) thin films.

Science.gov (United States)

Tang, Shuang; Dresselhaus, Mildred S

2012-04-11

The electronic band structures of Bi(1-x)Sb(x) thin films can be varied as a function of temperature, pressure, stoichiometry, film thickness, and growth orientation. We here show how different anisotropic single-Dirac-cones can be constructed in a Bi(1-x)Sb(x) thin film for different applications or research purposes. For predicting anisotropic single-Dirac-cones, we have developed an iterative-two-dimensional-two-band model to get a consistent inverse-effective-mass-tensor and band gap, which can be used in a general two-dimensional system that has a nonparabolic dispersion relation as in the Bi(1-x)Sb(x) thin film system. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Separation of top and bottom surface conduction in Bi2Te3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yu Xinxin; He Liang; Lang Murong; Jiang Wanjun; Kou Xufeng; Tang Jianshi; Huang Guan; Wang, Kang L; Xiu Faxian; Liao Zhiming; Zou Jin; Wang Yong; Zhang Peng

2013-01-01

Quantum spin Hall (QSH) systems are insulating in the bulk with gapless edges or surfaces that are topologically protected and immune to nonmagnetic impurities or geometric perturbations. Although the QSH effect has been realized in the HgTe/CdTe system, it has not been accomplished in normal 3D topological insulators. In this work, we demonstrate a separation of two surface conductions (top/bottom) in epitaxially grown Bi 2 Te 3 thin films through gate dependent Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations. By sweeping the gate voltage, only the Fermi level of the top surface is tuned while that of the bottom surface remains unchanged due to strong electric field screening effects arising from the high dielectric constant of Bi 2 Te 3 . In addition, the bulk conduction can be modulated from n- to p-type with a varying gate bias. Our results on the surface control hence pave a way for the realization of QSH effect in topological insulators which requires a selective control of spin transports on the top/bottom surfaces. (paper)

Enhanced magnetic properties of chemical solution deposited BiFeO3 thin film with ZnO buffer layer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rajalakshmi, R.; Kambhala, Nagaiah; Angappane, S.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Enhanced magnetization of BiFeO 3 is important for strong magnetoelectric coupling. ► BiFeO 3 film with ZnO buffer layer was successfully synthesized by chemical method. ► Magnetization of BiFeO 3 has increased by more than 10 times with ZnO buffer layer. ► A mechanism for enhancement in ferromagnetism of BiFeO 3 film is proposed. - Abstract: Magnetic properties of BiFeO 3 films deposited on Si substrates with and without ZnO buffer layer have been studied in this work. We adopted the chemical solution deposition method for the deposition of BiFeO 3 as well as ZnO films. The x-ray diffraction measurements on the deposited films confirm the formation of crystalline phase of BiFeO 3 and ZnO films, while our electron microscopy measurements help to understand the morphology of few micrometers thick films. It is found that the deposited ZnO film exhibit a hexagonal particulate surface morphology, whereas BiFeO 3 film fully covers the ZnO surface. Our magnetic measurements reveal that the magnetization of BiFeO 3 has increased by more than ten times in BiFeO 3 /ZnO/Si film compared to BiFeO 3 /Si film, indicating the major role played by ZnO buffer layer in enhancing the magnetic properties of BiFeO 3 , a technologically important multiferroic material.

X-ray magnetic spectroscopy of MBE-grown Mn-doped Bi2Se3 thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

L. J. Collins-McIntyre

2014-12-01

Full Text Available We report the growth of Mn-doped Bi2Se3 thin films by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE, investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD, atomic force microscopy (AFM, SQUID magnetometry and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD. Epitaxial films were deposited on c-plane sapphire substrates by co-evaporation. The films exhibit a spiral growth mechanism typical of this material class, as revealed by AFM. The XRD measurements demonstrate a good crystalline structure which is retained upon doping up to ∼7.5 atomic-% Mn, determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS, and show no evidence of the formation of parasitic phases. However an increasing interstitial incorporation of Mn is observed with increasing doping concentration. A magnetic moment of 5.1 μB/Mn is obtained from bulk-sensitive SQUID measurements, and a much lower moment of 1.6 μB/Mn from surface-sensitive XMCD. At ∼2.5 K, XMCD at the Mn L2,3 edge, reveals short-range magnetic order in the films and indicates ferromagnetic order below 1.5 K.

Electronic structure of bismuth in high-temperature superconductor Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2.5Cu3.5Oσ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Band, I.M.; Egorovm, A.I.; Karazhanova, G.I.

1990-01-01

The shifts of K α1 X-ray of bismuth in the HTS-ceramic Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sr 2 Ca 2.5 Cu 5 O σ and Bi 2 O 3 are measured experimentally. It is shown that bismuth is threevalent in the HTS-ceramic. From comparison of the experimental values of shifts with theoretical values calculated within the framework of different modifications of Hartree-Fock method the effective charge at the bismuth atoms in these compounds is determined: q(Bi 2 O 3 )=1.5+2.0, q(Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sr 2 Ca 2.5 Cu 3.5 O σ )= 1.6+2.1. It was suggested, That the Bi significant covalence degree in HTS-ceramic may be a cause of noticeable contribution of the Bi 6p-states in the density of states at Fermi-level. 13 refs.; 1 fig.; 2 tabs

Structural, chemical, and thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 Peltier materials. Bulk, thin films, and superlattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Peranio, Nicola

2008-01-01

In this work, the nature of the natural nanostructure (nns) was analysed and the correlations to the transport coefficients, particularly the lattice thermal conductivity, is discussed. Experimental methods are presented for the first time, yielding an accurate quantitative analysis of the chemical composition and of stress fields in Bi 2 Te 3 and in compounds with similar structural and chemical microstructures. This work can be subdivided as follows: (I) N-type Bi 2 (Te 0.91 Se 0.09 ) 3 and p-type (Bi 0.26 Sb 0.74 ) 1.98 (Te 0.99 Se 0.01 ) 3.02 bulk materials synthesised by the Bridgman technique. (II) Bi 2 Te 3 thin films and Bi 2 Te 3 /Bi 2 (Te 0.88 Se 0.12 ) 3 superlattices epitaxially grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on BaF 2 substrates with periods of δ-12 nm at the Fraunhofer-Institut fuer Physikalische Messtechnik (IPM). (III) Experimental methods, i.e., TEM specimen preparation, high-accuracy quantitative chemical analysis by EDX in the TEM, and image simulations of dislocations and the nns according to the two-beam dynamical diffraction theory. The nns was analysed in detail by stereomicroscopy and by image simulation and was found to be a pure sinusoidal displacement field with (i) a displacement vector parallel to and an amplitude of about 10 pm and (ii) a wave vector parallel to {1,0,10} and a wavelength of 10 nm. The results obtained here showed a significant amount of stress in the samples, induced by the nns which was still not noticed and identified. Both kinds of nanostructures, artificial (ans) and natural (nns) nanostructures, yielded in thermoelectric materials a low lattice thermal conductivity which was beneficial for the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT. (orig.)

Molecular beam epitaxy growth of InSb_1-xBi_x thin films

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Yuxin Song; Shumin Wang; Saha Roy, Ivy

2013-01-01

Molecular beam epitaxy growth for InSb1-xBix thin films on (100) GaAs substrates is reported. Successful Bi incorporation for 2% is achieved, and up to 70% of the incorporated Bi atoms are at substitutional sites. The effects of growth parameters on Bi incorporation and surface morphology are stu...

Phonon Drag in Thin Films, Cases of Bi2Te3 and ZnTe

Science.gov (United States)

Chi, Hang; Uher, Ctirad

2014-03-01

At low temperatures, in (semi-)conductors subjected to a thermal gradient, charge carriers (electrons and holes) are swept (dragged) by out-of-equilibrium phonons due to strong electron-phonon interaction, giving rise to a large contribution to the Seebeck coefficient called the phonon-drag effect. Such phenomenon was surprisingly observed in our recent transport study of highly mismatched alloys as potential thermoelectric materials: a significant phonon-drag thermopower reaching 1.5-2.5 mV/K was recorded for the first time in nitrogen-doped ZnTe epitaxial layers on GaAs (100). In thin films of Bi2Te3, we demonstrate a spectacular influence of substrate phonons on charge carriers. We show that one can control and tune the position and magnitude of the phonon-drag peak over a wide range of temperatures by depositing thin films on substrates with vastly different Debye temperatures. Our experiments also provide a way to study the nature of the phonon spectrum in thin films, which is rarely probed but clearly important for a complete understanding of thin film properties and the interplay of the substrate and films. This work is supported by the Center for Solar and Thermal Energy Conversion, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0000957.

The enhanced photoactivity of nanosized Bi2WO6 catalyst for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fu Hongbo; Yao Wenqing; Zhang Liwu; Zhu Yongfa

2008-01-01

Nanosized Bi 2 WO 6 catalyst exhibited the enhanced photoactivity for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under visible irradiation compared to the sample prepared by high-temperature solid reaction. The photoactivity of the catalyst was sensitive to pH variation of the suspension. Nanosized Bi 2 WO 6 catalyst showed the highest activity at pH 7.2. The photodegradation of 4-CP by nanosized Bi 2 WO 6 catalyst followed a pseudo-first-order reaction. After three recycling runs for the photodegradation of 4-CP, the activity of the catalyst did not show any significant loss, suggesting that the catalyst was stable under visible irradiation

Synthesis and characterization of multiferroic Sm-doped BiFeO{sub 3} nanopowders and their bulk dielectric properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yotburut, Benjaporn [School of Physics, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Thongbai, Prasit [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Yamwong, Teerapon [National Metals and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani 12120 (Thailand); Maensiri, Santi, E-mail: santimaensiri@g.sut.ac.th [School of Physics, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); SUT Center of Excellence on Advanced Functional Materials, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand)

2017-09-01

Highlights: • Bi{sub 1−x}Sm{sub x}FeO{sub 3} nanopowders were prepared by a simple co-precipitation method. • The prepared samples were well characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, and XAS. • The XANES spectra identified the valence state of Fe ion in all nanopowders as 3+. • Increasing in applied dc bias voltage from 0 to 20 V causes a decrease in the dielectric constant. • The relaxation activation energy of a LFR is larger than that of a HFR. - Abstract: Multiferroic Bi{sub 1−x}Sm{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) nanopowders with particle sizes of 69–22.6 nm were prepared by a simple co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the samples were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns confirmed the phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic phases. The results of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data indicate that the oxidation state of Fe in the sample was Fe{sup 3+}. The results of magnetic properties revealed the enhancement of weak ferromagnetic property with increasing Sm doping in BFO nanopowders. SEM images revealed that the average grain size decreased with an increase in Sm concentration. Undoped BFO ceramics exhibited a high dielectric constant ε′ ∼1.1 × 10{sup 4} and a low loss tangent of tan δ ∼0.5 at room temperature for 1 kHz. The room temperature dielectric constant decreased with increasing concentration of Sm doping and the dielectric relaxation peaks were observed at x ≤ 0.1. The dielectric relaxation peaks which were observed at all frequency ranges were x ≤ 0.1 samples which were attributed to Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. As the temperature increased, great increases in dielectric permittivity were observed in all the Bi{sub 1−x}Sm{sub x}FeO{sub 3} samples. The effects of grain boundaries on the dielectric properties of Sm-doped BFO ceramics were investigated by measuring the dielectric responds in the frequencies of 100 Hz–1

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Characterization, and Optical Properties of Ce Doped Bi2MoO6 Nanoplates

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Anukorn Phuruangrat

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Undoped and Ce doped Bi2MoO6 samples were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 180°C for 20 h. Phase, morphology, atomic vibration, and optical properties were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, Raman spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM, selected area electron diffraction (SAED, and UV-visible spectroscopy. In this research, the products were orthorhombic Bi2MoO6 nanoplates with the growth direction along the [0b0], including the asymmetric and symmetric stretching and bending modes of Bi–O and Mo–O. Undoped and Ce doped Bi2MoO6 samples show a strong absorption in the UV region.

One pot hydrothermal synthesis of a novel BiIO4/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for rhodamine B degradation and photocurrent generation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Huang, Hongwei; Liu, Liyuan; Zhang, Yihe; Tian, Na

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: The efficient charge transfer occurred at the interface of BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunction results in the efficient separation of photoexcited electron–hole pairs and promotes the photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composites were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. • The BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composite exhibits much better photoelectrochemical performance. • The highly improved photocatalytic activity is attributed to heterojunction structure. • Holes (h + ) are the main active species in the photodegradation process of RhB. - Abstract: A novel BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunction photocatalyst has been successfully developed by a one-step hydrothermal method for the first time. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). Compared to pure BiIO 4 and Bi 2 MoO 6 , the BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 composite exhibits the much better photoelectrochemical performance for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation and photocurrent (PC) generation under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). This enhancement on visible-light-responsive photocatalytic activity should be attributed to the fabrication of a BiIO 4 /Bi 2 MoO 6 heterojunction, thus resulting in the high separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers. The supposed photocatalytic mechanism dominated by holes (h + ) was verified by the photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and active species trapping experiments

Modulation-free bismuth-lead cuprate superconductors: BiPbSr1+xL1-xCuO6 and BiPbSr2Y1-xCaxCu2O8

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Manivannan, V.; Gopalakrishnan, J.; Rao, C.N.R.

1991-01-01

Modulation-free BiPbSrLCuO 6 (L=La, Pr, Nd) and BiPbSr 2 YCu 2 O 8 , which are isotypic with the n=1 and 2 members of the Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca n-1 Cu n O 2n+4 family, have been prepared and characterized. These parent compounds are nonsuperconducting, but when doped with holes by substitution chemistry give modulation-free superconducting cuprates of the general formulas BiPbSr 1+xL1-x CuO 6 and BiPbSr 2 Y 1-x Ca x Cu 2 O 8 , exhibiting maximum T c 's of 24 and 85 K, respectively. Significantly, the hole concentration at the maximum T c is 0.12 in the cuprate family with a single Cu-O layer and 0.22 in that with two Cu-O layers

Ag doped (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ textured rods

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Díez, J. C.

2008-06-01

Full Text Available In this work, superconducting samples of (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ with Ag additions have been studied. (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ + x wt.% Ag (with x = 0, 1 and 3 powders were synthesized using a sol-gel method. The obtained powders were used as precursors to fabricate long textured cylindrical bars through a floating zone melting method. A drastic change on the microstructure has been found when comparing with undoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ samples. The results showed that electrical resistivity at room temperature, critical current as well as flexural strength are improved when Ag is added to these Pb doped samples, while critical temperature does not change. On the other hand, it has been found that samples with composition (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ + Ag shown E-I curves with very high sharpness values on the zone of the superconducting to normal transition, reaching n-values (E∼In as high as 45 at 65K.Se han preparado polvos cerámicos de composición (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ + x % Ag en peso (con x = 0, 1 y 3 mediante un proceso sol-gel. Estos polvos se han utilizado para fabricar precursores que se texturaron por medio del método de fusión zonal flotante. Se ha encontrado un gran cambio en la microestructura cuando se compara con muestras de composición pura Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ. Tanto la resistividad eléctrica a temperatura ambiente, como la corriente crítica, así como la resistencia a flexión se mejoran cuando la Ag se adiciona a estas muestras dopadas con Pb, mientras que no se observa cambio en la temperatura crítica. Por otra parte, se ha encontrado que las muestras de composición (Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2CaCu2O8+δ + Ag presentan una gran pendiente de la curva E-I en la zona de transición entre el estado superconductor y el estado normal. Con estas composiciones, se han encontrado valores de n (E∼In de hasta 45 a 65K.

Effect of surface modification of BiFeO3 on the dielectric, ferroelectric, magneto-dielectric properties of polyvinylacetate/BiFeO3 nanocomposites

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

O. P. Bajpai

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3 is considered as one of the most promising materials in the field of multiferroics. In this work, a simple green route as well as synthetic routes has been used for the preparation of pure phase BiFeO3. An extract of Calotropis Gigantea flower was used as a reaction medium in green route. In each case so formed BiFeO3 particles are of comparable quality. These particles are in the range of 50–60 nm and exhibit mixed morphology (viz., spherical and cubic as confirmed by TEM analysis. These pure phase BiFeO3 nanoparticles were first time surface modified effectively by mean of two silylating agent’s viz., tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS and (3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES. Modified and unmodified BiFeO3 nanoparticles were efficiently introduced into polyvinylacetate (PVAc matrix. It has been shown that nanocomposite prepared by modified BiFeO3 comprise superior dispersion characteristics, improved ferroelectric properties and favorable magneto-dielectric properties along with excellent wettability in compare to nanocomposite prepared by unmodified BiFeO3. These preliminary results demonstrate possible applications of this type of nanocomposites particularly in the field of multiferroic coating and adhesives.

Tuning the electronic properties at the surface of BaBiO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferreyra, C. [GIyA y INN, CNEA, Av.Gral Paz 1499, (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Departamento de Física, Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Guller, F.; Llois, A. M.; Vildosola, V. [GIyA y INN, CNEA, Av.Gral Paz 1499, (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) (Argentina); Marchini, F.; Williams, F. J. [Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) (Argentina); Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química-Física, INQUIMAE-CONICET, Facultad Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pabellón 2, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Lüders, U. [CRISMAT, CNRS UMR 6508, ENSICAEN, 6 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, 14050 Caen Cedex 4 (France); Albornoz, C. [GIyA y INN, CNEA, Av.Gral Paz 1499, (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Leyva, A. G. [GIyA y INN, CNEA, Av.Gral Paz 1499, (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires (Argentina); Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, UNSAM, Campus Miguelete, (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires (Argentina); and others

2016-06-15

The presence of 2D electron gases at surfaces or interfaces in oxide thin films remains a hot topic in condensed matter physics. In particular, BaBiO{sub 3} appears as a very interesting system as it was theoretically proposed that its (001) surface should become metallic if a Bi-termination is achieved (Vildosola et al., PRL 110, 206805 (2013)). Here we report on the preparation by pulsed laser deposition and characterization of BaBiO{sub 3} thin films on silicon. We show that the texture of the films can be tuned by controlling the growth conditions, being possible to stabilize strongly (100)-textured films. We find significant differences on the spectroscopic and transport properties between (100)-textured and non-textured films. We rationalize these experimental results by performing first principles calculations, which indicate the existence of electron doping at the (100) surface. This stabilizes Bi ions in a 3+ state, shortens Bi-O bonds and reduces the electronic band gap, increasing the surface conductivity. Our results emphasize the importance of surface effects on the electronic properties of perovskites, and provide strategies to design novel oxide heterostructures with potential interface-related 2D electron gases.

Evidence of superoxide radical contribution to demineralization of sulfamethoxazole by visible-light-driven Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Sr{sub 6}Bi{sub 2}O{sub 9} photocatalyst

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ding, Shiyuan; Niu, Junfeng, E-mail: junfengn@bnu.edu.cn; Bao, Yueping; Hu, Lijuan

2013-11-15

Highlights: • Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Sr{sub 6}Bi{sub 2}O{sub 9} can degrade SMX efficiently using visible light. • 36% of TOC reduction was achieved after 120 min treatment. • The main mineralization products were confirmed. • Formation of O{sub 2}·{sup −} was evidenced by using ESR and a chemiluminescent probe. -- Abstract: Photocatalytic degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was investigated using Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3}/Sr{sub 6}Bi{sub 2}O{sub 9} (BSO) photocatalyst under visible light (>420 nm) irradiation. The photochemical degradation of SMX followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The reaction kinetics was determined as a function of initial SMX concentrations (5–20 mg L{sup −1}), initial pH (3–11) and BSO concentrations (6–600 mg L{sup −1}). Approximately, 90% of SMX (10 mg L{sup −1}) degradation and 36% of TOC reduction were achieved at pH 7.0 after 120 min irradiation. The main mineralization products, including NH{sub 4}{sup +}, NO{sub 3}{sup −}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} and CO{sub 2}, as well as intermediates 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole (AMI), p-benzoquinone (BZQ), and sulfanilic acid (SNA) were detected in aqueous solution. The formation of O{sub 2}·{sup −} radical was evidenced by using electron spin resonance and a chemiluminescent probe, luminal. A possible degradation mechanism involving excitation of BSO, followed by charge injection into the BSO conduction band and formation of reactive superoxide radical (O{sub 2}·{sup −}) was proposed for the mineralization of SMX. During the reaction, the O{sub 2}·{sup −} radical attacks the sulfone moiety and causes the cleavage of the S-N bond, which leads to the formation of two sub-structure analogs, AMI and SNA.

Simple top-down preparation of magnetic Bi_0.9Gd_0.1Fe_1−xTi_xO₃ nanoparticles by ultrasonication of multiferroic bulk material

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Basith, M. A.; Ngo, Duc-The; Quader, A.

2014-01-01

We present a simple technique to synthesize ultrafine nanoparticles directly from bulk multiferroic perovskitepowder. The starting materials, which were ceramic pellets of the nominal compositions Bi0.9Gd0.1-Fe1−xTixO3 (x = 0.00–0.20), were prepared initially by a solid state reaction technique, ...

Advanced nanostructured photocatalysts based on reduced graphene oxide-flower-like Bi_2WO_6 composites for an augmented simulated solar photoactivity activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, Yukun; Chen, Lin; Wang, Yue; Zhu, Liang

2016-01-01

Highlights: • A simple route was proposed to prepare flower-like Bi_2WO_6 and RGO/Bi_2WO_6. • Cipro HCl was degraded firstly by RGO/Bi_2WO_6 under the visible-light. • 2% RGO/Bi_2WO_6 exhibited the best removal efficiency. - Abstract: A simple hydrothermal process was proposed to prepare the flower-like Bi_2WO_6 architectures, and the as-synthesized Bi_2WO_6 photocatalysts were further processed with the prepared graphene oxide (GO) to form novel reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Bi_2WO_6 composites. The nano-materials were characterized with the help of XRD, XPS, SEM, FTIR, UV-DRS, PL techniques to investigate their morphological, physical, optical, and photochemical properties. Photocatalytic performances of the pure flower-like Bi_2WO_6 architectures and RGO/Bi_2WO_6 composites were compared and evaluated through the degradation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (Cipro HCl) wastewater under the simulated visible light. It was found that the RGO/Bi_2WO_6 composites displayed enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic activities. It might be that the RGO loading not only effectively suppressed the electron–hole recombination, but also increased the light absorption ability. The effects of operating condition involved in the photocatalytic process were further examined, and the cycle-stability experiment demonstrated that as-obtained 2% RGO/Bi_2WO_6 photocatalysts had good photocatalytic repeatability.