Quasicubic α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles embedded in TiO{sub 2} thin films grown by atomic layer deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tamm, Aile [Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu (Estonia); Seinberg, Liis [National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn (Estonia); Kozlova, Jekaterina [Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu (Estonia); Link, Joosep [National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn (Estonia); Pikma, Piret [University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Ravila 14A, 50411 Tartu (Estonia); Stern, Raivo [National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn (Estonia); Kukli, Kaupo [Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu (Estonia); Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki (Finland)

2016-08-01

Monodispersed quasicubic α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles were synthesized from ferric nitrite (Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}), N,N-dimethyl formamide and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone). Layers of nanoparticles were attached to HF-etched Si substrates by dip coating and subsequently embedded in thin titanium oxide films grown by atomic layer deposition from TiCl{sub 4} and H{sub 2}O. The deposition of TiO{sub 2} onto Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles covered the nanoparticles uniformly and anatase phase of TiO{sub 2} was observed in Si/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanostructures. In Si/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanostructure magnetic domains, observable by magnetic force microscopy, were formed and these nanostructures implied ferromagnetic-like behavior at room temperature with the saturative magnetization and coercivity of 10 kA/m. - Highlights: • Cubic-shaped iron oxide crystallites were supported by thin titanium oxide films. • The process chemistry applied allowed formation of heterogeneous composite. • Atomic layer deposition of titanium oxide on nanocubes was uniform and conformal. • The nanostructures formed can be regarded as magnetically susceptible materials.

The effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on MgB2 superconducting thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koparan, E.T.; Sidorenko, A.; Yanmaz, E.

2013-01-01

Full text: Since the discovery of superconductivity in binary MgB 2 compounds, extensive studies have been carried out because of its excellent properties for technological applications, such as high transition temperature (T c = 39 K), high upper critical field (H c2 ), high critical current density (J c ). Thin films are important for fundamental research as well as technological applications of any functional materials. Technological applications primarily depend on critical current density. The strong field dependence of J c for MgB 2 necessitates an enhancement in flux pinning performance in order to improve values in high magnetic fields. An effective way to improve the flux pinning is to introduce flux pinning centers into MgB 2 through a dopant having size comparable to the coherence length of MgB 2 . In this study, MgB 2 film with a thickness of about 600 nm was deposited on the MgO (100) single crystal substrate using a 'two-step' synthesis technique. Firstly, deposition of boron thin film was carried out by rf magnetron sputtering on MgO substrates and followed by a post deposition annealing at 850 degrees Celsius in magnesium vapour. In order to investigate the effect of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on the structural and magnetic properties of films, MgB 2 films were coated with different concentrations of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles by a spin coating process. The effects of different concentrations of ferromagnetic Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on superconducting properties of obtained films were carried out by using structural (XRD, SEM, AFM), electrical (R-T) and magnetization (M-H, M-T and AC Susceptibility) measurements. It was calculated that anisotropic coefficient was about γ = 1.2 and coherence length of 5 nm for the uncoated film. As a result of coherence length, the appropriate diameters of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were found to be 10 nm, indicating that these nanoparticles served as the pinning centers. Based on the data obtained from this study, it can be

Photoelectrochemical Characterization of Sprayed α-Fe2O3 Thin Films: Influence of Si Doping and SnO2 Interfacial Layer

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Yongqi Liang

2008-01-01

Full Text Available α-Fe2O3 thin film photoanodes for solar water splitting were prepared by spray pyrolysis of Fe(AcAc3. The donor density in the Fe2O3 films could be tuned between 1017–1020 cm-3 by doping with silicon. By depositing a 5 nm SnO2 interfacial layer between the Fe2O3 films and the transparent conducting substrates, both the reproducibility and the photocurrent can be enhanced. The effects of Si doping and the presence of the SnO2 interfacial layer were systematically studied. The highest photoresponse is obtained for Fe2O3 doped with 0.2% Si, resulting in a photocurrent of 0.37 mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE in a 1.0 M KOH solution under 80 mW/cm2 AM1.5 illumination.

Mixture of fuels for solution combustion synthesis of porous Fe3O4 powders

Science.gov (United States)

Parnianfar, H.; Masoudpanah, S. M.; Alamolhoda, S.; Fathi, H.

2017-06-01

The solution combustion synthesis of porous magnetite (Fe3O4) powders by a mixture of glycine and urea fuels was investigated concerning the thermodynamic aspects and powder characteristics. The adiabatic combustion temperature and combusted species were thermodynamically calculated as a function of the fuel to oxidant molar ratio (ϕ). The combustion behavior, phase evolution, porous structure and magnetic properties were characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, N2 adsorption-desorption, electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques. Nearly single phase Fe3O4 powders were synthesized by the mixture of fuels at ϕ values of 0.75 and 1. The as-combusted Fe3O4 powders at ϕ = 1 exhibited porous structure with the specific surface area of 83.4 m2/g. The highest saturation magnetization of 75.5 emu/g and the lowest coercivity of 84 Oe were achieved at ϕ = 1, due to the high purity and large crystallite size, inducing from the highest adiabatic combustion temperature.

Porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-SiO{sub 2} core-shell nanorods as high-performance MRI contrast agent and drug delivery vehicle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Beg, Muhammad Shahbaz [Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076 (India); Mohapatra, Jeotikanta; Pradhan, Lina [Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076 (India); Patkar, D. [Department of MRI, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai 400056 (India); Bahadur, D., E-mail: dhirenb@iitb.ac.in [Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076 (India); Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076 (India)

2017-04-15

A high-performance MRI contrast agent and a drug nanocarrier have been realized in porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} nanorods (NRs). The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} NRs of length ~520 nm and diameter ~180 nm are synthesized by annealing FeOOH@SiO{sub 2} nanorods at a temperature of 300 ℃ under continuous flow of forming gas. The magnetic measurement confirms that the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} NRs is ferrimagnetic in nature with magnetization of 20 emu/g and coercivity H{sub C} ~450 Oe. The aqueous suspension of the NRs is stable over a time frame of one month and exhibits a high R{sub 2} relaxivity value of 192 mM{sup −1} s{sup −1}. The R{sub 2} darkening effect is also observed in HeLa cells incubated with NRs in comparison to untreated control cells. The porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} NRs further work as an excellent carrier for doxorubicin (DOX) drug with loading efficiency of 65%. The drug release study shows a pH-dependent behavior and is higher in acidic pH (4.3) as compared to the physiological pH (7.4). After 72 h, the cumulative DOX release is found to be ~58% at pH 4.3 and ~17% at pH 7.4. The induction heating studies of the NRs exhibit a sharp increasing trend of SAR value with the increase of magnetic field. - Highlights: • Porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@SiO{sub 2} NRs shows enhanced MRI contrast agent and drug carrier properties. • The stable aqueous dispersion of NRs exhibits a high R{sub 2} relaxivity of 192 mM{sup −1} s{sup −1}. • The porous NRs also work as a nanocarrier for DOX with a loading efficiency of 65%. • The drug release study shows a pH-dependent behavior and is higher in acidic pH (4.3).

Quasi-Topotactic Transformation of FeOOH Nanorods to Robust Fe2O3 Porous Nanopillars Triggered with a Facile Rapid Dehydration Strategy for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Science.gov (United States)

Liao, Aizhen; He, Huichao; Tang, Lanqin; Li, Yichang; Zhang, Jiyuan; Chen, Jiani; Chen, Lan; Zhang, Chunfeng; Zhou, Yong; Zou, Zhigang

2018-03-28

A facile rapid dehydration (RD) strategy is explored for quasi-topotactic transformation of FeOOH nanorods to robust Fe 2 O 3 porous nanopillars, avoiding collapse, shrink, and coalescence, and compared with a conventional treatment route. Additionally, the so-called RD process is capable of generating a beneficial porous structure for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. The obtained RD-Fe 2 O 3 photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density as high as 2.0 mA cm -2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a saturated photocurrent density of 3.5 mA cm -2 at 1.71 V versus RHE without any cocatalysts, which is about 270% improved photocurrent density over Fe 2 O 3 with the conventional temperature-rising route (0.75 mA cm -2 at 1.23 V vs RHE and 1.48 mA cm -2 at 1.71 V vs RHE, respectively). The enhanced photocurrent on RD-Fe 2 O 3 is attributed to a synergistic effect of the following factors: (i) preservation of single crystalline nanopillars decreases the charge-carrier recombination; (ii) formation of long nanopillars enhances light harvesting; and (iii) the porous structure shortens the hole transport distance from the bulk material to the electrode-electrolyte interface.

Fast-LPG Sensors at Room Temperature by α-Fe2O3/CNT Nanocomposite Thin Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

B. Chaitongrat

2018-01-01

Full Text Available We present performance of a room temperature LPG sensor based on α-Fe2O3/CNT (carbon nanotube nanocomposite films. The nanocomposite film was fabricated via the metallic Fe catalyst particle on CNTs in which both the catalyst particles and the CNT were simultaneously synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD synthesis and were subsequently annealed in air to create α-Fe2O3. These methods are simple, inexpensive, and suitable for large-scale production. The structure, surface morphologies, and LPG response of nanocomposite films were investigated. Raman spectroscopy and XPS analysis showed the formation of α-Fe2O3 on small CNTs (SWNTs. Morphological analysis using FE-SEM and AFM revealed the formation of the porous surface along with roughness surface. Additionally, the sensing performance of α-Fe2O3/CNTs showed that it could detect LPG concentration at lower value than 25% of LEL with response/recovery time of less than 30 seconds at room temperature. These results suggest that the α-Fe2O3/CNTs films are challenging materials for monitoring LPG operating at room temperature.

Electrospinning direct synthesis of magnetic ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/ZnO multi-porous nanotubes with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Chunlei [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Tan, Xing [College of Biology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Yan, Juntao, E-mail: yanjuntaonihao@163.com [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Chai, Bo [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Li, Jianfen, E-mail: lijfen@163.com [College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China); Chen, Shizhong [College of Food Science and Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023 (China)

2017-02-28

Highlights: • ZnFe2O4/ZnO heterojunctions are firstly fabricated by electrospinning method. • ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/ZnO heterojunctions possess multi-porous nanotube structure. • ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/ZnO heterojunctions can significantly enhance photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: Magnetic ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/ZnO (ZFO/ZnO) multi-porous nanotubes have been first fabricated via a facile electrospinning and subsequent calcination process. A series of ZFO/ZnO photocatalysts with different ZFO molar content and morphologies are also obtained by varying the molar ratio of Zn/Fe metal salt and its dosage. The morphology, composition, crystal structure and specific surface area of achieved photocatalysts are systematically examined. TEM images demonstrate ZFO/ZnO-3 multi-porous nanotubes possess perfect 1D nanotube profile with hierarchical pores. HRTEM images confirm the formation of ZFO/ZnO heterojunctions. DRS spectra show that ZFO/ZnO-3 multi-porous nanotubes exhibit an enhanced absorption both in UV and visible-light region. PL spectra and photocurrent responses of ZFO/ZnO-3 multi-porous nanotube demonstrated that the photogenerated electrons and holes are effectively separated. Above all, ZFO/ZnO-3 multi-porous nanotubes photocatalysts with a larger specific surface area of 57.79 m{sup 2} g{sup −1} exhibit the best photocatalytic efficiency of 99% after 150 min under the solar irradiation for the decolorization of RhB. Moreover, ZFO/ZnO photocatalysts not only possess magnetic separation property, but also keep a relatively high photocatalytic efficiency even after four cycles, which is beneficial for practical application. In addition, both the formation and potential photocatalytic mechanisms of ZFO/ZnO-3 multi-porous nanotubes are proposed in detail.

Nanotextured Spikes of α-Fe2O3/NiFe2O4 Composite for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Water.

Science.gov (United States)

Hussain, Shabeeb; Tavakoli, Mohammad Mahdi; Waleed, Aashir; Virk, Umar Siddique; Yang, Shihe; Waseem, Amir; Fan, Zhiyong; Nadeem, Muhammad Arif

2018-03-27

We demonstrate for the first time the application of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin films as anode materials for light-assisted electrolysis of water. The p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin films were deposited on planar fluorinated tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass as well as on 3D array of nanospike (NSP) substrates. The effect of substrate (planar FTO and 3D-NSP) and percentage change of each component (i.e., NiFe 2 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 ) of composite was studied on photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation reaction. This work also includes the performance comparison of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite (planar and NSP) devices with pure hematite for PEC water oxidation. Overall, the nanostructured p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 device with equal molar 1:1 ratio of NiFe 2 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 was found to be highly efficient for PEC water oxidation as compared with pure hematite, 1:2 and 1:3 molar ratios of composite. The photocurrent density of 1:1 composite thin film on planar substrate was equal to 1.07 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE , which was 1.7 times higher current density as compared with pure hematite device (0.63 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE ). The performance of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composites in PEC water oxidation was further enhanced by their deposition over 3D-NSP substrate. The highest photocurrent density of 2.1 mA/cm 2 at 1.23 V RHE was obtained for the 1:1 molar ratio p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite on NSP (NF1-NSP), which was 3.3 times more photocurrent density than pure hematite. The measured applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) value of NF1-NSP (0.206%) was found to be 1.87 times higher than that of NF1-P (0.11%) and 4.7 times higher than that of pure hematite deposited on FTO-coated glass (0.044%). The higher PEC water oxidation activity of p-NiFe 2 O 4 /n-Fe 2 O 3 composite thin film as compared with pure hematite is attributed to the Z-path scheme and better separation of electrons and holes. The increased surface area and greater light

Nanostructured Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction photoelectrode for efficient hydrogen production

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sharma, Dipika; Upadhyay, Sumant; Verma, Anuradha [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Satsangi, Vibha R. [Department of Physics Computer Sciences, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Shrivastav, Rohit [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India); Dass, Sahab, E-mail: drsahabdas@gmail.com [Department of Chemistry, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra-282 110 India (India)

2015-01-01

Nanostructured thin films of pristine Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Ti-doped Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cu{sub 2}O, and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O, and Ti-doped Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction were deposited on tin-doped indium oxide (Sn:In{sub 2}O{sub 3}) glass substrate using spray pyrolysis method. Ti doping is done to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency and electrical conductivity of hematite thin films. Further enhanced photocurrent is achieved for Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction electrodes. All samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-Vis spectrometry. Photoelectrochemical properties were also investigated in a three-electrode cell system. UV-Vis absorption spectrum for pristine Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Cu{sub 2}O, Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O, and Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction thin films exhibited absorption in visible region. Nanostructured thin films as prepared were used as photoelectrode in the photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting reaction. Maximum photocurrent density of 2.60 mA/cm{sup 2} at 0.95 V/SCE was exhibited by 454 nm thick Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction photoelectrode. Increased photocurrent density and enhanced incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency, offered by the heterojunction thin films may be attributed to improved conductivity and efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers at the Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O interface. - Highlights: • Heterojunction thin films were deposited using spray pyrolysis techniques. • Titanium doping in Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} played a significant role in PEC response. • Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O heterojunction shows the absorption in visible range. • Improved charge separation and enhanced PEC response were achieved in Ti-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Cu{sub 2}O.

Structural and photodegradation behaviors of Fe{sup 3+}-doping TiO{sub 2} thin films prepared by a sol–gel spin coating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lin, Huey-Jiuan; Yang, Tien-Syh [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National United University, 1 Lien-Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miao-Li 36003, Taiwan (China); Wang, Moo-Chin, E-mail: mcwang@kmu.edu.tw [Department of Fragrance and Cosmetic Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80782, Taiwan (China); Hsi, Chi-Shiung, E-mail: chsi@nuu.edu.tw [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National United University, 1 Lien-Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miao-Li 36003, Taiwan (China)

2014-10-15

Highlights: • Pure and various Fe{sup 3+}-doped TiO{sub 2} thin films have been successfully fabricated. • The phase of all thin films was single phase of anatase TiO{sub 2} when calcined at 823 K. • The crystallinity of TiO{sub 2} thin films decreased as Fe{sup 3+}-doping increased. • The photodegradation of each sample increased as the irradiation time increased. • The photodegradation increased as Fe{sup 3+}-doping increased at a fixed irradiation time. - Abstract: Pure and various Fe{sup 3+}-doping TiO{sub 2} thin films have been successfully fabricated on glass substrate prepared by a sol–gel spin coating route. The structural and photodegradation behavior of these films after calcined at various temperatures for 1 h were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and degradation of 1.0 × 10{sup −5} M methylene blue solution. When all thin films after calcined at 823 K for 1 h, the crystalline phase are comprised only contained single phase of anatase TiO{sub 2}. The crystallinity of various Fe{sup 3+}-doping TiO{sub 2} thin films decreases with Fe{sup 3+}-doping concentration increased. The PL intensity of all thin films also decreases with Fe{sup 3+}-doping concentration increased. When all various Fe{sup 3+}-doping TiO{sub 2} thin films after calcined at 823 K for 1 h, the photodegradation of each sample increases with irradiation time increased. Moreover, the photodegradation also increases with Fe{sup 3+}-doping concentration increased when fixed at constant irradiation time.

Spin Seebeck effect in insulating epitaxial γ−Fe2O3 thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

P. Jiménez-Cavero

2017-02-01

Full Text Available We report the fabrication of high crystal quality epitaxial thin films of maghemite (γ−Fe2O3, a classic ferrimagnetic insulating iron oxide. Spin Seebeck effect (SSE measurements in γ−Fe2O3/Pt bilayers as a function of sample preparation conditions and temperature yield a SSE coefficient of 0.5(1 μV/K at room temperature. Dependence on temperature allows us to estimate the magnon diffusion length in maghemite to be in the range of tens of nanometers, in good agreement with that of conducting iron oxide magnetite (Fe3O4, establishing the relevance of spin currents of magnonic origin in magnetic iron oxides.

Optimization of excess Bi doping to enhance ferroic orders of spin casted BiFeO3 thin film

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gupta, Surbhi; Gupta, Vinay; Tomar, Monika; James, A. R.; Pal, Madhuparna; Guo, Ruyan; Bhalla, Amar

2014-01-01

Multiferroic Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO 3 ) thin films with varying excess bismuth (Bi) concentration were grown by chemical solution deposition technique. Room temperature multiferroic properties (ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and piezoelectricity) of the deposited BiFeO 3 thin films have been studied. High resolution X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies reveal that the dominant phases formed in the prepared samples change continuously from a mixture of BiFeO 3 and Fe 2 O 3 to pure BiFeO 3 phase and, subsequently, to a mixture of BiFeO 3 and Bi 2 O 3 with increase in the concentration of excess Bi from 0% to 15%. BiFeO 3 thin films having low content (0% and 2%) of excess Bi showed the traces of ferromagnetic phase (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ). Deterioration in ferroic properties of BiFeO 3 thin films is also observed when prepared with higher content (15%) of excess Bi. Single-phased BiFeO 3 thin film prepared with 5% excess Bi concentration exhibited the soft ferromagnetic hysteresis loops and ferroelectric characteristics with remnant polarization 4.2 μC/cm 2 and saturation magnetization 11.66 emu/g. The switching of fine spontaneous domains with applied dc bias has been observed using piezoresponse force microscopy in BiFeO 3 thin films having 5% excess Bi. The results are important to identify optimum excess Bi concentration needed for the formation of single phase BiFeO 3 thin films exhibiting the improved multiferroic properties.

Fe3O4 thin films sputter deposited from iron oxide targets

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Peng, Yingguo; Park, Chandro; Laughlin, David E.

2003-01-01

Fe 3 O 4 thin films have been directly sputter deposited from a target consisting of a mixture of Fe 3 O 4 and Fe 2 O 3 onto Si and glass substrates. The magnetic properties and microstructures of the films have been characterized and correlated. The columnar growth of the Fe 3 O 4 grains was found to be initialized from the substrate surface without any critical thickness. Substrate bias was found to be a very effective means of improving the crystal quality and magnetic properties of the thin films. The crystallographic defects revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy seem to be a characteristic of the films prepared by this method

Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic performance of α-Fe2O3 thin films by surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles coupled with surface passivation by atom layer deposition of Al2O3.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Yuting; Xu, Zhen; Yin, Min; Fan, Haowen; Cheng, Weijie; Lu, Linfeng; Song, Ye; Ma, Jing; Zhu, Xufei

2015-12-01

The short lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers of hematite (α-Fe2O3) thin films strongly hindered the PEC performances. Herein, α-Fe2O3 thin films with surface nanowire were synthesized by electrodeposition and post annealing method for photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) water splitting. The thickness of the α-Fe2O3 films can be precisely controlled by adjusting the duration of the electrodeposition. The Au nanoparticles (NPs) and Al2O3 shell by atom layer deposition were further introduced to modify the photoelectrodes. Different constructions were made with different deposition orders of Au and Al2O3 on Fe2O3 films. The Fe2O3-Au-Al2O3 construction shows the best PEC performance with 1.78 times enhancement by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of NPs in conjunction with surface passivation of Al2O3 shells. Numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the promotion mechanisms. The high PEC performance for Fe2O3-Au-Al2O3 construction electrode could be attributed to the Al2O3 intensified LSPR, effective surface passivation by Al2O3 coating, and the efficient charge transfer due to the Fe2O3-Au Schottky junctions.

Solvothermal synthesis and good microwave absorbing properties for magnetic porous-Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposites

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiaojun Zeng

2017-05-01

Full Text Available The magnetic porous-Fe3O4/graphene nanocomposites have been fabricated by a facile solvothermal method. The porous Fe3O4 nanospheres are embedded uniformly in the graphene oxide (GO sheets to form a 3D Fe3O4/GO nanocomposite network. The dielectric properties for the Fe3O4/GO composites can be greatly improved by the 7 wt% GO additions. Good impedance matching can be also obtained in these Fe3O4/GO composites, which is proved to dominate their excellent microwave absorbing properties including the minimum reflection loss (RL value of -43.7 dB at 6.8 GHz with a sample thickness of 5 mm and a broad absorption bandwidth of 5.92 GHz (below -10 dB. These porous-Fe3O4/GO composites also exhibit the good structural stability and low density, which shows their great potential application in high-performance electromagnetic microwave-absorbing materials.

Facile synthesis of Fe4N/Fe2O3/Fe/porous N-doped carbon nanosheet as high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Dan; Li, Guangshe; Yu, Meijie; Fan, Jianming; Li, Baoyun; Li, Liping

2018-04-01

Iron nitrides are considered as highly promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their nontoxicity, high abundance, low cost, and higher electrical conductivity. Unfortunately, their limited synthesis routes are available and practical application is still hindered by their fast capacity decay. Herein, a facile and green route is developed to synthesize Fe4N/Fe2O3/Fe/porous N-doped carbon nanosheet composite. The size of Fe4N/Fe2O3/Fe particles is small (10-40 nm) and they are confined in porous N-doped carbon nanosheet. These features are conducive to accommodate volume change well, shorten the diffusion distance and further elevate electrical conductivity. When tested as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, a high discharge capacity of 554 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g-1 and 389 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles at 1000 mA g-1 are retained. Even at 2000 mA g-1, a high capacity of 330 mA h g-1 can be achieved, demonstrating superior cycling stability and rate performance. New prospects will be brought by this work for the synthesis and the potential application of iron nitrides materials as an anode for LIBs.

alpha-Fe2O3 versus beta-Fe2O3: Controlling the Phase of the Transformation Product of epsilon-Fe2O3 in the Fe2O3/SiO2 System

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Brázda, Petr; Kohout, J.; Bezdička, Petr; Kmjec, T.

2014-01-01

Roč. 14, č. 3 (2014), s. 1039-1046 ISSN 1528-7483 R&D Projects: GA ČR GAP204/10/0035 Institutional support: RVO:61388980 Keywords : CHEMICAL-VAPOR-DEPOSITION * OXIDE THIN-FILMS * X-RAY * GAMMA-FE2O3 NANOPARTICLES * THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION Subject RIV: CA - Inorganic Chemistry Impact factor: 4.891, year: 2014

Improved electrochemical performance of porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/carbon core/shell nanorods as an anode for lithium-ion batteries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xiong, Q.Q.; Lu, Y. [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China); Wang, X.L., E-mail: wangxl@zju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China); Gu, C.D.; Qiao, Y.Q. [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China); Tu, J.P., E-mail: tujp@zju.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China)

2012-09-25

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We prepared porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C core/shell nanorods by a facile hydrothermal method using porous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorods as the precursor. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorods are homogenously coated by an amorphous carbon layer. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorod electrode shows high capacity and good cycle stability, as well as enhanced rate performance. - Abstract: Porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C core/shell nanorods have been prepared by a facile hydrothermal method using porous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorods as the precursor and glucose as the carbon source. The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorods possess a uniform size with 50-80 nm in diameter and 300-500 nm in length, and are homogenously coated by amorphous carbon layer. The porous nanorods greatly increase the electrical contact, thus facilitating the Li-ion and electron transportation, and enhancing the reactivity of the electrode. Also, the carbon layer can effectively limit the volume expansion and detachment of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, and thus increase its structure stability during cycling. In the context of lithium storage behavior, the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorod electrode shows high capacity and good cycle stability, as well as enhanced rate performance. After 50 cycles, the reversible capacity of the porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorods is 762.1 mAh g{sup -1} at 0.1 C and 597.2 mAh g{sup -1} at 0.5 C, much higher than that of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorods (276.4 mAh g{sup -1}) and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles (307.9 mAh g{sup -1}). At a high rate of 1 C, the specific capacity of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}/C nanorods is still as high as 630.1 mAh g{sup -1}.

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.

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.

Enhanced high-frequency microwave absorption of Fe3O4 architectures based on porous nanoflake

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wang, Xiaoliang; Liu, Yanguo; Han, Hongyan

2017-01-01

Hierarchical Fe3O4 architectures assembled with porous nanoplates (p-Fe3O4) were synthesized. Due to the strong shape anisotropy of the nanoplates, the p-Fe3O4 exhibits increased microwave resonance towards high frequency range. The improved microwave absorption properties of the p-Fe3O4, including...

Enhanced high-frequency microwave absorption of Fe3O4 architectures based on porous nanoflake

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wang, Xiaoliang; Liu, Yanguo; Han, Hongyan

2017-01-01

Hierarchical Fe3O4 architectures assembled with porous nanoplates (p-Fe3O4) were synthesized. Due to the strong shape anisotropy of the nanoplates, the p-Fe3O4 exhibits increased microwave resonance towards high frequency range. The improved microwave absorption properties of the p-Fe3O4, includi...

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.

Influences of annealing temperature on sprayed CuFeO2 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Abdelwahab, H. M.; Ratep, A.; Abo Elsoud, A. M.; Boshta, M.; Osman, M. B. S.

2018-06-01

Delafossite CuFeO2 thin films were successfully prepared onto quartz substrates using simple spray pyrolysis technique. Post annealing under nitrogen atmosphere for 2 h was necessary to form delafossite CuFeO2 phase. The effect of alteration in annealing temperature (TA) 800, 850 and 900 °C was study on structural, morphology and optical properties. The XRD results for thin film annealed at TA = 850 °C show single phase CuFeO2 with rhombohedral crystal system and R 3 bar m space group with preferred orientation along (0 1 2). The prepared copper iron oxide thin films have an optical transmission ranged ∼40% in the visible region. The optical direct optical band gap of the prepared thin films was ranged ∼2.9 eV.

Optimization of excess Bi doping to enhance ferroic orders of spin casted BiFeO{sub 3} thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gupta, Surbhi; Gupta, Vinay, E-mail: drguptavinay@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi (India); Tomar, Monika [Department of Physics, Miranda Housea, University of Delhi, Delhi (India); James, A. R. [Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad (India); Pal, Madhuparna; Guo, Ruyan; Bhalla, Amar [Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Texas at SanAntonio, San Antonio 78249 (United States)

2014-06-21

Multiferroic Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO{sub 3}) thin films with varying excess bismuth (Bi) concentration were grown by chemical solution deposition technique. Room temperature multiferroic properties (ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and piezoelectricity) of the deposited BiFeO{sub 3} thin films have been studied. High resolution X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies reveal that the dominant phases formed in the prepared samples change continuously from a mixture of BiFeO{sub 3} and Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} to pure BiFeO{sub 3} phase and, subsequently, to a mixture of BiFeO{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} with increase in the concentration of excess Bi from 0% to 15%. BiFeO{sub 3} thin films having low content (0% and 2%) of excess Bi showed the traces of ferromagnetic phase (γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}). Deterioration in ferroic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} thin films is also observed when prepared with higher content (15%) of excess Bi. Single-phased BiFeO{sub 3} thin film prepared with 5% excess Bi concentration exhibited the soft ferromagnetic hysteresis loops and ferroelectric characteristics with remnant polarization 4.2 μC/cm{sup 2} and saturation magnetization 11.66 emu/g. The switching of fine spontaneous domains with applied dc bias has been observed using piezoresponse force microscopy in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films having 5% excess Bi. The results are important to identify optimum excess Bi concentration needed for the formation of single phase BiFeO{sub 3} thin films exhibiting the improved multiferroic properties.

Electrochemical Characterization of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ Thin Film Electrodes Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Plonczak, Pawel; Søgaard, Martin; Bieberle-Hütter, Anja

2012-01-01

Electrochemical properties of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) thin films with well defined microstructures have been investigated. Symmetrical cells were characterized by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range from 625 to 750°C and the oxygen partial pressure, range from 10-2 to 1 atm...... have only an area specific resistance of 0.38 Ω cm2. It is shown that the polarization resistance of thin films is approximately proportional to the inverse of the surface area of the porous cathodes in the temperature regime 625 to 750°C. The activation energy of the surface oxygen exchange process...... depends on the thin film microstructure as it decreased from 2.4 eV for dense films to 1.6 eV for porous films....

Synthesis and characterization of multilayered BaTiO3/NiFe2O4 thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Branimir Bajac

2013-03-01

Full Text Available Presented research was focused on the fabrication of multiferroic thin film structures, composed of ferrielectric barium titanate perovskite phase and magnetostrictive nickel ferrite spinel phase. The applicability of different, solution based, deposition techniques (film growth from solution, dip coating and spin coating for thefabrication of multilayered BaTiO3 /NiFe2O4 thin films was investigated. It was shown that only spin coating produces films of desired nanostructure, thickness and smooth and crackfree surfaces.

Magnetoelectric coupling effect in transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sreenivas Puli, Venkata; Kumar Pradhan, Dhiren; Gollapudi, Sreenivasulu; Coondoo, Indrani; Panwar, Neeraj; Adireddy, Shiva; Chrisey, Douglas B.; Katiyar, Ram S.

2014-01-01

Rare-earth (Sm) and transition metal (Co) modified polycrystalline BiFeO 3 (BFO) thin films have been deposited on Pt/TiO 2 /SiO 2 /Si substrate successfully through pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Piezoelectric, leakage current and temperature dependent dielectric and magnetic behaviour were investigated for the films. Typical “butterfly-shaped” loop were observed in BSFCO films with an effective piezoelectric constant (d 33 ) ∼94 pm/V at 0.6 MV/cm. High dielectric constant ∼900 and low dielectric loss ∼0.25 were observed at room temperature. M–H loops have shown relatively high saturation magnetization ∼35 emu/cm 3 at a maximum field of H ∼20 kOe. Enhanced magnetoelectric coupling response is observed under applied magnetic field. The multiferroic, piezoelectric, leakage current behaviours were explored. Such studies should be helpful in designing multiferroic materials based on BSFCO films. - Highlights: • Transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO 3 thin films prepared using PLD. • High ME-coupling response was observed in co-substituted BiFeO 3 thin films. • High magnetization ∼35 emu/cm 3 at a maximum field of H ∼20 kOe. • Low leakage current might be due to co-substitution in BiFeO 3 thin films. • A notable piezoelectric constant d 33 ∼94 pm/V was found in BiFeO 3 thin films

Nonstoichiometric Zn Ferrite and ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 Composite Spheres: Preparation, Magnetic Properties, and Chromium Removal

Science.gov (United States)

Hang, Chun-Liang; Yang, Li-Xia; Sun, Chang-Mei; Liang, Ying

2018-03-01

Monodisperse and porous nonstoichiometric Zn ferrite can be prepared by a solvothermal method. Such non-Zn ferrite was used to be the precursor for synthesis of ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 composite via calcination at 600°C for 3 h in air. X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) proved the nonstoichiometry of Zn ferrite synthesized by solvothermal method and the formation of ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 composite via calcination. TEM image showed that non-Zn ferrite spheres with wormlike nanopore structure were made of primary nanocrystals. BET surface area of non-Zn ferrite was much higher than that of ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 composite. Saturation magnetization of non-Zn ferrites was significantly higher than that of ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 composites. Calcination of non-Zn ferrite resulted in the formation of large amount of non-magnetic Fe2O3,which caused a low magnetization of composite. Because of higher BET surface area and higher saturation magnetization, non-Zn ferrite presented better Cr6+ adsorption property than ZnFe2O4/Fe2O3 composites.

Preparation of Ni-Fe bimetallic porous anode support for solid oxide fuel cells using LaGaO{sub 3} based electrolyte film with high power density

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ju, Young-Wan; Ida, Shintaro; Ishihara, Tatsumi [Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka 744, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395 (Japan); Eto, Hiroyuki [Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Central Research Institute, 1002-14 Mukohyama, Naka-Shi, Ibaraki 311-0102 (Japan); Inagaki, Toru [The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., 11-20 Nakoji 3-Chome, Amagasaki, Hyogo 661-0974 (Japan)

2010-10-01

Optimization of sintering temperature for NiO-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} composite oxide substrate was studied in order to obtain a dense substrate with smooth surface. By in situ reduction, the substrate was changed to a porous Ni-Fe alloy metal. The volumetric shrinkage and porosity of the substrate were also studied systematically with the Ni-Fe substrate reduced at different temperatures. A Sr and Mg-doped LaGaO{sub 3} (LSGM) thin film was prepared on dense substrate by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The LSGM film with stoichiometric composition was successfully prepared under optimal deposition parameters and a target composition. Sm{sub 0.5}Sr{sub 0.5}CoO{sub 3} (SSC55) cathode was prepared by the slurry coating method on the deposited film. Prepared SOFC single cell shows high power density and the maximum power density (MPD) achieved was 1.79, 0.82 and 0.29 W cm{sup -2} at 973, 873 and 773 K, respectively. After thermal cycle from 973 to 298 K, the cell shows almost theoretical open circuit potential (1.1 V) and the power density of 1.62 W cm{sup -2}, which is almost the same as that at first cycles. Therefore, the Ni-Fe porous metal support made by the selective reduction is highly promising as a metal anode substrate for SOFC using LaGaO{sub 3} thin film. (author)

Graphene-doped carbon/Fe3O4 porous nanofibers with hierarchical band construction as high-performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

He, Jianxin; Zhao, Shuyuan; Lian, Yanping; Zhou, Mengjuan; Wang, Lidan; Ding, Bin; Cui, Shizhong

2017-01-01

Highlights: • GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 are synthesized via in-situ electrospinning and thermal treatment. • GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 show unique dark/light banding with a hierarchical porous structure. • Doped graphene induces a uniform distribution of smaller size Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. • Doped graphene provides more active sites and accommodate the volume change. • GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 electrode displays a reversible capacity of 872 mAh/g after 100 cycles. - Abstract: Porous graphene-doped carbon/Fe 3 O 4 (GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 ) nanofibers are synthesized via in-situ electrospinning and subsequent thermal treatment for use as lithium-ion battery anode materials. A polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) solution containing ferric acetylacetone and graphene oxide nanosheets is used as the electrospinning precursor solution. The resulting porous GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 nanofibers show unique dark/light banding and a hierarchical porous structure. These nanofibers have a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of 323.0 m 2 /g with a total pore volume of 0.337 cm 3 /g, which is significantly greater than that of a sample without graphene and C/Fe 3 O 4 nanofibers. The GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 nanofiber electrode displays a reversible capacity of 872 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g after 100 cycles, excellent cycling stability, and superior rate capability (455 mA/g at 5 A/g). The excellent performance of porous GN@C/Fe 3 O 4 is attributed to the material’s unique structure, including its striped topography, hierarchical porous structure, and inlaid flexible graphene, which not only provides more accessible active sites for lithium-ion insertion and high-efficiency transport pathways for ions and electrons, but also accommodates the volume change associated with lithium insertion/extraction. Moreover, the zero-valent iron and graphene in the porous nanofibers enhance the conductivity of the electrodes.

Cube-like α-Fe2O3 supported on ordered multimodal porous carbon as high performance electrode material for supercapacitors.

Science.gov (United States)

Chaudhari, Nitin K; Chaudhari, Sudeshna; Yu, Jong-Sung

2014-11-01

Well-dispersed cube-like iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) supported on ordered multimodal porous carbon (OMPC) are synthesized for the first time by a facile and efficient glycine-assisted hydrothermal route. The effect of OPMC support on growth and formation mechanism of the Fe2O3 NPs is discussed. OMPC as a supporting material plays a pivotal role of controlling the shape, size, and dispersion of the Fe2O3 NPs. As-synthesized α-Fe2O3/OMPC composites reveal significant improvement in the performance as electrode material for supercapacitors. Compared to the bare Fe2O3 and OMPC, the composite exhibits excellent cycling stability, rate capability, and enhanced specific capacitances of 294 F g(-1) at 1.5 A g(-1), which is twice that of OMPC (145 F g(-1)) and about four times higher than that of bare Fe2O3 (85 F g(-1)). The improved electrochemical performance of the composite can be attributed to the well-defined structure, high conductivity, and hierarchical porosity of OMPC as well as the unique α-Fe2O3 NPs with cube-like morphology well-anchored on the OMPC support, which makes the composite a promising candidate for supercapacitors. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Superior performance of nanoscaled Fe3O4 as anode material promoted by mosaicking into porous carbon framework

Science.gov (United States)

Wan, Wang; Wang, Chao; Zhang, Weidong; Chen, Jitao; Zhou, Henghui; Zhang, Xinxiang

2014-01-01

A nanoscale Fe3O4/porous carbon-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite is synthesized through a simple hard-template method by using Fe2O3 nanoparticles as the precursor and SiO2 nanoparticles as the template. The composite shows good cycle performance (941 mAh g-1 for the first cycle at 0.1 C, with 106% capacity retention at the 80th cycle) and high rate capability (71% capacity retained at 5 C rate). Its excellent electrical properties can be attributed to the porous carbon framework structure, which is composed of carbon and MWCNTs. In this composite, the porous structure provides space for the change in Fe3O4 volume during cycling and shortens the lithium ion diffusion distance, the MWCNTs increase the electron conductivity, and the carbon coating reduces the risk of side reactions. The results provide clear evidences for the utility of porous carbon framework to improve the electrochemical performances of nanosized transition-metal oxides as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Epitaxial growth and magnetic properties of ultraviolet transparent Ga2O3/(Ga1-xFex)2O3 multilayer thin films.

Science.gov (United States)

Guo, Daoyou; An, Yuehua; Cui, Wei; Zhi, Yusong; Zhao, Xiaolong; Lei, Ming; Li, Linghong; Li, Peigang; Wu, Zhenping; Tang, Weihua

2016-04-28

Multilayer thin films based on the ferromagnetic and ultraviolet transparent semiconductors may be interesting because their magnetic/electronic/photonic properties can be manipulated by the high energy photons. Herein, the Ga2O3/(Ga1-xFex)2O3 multilayer epitaxial thin films were obtained by alternating depositing of wide band gap Ga2O3 layer and Fe ultrathin layer due to inter diffusion between two layers at high temperature using the laser molecular beam epitaxy technique. The multilayer films exhibits a preferred growth orientation of crystal plane, and the crystal lattice expands as Fe replaces Ga site. Fe ions with a mixed valence of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) are stratified distributed in the film and exhibit obvious agglomerated areas. The multilayer films only show a sharp absorption edge at about 250 nm, indicating a high transparency for ultraviolet light. What's more, the Ga2O3/(Ga1-xFex)2O3 multilayer epitaxial thin films also exhibits room temperature ferromagnetism deriving from the Fe doping Ga2O3.

Porous sulfated metal oxide SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} as an anode material for Li-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Zhen; Lv, Qianqian; Huang, Xiaoxiong; Tan, Yueyue; Tang, Bohejin, E-mail: tangbohejin@sues.edu.cn [Shanghai University of Engineering Science, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (China)

2017-01-15

Sulfated metal oxide SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} was prepared by a novel facile sol–gel method combined with a subsequent heating treatment process. The as-synthesized products were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM. Compared with the unsulfated Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, the agglomeration of particles has been alleviated after the incorporation of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}. Interestingly, the primary particle size of the SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (about 5 nm) is similar to its normal counterparts even after the calcination treatment. More importantly, SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} exhibits a porous architecture, which is an intriguing feature for electrode materials. When used as anode materials in Li-ion batteries, SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}/Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} delivered a higher reversible discharge capacity (992 mAh g{sup −1}), with smaller charge transfer resistance, excellent rate performance, and better cycling stability than normal Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. We believed that the presence of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} and porous architecture should be responsible for the enhanced electrochemical performance, which could provide more continuous and accessible conductive paths for Li{sup +} and electrons.

Magnetoelectric coupling effect in transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sreenivas Puli, Venkata, E-mail: pvsri123@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 (United States); Department of Physics and Institute of Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936 (United States); Kumar Pradhan, Dhiren [Department of Physics and Institute of Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936 (United States); Gollapudi, Sreenivasulu [Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309-4401 (United States); Coondoo, Indrani [Department of Materials and Ceramic and CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro (Portugal); Panwar, Neeraj [Department of Physics, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandar Sindri, Kishangarh 305801, Rajasthan (India); Adireddy, Shiva; Chrisey, Douglas B. [Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 (United States); Katiyar, Ram S. [Department of Physics and Institute of Functional Nanomaterials, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936 (United States)

2014-11-15

Rare-earth (Sm) and transition metal (Co) modified polycrystalline BiFeO{sub 3} (BFO) thin films have been deposited on Pt/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate successfully through pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Piezoelectric, leakage current and temperature dependent dielectric and magnetic behaviour were investigated for the films. Typical “butterfly-shaped” loop were observed in BSFCO films with an effective piezoelectric constant (d{sub 33}) ∼94 pm/V at 0.6 MV/cm. High dielectric constant ∼900 and low dielectric loss ∼0.25 were observed at room temperature. M–H loops have shown relatively high saturation magnetization ∼35 emu/cm{sup 3} at a maximum field of H ∼20 kOe. Enhanced magnetoelectric coupling response is observed under applied magnetic field. The multiferroic, piezoelectric, leakage current behaviours were explored. Such studies should be helpful in designing multiferroic materials based on BSFCO films. - Highlights: • Transition metal modified polycrystalline BiFeO{sub 3} thin films prepared using PLD. • High ME-coupling response was observed in co-substituted BiFeO{sub 3} thin films. • High magnetization ∼35 emu/cm{sup 3} at a maximum field of H ∼20 kOe. • Low leakage current might be due to co-substitution in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films. • A notable piezoelectric constant d{sub 33} ∼94 pm/V was found in BiFeO{sub 3} thin films.

A Novel 2D Porous Print Fabric-like α-Fe_2O_3 Sheet with High Performance as the Anode Material for Lithium-ion Battery

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Suyue; Zhang, Peigen; Xie, Anjian; Li, Shikuo; Huang, Fangzhi; Shen, Yuhua

2016-01-01

Anode materials are very crucial in lithium ion batteries. Exploring the simple and low cost production of anodes with excellent electrochemical performance remains a great challenge. Here, we used natural flower spikes of Typha orientalis as the bio-templates and organizers to prepare a novel two-dimensional (2D) porous print fabric-like α-Fe_2O_3 sheet with thickness of about 30 nm. The prepared large-area sheets were orderly assembled by many nanosheets or nanoparticles, and two kinds of pore structures, such as pores with average diameter of about 50 nm or pore channels with aspect ratio of ca. 4, presented between adjacent nanosheets. The pre-treatment by ammonium for flower spikes has a great effect on the microstructure and electrochemical performance of the products. As the anode material for lithium ion battery (LIB), the as-obtained porous print fabric-like α-Fe_2O_3 sheets show an initial discharge capacity of 2264 mA h g"−"1 and the specific capacity of 1028 mA h g"−"1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g"−"1, which is higher than the theoretical capacity of α-Fe_2O_3 (1007 mA h g"−"1). This highly reversible capacity is attributed to the very thin large-area sheet structure, and many pores or pore channels among the interconnected nanosheets, which could increase lithium-ion mobility, facilitate the transport of electrons and shorten the distance for Li"+ diffusion, and also buffer large volume changes of the anodes during lithium insertion and extraction at the same time. The synthesis process is very simple, providing a low-cost production approach toward high-performance energy storage materials.

Modified chemical synthesis of porous α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kumbhar, V.S.; Jagadale, A.D. [Thin Film Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, (M.S.) 416004 (India); Gaikwad, N.S. [Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, Satara, (M.S.) 415 001 (India); Lokhande, C.D., E-mail: l_chandrakant@yahoo.com [Thin Film Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, (M.S.) 416004 (India)

2014-08-15

Highlights: • A novel chemical route to prepare α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films. • A porous honeycomb like morphology of the α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin film. • An application of α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin film toward its supercapacitive behaviour. - Abstract: The paper reports synthesis of porous α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin films using modified chemical synthesis, also known as successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), wettability and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) techniques are used for the study of structural, elemental, morphological and optical properties of α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} films. An orthorhombic crystal structure of α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} is resulted from XRD study. The SEM and AFM observations showed highly porous α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} film surface. An optical band gap of 2.50 eV is estimated from optical absorption spectrum. The porous α-Sm{sub 2}S{sub 3} thin film tuned for supercapacitive behaviour using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge discharge showed a specific capacitance and energy density of 294 Fg{sup –1} and 48.9 kW kg{sup –1}, respectively in 1 M LiClO{sub 4}–propylene carbonate electrolyte.

The preparation of Zn-ferrite epitaxial thin film from epitaxial Fe3O4:ZnO multilayers by ion beam sputtering deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Su, Hui-Chia; Dai, Jeng-Yi; Liao, Yen-Fa; Wu, Yu-Han; Huang, J.C.A.; Lee, Chih-Hao

2010-01-01

A new method to grow a well-ordered epitaxial ZnFe 2 O 4 thin film on Al 2 O 3 (0001) substrate is described in this work. The samples were made by annealing the ZnO/Fe 3 O 4 multilayer which was grown with low energy ion beam sputtering deposition. Both the Fe 3 O 4 and ZnO layers were found grown epitaxially at low temperature and an epitaxial ZnFe 2 O 4 thin film was formed after annealing at 1000 o C. X-ray diffraction shows the ZnFe 2 O 4 film is grown with an orientation of ZnFe 2 O 4 (111)//Al 2 O 3 (0001) and ZnFe 2 O 4 (1-10)//Al 2 O 3 (11-20). X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies show that Zn 2+ atoms replace the tetrahedral Fe 2+ atoms in Fe 3 O 4 during the annealing. The magnetic properties measured by vibrating sample magnetometer show that the saturation magnetization of ZnFe 2 O 4 grown from ZnO/Fe 3 O 4 multilayer reaches the bulk value after the annealing process.

Epitaxial growth and magnetic properties of ultraviolet transparent Ga2O3/(Ga1−xFex)2O3 multilayer thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Guo, Daoyou; An, Yuehua; Cui, Wei; Zhi, Yusong; Zhao, Xiaolong; Lei, Ming; Li, Linghong; Li, Peigang; Wu, Zhenping; Tang, Weihua

2016-01-01

Multilayer thin films based on the ferromagnetic and ultraviolet transparent semiconductors may be interesting because their magnetic/electronic/photonic properties can be manipulated by the high energy photons. Herein, the Ga2O3/(Ga1−xFex)2O3 multilayer epitaxial thin films were obtained by alternating depositing of wide band gap Ga2O3 layer and Fe ultrathin layer due to inter diffusion between two layers at high temperature using the laser molecular beam epitaxy technique. The multilayer films exhibits a preferred growth orientation of crystal plane, and the crystal lattice expands as Fe replaces Ga site. Fe ions with a mixed valence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ are stratified distributed in the film and exhibit obvious agglomerated areas. The multilayer films only show a sharp absorption edge at about 250 nm, indicating a high transparency for ultraviolet light. What’s more, the Ga2O3/(Ga1−xFex)2O3 multilayer epitaxial thin films also exhibits room temperature ferromagnetism deriving from the Fe doping Ga2O3. PMID:27121446

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

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)

Porous Na2O-B2O3-Nd2O3 material

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

De Villiers, D R; Res, M A; Richter, P W

1986-12-01

Substitution of SiO2 by Nd2O3 in the sodium borosilicate system produced glasses containing up to 50 mass% Nd2O3. Sodium borate was leached out of some of the materials to produce either a porous Nd2O3-rich glass or a porous glass-ceramic containing NdBO3, depending on the starting material. Surface areas of up to 190 mS g- were measured. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the NdBO3 to be the high-temperature form with low symmetry.

Synthesis and electronic properties of Fe2TiO5 epitaxial thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Osada, Motoki; Nishio, Kazunori; Hwang, Harold Y.; Hikita, Yasuyuki

2018-05-01

We investigate the growth phase diagram of pseudobrookite Fe2TiO5 epitaxial thin films on LaAlO3 (001) substrates using pulsed laser deposition. Control of the oxygen partial pressure and temperature during deposition enabled selective stabilization of (100)- and (230)-oriented films. In this regime, we find an optical gap of 2.1 eV and room temperature resistivity in the range of 20-80 Ω cm, which are significantly lower than α-Fe2O3, making Fe2TiO5 potentially an ideal inexpensive visible-light harvesting semiconductor. These results provide a basis to incorporate Fe2TiO5 in oxide heterostructures for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical applications.

Mixture of fuels for solution combustion synthesis of porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} powders

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Parnianfar, H.; Masoudpanah, S.M., E-mail: masoodpanah@iust.ac.ir; Alamolhoda, S.; Fathi, H.

2017-06-15

Highlights: • Mixture of glycine and urea fuels was applied for solution combustion synthesis of Fe3O4 powders. • The phase and crystallite size of the as-combusted powders depends on the fuel to oxidant ratio (ϕ). • The maximum density (0.033 cm{sup 3}/g) was observed for the as-combusted powders at ϕ = 1. • The highest Ms of 75.5 emu/g and the lowest Hc of 84 Oe were achieved at ϕ = 1. - Abstract: The solution combustion synthesis of porous magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}) powders by a mixture of glycine and urea fuels was investigated concerning the thermodynamic aspects and powder characteristics. The adiabatic combustion temperature and combusted species were thermodynamically calculated as a function of the fuel to oxidant molar ratio (ϕ). The combustion behavior, phase evolution, porous structure and magnetic properties were characterized by thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption, electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry techniques. Nearly single phase Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} powders were synthesized by the mixture of fuels at ϕ values of 0.75 and 1. The as-combusted Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} powders at ϕ = 1 exhibited porous structure with the specific surface area of 83.4 m{sup 2}/g. The highest saturation magnetization of 75.5 emu/g and the lowest coercivity of 84 Oe were achieved at ϕ = 1, due to the high purity and large crystallite size, inducing from the highest adiabatic combustion temperature.

Efficient reduced graphene oxide grafted porous Fe3O4 composite as a high performance anode material for Li-ion batteries.

Science.gov (United States)

Bhuvaneswari, Subramani; Pratheeksha, Parakandy Muzhikara; Anandan, Srinivasan; Rangappa, Dinesh; Gopalan, Raghavan; Rao, Tata Narasinga

2014-03-21

Here, we report facile fabrication of Fe3O4-reduced graphene oxide (Fe3O4-RGO) composite by a novel approach, i.e., microwave assisted combustion synthesis of porous Fe3O4 particles followed by decoration of Fe3O4 by RGO. The characterization studies of Fe3O4-RGO composite demonstrate formation of face centered cubic hexagonal crystalline Fe3O4, and homogeneous grafting of Fe3O4 particles by RGO. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm shows presence of a porous structure with a surface area and a pore volume of 81.67 m(2) g(-1), and 0.106 cm(3) g(-1) respectively. Raman spectroscopic studies of Fe3O4-RGO composite confirm the existence of graphitic carbon. Electrochemical studies reveal that the composite exhibits high reversible Li-ion storage capacity with enhanced cycle life and high coulombic efficiency. The Fe3O4-RGO composite showed a reversible capacity ∼612, 543, and ∼446 mA h g(-1) at current rates of 1 C, 3 C and 5 C, respectively, with a coulombic efficiency of 98% after 50 cycles, which is higher than graphite, and Fe3O4-carbon composite. The cyclic voltammetry experiment reveals the irreversible and reversible Li-ion storage in Fe3O4-RGO composite during the starting and subsequent cycles. The results emphasize the importance of our strategy which exhibited promising electrochemical performance in terms of high capacity retention and good cycling stability. The synergistic properties, (i) improved ionic diffusion by porous Fe3O4 particles with a high surface area and pore volume, and (ii) increased electronic conductivity by RGO grafting attributed to the excellent electrochemical performance of Fe3O4, which make this material attractive to use as anode materials for lithium ion storage.

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

Electrochemical Behavior of TiO2 Nanoparticle Doped WO3 Thin Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Suvarna R. Bathe

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Nanoparticle TiO2 doped WO3 thin films by pulsed spray pyrolysis technique have been studied on fluorine tin doped (FTO and glass substrate. XRD shows amorphous nature for undoped and anatase phase of TiO2 having (101 plane for nanoparticle TiO2 doped WO3 thin film. SEM shows microfibrous reticulated porous network for WO3 with 600 nm fiber diameter and nanocrystalline having size 40 nm for TiO2 nanoparticle doped WO3 thin film. TiO2 nanoparticle doped WO3 thin film shows ~95% reversibility due to may be attributed to nanocrystalline nature of the film, which helpful for charge insertion and deinsertion process. The diffusion coefficient for TiO2 nanoparticle doped WO3 film is less than undoped WO3.

Evidence of Room Temperature Ferromagnetism Due to Oxygen Vacancies in (In1- x Fe x )2O3 Thin Films

Science.gov (United States)

Chakraborty, Deepannita; Munuswamy, Kuppan; Shaik, Kaleemulla; Nasina, Madhusudhana Rao; Dugasani, Sreekantha Reddy; Inturu, Omkaram

2018-03-01

Iron substituted indium oxide (In1- x Fe x )2O3 thin films at x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 were coated onto Corning 7059 glass substrates using the electron beam evaporation technique followed by annealing at different temperatures. The prepared thin films were subjected to different characterization techniques to study their structural, optical and magnetic properties. The structural properties of the thin films were studied using x-ray diffractometry (XRD). From the XRD results it was found that the films were crystallized in cubic structure, and no change in crystal structure was observed with annealing temperature. No secondary phases related to iron were observed from the XRD profiles. The chemical composition and surface morphology of the films were examined by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) attached with energy dispersive analysis of x-ray (EDAX). The valence state of the elements were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and found that the indium, iron and oxygen were in In+3, Fe+3 and O-2 states. From the data, the band gap of the (In1- x Fe x )2O3 thin films were calculated and it increased with increase of annealing temperature. The magnetic properties of the films were studied at room temperature by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The films exhibited ferromagnetism at room temperature.

Magnetic porous Fe3O4/carbon octahedra derived from iron-based metal-organic framework as heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Wenhui; Wu, Xiaofeng; Li, Shuangde; Tang, Wenxiang; Chen, Yunfa

2018-04-01

The synthesis of effective and recyclable Fenton-like catalyst is still a key factor for advanced oxidation processes. Herein, magnetic porous Fe3O4/carbon octahedra were constructed by a two-step controlled calcination of iron-based metal organic framework. The porous octahedra were assembled by interpenetrated Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with graphitic carbon layer, offering abundant mesoporous channels for the solid-liquid contact. Moreover, the oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of graphitic carbon endow the catalysts with hydrophilic nature and well-dispersion into water. The porous Fe3O4/carbon octahedra show efficiently heterogeneous Fenton-like reactions for decomposing the organic dye methylene blue (MB) with the help of H2O2, and nearly 100% removal efficiency within 60 min. Furthermore, the magnetic catalyst retains the activity after ten cycles and can be easily separated by external magnetic field, indicating the long-term catalytic durability and recyclability. The good Fenton-like catalytic performance of the as-synthesized Fe3O4/carbon octahedra is ascribed to the unique mesoporous structure derived from MOF-framework, as well as the sacrificial role and stabilizing effect of graphitic carbon layer. This work provides a facile strategy for the controllable synthesis of integrated porous octahedral structure with graphitic carbon layer, and thereby the catalyst holds significant potential for wastewater treatment.

Fast solution combustion synthesis of porous NaFeTi3O8 with superior sodium storage properties

Science.gov (United States)

Zhao, Jin-Bao; Li, Xue; Xiao, Qian

2018-01-01

In this work, NaFeTi3O8 with three-dimensional porous net-like sheet morphology is firstly prepared by a simple and effective solution combustion method. Encouragingly, when being assessed as an anode electrode for sodium ion batteries, the NaFeTi3O8 net-like sheet composite exhibits superior electrochemical properties. We also study the effect of the combustion fuel glycine. The results indicate that the NaFeTi3O8 composite tends to be porous with glycine as the combustion fuel, which displays more excellent long cyclic stability (discharge capacity of 91 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at the current density of 0.5 A g-1) and superior rate performance (84.4 mA h g-1 even at 1.6 A g-1) than that of NaFeTi3O8 without glycine as the combustion agent. The enhanced electrochemical properties could be ascribed to the unique porous morphology, which achieves better electrolyte infiltration and faster ion diffusion. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Magnetic and superconductivity studies on (In{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sai Krishna, N. [Thin Films Laboratory, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu (India); Kaleemulla, S., E-mail: skaleemulla@gmail.com [Thin Films Laboratory, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu (India); Amarendra, G. [Materials Science Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603 102, Tamil Nadu (India); UGC-DAE-CSR, Kalpakkam Node, Kokilamedu 603 104, Tamil Nadu (India); Madhusudhana Rao, N.; Krishnamoorthi, C.; Rigana Begam, M. [Thin Films Laboratory, School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore 632 014, Tamil Nadu (India); Omkaram, I. [Department of Electronics and Radio Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si Gyeonggi-do 446-701 (Korea, Republic of); Sreekantha Reddy, D. [Department of Physics and Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746 (Korea, Republic of)

2015-07-15

Highlights: • Fe doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films deposited using electron beam evaporation technique. • Characterization of the samples using XRD, SEM, EDAX, AES, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, VSM and magnetoresistance. • All Fe doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films exhibited the cubic structure of In{sub 2}O{sub 3}. • Pure and Fe doped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} samples exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism and superconductivity at 2 K. - Abstract: Magnetic, magnetoresistivity and superconductivity studies were carried out on (In{sub 1−x}Fe{sub x}){sub 2}O{sub 3} (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07) thin films (2D structures) grown on glass substrate by electron beam evaporation technique at 350 °C. The films have an average size of 120 nm particles. All the samples shown soft ferromagnetic hysteresis loops at room temperature and saturation magnetization increased with iron dopant concentration. Observed magnetization could be best interpreted by F-center mediated magnetic exchange interaction in the samples. Temperature dependent resistivity of the sample (x = 0.00 and 0.07) showed metallic behavior down to very low temperatures and superconductivity at 2 K for undoped In{sub 2}O{sub 3} whereas the In{sub 1.86}Fe{sub 0.14}O{sub 3} sample shows superconductivity below 2 K in the absence of magnetic fields. The reduction in transition temperature was attributed to increase electrical disorder with iron doping. Both samples showed positive magnetoresistivity (MR) in superconducting state due to increase of resistivity resulting from breaking of superconducting Cooper pairs upon application of magnetic field. In addition, both the samples show feeble negative MR in normal electrical state. The observed MR in normal state is not due to spin polarized tunneling instead it is due to suppression of scattering of charge carrier by single occupied localized states.

Magneto-optical properties of BiFeO{sub 3} thin films using surface plasmon resonance technique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Paliwal, Ayushi; Sharma, Anjali [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Tomar, Monika [Physics Department, Miranda House, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India); Gupta, Vinay, E-mail: drguptavinay@gmail.com [Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007 (India)

2014-09-01

Indigeneously assembled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) set up has been exploited to study the magnetic field dependent optical properties of BiFeO{sub 3} thin films. BiFeO{sub 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{sub 3}/air structure have been excited in Kretschmann configuration at the interface of Au/BiFeO{sub 3} thin films. The SPR reflectance curves obtained for prism/Au/BiFeO{sub 3}/air structure were utilized to investigate the optical properties of BiFeO{sub 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{sub 3} film as a magnetic field sensor. Complex dielectric constant of deposited BiFeO{sub 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{sub 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.

Improved performance of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 solid oxide fuel cell cathode by application of a thin interface cathode functional layer

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Molin, Sebastian; Jasinski, Piotr Z.

2017-01-01

In this work, novel functional layers were prepared by a low temperature spray pyrolysis method on the oxygen side of the solid oxide cells. Thin layers of Ce0.8Gd0.2O2 and LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 are prepared between the electrolyte and the porous oxygen electrode. Additionally the influence of the sprayed...... ceria barrier layer on the zirconia based electrolyte with the new layers is evaluated. Impedance spectroscopy results show improvement in contact between the electrolyte and the porous cathode electrode. Additionally, electrochemical performance of the cathode is improved, as evidenced by a lowered...

Photoelectrocatalytic activity of liquid phase deposited α-Fe2O3 films under visible light illumination

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Man; Pu, Wenhong; Pan, Shichang; Okoth, Otieno Kevin; Yang, Changzhu; Zhang, Jingdong

2015-01-01

Liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique was employed to prepare α-Fe 2 O 3 films for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants. The obtained LPD films were characterized by various surface analysis techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that α-Fe 2 O 3 films with porous structure were successfully deposited on the titanium substrates by the LPD process. The UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (DRS) analysis showed that the obtained LPD α-Fe 2 O 3 film mainly absorbed visible light, which was advantageous to the utilization of solar energy. Under visible light illumination, the Fe 2 O 3 film electrodes exhibited sensitive photocurrent responses, which were affected by the calcination temperature. Consistent with the photocurrent analysis, the α-Fe 2 O 3 film calcined at 600 °C showed the best photoelectrocatalytic performance, and different organic pollutants such as methyl orange (MO) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) were effectively degraded over the LPD film electrode by photoelectrocatalytic treatment under visible light illumination. - Highlights: • α-Fe 2 O 3 film is prepared by liquid phase deposition process. • LPD α-Fe 2 O 3 film has a porous structure and absorbs visible light. • Calcination temperature shows a significant effect on the PEC performance of α-Fe 2 O 3 film. • α-Fe 2 O 3 film is efficient for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants

Flexible Fe2O3 and V2O5 nanofibers as binder-free electrodes for high-performance all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors.

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, He; Niu, Hao; Yang, Xue; Sun, Zhiqin; Li, Fuzhi; Wang, Qian; Qu, Fengyu

2018-04-16

Flexible highly porous Fe2O3 and V2O5 nanofibers are synthesized by a facile electrospinning method followed by calcination treatment and directly used as binder-free electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. These Fe2O3 and V2O5 nanofibers interconnect with each other and construct three-dimensional hierarchical porous films with high specific surface area. Benefiting from the unique structural features, the intriguing binder-free Fe2O3 and V2O5 porous nanofiber electrodes possess high specific capacitance of 255 F g-1 and 256 F g-1 at 2 mV s-1 in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte, respectively. An all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor is fabricated using Fe2O3 and V2O5 nanofibers as negative and positive electrodes, respectively, and the all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor can be operated up to 1.8 V attributed to the wide and opposite potential window of both electrodes. The assembled all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor achieves a high energy density up to 32.2 Wh kg-1 at an average power density of 128.7 W kg-1 as well as excellent cycling stability and power capability. The effective and facile synthesis method and superior electrochemical performance provided in this work make electrospun Fe2O3 and V2O5 nanofibers promising electrode materials for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High Efficient Photo-Fenton Catalyst of α-Fe2O3/MoS2 Hierarchical Nanoheterostructures: Reutilization for Supercapacitors

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Xijia; Sun, Haiming; Zhang, Lishu; Zhao, Lijun; Lian, Jianshe; Jiang, Qing

2016-08-01

A novel three-dimensional (3D) α-Fe2O3/MoS2 hierarchical nanoheterostructure is effectively synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. The zero-dimensional (0D) Fe2O3 nanoparticles guide the growth of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets and formed 3D flower-like structures, while MoS2 facilitates the good dispersion of porous Fe2O3 with abundant oxygen vacancies. This charming 3D-structure with perfect match of non-equal dimension exhibits high recyclable photo-Fenton catalytic activity for Methyl orange pollutant and nice specific capacity in reusing as supercapacitor after catalysis. The synergistic effect between Fe2O3 and MoS2, the intermediate nanointerfaces, the 3D porous structures, and the abundant oxygen vacancies both contribute to highly active catalysis, nice electrochemical performance and stable cycling. This strategy is simple, cheap, and feasible for maximizing the value of the materials, as well as eliminating the secondary pollution.

One-pot synthesis of porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell/silver core nanocomposites used as recyclable magnetic antibacterial agents

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fang, Weijun, E-mail: wjfang81@gmail.com [College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui (China); Zheng, Jun; Chen, Cheng [Center of Modern Experimental Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230039, Anhui (China); Zhang, Huabing; Lu, Yunxia [College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui (China); Ma, Ling [Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian (China); Chen, Guangjun [College of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui (China)

2014-05-01

Porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell/silver core nanocomposites featuring sustainable and recyclable antibacterial activity have been successfully prepared via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The unique structural feature of the Ag@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites with Ag embedded in porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell endows them with the ability of sustained-release of silver ions. Their antimicrobial activity studies were investigated on both Gram negative Escherichia coli and Gram positive Bacillus subtilis, which demonstrate that the nanocomposites are highly toxic to microorganisms and exhibit sustainable antibacterial activity. Besides, the Ag@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites can be separated easily from the medium by a small magnet, which provided an effective way to eliminate the residual nanosilver from the surroundings. We finally demonstrate that the recovered nanocomposites exhibit recyclable antibacterial activity, acting as an ideal long-acting antibacterial agent. - Highlights: • The porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell/silver core nanocomposites have been successfully prepared via a simple one-pot hydrothermal method. • The as-prepared Ag@Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites exhibit high antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. • The porous Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell/silver core nanocomposites show a stronger antibacterial ability than the solid Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} shell/silver core nanocomposites. • The recovery nanocomposites still have antibacterial activity and can be reused.

High adsorptive γ-AlOOH(boehmite)@SiO2/Fe3O4 porous magnetic microspheres for detection of toxic metal ions in drinking water.

Science.gov (United States)

Wei, Yan; Yang, Ran; Zhang, Yong-Xing; Wang, Lun; Liu, Jin-Huai; Huang, Xing-Jiu

2011-10-21

γ-AlOOH(boehmite)@SiO(2)/Fe(3)O(4) porous magnetic microspheres with high adsorption capacity toward heavy metal ions were found to be useful for the simultaneous and selective electrochemical detection of five metal ions, such as ultratrace zinc(II), cadmium(II), lead(II), copper(II), and mercury(II), in drinking water.

Fabrication of γ-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles by Solid-State Thermolysis of a Metal-Organic Framework, MIL-100(Fe, for Heavy Metal Ions Removal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shengtao Hei

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Porous γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were prepared via a solid-state conversion process of a mesoporous iron(III carboxylate crystal, MIL-100(Fe. First, the MIL-100(Fe crystal that served as the template of the metal oxide was synthesized by a low-temperature (<100°C synthesis route. Subsequently, the porous γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were fabricated by facile thermolysis of the MIL-100(Fe powders via a two-step calcination treatment. The obtained γ-Fe2O3 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD, N2 adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM techniques, and then used as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions removal in water treatment. This study illustrates that the metal-organic frameworks may be suitable precursors for the fabrication of metal oxides nanomaterials with large specific surface area, and the prepared porous γ-Fe2O3 exhibits a superior adsorption performance for As(V and As(III ions removal in water treatment.

Fe3O4/C composite with hollow spheres in porous 3D-nanostructure as anode material for the lithium-ion batteries

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Zhao; Su, Danyang; Yang, Jinping; Wang, Jing

2017-09-01

3d transition-metal oxides, especially Fe3O4, as anode materials for the lithium-ion batteries have been attracting intensive attentions in recent years due to their high energy capacity and low toxicity. A new Fe3O4/C composite with hollow spheres in porous three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure, which was synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using FeCl3·6H2O and porous spongy carbon as raw materials. The specific surface area and microstructures of composite were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm method, FE-SEM and HR-TEM. A homogeneous distribution of hollow Fe3O4 spheres (diameter ranges from 120 nm to 150 nm) in the spongy carbon (pore size > 200 nm) conductive 3D-network significantly reduced the lithium-ion diffusion length and increased the electrochemical reaction area, and further more enhanced the lithium ion battery performance, such as discharge capacity and cycle life. As an anode material for the lithium-ion battery, the title composite exhibit excellent electrochemical properties. The Fe3O4/C composite electrode achieved a relatively high reversible specific capacity of 1450.1 mA h g-1 in the first cycle at 100 mA g-1, and excellent rate capability (69% retention at 1000 mA g-1) with good cycle stability (only 10% loss after 100 cycles).

Growth and Characterization of Magnetoelectric Fe2TeO6 Thin Films

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Junlei; Colon Santana, Juan; Wu, Ning; Dowben, Peter; Binek, Christian

2013-03-01

Voltage-controlled spintronics is of vital importance in information technology where power consumption and Joule heating restrict progress through scaling. Motivated by spintronic concepts and specifically by device applications utilizing electrically controlled interface or boundary magnetization (BM) in magnetic thin film heterostructures, we report on growth, structural, magnetic and magnetoelectric (ME) characterization of the antiferromagnet Fe2TeO6. Magnetometry of synthesized Fe2TeO6 powder, in combination with ME susceptibility data reveals 3D Heisenberg criticality in striking similarity to the archetypical ME chromia. X-ray diffraction shows (110) texture of the PLD grown films. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of the latter confirm in-plane magnetic anisotropy. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicates a Te-O terminated (110) surface. We interpret it in terms of surface reconstruction. Measurements of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism combined with photoemission electron microscopy support the presence of electrically controllable BM in the PLD-grown Fe2TeO6 thin film. We acknowledge financial support by NSF-MRSEC & Nanoelectronics Research Initiative.

Influences of the iron ion (Fe3+)-doping on structural and optical properties of nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ben Naceur, J.; Mechiakh, R.; Bousbih, F.; Chtourou, R.

2011-01-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) thin films doping of various iron ion (Fe 3+ ) concentrations were deposited on silicon (Si) (100) and quartz substrates by sol-gel Spin Coating technique followed by a thermal treatment at 600 deg. C. The structure, surface morphology and optical properties, as a function of the doping, have been studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). XRD and Raman analyzes of our thin films show that the crystalline phase of TiO 2 thin films comprised only the anatase TiO 2 , but the crystallinity decreased when the Fe 3+ content increased from 0% to 20%. During the Fe 3+ addition to 20%, the phase of TiO 2 thin film still maintained the amorphous state. The grain size calculated from XRD patterns varies from 29.3 to 22.6 nm. The complex index and the optical band gap (E g ) of the films were determined by the spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis. We have found that the optical band gap decreased with an increasing Fe 3+ content.

Nanocrystalline Pd:NiFe2O4 thin films: A selective ethanol gas sensor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rao, Pratibha; Godbole, R.V.; Bhagwat, Sunita

2016-01-01

In this work, Pd:NiFe 2 O 4 thin films were investigated for the detection of reducing gases. These films were fabricated using spray pyrolysis technique and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm the crystal structure. The surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetization measurements were carried out using SQUID VSM, which shows ferrimagnetic behavior of the samples. These thin film sensors were tested against methanol, ethanol, hydrogen sulfide and liquid petroleum gas, where they were found to be more selective to ethanol. The fabricated thin film sensors exhibited linear response signal for all the gases with concentrations up to 5 w/o Pd. Reduction in optimum operating temperature and enhancement in response was also observed. Pd:NiFe 2 O 4 thin films exhibited faster response and recovery characteristic. These sensors have potential for industrial applications because of their long-term stability, low power requirement and low production cost. - Highlights: • Ethanol gas sensors based on Pd:NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticle thin film were fabricated. • Pd incorporation in NiFe 2 O 4 matrix inhibits grain growth. • The sensors were more selective to ethanol gas. • Sensors exhibited fast response and recovery when doped with palladium. • Pd:NiFe 2 O 4 thin film sensor displays excellent long–term stability.

Photoelectrochemical Properties of FeO Supported on TiO2-Based Thin Films Converted from Self-Assembled Hydrogen Titanate Nanotube Powders

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kyung-Jong Noh

2012-01-01

Full Text Available A photoanode was fabricated using hematite (α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles which had been held in a thin film of hydrogen titanate nanotubes (H-TiNT, synthesized by repetitive self-assembling method on FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide glass, which were incorporated via dipping process in aqueous Fe(NO33 solution. Current voltage (I-V electrochemical properties of the photoanode heat-treated at 500°C for 10 min in air were evaluated under ultraviolet-visible light irradiation. Microstructure and crystallinity changes were also investigated. The prepared Fe2O3/H-TiNT/FTO composite thin film exhibited about threefold as much photocurrent as the Fe2O3/FTO film. The improvement in photocurrent was considered to be caused by reduced recombination of electrons and holes, with an appropriate amount of Fe2O3 spherical nanoparticles supported on the H-TiNT/FTO film. Nanosized spherical Fe2O3 particles with about 65 wt% on the H-TiNT/FTO film showed best performance in our study.

Transparent nanostructured Fe-doped TiO2 thin films prepared by ultrasonic assisted spray pyrolysis technique

Science.gov (United States)

Rasoulnezhad, Hossein; Hosseinzadeh, Ghader; Ghasemian, Naser; Hosseinzadeh, Reza; Homayoun Keihan, Amir

2018-05-01

Nanostructured TiO2 and Fe-doped TiO2 thin films with high transparency were deposited on glass substrate through ultrasonic-assisted spray pyrolysis technique and were used in the visible light photocatalytic degradation of MB dye. The resulting thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy techniques. Based on Raman spectroscopy results, both of the TiO2 and Fe-doped TiO2 films have anatase crystal structure, however, because of the insertion of Fe in the structure of TiO2 some point defects and oxygen vacancies are formed in the Fe-doped TiO2 thin film. Presence of Fe in the structure of TiO2 decreases the band gap energy of TiO2 and also reduces the electron–hole recombination rate. Decreasing of the electron–hole recombination rate and band gap energy result in the enhancement of the visible light photocatalytic activity of the Fe-doped TiO2 thin film.

First report on synthesis of ZnFe_2O_4 thin film using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction: Approach towards solid-state symmetric supercapacitor device

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raut, Shrikant S.; Sankapal, Babasaheb R.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • First report on synthesis of ZnFe_2O_4 thin film using SILAR method. • ZnFe_2O_4 electrode yields the specific capacitance of 471 Fg"−"1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s"−"1 in 1 M NaOH aqueous solution. • Solid-state symmetric supercapacitor device based on ZnFe_2O_4 sandwiched in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–LiClO_4 gel electrolyte exhibits voltage windows of 1.0 V. • ZnFe_2O_4-SSS supercapacitor device shows good energy and power density with long cycle life. - Abstract: ZnFe_2O_4 thin film has been synthesized by a simple and low cost successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method without the use of surfactant or template. The nanoplate composed of nanoparticles with porous surface morphology has been revealed which is beneficial towards supercapacitor application. Formed ZnFe_2O_4 thin film has been tested as an electrode material for supercapacitor through electrochemical analysis. First attempt for SILAR synthesized ZnFe_2O_4 thin film exhibited a specific capacitance of 471 Fg"−"1 at a scan rate of 5 mVs"−"1 in 1 M NaOH aqueous solution. Further, ZnFe_2O_4 solid-state symmetric (SSS) supercapacitor device demonstrated voltage window of 1.0 V with specific capacitance of 32 Fg"−"1, energy density of 4.47 Whkg"−"1 and power density of 277 Wkg"−"1 at 1 Ag"−"1 current density. Such high performance capacitive behavior indicates ZnFe_2O_4 thin film is promising and low cost electrode material towards energy storage devices for various portable electronic systems.

Depth resolved lattice-charge coupling in epitaxial BiFeO3 thin film

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Hyeon Jun; Lee, Sung Su; Kwak, Jeong Hun; Kim, Young-Min; Jeong, Hu Young; Borisevich, Albina Y.; Lee, Su Yong; Noh, Do Young; Kwon, Owoong; Kim, Yunseok; Jo, Ji Young

2016-12-01

For epitaxial films, a critical thickness (t_c) can create a phenomenological interface between a strained bottom layer and a relaxed top layer. Here, we present an experimental report of how the tc in BiFeO₃ thin films acts as a boundary to determine the crystalline phase, ferroelectricity, and piezoelectricity in 60 nm thick BiFeO₃/SrRuO₃/SrTiO₃ substrate. We found larger Fe cation displacement of the relaxed layer than that of strained layer. In the time-resolved X-ray microdiffraction analyses, the piezoelectric response of the BiFeO₃ film was resolved into a strained layer with an extremely low piezoelectric coefficient of 2.4 pm/V and a relaxed layer with a piezoelectric coefficient of 32 pm/V. The difference in the Fe displacements between the strained and relaxed layers is in good agreement with the differences in the piezoelectric coefficient due to the electromechanical coupling.

A Novel Ternary CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 as a Giant Magnetoresistance Sensor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ramli

2016-12-01

Full Text Available This paper reports the results of a study relating to the synthesis of a novel ternary CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film as a giant magnetoresistance (GMR sensor. The CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film was prepared onto silicon substrate via DC magnetron sputtering with the targets facing each other. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structure of the thin film and a 4-point method was used to measure the MR ratio. The GMR ratio is highly dependent on the ferrimagnetic (CoFe2O4 and nonmagnetic (CuO layer thickness. The maximum GMR ratio at room temperature obtained in the CoFe2O4/CuO/CoFe2O4 thin film was 70% when the CoFe2O4 and the CuO layer had a thickness of 62.5 nm and 14.4 nm respectively.

Synthesis of porous LiFe0.2Mn1.8O4 with high performance for lithium-ion battery

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shi, Yishan; Zhu, Shenmin; Zhu, Chengling; Li, Yao; Chen, Zhixin; Zhang, Di

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Porous LiFe 0.2 Mn 1.8 O 4 was fabricated with P123 as a template through a nitrate decomposition method • A high rate capacity and cycling stability were demonstrated when used as cathode in LIBs • This strategy is expected to fabricate other multiple metal oxides with porous structures - Abstract: A facile and effective route was developed for the fabrication of LiFe 0.2 Mn 1.8 O 4 with porous structures by using Pluronic P-123 as a soft template, based on a nitrate decomposition method. The resultant LiFe 0.2 Mn 1.8 O 4 was characterized by XRD, SEM, as well as N 2 adsorption/desorption measurements which showed a porous structure with a pore size centered at 20 nm. When used as cathode materials in lithium battery, the as-synthesized LiFe 0.2 Mn 1.8 O 4 exhibited a discharge capacity of 122 mAh g −1 at 1 C and 102 mAh g −1 at 5 C. Moreover, after 500 cycles, the capacity retention (108 mAh g −1 ) reached 88% of the initial capacity at 1 C. As compared with conventional cathode LiMn 2 O 4 , the high performance is believed to originate from the combined effects of porous structure, iron doping and highly crystalline nature of the obtained LiFe 0.2 Mn 1.8 O 4 . This strategy is expected to allow the fabrication of other multiple metal oxides with porous structures for high performance cathode materials

Stabilization of the high coercivity ε-Fe2O3 phase in the CeO2–Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mantlikova, A.; Poltierova Vejpravova, J.; Bittova, B.; Burianova, S.; Niznansky, D.; Ardu, A.; Cannas, C.

2012-01-01

We have investigated the processes leading to the formation of the Fe 2 O 3 and CeO 2 nanoparticles in the SiO 2 matrix in order to stabilize the ε-Fe 2 O 3 as the major phase. The samples with two different concentrations of the Fe were prepared by sol–gel method, subsequently annealed at different temperatures up to 1100 °C, and characterized by the Mössbauer spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and magnetic measurements. The evolution of the different Fe 2 O 3 phases under various conditions of preparation was investigated, starting with the preferential appearance of the γ-Fe 2 O 3 phase for the sample with low Fe concentration and low annealing temperature and stabilization of the major ε-Fe 2 O 3 phase for high Fe concentration and high annealing temperature, coexisting with the most stable α-Fe 2 O 3 phase. A continuous increase of the particle size of the CeO 2 nanocrystals with increasing annealing temperature was also observed. - Graphical abstract: The graphical abstract displays the most important results of our work. The significant change of the phase composition due to the variation of preparation conditions is demonstrated. As a result, significant change of the magnetic properties from superparamagnetic γ-Fe 2 O 3 phase with negligible coercivity to the high coercivity ε-Fe 2 O 3 phase has been observed. Highlights: ► Research of the stabilization of the high coercivity ε-Fe 2 O 3 in CeO 2 –Fe 2 O 3 /SiO 2 . ► Samples with two different concentrations of Fe and three annealing temperatures. ► Phase transition γ→ε→(β)→α with increasing annealing temperature and particle size. ► Elimination of the superparamagnetic phases in samples with higher content of Fe. ► Best conditions for high coercivity ε-Fe 2 O 3 —higher Fe content and T A =1100°C.

Electrical conduction of glasses in the system Fe2O3-Sb2O3-TeO2; Fe2O3-Sb2O3-TeO2 kei garasu no denki dendo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Qiu, Honghua; Mori, H; Sakata, H; Hirayama, T [Tokai Univ., Tokyo (Japan). Faculty of Engineering

1995-01-01

In this study, taking into consideration that TeO2 is a component of the glass network and Sb2O3 shows the redox effect in the glasses reducing its possibility of transformation of Sb{sup 3+} to Sb{sup 5+} as well as glass basicity, highly conductive tellurite based glasses have been prepared by the press-quenching method selecting the Fe2O3-Sb2O3-TeO2 system, and the electroconductive mechanism of the glasses has been examined by measuring its D.C. conductivity {sigma}. Part of the obtained information is as follows; the glass formation range of the Fe2O3-Sb2O3-TeO2 system has been 0 {le} Fe2O3 {le} 15mol%, 0 {le} Sb2O3 {le} 18mol% and 78 {le} TeO2 {le} 100mol% and about 15mol% of the additional amount of Fe2O3 has been the limit of glass formation. As the amount of Fe2O3 has increased, C{sub Fe} has also increased and with this, the linear electroconductivity of the glasses has increased from 1.86 {times} 10{sup -7}S{center_dot}cm{sup -1} to 1.62 {times} 10{sup -6}S{center_dot}cm{sup -1} and the glasses have been confirmed as the n-type semiconductor. The factor determining {sigma} of the glasses has been C{sub Fe} which has increased as the amount of Fe2O3 has increased. 34 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.

On stoichiometry and intermixing at the spinel/perovskite interface in CoFe2O4/BaTiO3 thin films.

Science.gov (United States)

Tileli, Vasiliki; Duchamp, Martial; Axelsson, Anna-Karin; Valant, Matjaz; Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E; Alford, Neil McN

2015-01-07

The performance of complex oxide heterostructures depends primarily on the interfacial coupling of the two component structures. This interface character inherently varies with the synthesis method and conditions used since even small composition variations can alter the electronic, ferroelectric, or magnetic functional properties of the system. The focus of this article is placed on the interface character of a pulsed laser deposited CoFe2O4/BaTiO3 thin film. Using a range of state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy methodologies, the roles of substrate morphology, interface stoichiometry, and cation intermixing are determined on the atomic level. The results reveal a surprisingly uneven BaTiO3 substrate surface formed after the film deposition and Fe atom incorporation in the top few monolayers inside the unit cell of the BaTiO3 crystal. Towards the CoFe2O4 side, a disordered region extending several nanometers from the interface was revealed and both Ba and Ti from the substrate were found to diffuse into the spinel layer. The analysis also shows that within this somehow incompatible composite interface, a different phase is formed corresponding to the compound Ba2Fe3Ti5O15, which belongs to the ilmenite crystal structure of FeTiO3 type. The results suggest a chemical activity between these two oxides, which could lead to the synthesis of complex engineered interfaces.

Uniform Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers hierarchical structures assembled with porous nanoplates as superior anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Xiaoliang [Institute of Electrostatic & Electromagnetic Protection, Mechanical Engineering College, Shijiazhuang 050003 (China); Liu, Yanguo [School of Resources and Materials, Northeastern University at Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao 066004 (China); Arandiyan, Hamidreza [Particles and Catalysis Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052 (Australia); Yang, Hongping; Bai, Lu; Mujtaba, Jawayria [Beijing National Center for Electron Microscopy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Wang, Qingguo; Liu, Shanghe [Institute of Electrostatic & Electromagnetic Protection, Mechanical Engineering College, Shijiazhuang 050003 (China); Sun, Hongyu, E-mail: hyltsun@gmail.com [Beijing National Center for Electron Microscopy, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby (Denmark)

2016-12-15

Highlights: • Uniform Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers hierarchical structures were successfully prepared. • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers are assembled with porous nanoplates. • Hollow Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres exhibit better lithium storage properties than Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres. • The good lithium storage properties are attributed to the special structural nature. - Abstract: Uniform Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers assembled with porous nanoplates were successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method and subsequent annealing process. The structural and compositional analysis of the Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The Bruauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area was calculated by the nitrogen isotherm curve and pore size distribution of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers was determined by the Barret–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) method. When evaluated as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microflowers electrodes delivered superior capacity, better cycling stability and rate capability than that of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} microspheres electrodes. The improved electrochemical performance was attributed to the microscale flowerlike architecture and the porous sheet structural nature.

Enhanced photochemical catalysis of TiO2 inverse opals by modification with ZnO or Fe2O3 using ALD and the hydrothermal method

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Jiatong; Sun, Cuifeng; Fu, Ming; Long, Jie; He, Dawei; Wang, Yongsheng

2018-02-01

The development of porous materials exhibiting photon regulation abilities for improved photoelectrochemical catalysis performance is always one of the important goals of solar energy harvesting. In this study, methods to improve the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 inverse opals were discussed. TiO2 inverse opals were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using colloidal crystal templates. In addition, TiO2 inverse opal heterostructures were fabricated using colloidal heterocrystals by repeated vertical deposition using different colloidal spheres. The hydrothermal method and ALD were used to prepare ZnO- or Fe2O3-modified TiO2 inverse opals on the internal surfaces of the TiO2 porous structures. Although the photonic reflection band was not significantly varied by oxide modification, the presence of Fe2O3 in the TiO2 inverse opals enhanced their visible absorption. The conformally modified oxides on the TiO2 inverse opals could also form energy barriers and avoid the recombination of electrons and holes. The fabrication of the TiO2 photonic crystal heterostructures and modification with ZnO or Fe2O3 can enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 inverse opals.

Study on adsorption of 99Tc on Fe, Fe2O3 and Fe3O4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu Dejun; Fan Xianhua; Zhang Yingjie; Yao Jun; Zhou Duo; Wang Yong

2004-01-01

The absorption behavior of 99 Tc on Fe, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders from aqueous 99 TcO 4 - solutions is studied by batch method in atmospheric conditions. After the adsorption reaches equilibrium, the valence state of 99 Tc in the aqueous solution is examined by extraction with tetraphenylarsonium chloride. The experimental results show that the adsorption ratio of 99 Tc on iron powders decreases with the increase of pH (in the range of 5-8) and of CO 3 2- concentration (in the range of 1 x 10 -8 -1 x 10 -2 mol/L). In opposite, the two factors have no significant influence on the absorption of 99 Tc on both Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders. The adsorption isotherms of 99 TcO 4 - on Fe, Fe 2 O 3 and Fe 3 O 4 powders can be well described by the Freundlich's equation. The major valence state of 99 Tc is deduced to be Tc(IV) when iron powders is used as the absorbent. In the case of Fe 2 O 3 or Fe 3 O 4 as an absorbent, the 99 Tc remains as the TcO 4 - form

Porous Fe-Mn-O nanocomposites: Synthesis and supercapacitor electrode application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Guoxing Zhu

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Transition metal oxide micro-/nanostructures demonstrate high potential applications in energy storage devices. Here, we report a facile synthesis of highly homogeneous oxide composites with porous structure via a coordination polymer precursor, which was prepared with the assistance of tartaric acid. The typical product, Fe-Mn-O composite was demonstrated here. The obtained Fe-Mn-O product was systemically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, elemental mapping analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that the Fe-Mn-O nanocomposite shows interconnected porous structure, in which iron, manganese, and oxygen are uniformly distributed. In addition, the Fe-Mn-O nanocomposite was then fabricated as capacitor electrodes. Operating in an aqueous neutral solution, the Fe-Mn-O composite electrodes showed an wide working potential window from −0.2 to 1.0 V (vs. SCE, and a specific capacitance of 86.7 Fg−1 or 0.4 Fcm−2 at a constant current density of 1 Ag−1 with good cycle life. This study offers a new precursor approach to prepare porous metal oxide composites, which would be applied in energy-storage/conversion devices, catalysts, sensors, and so on.

Annealing effect on the bipolar resistive switching behaviors of BiFeO3 thin films on LaNiO3-buffered Si substrates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen Xinman; Zhang Hu; Ruan Kaibin; Shi Wangzhou

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Annealing effect on the bipolar resistive switching behaviors of BiFeO 3 thin films with Pt/BiFeO 3 /LNO was reported. ► Rectification property was explained from the asymmetrical contact between top and bottom interfaces and the distinct oxygen vacancy density. ► The modification of Schottky-like barrier was suggested to be responsible for the resistance switching behaviors of Pt/BiFeO 3 /LNO devices. - Abstract: We reported the annealing effect on the electrical behaviors of BiFeO 3 thin films integrated on LaNiO 3 (LNO) layers buffered Si substrates by sol–gel spin-coating technique. All the BiFeO 3 thin films exhibit the reversible bipolar resistive switching behaviors with Pt/BiFeO 3 /LNO configuration. The electrical conduction mechanism of the devices was dominated by the Ohmic conduction in the low resistance state and trap-controlled space charged limited current in the high resistance state. Good diode-like rectification property was observed in device with BiFeO 3 film annealed at 500 °C, but vanished in device with BiFeO 3 film annealed at 600 °C. This was attributed to the asymmetrical contact between top and bottom interfaces as well as the distinct oxygen vacancy density verified by XPS. Furthermore, the modification of Schottky-like barrier due to the drift of oxygen vacancies was suggested to be responsible for the resistance switching behaviors of Pt/BiFeO 3 /LNO devices.

Thin (111) oriented CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} films prepared by decomposition of layered cobaltates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Buršík, Josef, E-mail: bursik@iic.cas.cz [Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., 250 68 Husinec-Řež 1001 (Czech Republic); Soroka, Miroslav, E-mail: soroka@iic.cas.cz [Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., 250 68 Husinec-Řež 1001 (Czech Republic); Uhrecký, Róbert, E-mail: uhrecky@iic.cas.cz [Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., 250 68 Husinec-Řež 1001 (Czech Republic); Kužel, Radomír, E-mail: kuzel@karlov.mff.cuni.cz [Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Ke Karlovu 5, 121 16 Praha 2 (Czech Republic); Mika, Filip, E-mail: filip.mika@isibrno.cz [Institute of Scientific Instruments, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i., Královopolská 147, 612 64 Brno (Czech Republic); Huber, Štěpán, E-mail: stepan.huber@vscht.cz [University of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)

2016-07-15

Graphical abstract: Pole figures of NaCoO{sub 2} (left) and of CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (right) films formed through the transformation of O3-type NaCoO{sub 2} phase in consequence of sodium deintercalation occurring at 800 °C. Films were prepared by chemical solution deposition on MgO(111) substrate. - Highlights: • Epitaxial Na(CoFe)O{sub 2} thin films by means of chemical solution deposition were prepared. • Oriented spinel films through transformation of Na(CoFe)O{sub 2} were obtained. • Orientation relation to MgO, SrTiO{sub 3} and Zr(Y)O{sub 2} substrates were determined. • Structural aspects of Na(CoFe)O{sub 2} → CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} transformation pathway were elucidated. - Abstract: The formation and structural characterization of highly (111)-oriented Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} and CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} films prepared by a novel procedure from 00l-oriented NaCoO{sub 2} and Na(CoFe)O{sub 2} is reported. The Na(CoFe)O{sub 2} films were deposited on MgO, SrTiO{sub 3}, LaAlO{sub 3}, and Zr(Y)O{sub 2} single crystals with (100) and (111) orientations by chemical solution deposition method and crystallized at 700 °C. Subsequently they were transformed into (111)-oriented spinel phase during post-growth annealing at 800–1000 °C. Morphology and structure of the films was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. While all spinel films exhibit pronounced out-of-plane orientation irrespective of substrate, the rate of in-plane orientation strongly depend on lattice misfit values. Different epitaxial phenomena ranging from true one-to-one epitaxy to the existence of many-to-one epitaxy involving two or more orientations were determined by full 3D texture analysis.

A facile method for preparing porous, optically active, magnetic Fe3 O4 @poly(N-acryloyl-leucine) inverse core/shell composite microspheres.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Dong; Deng, Jianping; Yang, Wantai

2014-01-01

The first synthesis of porous, optically active, magnetic Fe3 O4 @poly(N-acryloyl-leucine) inverse core/shell composite microspheres is reported, in which the core is constructed of chiral polymer and the shell is constructed of Fe3 O4 NPs. The microspheres integrate three significant concepts, "porosity", "chirality", and "magneticity", in one single microspheric entity. The microspheres consist of Fe3 O4 nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres, and thus combine the advantages of both magnetic nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres. The pore size and specific surface area of the microspheres are characterized by N2 adsorption, from which it is found that the composite microspheres possess a desirable porous structure. Circular dichroism and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that the microspheres exhibit the expected optical activity. The microspheres also have high saturation magnetization of 14.7 emu g(-1) and rapid magnetic responsivity. After further optimization, these novel microspheres may potentially find applications in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, chiral adsorption, etc. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Self-Assembled α-Fe2O3 mesocrystals/graphene nanohybrid for enhanced electrochemical capacitors.

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Shuhua; Song, Xuefeng; Zhang, Peng; Sun, Jing; Gao, Lian

2014-06-12

Self-assembled α-Fe2O3 mesocrystals/graphene nanohybrids have been successfully synthesized and have a unique mesocrystal porous structure, a large specific surface area, and high conductivity. Mesocrystal structures have recently attracted unparalleled attention owing to their promising application in energy storage as electrochemical capacitors. However, mesocrystal/graphene nanohybrids and their growth mechanism have not been clearly investigated. Here we show a facile fabrication of short rod-like α-Fe2O3 mesocrystals/graphene nanohybrids by self-assembly of FeOOH nanorods as the primary building blocks on graphene under hydrothermal conditions, accompanied and promoted by concomitant phase transition from FeOOH to α-Fe2O3. A systematic study of the formation mechanism is also presented. The galvanostatic charge/discharge curve shows a superior specific capacitance of the as-prepared α-Fe2O3 mesocrystals/graphene nanohybrid (based on total mass of active materials), which is 306.9 F g(-1) at 3 A g(-1) in the aqueous electrolyte under voltage ranges of up to 1 V. The nanohybrid with unique sufficient porous structure and high electrical conductivity allows for effective ion and charge transport in the whole electrode. Even at a high discharge current density of 10 A g(-1), the enhanced ion and charge transport still yields a higher capacitance (98.2 F g(-1)), exhibiting enhanced rate capability. The α-Fe2O3 mesocrystal/graphene nanohybrid electrode also demonstrates excellent cyclic performance, which is superior to previously reported graphene-based hematite electrode, suggesting it is highly stable as an electrochemical capacitor. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Magnetic properties of Fe3O4 thin films grown on different substrates by laser ablation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Parames, M.L.; Viskadourakis, Z.; Rogalski, M.S.; Mariano, J.; Popovici, N.; Giapintzakis, J.; Conde, O.

2007-01-01

Magnetite thin films have been grown onto (1 0 0)Si (1 0 0)GaAs and (0 0 0 1)Al 2 O 3 , at substrate temperatures varying from 473 to 673 K, by UV pulsed laser ablation of Fe 3 O 4 targets in reactive atmospheres of O 2 and Ar, at working pressure of 8 x 10 -2 Pa. The influence of the substrate on stoichiometry, microstructure and the magnetic properties has been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), conversion electron Moessbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) and magnetic measurements. Magnetite crystallites, with stoichiometry varying from Fe 2.95 O 4 to Fe 2.99 O 4 , are randomly oriented for (1 0 0)GaAs and (1 0 0)Si substrates and exhibit (1 1 1) texture if grown onto (0 0 0 1)Al 2 O 3 . Interfacial Fe 3+ diffusion, which is virtually absent for (1 0 0)Si substrates, was found for both (0 0 0 1)Al 2 O 3 and (1 0 0)GaAs, with some deleterious effect on the subsequent microstructure and magnetic behaviour

The influence of Fe2O3 in the humidity sensor performance of ZrO2:TiO2-based porous ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cosentino, I.C.; Muccillo, E.N.S.; Muccillo, R.

2007-01-01

ZrO 2 :TiO 2 ceramics were prepared with different porosity values by two methods: (a) sintering at 1150, 1300 and 1500 deg. C, corresponding to the temperatures of the first, second and third sintering stages, according to dilatometry results; (b) adding Fe 2 O 3 (2.0 and 5.0 mol%) to ZrO 2 :TiO 2 powders before sintering. The ZrO 2 :TiO 2 specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction, mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The impedance spectroscopy analysis was carried out under different relative humidities. The bulk electrical resistivity in the low frequency region (10-100 Hz) decreases for increasing relative humidity. Increasing the sintering temperature from the first to the third sintering stage promoted grain growth, as expected, with consequent decrease of the intergranular porosity. The use of Fe 2 O 3 as sintering aid reduced the porosity of the specimens, but increased the electrical response under humid environments in comparison with specimens sintered without Fe 2 O 3

Electrodeposition of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles and its supercapacitive properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kadam, S. L., E-mail: snehal.kadam54@gmail.com; Padwal, P. M., E-mail: pal-soni279@yahoo.com; Mane, S. M., E-mail: manesagar99@gmail.com; Kulkarni, S. B., E-mail: sbk-physics@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, The Institute of Science, Madam Cama Road, Mumbai-400032 (India)

2016-04-13

Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} metal oxide nanoparticles are synthesized by electrodeposition method on stainless steel substrate. The crystal structure and surface morphological studies of the obtained metal oxide thin film are carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) respectively. The electrochemical properties of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin film like Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvonostatic Charge-Discharge (GCD) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) are studied in a bath of 0.5 M Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} as electrolyte. The observed specific capacitance shows improved values 135 Fg{sup −1} at 5 mVs{sup −1} scan rate. The electrochemical stability of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} electrode is investigated using cyclic voltammetry for 1000 cycles at a scan rate 50 mVs{sup −1}. The Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} electrode exhibits superior cycling stability with only 4-5% capacitance loss after one thousand cycles. The values of specific power and specific energy of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} electrode obtained from Galvonostatic charge discharge studies are 2250 W.kg{sup −1} and 63.15 Wh.kg{sup −1} respectively at current density 1 A/g. From all the electrochemical properties of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} electrode, it indicates that it will be promising electrode material for supercapacitor application.

Synthesis and gas-sensing characteristics of α-Fe2O3 hollow balls

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chu Manh Hung

2016-03-01

Full Text Available The synthesis of porous metal-oxide semiconductors for gas-sensing application is attracting increased interest. In this study, α-Fe2O3 hollow balls were synthesized using an inexpensive, scalable, and template-free hydrothermal method. The gas-sensing characteristics of the semiconductors were systematically investigated. Material characterization by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, and EDS reveals that single-phase α-Fe2O3 hollow balls with an average diameter of 1.5 μm were obtained. The hollow balls were formed by self assembly of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100 nm. The hollow structure and nanopores between the nanoparticles resulted in the significantly high response of the α-Fe2O3 hollow balls to ethanol at working temperatures ranging from 250 °C to 450 °C. The sensor also showed good selectivity over other gases, such as CO and NH3 promising significant application.

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.

Influence of thin porous Al2O3 layer on aluminum cathode to the Hα line shape in glow discharge

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Steflekova, V.; Sisovic, N. M.; Konjevic, N.

2009-01-01

The results of the Balmer alfa line shape study in a plane cathode-hollow anode Grimm discharge with aluminum (Al) cathode covered with thin layer of porous Al 2 O 3 are presented. The comparison with same line profile recorded with pure Al cathode shows lack of excessive Doppler broadened line wings, which are always detected in glow discharge with metal cathode. The effect is explained by the lack of strong electric field in the cathode sheath region, which is missing in the presence of thin oxide layer in, so called, spray discharge.

Effect of Porous Structure on the Magnetic Properties of NixMgyZn1−x−yFe2O4 Magnetic Materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qi Xin; Zhou Xin; Shu Di; Zhao Jing-Jing; Wang Wei; Chen Juan

2011-01-01

We deal with the preparation of NiMgZnFe III -SO 4 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with the layered precursor method and introduce excessive ZnO into the NiMgZnFe III -SO 4 LDHs to produce Ni x Mg y Zn 1−x−y Fe 2 O 4 ferrites that contain massive ZnO. Then the Ni x Mg y Zn 1−x−y Fe 2 O 4 ferrites are treated with NaOH solution to remove ZnO to produce the porous Ni x Mg y Zn 1−x−y Fe 2 O 4 magnetic material: when y = 0, porous NiZnFe 2 O 4 ferrite magnetic materials are obtained; when y ≠ 0, porous NiMgZnFe 2 O 4 ferrite magnetic materials are obtained. From analyses of these two ferrites, their pore-forming mechanism and comparison of their properties before and after they undergo the alkali treatment, we find that after being treated by the NaOH solution, NiZnFe 2 O 4 /NiMgZnFe 2 O 4 have better uniform-structure pores, which will greatly expand their pore volume, widen their application scope and improve their magnetic properties. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Synthesis of Nano-Ilmenite (FeTiO3) doped TiO2/Ti Electrode for Photoelectrocatalytic System

Science.gov (United States)

Hikmawati; Watoni, A. H.; Wibowo, D.; Maulidiyah; Nurdin, M.

2017-11-01

Ilmenite (FeTiO3) doped on Ti and TiO2/Ti electrodes were successfully prepared by using the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of FeTiO3 are characterized by XRD, UV-Vis DRS, and SEM. The FeTiO3 and TiO2 greatly affect the photoelectrocatalysis performance characterized by Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The characterization result shows a band gap of FeTiO3 is 2.94 eV. XRD data showed that FeTiO3 formed at 2θ were 35.1° (110), 49.9° (024), and 61.2° (214). The morphology of FeTiO3/Ti and FeTiO3.TiO2/Ti using SEM shows that the formation of FeTiO3 thin layer signifies the Liquid Phase Deposition method effectively in the coating process. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) test showed that FeTiO3.TiO2/Ti electrode was highly oxidation responsive under visible light compared to the FeTiO3/Ti electrodes i.e. 7.87×10-4 A and 9.87×10-5 A. Degradation test of FeTiO3/Ti and FeTiO3.TiO2/Ti electrodes on titan yellow showed that the percentages of degradation with photoelectrocatalysis at 0.5 mg/L were 41% and 43%, respectively.

Fe-N-C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction synthesized by using aniline salt and Fe3+/H2O2 catalytic system

KAUST Repository

Bukola, Saheed; Merzougui, Belabbes A.; Akinpelu, Akeem; Laoui, Tahar; Hedhili, Mohamed N.; Swain, Greg M.; Shao, Minhua

2014-01-01

Non-precious metal (NPM) catalysts are synthesized by polymerizing aniline salt using an aqueous Fe3+/H2O2 coupled catalytic system on a carbon matrix with a porous creating agent. The sulfur containing compunds such as ammonium peroxydisulfate, are eliminated in this method resulting in a much simpler process. The catalysts' porous structures are enhanced with ammonium carbonate as a sacrificial material that yields voids when decomposed during the heat treatment at 900 °C in N2 atmosphere. Two catalysts Fe-N-C/Vu and Fe-N-C/KB (Vu = Vulcan and KB = Ketjen black) were synthesized and characterized. Their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities were investigated using a rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) in both 0.1 M KOH and 0.1 M HClO4. The catalysts show improved ORR activities close to that of Pt-based catalysts, low H2O2 formation and also demonstrated a remarkable tolerance towards methanol oxidation.

Fe-N-C electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction synthesized by using aniline salt and Fe3+/H2O2 catalytic system

KAUST Repository

Bukola, Saheed

2014-11-01

Non-precious metal (NPM) catalysts are synthesized by polymerizing aniline salt using an aqueous Fe3+/H2O2 coupled catalytic system on a carbon matrix with a porous creating agent. The sulfur containing compunds such as ammonium peroxydisulfate, are eliminated in this method resulting in a much simpler process. The catalysts\\' porous structures are enhanced with ammonium carbonate as a sacrificial material that yields voids when decomposed during the heat treatment at 900 °C in N2 atmosphere. Two catalysts Fe-N-C/Vu and Fe-N-C/KB (Vu = Vulcan and KB = Ketjen black) were synthesized and characterized. Their oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities were investigated using a rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) in both 0.1 M KOH and 0.1 M HClO4. The catalysts show improved ORR activities close to that of Pt-based catalysts, low H2O2 formation and also demonstrated a remarkable tolerance towards methanol oxidation.

Structural characterization of epitaxial LiFe_5O_8 thin films grown by chemical vapor deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Loukya, B.; Negi, D.S.; Sahu, R.; Pachauri, N.; Gupta, A.; Datta, R.

2016-01-01

We report on detailed microstructural and atomic ordering characterization by transmission electron microscopy in epitaxial LiFe_5O_8 (LFO) thin films grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on MgO (001) substrates. The experimental results of LFO thin films are compared with those for bulk LFO single crystal. Electron diffraction studies indicate weak long-range ordering in LFO (α-phase) thin films in comparison to bulk crystal where strong ordering is observed in optimally annealed samples. The degree of long-range ordering depends on the growth conditions and the thickness of the film. Annealing experiment along with diffraction study confirms the formation of α-Fe_2O_3 phase in some regions of the films. This suggests that under certain growth conditions γ-Fe_2O_3-like phase forms in some pockets in the as-grown LFO thin films that then convert to α-Fe_2O_3 on annealing. - Highlights: • Atomic ordering in LiFe_5O_8 bulk single crystal and epitaxial thin films. • Electron diffraction studies reveal different level of ordering in the system. • Formation of γ-Fe_2O_3 like phase has been observed.

Absence of traditional magnetoresistivity mechanisms in Sr2FeMoO6 thin films grown on SrTiO3, MgO and NdGaO3 substrates.

Science.gov (United States)

Saloaro, M; Majumdar, S; Huhtinen, H; Paturi, P

2012-09-12

Magnetoresistive double perovskite Sr(2)FeMoO(6) thin films were grown with two different deposition pressures on SrTiO(3), MgO and NdGaO(3) substrates by pulsed laser deposition and thorough structural, magnetic and magneto-transport characterization was made. According to x-ray diffraction, all the films were phase pure and fully textured. Indication of substrate dependent strain and low angle grain boundaries was found, especially in films on MgO. Both the deposition pressure and the choice of the substrate have a strong influence on the saturation magnetization, M(s), and Curie temperature, T(C). The structural and magnetic data indicate the presence of anti-site disorder (ASD) in the films. The temperature dependence of resistivity showed semiconductive behaviour at temperatures below 100 K and metallic behaviour at higher temperatures. The semiconductive behaviour was found to increase with increasing ASD. In good quality films, up to 12% negative magnetoresistance (MR) was observed and films grown on MgO and NGO substrates also showed low field MR. However, the most significant observation of this study was that the magnetoresistivity of these Sr(2)FeMoO(6) thin films could not be explained with any traditional MR mechanism, but carried the clear signature of superposition of different mechanisms, in particular low angle grain boundary tunnelling and suppression of antiferromagnetically ordered domains under a magnetic field.

Pyroelectric energy harvesting using Olsen cycles in purified and porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Navid, Ashcon; Pilon, Laurent

2011-01-01

This paper is concerned with the direct conversion of heat into electricity using pyroelectric materials. The Olsen (or Ericsson) cycle was experimentally performed on three different types of 60/40 poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] copolymer samples, namely commercial, purified, and porous films. This cycle consists of two isoelectric field and two isothermal processes. The commercial and purified films were about 50 µm thick and produced a maximum energy density of 521 J l −1 and 426 J l −1 per cycle, respectively. This was achieved by successively dipping the films in cold and hot silicone oil baths at 25 and 110 °C under low and high applied electric fields of about 200 and 500 kV cm −1 , respectively. The 11 µm thick porous films achieved a maximum energy density of 188 J l −1 per cycle between 25 and 100 °C and electric field between 200 and 400 kV cm −1 . The performance of the purified and porous films suffered from their lower electrical resistivity and electric breakdown compared with commercial thin films. However, the energy densities of all 60/40 P(VDF-TrFE) films considered matched or exceeded those reported recently for 0.9Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –0.10PbTiO 3 (0.9PMN–0.1PT) (186 J l −1 ) and Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) 0.955 Ti 0.045 O 3 (243 J l −1 ) bulk ceramics. Furthermore, the results are discussed in light of recently proposed figures of merit for energy harvesting applications

Influences of the iron ion (Fe{sup 3+})-doping on structural and optical properties of nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} thin films prepared by sol-gel spin coating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ben Naceur, J. [Laboratoire de Photovoltaique de Semi-conducteurs et de Nanostructures, Centre de Recherche des Sciences et Technologies de l' Energie, BP.95, Hammam-Lif 2050 (Tunisia); Mechiakh, R., E-mail: raouf_mechiakh@yahoo.fr [Laboratoire de Photovoltaique de Semi-conducteurs et de Nanostructures, Centre de Recherche des Sciences et Technologies de l' Energie, BP.95, Hammam-Lif 2050 (Tunisia); Departement de Medecine, Faculte de Medecine, Universite Hadj Lakhdar, Batna (Algeria); Bousbih, F.; Chtourou, R. [Laboratoire de Photovoltaique de Semi-conducteurs et de Nanostructures, Centre de Recherche des Sciences et Technologies de l' Energie, BP.95, Hammam-Lif 2050 (Tunisia)

2011-10-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) thin films doping of various iron ion (Fe{sup 3+}) concentrations were deposited on silicon (Si) (100) and quartz substrates by sol-gel Spin Coating technique followed by a thermal treatment at 600 deg. C. The structure, surface morphology and optical properties, as a function of the doping, have been studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE). XRD and Raman analyzes of our thin films show that the crystalline phase of TiO{sub 2} thin films comprised only the anatase TiO{sub 2}, but the crystallinity decreased when the Fe{sup 3+} content increased from 0% to 20%. During the Fe{sup 3+} addition to 20%, the phase of TiO{sub 2} thin film still maintained the amorphous state. The grain size calculated from XRD patterns varies from 29.3 to 22.6 nm. The complex index and the optical band gap (E{sub g}) of the films were determined by the spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis. We have found that the optical band gap decreased with an increasing Fe{sup 3+} content.

Electrical resistivity surface for FeO-Fe2O3-P2O5 glasses

Science.gov (United States)

Vaughan, J. G.; Kinser, D. L.

1975-01-01

The dc electrical properties and microstructure of x(FeO-Fe2O3)-(100-x)P2O5 glasses were investigated up to a maximum of x = 75 mol %. Results indicate that, in general, the minimum resistivity of the glass does not occur at equal Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) concentrations, although for the special case where x = 55 mol % the minimum does occur at Fe(2+)/Fe total = 0.5, as reported by other investigators. Evidence presented shows that the position of the minimum resistivity is a function of total iron content. The minimum shifts to glasses richer in Fe(2+) at higher total iron concentrations.

Viscosity of SiO2-"FeO"-Al2O3 System in Equilibrium with Metallic Fe

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Mao; Raghunath, Sreekanth; Zhao, Baojun

2013-08-01

The present study delivered the measurements of viscosities in SiO2-"FeO"-Al2O3 system in equilibrium with metallic Fe. The rotational spindle technique was used in the measurements at the temperature range of 1473 K to 1773 K (1200 °C to 1500 °C). Molybdenum crucibles and spindles were employed in all measurements. The Fe saturation condition was maintained by an iron plate placed at the bottom of the crucible. The equilibrium compositions of the slags were measured by EPMA after the viscosity measurements. The effect of up to 20 mol. pct Al2O3 on the viscosity of the SiO2-"FeO" slag was investigated. The "charge compensation effect" of the Al2O3 and FeO association has been discussed. The modified quasi-chemical viscosity model has been optimized in the SiO2-"FeO"-Al2O3 system in equilibrium with metallic Fe to describe the viscosity measurements of the present study.

Carbon dioxide and water adsorption on highly epitaxial Delafossite CuFeO2 thin film

Science.gov (United States)

Rojas, S.; Joshi, T.; Borisov, P.; Sarabia, M.; Lederman, D.; Cabrera, A. L.

2015-03-01

Thermal programmed desorption (TPD) of CO2 and H2O from a 200 nm thick CuFeO2 Delafossite surface was performed in a standard UHV chamber, The CuFeO2 thin film grown using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) over an Al2O3 (0001) substrate with controlled O2 atmosphere resulted with highly epitaxial crystal structure. The adsorption/desorption of CO2 and H2O process was also monitored with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Our results revealed that carbon dioxide interacts with CuFeO2 forming Fe carbonates compounds on its surface. Hydroxides were also formed on the surface due to water presence. Using TPD data, Arrhenius plots for CO2 and water desorption were done and activation energy for desorption was obtained. Funds FONDECyT 1130372; Thanks to P. Ferrari.

Magnetic properties of pure and Fe doped HoCrO{sub 3} thin films fabricated via a solution route

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yin, Shiqi; Sauyet, Theodore [Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States); Guild, Curt [Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States); Suib, S.L. [Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States); Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States); Jain, Menka, E-mail: menka.jain@uconn.edu [Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States); Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 (United States)

2017-04-15

Multiferroic properties of orthorhombically distorted perovskite rare-earth chromites, such as HoCrO{sub 3}, are being investigated extensively in recent years. In the present work, we report on the effect of Fe substitution on the magnetic properties of HoCrO{sub 3} thin films. Thin films of HoCrO{sub 3} and HoCr{sub 0.7}Fe{sub 0.3}O{sub 3} were fabricated via a solution route on platinized silicon substrates. Structural properties of the films were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The surface morphology and cross-sections of the films were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Optical band gaps of pure and Fe doped HoCrO{sub 3} films are found to be 3.45 eV and 3.39 eV, respectively. The magnetization measurements show that the Néel temperatures (where Cr{sup 3+} orders) for the HoCrO{sub 3} and HoCr{sub 0.7}Fe{sub 0.3}O{sub 3} films are 134 and 148 K, respectively. In a magnetic field of 2 T, the maximum entropy change and relative cooling power, two parameters to evaluate the magnetocaloric properties of a material, were 0.813 J/kg K at 11 K and 21.1 J/kg for HoCrO{sub 3} film, in comparison with 0.748 J/kg K at 15 K and 26.8 J/kg for HoCr{sub 0.7}Fe{sub 0.3}O{sub 3} film. To our knowledge, this is the first work exploring the band gap and magnetocaloric properties of rare-earth chromite thin films. These findings should inspire the development of rare-earth chromite thin films for temperature control of nanoscale electronic devices and sensors in the low temperature region (< 30 K). - Highlights: • Phase-pure HoCrO{sub 3} and HoCr{sub 0.7}Fe{sub 0.3}O{sub 3}films were fabricated on platinized Sivia a solution route. • This is the first work on the exploration of band gap and magnetocaloric properties of rare-earth chromitefilms. • From 0-2 T, maximum entropy change for the HoCrO{sub 3} film was 0.813 J/kg K at 11 K.From 0-2 T, maximum entropy change for HoCr{sub 0.7}Fe{sub 0.3}O{sub 3} film was 0.748 J/kg K at 15

Epitaxial growth and structural characterization of Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Peng, W.; Lemee, N.; Holc, J.; Kosec, M.; Blinc, R.; Karkut, M.G.

2009-01-01

We have grown lead iron niobate thin films with composition Pb(Fe 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 (PFN) on (0 0 1) SrTiO 3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The influence of the deposition conditions on the phase purity was studied. Due to similar thermodynamic stability spaces, a pyrochlore phase often coexists with the PFN perovskite phase. By optimizing the kinetic parameters, we succeeded in identifying a deposition window which resulted in epitaxial perovskite-phase PFN thin films with no identifiable trace of impurity phases appearing in the X-ray diffractograms. PFN films having thicknesses between 20 and 200 nm were smooth and epitaxially oriented with the substrate and as demonstrated by RHEED streaks which were aligned with the substrate axes. X-ray diffraction showed that the films were completely c-axis oriented and of excellent crystalline quality with low mosaicity (X-ray rocking curve FWHM≤0.09 deg.). The surface roughness of thin films was also investigated by atomic force microscopy. The root-mean-square roughness varies between 0.9 nm for 50-nm-thick films to 16 nm for 100-nm-thick films. We also observe a correlation between grain size, surface roughness and film thickness.

Fabrication of aligned porous LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 perovskite by water based freeze casting

Science.gov (United States)

Soltani, Niloofar; Martínez-Bautista, Rubén; Bahrami, Amin; Huerta Arcos, Lázaro; Cassir, Michel; Chávez Carvayar, José

2018-05-01

A novel porous cathode of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 perovskite with aligned porosities was engineered for solid oxide fuel cells. LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 was produced through metal nitrate and acid citric combustion method and calcined at different temperatures. The synthesized LNF at 600 °C shows specific surface area (SBET) of 24.4 m2 g-1 and an average pore size of 12.2 nm. The chemical composition and structure of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 synthesized at temperature 600-1400 °C, were analyzed by XRD, XPS and HRTEM. SEM observations of freeze cast nano-sized LNF showed the vertically aligned hexagonal walls. These walls contain a great value of fine pores which accelerate the gas transportation.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4) thin films by chemical bath deposition method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pawar, D.K.; Pawar, S.M.; Patil, P.S.; Kolekar, S.S.

2011-01-01

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Research highlights: → We have successfully synthesized nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni 0.8 Zn 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 ) thin films on stainless steel substrates using a low temperature chemical bath deposition method. → The surface morphological study showed the compact flakes like morphology. → The as-deposited thin films are hydrophilic (10 o o ) whereas the annealed thin films are super hydrophilic (θ o ) in nature. → Ni 0.8 Zn 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 thin films could be used in supercapacitor. - Abstract: The nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni 0.8 Zn 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 ) thin films have been successfully deposited on stainless steel substrates using a chemical bath deposition method from alkaline bath. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), static water contact angle and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that deposited Ni 0.8 Zn 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 thin films were oriented along (3 1 1) plane. The FTIR spectra showed strong absorption peaks around 600 cm -1 which are typical for cubic spinel crystal structure. SEM study revealed compact flakes like morphology having thickness ∼1.8 μm after air annealing. The annealed films were super hydrophilic in nature having a static water contact angle (θ) of 5 o .The electrochemical supercapacitor study of Ni 0.8 Zn 0.2 Fe 2 O 4 thin films has been carried out in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The values of interfacial and specific capacitances obtained were 0.0285 F cm -2 and 19 F g -1 , respectively.

Thickness-dependent piezoelectric behaviour and dielectric properties of lanthanum modified BiFeO3 thin films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Glenda Biasotto

2011-03-01

Full Text Available Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 (BLFO thin films were deposited on Pt(111/Ti/SiO2 /Si substrates by the soft chemical method. Films with thicknesses ranging from 140 to 280 nm were grown on platinum coated silicon substrates at 500°C for 2 hours. The X-ray diffraction analysis of BLFO films evidenced a hexagonal structure over the entire thickness range investigated. The grain size of the film changes as the number of the layers increases, indicating thickness dependence. It is found that the piezoelectric response is strongly influenced by the film thickness. It is shown that the properties of BiFeO3 thin films, such as lattice parameter, dielectric permittivity, piezoeletric coefficient etc., are functions of misfit strains.

Nanocrystalline Pd:NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films: A selective ethanol gas sensor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rao, Pratibha; Godbole, R.V.; Bhagwat, Sunita, E-mail: smb.agc@gmail.com

2016-10-15

In this work, Pd:NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films were investigated for the detection of reducing gases. These films were fabricated using spray pyrolysis technique and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm the crystal structure. The surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetization measurements were carried out using SQUID VSM, which shows ferrimagnetic behavior of the samples. These thin film sensors were tested against methanol, ethanol, hydrogen sulfide and liquid petroleum gas, where they were found to be more selective to ethanol. The fabricated thin film sensors exhibited linear response signal for all the gases with concentrations up to 5 w/o Pd. Reduction in optimum operating temperature and enhancement in response was also observed. Pd:NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films exhibited faster response and recovery characteristic. These sensors have potential for industrial applications because of their long-term stability, low power requirement and low production cost. - Highlights: • Ethanol gas sensors based on Pd:NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticle thin film were fabricated. • Pd incorporation in NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} matrix inhibits grain growth. • The sensors were more selective to ethanol gas. • Sensors exhibited fast response and recovery when doped with palladium. • Pd:NiFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin film sensor displays excellent long–term stability.

Structure and cation distribution of (Mn0.5Zn0.5)Fe2O4 thin films on SrTiO3(001)

Science.gov (United States)

Welke, M.; Brachwitz, K.; Lorenz, M.; Grundmann, M.; Schindler, K.-M.; Chassé, A.; Denecke, R.

2017-06-01

A comprehensive study on growth of ferrimagnetic manganese zinc ferrite (Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) films on single crystalline strontium titanate(001) (SrTiO3) substrates was carried out. Under the optimized conditions, a thin film with a layer thickness of 200 nm was deposited, and the structural properties were investigated. Contrary to data published in literature, no buffer layer was necessary to achieve epitaxial growth of a poorly lattice-matched layer. This was confirmed for Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4(001) on SrTiO3(001) by x-ray diffraction and the adjoined phi scans, which also revealed a lattice compression of 1.2% of the manganese zinc ferrite film in the out-of-plane direction. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the near surface stoichiometry of the film could be shown to agree with the intended one within the uncertainty of the method. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed an electronic structure close to that published for bulk samples. Additional x-ray magnetic circular dichroism investigations were performed to answer detailed structural questions by a comparison of experimental data with the calculated ones. The calculations took into account ion sites (tetrahedral vs. octahedral coordination) as well as the charge of Fe ions (Fe2+ vs. Fe3+). Contrary to the expectation for a perfect normal spinel that only Fe3+ ions are present in octahedral sites, hints regarding the presence of additional Fe2+ in octahedral sites as well as Fe3+ ions in tetrahedral sites have been obtained. Altogether, the layer could be shown to be mostly in a normal spinel configuration.

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

Hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres for efficient simulated sunlight-driven water oxidation.

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Taoran; Chen, Yajie; Tian, Guohui; Wang, Jian-Qiang; Ren, Zhiyu; Zhou, Wei; Fu, Honggang

2015-10-14

Oxygen generation is the key step for the photocatalytic overall water splitting and considered to be kinetically more challenging than hydrogen generation. Here, an effective water oxidation catalyst of hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres are prepared via a two-step sequential solvothermal processes and followed by thermal treatment. The existence of an effective heterointerface and built-in electric field in the surface space charge region in FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres plays a positive role in promoting the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Surface photovoltage, transient-state photovoltage, fluorescence and electrochemical characterization are used to investigate the transfer process of photoinduced charge carriers. The photogenerated charge carriers in the hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres with a proper molar ratio display much higher separation efficiency and longer lifetime than those in the FeTiO3 alone. Moreover, it is suggested that the hierarchical porous hollow structure can contribute to the enhancement of light utilization, surface active sites and material transportation through the framework walls. This specific synergy significantly contributes to the remarkable improvement of the photocatalytic water oxidation activity of the hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres under simulated sunlight (AM1.5).

Magnetic ordered mesoporous Fe3O4/CeO2 composites with synergy of adsorption and Fenton catalysis

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Keyan; Zhao, Yongqin; Song, Chunshan; Guo, Xinwen

2017-12-01

Magnetic Fe3O4/CeO2 composites with highly ordered mesoporous structure and large surface area were synthesized by impregnation-calcination method, and the mesoporous CeO2 as support was synthesized via the hard template approach. The composition, morphology and physicochemical properties of the materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman spectra and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. The mesoporous Fe3O4/CeO2 composite played a dual-function role as both adsorbent and Fenton-like catalyst for removal of organic dye. The methylene blue (MB) removal efficiency of mesoporous Fe3O4/CeO2 was much higher than that of irregular porous Fe3O4/CeO2. The superior adsorption ability of mesoporous materials was attributed to the abundant oxygen vacancies on the surface of CeO2, high surface area and ordered mesoporous channels. The good oxidative degradation resulted from high Ce3+ content and the synergistic effect between Fe and Ce. The mesoporous Fe3O4/CeO2 composite presented low metal leaching (iron 0.22 mg L-1 and cerium 0.63 mg L-1), which could be ascribed to the strong metal-support interactions for dispersion and stabilization of Fe species. In addition, the composite can be easily separated from reaction solution with an external magnetic field due to its magnetic property, which is important to its practical applications.

Magnetoresistance Versus Oxygen Deficiency in Epi-stabilized SrRu1 - x Fe x O3 - δ Thin Films

Science.gov (United States)

Dash, Umasankar; Acharya, Susant Kumar; Lee, Bo Wha; Jung, Chang Uk

2017-03-01

Oxygen vacancies have a profound effect on the magnetic, electronic, and transport properties of transition metal oxide materials. Here, we studied the influence of oxygen vacancies on the magnetoresistance (MR) properties of SrRu1 - x Fe x O3 - δ epitaxial thin films ( x = 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30). For this purpose, we synthesized highly strained epitaxial SrRu1 - x Fe x O3 - δ thin films with atomically flat surfaces containing different amounts of oxygen vacancies using pulsed laser deposition. Without an applied magnetic field, the films with x = 0.10 and 0.20 showed a metal-insulator transition, while the x = 0.30 thin film showed insulating behavior over the entire temperature range of 2-300 K. Both Fe doping and the concentration of oxygen vacancies had large effects on the negative MR contributions. For the low Fe doping case of x = 0.10, in which both films exhibited metallic behavior, MR was more prominent in the film with fewer oxygen vacancies or equivalently a more metallic film. For semiconducting films, higher MR was observed for more semiconducting films having more oxygen vacancies. A relatively large negative MR ( 36.4%) was observed for the x = 0.30 thin film with a high concentration of oxygen vacancies ( δ = 0.12). The obtained results were compared with MR studies for a polycrystal of (Sr1 - x La x )(Ru1 - x Fe x )O3. These results highlight the crucial role of oxygen stoichiometry in determining the magneto-transport properties in SrRu1 - x Fe x O3 - δ thin films.

Synthesis of Fe2O3/TiO2 nanorod-nanotube arrays by filling TiO2 nanotubes with Fe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mohapatra, Susanta K; Banerjee, Subarna; Misra, Mano

2008-01-01

Synthesis of hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) nanostructures on a titania (TiO 2 ) nanotubular template is carried out using a pulsed electrodeposition technique. The TiO 2 nanotubes are prepared by the sonoelectrochemical anodization method and are filled with iron (Fe) by pulsed electrodeposition. The Fe/TiO 2 composite is then annealed in an O 2 atmosphere to convert it to Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 nanorod-nanotube arrays. The length of the Fe 2 O 3 inside the TiO 2 nanotubes can be tuned from 50 to 550 nm by changing the deposition time. The composite material is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible studies to confirm the formation of one-dimensional Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 nanorod-nanotube arrays. The present approach can be used for designing variable one-dimensional metal oxide heterostructures

Room temperature synthesis of porous SiO2 thin films by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

OpenAIRE

Barranco Quero, Ángel; Cotrino Bautista, José; Yubero Valencia, Francisco; Espinós, J. P.; Rodríguez González-Elipe, Agustín

2004-01-01

Synthesis of porous SiO2 thin films in room temperature was carried out using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in an electron cyclotron resonance microwave reactor with a downstream configuration.The gas adsorption properties and the type of porosity of the SiO2 thin films were assessed by adsorption isotherms of toluene at room temperature.The method could also permit the tailoring synthesis of thin films when both composition and porosity can be simultaneously and independent...

Polarization-tuned diode behaviour in multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films

KAUST Repository

Yao, Yingbang; Zhang, Bei; Chen, Long; Yang, Yang; Wang, Zhihong; Alshareef, Husam N.; Zhang, Xixiang

2012-01-01

Asymmetric rectifying I-V behaviour of multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films grown on transparent ITO-coated glass was quantitatively studied as a function of ferroelectric polarization. Different polarized states were established by unipolar

Orthorhombic polar Nd-doped BiFeO3 thin film on MgO substrate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leontyev, I N; Janolin, P-E; Dkhil, B; Yuzyuk, Yu I; El-Marssi, M; Chernyshov, D; Dmitriev, V; Golovko, Yu I; Mukhortov, V M

2011-01-01

A Nd-doped BiFeO 3 thin film deposited on MgO substrate was studied by synchrotron diffraction. The ferroelectric nature of the film is proven by in-plane remanent polarization measurement. The highest possible symmetry of the film is determined to be orthorhombic, within the Fm2m space group. Such a structure is rotated by 45 0 with respect to the substrate and is consistent with tilts of oxygen octahedra doubling the unit cell. This polar structure presents a rather unusual strain-accommodation mechanism. (fast track communication)

Fabrication and EMI shielding effectiveness of Ag-decorated highly porous poly(vinyl alcohol)/Fe2O3 nanofibrous composites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Hae-Rim; Kim, Byoung-Suhk; Kim, Ick-Soo

2012-01-01

The Ag-decorated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite nanofibrous webs incorporating Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were fabricated by electrospinning and metal-deposition methods for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. The Ag-decorated PVA/Fe 2 O 3 composite nanofiber webs with various Ag thicknesses and different amounts of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles were prepared and used for EMI shielding measurement. For the EMI SE measurement, a near-field antenna measurement system was used. The measurement of EMI SE was carried out at the frequency range from 0.5 to 18 GHz, and the electromagnetic parameters were measured. The morphologies and microstructures of the resultant PVA/Fe 2 O 3 composite nanofiber webs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The effects of surface morphologies and Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles on the EMI shielding effectiveness of Ag-decorated PVA/Fe 2 O 3 composite nanofiber webs were investigated. -- Highlights: ► We prepare Ag-decorated poly(vinyl alcohol) nanowebs incorporating Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. ► Solvents will affect the fiber morphologies and Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersion. ► EMI shielding effectiveness depends on the metal thickness and Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles dispersion.

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.

Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 and Fe-Mn Oxide Foams with Highly Tunable Magnetic Properties by the Replication Method from Polyurethane Templates

Science.gov (United States)

Feng, Yuping; Fornell, Jordina; Zhang, Huiyan; Solsona, Pau; Barό, Maria Dolors; Suriñach, Santiago; Sort, Jordi

2018-01-01

Open cell foams consisting of Fe and Fe-Mn oxides are prepared from metallic Fe and Mn powder precursors by the replication method using porous polyurethane (PU) templates. First, reticulated PU templates are coated by slurry impregnation. The templates are then thermally removed at 260 °C and the debinded powders are sintered at 1000 °C under N2 atmosphere. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties are studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry, respectively. The obtained Fe and Fe-Mn oxide foams possess both high surface area and homogeneous open-cell structure. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) foams are obtained from the metallic iron slurry independently of the N2 flow. In contrast, the microstructure of the FeMn-based oxide foams can be tailored by adjusting the N2 flow. While the main phases for a N2 flow rate of 180 L/h are α-Fe2O3 and FeMnO3, the predominant phase for high N2 flow rates (e.g., 650 L/h) is Fe2MnO4. Accordingly, a linear magnetization versus field behavior is observed for the hematite foams, while clear hysteresis loops are obtained for the Fe2MnO4 foams. Actually, the saturation magnetization of the foams containing Mn increases from 5 emu/g to 52 emu/g when the N2 flow rate (i.e., the amount of Fe2MnO4) is increased. The obtained foams are appealing for a wide range of applications, such as electromagnetic absorbers, catalysts supports, thermal and acoustic insulation systems or wirelessly magnetically-guided porous objects in fluids. PMID:29439450

Magnetically Separable Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites with Cocoon-Like Shape: Magnetic Properties and Photocatalytic Activities

Science.gov (United States)

Yu, Xiaojia; Yang, Xiaoyu; Li, Guang

2018-01-01

We report magnetically separable Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites as a photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation in this study. The Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites were synthesized through a two-step hydrothermal method. The Fe2O3 with cocoon-like shape was obviously dispersed on the surface of g-C3N4 with porous and layered nanostructure as seen from micrographs of the particles. Furthermore, the magnetic conversion of the samples was studied via vibrating sample magnetometer technology. It was found that the saturated magnetization Ms of the Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanoparticles obviously decreased in the presence of g-C3N4, and the photocatalytic activity of the samples investigated by degrading Rhodamine B suggested that the Fe2O3/g-C3N4 photocatalyst was prior to the pure Fe2O3 and g-C3N4 samples. In addition, the magnetically separable ability of Fe2O3/g-C3N4 nanocomposites was efficiently exhibited by an external magnet.

Characterisation of a tertiary mixture of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Srinivasan, M.P.; Narasimhan, S.V. [Water and Steam Chemistry Laboratory (Chemistry Group, BARC) BARC Facilities, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu 603 102. (India)

1998-12-31

A method has been developed to quantify the individual components of a ternary mixture containing {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, {gamma}- Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} based on the preferential dissolution of the components at a fixed time (fixed time - depending on the strength of the chelating agent) in a dilute chemical formulation (containing a chelant and an organic acid) both in presence and absence of reductant. A ternary component diagram was constructed based on the percentage dissolution of the individual components in 2,6-Pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDCA), Nitrilo triacetic acid (NTA) and EDTA based formulation at 60degC both in presence and absence of reductant. In these formulations, the observed behaviour that the {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} dissolved very little both in presence and absence of reductant and {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} dissolved very little in absence of reductant were used for resolving the ternary physical mixture composition. Physical mixtures of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} based on mole ratio were taken such that the total quantity of Fe present would be 1.37 mM for complete dissolution. In presence and absence of reductant, dissolution percentage of Fe observed at fixed time in these formulations, when fit into the already constructed three component phase diagram for each formulation at the same fixed duration, the experimentally resolved composition showed good agreement with that based on individual components. This method is useful to resolve different polymorphs of metal oxides having the metal ions in single and/or multiple oxidation states. (author)

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.

Epitaxial Bi2 FeCrO6 Multiferroic Thin Film as a New Visible Light Absorbing Photocathode Material.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Shun; AlOtaibi, Bandar; Huang, Wei; Mi, Zetian; Serpone, Nick; Nechache, Riad; Rosei, Federico

2015-08-26

Ferroelectric materials have been studied increasingly for solar energy conversion technologies due to the efficient charge separation driven by the polarization induced internal electric field. However, their insufficient conversion efficiency is still a major challenge. Here, a photocathode material of epitaxial double perovskite Bi(2) FeCrO(6) multiferroic thin film is reported with a suitable conduction band position and small bandgap (1.9-2.1 eV), for visible-light-driven reduction of water to hydrogen. Photoelectrochemical measurements show that the highest photocurrent density up to -1.02 mA cm(-2) at a potential of -0.97 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode is obtained in p-type Bi(2) FeCrO(6) thin film photocathode grown on SrTiO(3) substrate under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight. In addition, a twofold enhancement of photocurrent density is obtained after negatively poling the Bi(2) FeCrO(6) thin film, as a result of modulation of the band structure by suitable control of the internal electric field gradient originating from the ferroelectric polarization in the Bi(2) FeCrO(6) films. The findings validate the use of multiferroic Bi(2) FeCrO(6) thin films as photocathode materials, and also prove that the manipulation of internal fields through polarization in ferroelectric materials is a promising strategy for the design of improved photoelectrodes and smart devices for solar energy conversion. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Core–shell structure carbon coated ferric oxide (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C) nanoparticles for supercapacitors with superior electrochemical performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ye, Yipeng [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Zhang, Haiyan [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Chen, Yiming, E-mail: chenym@gdut.edu.cn [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Deng, Peng; Huang, Zhikun [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Liu, Liying; Qian, Yannan; Li, Yunyong [School of Materials and Energy, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, Guangzhou 510006 (China); Li, Qingyu [School of Chemistry and Chemistry Engineering, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004 (China)

2015-08-05

Highlights: • Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C was prepared by using arc discharge method followed by heat treatment. • KOH activation made the core–shell structure Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C porous. • The activated-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C supercapacitor exhibited superior electrochemical performance. - Abstract: Core–shell structure carbon coated ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C) were fabricated by the oxidation of carbon coated iron nanoparticles (Fe@C) prepared by a direct current carbon arc discharge method. Porous activated-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C was prepared by KOH activation of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C at the temperature of 750 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C and activated-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C. The specific surface area and pore size distribution of the samples were also tested. The activated-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}@C electrodes exhibited good electrochemical performance with a maximum specific capacitance of 612 F g{sup −1} at the charge/discharge current density of 0.5 A g{sup −1} with 5 M NaOH electrolyte. After 10,000 cycling DC tests at the charge/discharge current density of 4 A g{sup −1}, a high level specific capacitance of 518 F g{sup −1} was obtained (90.6% retention of the initial capacity), suggesting excellent long-term cycling stability.

Low-cost flexible supercapacitors with high-energy density based on nanostructured MnO2 and Fe2O3 thin films directly fabricated onto stainless steel

Science.gov (United States)

Gund, Girish S.; Dubal, Deepak P.; Chodankar, Nilesh R.; Cho, Jun Y.; Gomez-Romero, Pedro; Park, Chan; Lokhande, Chandrakant D.

2015-01-01

The facile and economical electrochemical and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods have been employed in order to prepare manganese oxide (MnO2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) thin films, respectively with the fine optimized nanostructures on highly flexible stainless steel sheet. The symmetric and asymmetric flexible-solid-state supercapacitors (FSS-SCs) of nanostructured (nanosheets for MnO2 and nanoparticles for Fe2O3) electrodes with Na2SO4/Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) gel as a separator and electrolyte were assembled. MnO2 as positive and negative electrodes were used to fabricate symmetric SC, while the asymmetric SC was assembled by employing MnO2 as positive and Fe2O3 as negative electrode. Furthermore, the electrochemical features of symmetric and asymmetric SCs are systematically investigated. The results verify that the fabricated symmetric and asymmetric FSS-SCs present excellent reversibility (within the voltage window of 0–1 V and 0–2 V, respectively) and good cycling stability (83 and 91%, respectively for 3000 of CV cycles). Additionally, the asymmetric SC shows maximum specific capacitance of 92 Fg−1, about 2-fold of higher energy density (41.8 Wh kg−1) than symmetric SC and excellent mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, the “real-life” demonstration of fabricated SCs to the panel of SUK confirms that asymmetric SC has 2-fold higher energy density compare to symmetric SC. PMID:26208144

Low-cost flexible supercapacitors with high-energy density based on nanostructured MnO2 and Fe2O3 thin films directly fabricated onto stainless steel

Science.gov (United States)

Gund, Girish S.; Dubal, Deepak P.; Chodankar, Nilesh R.; Cho, Jun Y.; Gomez-Romero, Pedro; Park, Chan; Lokhande, Chandrakant D.

2015-07-01

The facile and economical electrochemical and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) methods have been employed in order to prepare manganese oxide (MnO2) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) thin films, respectively with the fine optimized nanostructures on highly flexible stainless steel sheet. The symmetric and asymmetric flexible-solid-state supercapacitors (FSS-SCs) of nanostructured (nanosheets for MnO2 and nanoparticles for Fe2O3) electrodes with Na2SO4/Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) gel as a separator and electrolyte were assembled. MnO2 as positive and negative electrodes were used to fabricate symmetric SC, while the asymmetric SC was assembled by employing MnO2 as positive and Fe2O3 as negative electrode. Furthermore, the electrochemical features of symmetric and asymmetric SCs are systematically investigated. The results verify that the fabricated symmetric and asymmetric FSS-SCs present excellent reversibility (within the voltage window of 0-1 V and 0-2 V, respectively) and good cycling stability (83 and 91%, respectively for 3000 of CV cycles). Additionally, the asymmetric SC shows maximum specific capacitance of 92 Fg-1, about 2-fold of higher energy density (41.8 Wh kg-1) than symmetric SC and excellent mechanical flexibility. Furthermore, the “real-life” demonstration of fabricated SCs to the panel of SUK confirms that asymmetric SC has 2-fold higher energy density compare to symmetric SC.

Physicochemical characterization of Fe3O4/SiO2/Au multilayer nanostructure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khosroshahi, Mohammad E.; Ghazanfari, Lida

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► The purpose of the research was to synthesize and characterize Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Au NPs. ► Uncoated MNPs showed an Ms range of 80–100 emu g −1 for particles between 35–96 nm. ► The magnetic NPs were modified with a thin layer of silica using Stober method. ► Small gold colloids (1–3 nm) were covered the amino functionalized particle surface. ► An absorption peak of 550 nm was obtained for a gold thickness of about 35 nm. - Abstract: The purpose of this research was to synthesize and characterize gold-coated Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 nanoshells for biomedical applications. Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using co-precipitation method. Smaller particles were synthesized by decreasing the NaOH concentration, which in our case this corresponded to 35 nm using 0.9 M of NaOH at 750 rpm with a specific surface area of 41 m 2 g −1 . For uncoated Fe 3 O 4 NPs, the results showed an octahedral geometry with saturation magnetization range of 80–100 emu g −1 and coercivity of 80–120 Oe for particles between 35 and 96 nm, respectively. The magnetic NPs were modified with a thin layer of silica using Stober method. Small gold colloids (1–3 nm) were synthesized using Duff method and covered the amino functionalized particle surface. Magnetic and optical properties of gold nanoshells were assessed using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), UV–Vis spectrophotometer, atomic and magnetic force microscope (AFM, MFM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, three main peaks of Au (1 1 1), (2 0 0) and (2 2 0) were identified. The formation of each layer of a nanoshell is also demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results. The Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /Au nanostructures, with 85 nm as particle size, exhibited an absorption peak at ∼550 nm with a magnetization value of 1.3 emu g −1 with a specific surface area of 71 m 2 g −1 .

Microstructure and Electrical Properties of Fe,Cu Substituted (Co,Mn)3O4 Thin Films

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Szymczewska, Dagmara; Molin, Sebastian; Hendriksen, Peter Vang

2017-01-01

In this work, thin films (~1000 nm) of a pure MnCo2O4 spinel together with its partially substituted derivatives (MnCo1.6Cu0.2Fe0.2O4, MnCo1.6Cu0.4O4, MnCo1.6Fe0.4O4) were prepared by spray pyrolysis and were evaluated for electrical conductivity. Doping by Cu increases the electrical conductivit...

Effect of Fe2O3 and Binder on the Electrochemical Properties of Fe2O3/AB (Acetylene Black) Composite Electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Anh, Trinh Tuan; Thuan, Vu Manh; Thang, Doan Ha; Hang, Bui Thi

2017-06-01

In an effort to find the best anode material for Fe/air batteries, a Fe2O3/AB (Acetylene Black) composite was prepared by dry-type ball milling using Fe2O3 nanoparticles and AB as the active and additive materials, respectively. The effects of various binders and Fe2O3 content on the electrochemical properties of Fe2O3/AB electrodes in alkaline solution were investigated. It was found that the content of Fe2O3 strongly affected the electrochemical behavior of Fe2O3/AB electrodes; with Fe2O3 nanopowder content reaching 70 wt.% for the electrode and showing improvement of the cyclability. When the electrode binder polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was used, clear redox peaks were observed via cyclic voltammetry (CV), while polyvinylidene fluoride-containing electrodes provided CV curves with unobservable redox peaks. Increasing either binder content in the electrode showed a negative effect in terms of the cyclability of the Fe2O3/AB electrode.

Coupling of Nanocrystalline Anatase TiO2 to Porous Nanosized LaFeO3 for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Pollutants

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Muhammad Humayun

2016-01-01

Full Text Available In this work we have successfully fabricated nanocrystalline anatase TiO2/perovskite-type porous nanosized LaFeO3 (T/P-LFO nanocomposites using a simple wet chemical method. It is clearly demonstrated by means of atmosphere-controlled steady-state surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS responses, photoluminescence spectra, and fluorescence spectra related to the formed OH− radical amount that the photogenerated charge carriers in the resultant T/P-LFO nanocomposites with a proper mole ratio percentage of TiO2 display much higher separation in comparison to the P-LFO alone. This is highly responsible for the improved visible-light activities of T/P-LFO nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of gas-phase acetaldehyde and liquid-phase phenol. This work will provide a feasible route to synthesize visible-light responsive nano-photocatalysts for efficient solar energy utilization.

Raman Scattering in La0.2Sr0.8FeO3-δ thin film: annealing-induced reduction and phase transformation

Science.gov (United States)

Islam, Mohammad; Xie, Yujun; Scafetta, Mark; May, Steven; Spanier, Jonathan

2015-03-01

Raman scattering in thin film La0.2Sr0.8FeO3-δ on MgO(001) collected at 300 K following different stages of annealing at selected temperatures (300 K topotactic transformation of the crystal structure from that of the rhombohedral ABO3 perovskites to that of Brownmillerite-like structure consisting of octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Fe atoms. We acknowledge the ONR (N00014-11-1-0664), the Drexel Centralized Research Facilities, the Army Research Office DURIP program, the Department of Education (GAANN-RETAIN, Award No. P200A100117), and Leszek Wielunski at Rutgers University.

Magnetic SiO2/Fe3O4 colloidal crystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Huang, C-K; Hou, C-H; Chen, C-C; Tsai, Y-L; Chang, L-M; Wei, H-S; Hsieh, K-H; Chan, C-H

2008-01-01

We proposed a novel technique to fabricate colloidal crystals by using monodisperse SiO 2 coated magnetic Fe 3 O 4 (SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 ) microspheres. The magnetic SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 microspheres with a diameter of 700 nm were synthesized in the basic condition with ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, tartaric acid and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in the reaction system. Monodisperse SiO 2 /Fe 3 O 4 superparamagnetic microspheres have been successfully used to fabricate colloidal crystals under the existing magnetic field

Synthesis of α-Fe2O3 and Fe-Mn Oxide Foams with Highly Tunable Magnetic Properties by the Replication Method from Polyurethane Templates

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Yuping Feng

2018-02-01

Full Text Available Open cell foams consisting of Fe and Fe-Mn oxides are prepared from metallic Fe and Mn powder precursors by the replication method using porous polyurethane (PU templates. First, reticulated PU templates are coated by slurry impregnation. The templates are then thermally removed at 260 °C and the debinded powders are sintered at 1000 °C under N2 atmosphere. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties are studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry, respectively. The obtained Fe and Fe-Mn oxide foams possess both high surface area and homogeneous open-cell structure. Hematite (α-Fe2O3 foams are obtained from the metallic iron slurry independently of the N2 flow. In contrast, the microstructure of the FeMn-based oxide foams can be tailored by adjusting the N2 flow. While the main phases for a N2 flow rate of 180 L/h are α-Fe2O3 and FeMnO3, the predominant phase for high N2 flow rates (e.g., 650 L/h is Fe2MnO4. Accordingly, a linear magnetization versus field behavior is observed for the hematite foams, while clear hysteresis loops are obtained for the Fe2MnO4 foams. Actually, the saturation magnetization of the foams containing Mn increases from 5 emu/g to 52 emu/g when the N2 flow rate (i.e., the amount of Fe2MnO4 is increased. The obtained foams are appealing for a wide range of applications, such as electromagnetic absorbers, catalysts supports, thermal and acoustic insulation systems or wirelessly magnetically-guided porous objects in fluids.

Thickness-modulated anisotropic ferromagnetism in Fe-doped epitaxial HfO2 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Wenlong; Liu, Ming; Zhang, Ruyi; Ma, Rong; Wang, Hong

2017-10-01

Epitaxial tetragonal Fe-doped Hf0.95Fe0.05O2 (FHO) thin films with various thicknesses were deposited on (001)-oriented NdCaAlO4 (NCAO) substrates by using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system. The crystal structure and epitaxial nature of the FHO thin films were confirmed by typical x-ray diffraction (XRD) θ-2θ scan and reciprocal space mapping (RSM). The results indicate that two sets of lattice sites exist with two different crystal orientations [(001) and (100)] in the thicker FHO thin films. Further, the intensity of the (100) direction increases with the increase in thicknesses, which should have a significant effect on the anisotropic magnetization of the FHO thin films. Meanwhile, all the FHO thin films possess a tetragonal phase structure. An anisotropy behavior in magnetization has been observed in the FHO thin films. The anisotropic magnetization of the FHO thin films is slowly weakened as the thickness increases. Meanwhile, the saturation magnetization (Ms) of both in-plane and out-of-plane decreases with the increase in the thickness. The change in the anisotropic magnetization and Ms is attributed to the crystal lattice and the variation in the valence of Fe ions. These results indicate that the thickness-modulated anisotropic ferromagnetism of the tetragonal FHO epitaxial thin films is of potential use for the integration of metal-oxide semiconductors with spintronics.

Experimental Investigation and Thermodynamic Modeling of the B2O3-FeO-Fe2O3-Nd2O3 System for Recycling of NdFeB Magnet Scrap

Science.gov (United States)

Jakobsson, Lars Klemet; Tranell, Gabriella; Jung, In-Ho

2017-02-01

NdFeB magnet scrap is an alternative source of neodymium that could have a significantly lower impact on the environment than current mining and extraction processes. Neodymium can be readily oxidized in the presence of oxygen, which makes it easy to recover neodymium in oxide form. Thermochemical data and phase diagrams for neodymium oxide containing systems is, however, very limited. Thermodynamic modeling of the B2O3-FeO-Fe2O3-Nd2O3 system was hence performed to obtain accurate phase diagrams and thermochemical properties of the system. Key phase diagram experiments were also carried out for the FeO-Nd2O3 system in saturation with iron to improve the accuracy of the present modeling. The modified quasichemical model was used to describe the Gibbs energy of the liquid oxide phase. The Gibbs energy functions of the liquid phase and the solids were optimized to reproduce all available and reliable phase diagram data, and thermochemical properties of the system. Finally the optimized database was applied to calculate conditions for selective oxidation of neodymium from NdFeB magnet waste.

Electrochemical performance of La2O3/Li2O/TiO2 nano-particle coated cathode material LiFePO4.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Hong; Yang, Chi; Liu, Shu-Xin

2014-09-01

Cathode material, LiFePO4 was modified by coating with a thin layer of La2O3/Li2O/TiO2 nano-particles for improving its performance for lithium ion batteries. The morphology and structure of the modified cathode material were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microcopy and AES. The performance of the battery with the modified cathode material, including cycling stability, C-rate discharge was examined. The results show that the battery composed of the coated cathode materials can discharge at a large current density and show stable cycling performance in the range from 2.5 to 4.0 V. The rate of Li ion diffusion increases in the battery with the La2O3/Li2O/TiO2-coated LiFePO4 as a cathode and the coating layer may acts as a faster ion conductor (La(2/3-x)Li(3x)TiO3).

Spin-glass like behaviour in the nanoporous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} with amorphous structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thakur, M; Majumdar, S; Giri, S [Department of Solid State Physics and Center for Advanced Materials, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032 (India); Bhaumik, A; Nandi, M [Department of Materials Science and Center for Advanced Materials, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032 (India); Nakamura, H; Kobayashi, H; Kohara, T [Graduate School of Material Science, University of Hyogo, Kamigori, Ako-gun, Hyogo 678-1297 (Japan)], E-mail: sspsg2@iacs.res.in

2008-07-23

The porous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} was synthesized chemically. The average size of the particle was {approx}85.0 nm, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The signature of porous structure was confirmed by a N{sub 2} adsorption/desorption isotherm and intense x-ray powder diffraction peak at low angle. The x-ray diffraction pattern at high angle indicates the amorphous structure. Moessbauer investigations show that the value of the hyperfine field is {approx}498.0 kOe at 4.2 K which is much smaller than that of the hyperfine field of crystalline {alpha}/{gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and consistent with the values of amorphous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The temperature dependence of zero-field cooled magnetization exhibits a peak at 18.0 K (T{sub f}), where T{sub f} follows the Almeida-Thouless relation as T{sub f} {proportional_to} H{sup 2/3}. The ageing phenomenon of the magnetic relaxation below T{sub f} and the memory effect in the field-cooled magnetization indicate the typical features of the classical spin-glass compounds below the spin freezing temperature at T{sub f}.

Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4–TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stefan, M.; Pana, O.; Leostean, C.; Silipas, D.; Bele, C.; Senila, M.; Gautron, E.

2014-01-01

Composite core-shell nanoparticles may have morpho-structural, magnetic, and optical (photoluminescence (PL)) properties different from each of the components considered separately. The properties of Fe 3 O 4 –TiO 2 nanoparticles can be controlled by adjusting the titania amount (shell thinness). Core–shell nanoparticles were prepared by seed mediated growth of semiconductor (TiO 2 ) through a modified sol-gel process onto preformed magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) cores resulted from the co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high resolution-TEM respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was correlated with ICP-AES. Magnetic measurements, optical absorption spectra, as well as PL spectroscopy indicate the presence of a charge/spin transfer from the conduction band of magnetite into the band gap of titania nanocrystals. The process modifies both Fe 3 O 4 and TiO 2 magnetic and optical properties, respectively.

Exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles for advanced magnetic hyperthermia

Science.gov (United States)

Glassell, M.; Robles, J.; Das, R.; Phan, M. H.; Srikanth, H.

Iron oxide nanoparticles especially Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3 have been extensively studied for magnetic hyperthermia because of their tunable magnetic properties and stable suspension in superparamagnetic regime. However, their relatively low heating capacity hindered practical application. Recently, a large improvement in heating efficiency has been reported in exchange-coupled nanoparticles with exchange coupling between soft and hard magnetic phases. Here, we systematically studied the effect of core and shell size on the heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were synthesized using thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed formation of spherical shaped Fe3O4 and Fe3O-/CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic measurements showed high magnetization (≅70 emu/g) and superparamagnetic behavior for the nanoparticles at room temperature. Magnetic hyperthermia results showed a large increase in specific absorption rate (SAR) for 8nm Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 compared to Fe3O4 nanoparticles of the same size. The heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 with 1 nm CoFe2O4 (shell) increased from 207 to 220 W/g (for 800 Oe) with increase in core size from 6 to 8 nm. The heating efficiency of the Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 with 2 nm CoFe2O4 (shell) and core size of 8 nm increased from 220 to 460 W/g (for 800 Oe). These exchange-coupled Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles can be a good candidate for advanced hyperthermia application.

Preparation of Nd-doped BiFeO{sub 3} films and their electrical properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng Meng [Key Laboratory of Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology for Chemical Industry, Ministry of Education of China, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Weiyang District, Xi' an 710021 (China); Tan Guoqiang, E-mail: tan3114@163.com [Key Laboratory of Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology for Chemical Industry, Ministry of Education of China, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Weiyang District, Xi' an 710021 (China); Xue Xu; Xia Ao; Ren Huijun [Key Laboratory of Auxiliary Chemistry and Technology for Chemical Industry, Ministry of Education of China, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Weiyang District, Xi' an 710021 (China)

2012-09-01

The Nd-doped BiFeO{sub 3} thin films were prepared on SnO{sub 2}(FTO) substrates spin-coated by the sol-gel method using Nd(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}{center_dot}6H{sub 2}O, Fe(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}{center_dot}9H{sub 2}O and Bi(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}{center_dot}5H{sub 2}O as raw materials. The microstructure and electric properties of the BiFeO{sub 3} thin films were characterized and tested. The results indicate that the diffraction peak of the Nd-doped BiFeO{sub 3} films is shifted towards right as the doping amounts are increased. The structure is transformed from the rhombohedral to pseudotetragonal phase. The crystal grain is changed from an elliptical to irregular polyhedron. Structure transition occurring in the Bi{sub 0.85}Nd{sub 0.15}FeO{sub 3} films gives rise to the largest Pr of 64 {mu}C/cm{sup 2}. The leakage conductance of the Nd doped thin films is reduced. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of Bi{sub 0.85}Nd{sub 0.15}FeO{sub 3} thin film at 10 kHz are 190 and 0.017 respectively.

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.

Giant Polarization Rotation in BiFeO3/SrTiO3 Thin Films.

Science.gov (United States)

Langner, M. C.; Chu, Y. H.; Martin, L. M.; Gajek, M.; Ramesh, R.; Orenstein, J.

2008-03-01

We use optical second harmonic generation to probe dynamics of the ferroelectric polarization in (111) oriented BiFeO3 thin films grown on SrTiO3 substrates. The second harmonic response indicates 3m point group symmetry and is consistent with a spontaneous polarization normal to the surface of the film. We measure large changes in amplitude and lowering of symmetry, consistent with polarization rotation, when modest electric fields are applied in the plane of the film. At room temperature the rotation is an order of magnitude larger than expected from reported values of the dielectric constant and increases further (as 1/T) as temperature is lowered. We propose a substrate interaction model to explain these results.

Fe2O3/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Fe3O4 Composite in Situ Grown on Fe Foil for High-Performance Supercapacitors.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhao, Chongjun; Shao, Xiaoxiao; Zhang, Yuxiao; Qian, Xiuzhen

2016-11-09

A Fe 2 O 3 /reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite in situ grown on Fe foil was synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal growth process, where the iron foil served as support, reductant of graphene oxide, Fe source of Fe 3 O 4 , and also the current collector of the electrode. When it directly acted as the electrode of a supercapacitor, as-synthesized Fe 2 O 3 /RGO/Fe 3 O 4 @Fe exhibited excellent electrochemical performance with a high capability of 337.5 mF/cm 2 at 20 mA/cm 2 and a superior cyclability with 2.3% capacity loss from the 600th to the 2000th cycle.

Porous Hierarchical Nitrogen-doped Carbon Coated ZnFe_2O_4 Composites as High Performance Anode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yue, Hongyun; Wang, Qiuxian; Shi, Zhenpu; Ma, Chao; Ding, Yanmin; Huo, Ningning; Zhang, Jun; Yang, Shuting

2015-01-01

Porous hierarchical and nitrogen-doped carbon coated ZnFe_2O_4 (ZnFe_2O_4@NC) was obtained by combustion method and unique carbon coating technology. Gum Arabic was firstly introduced in the carbon coating process as an additive, which played an important role to control the uniformity of carbon coating layer. The nitrogen-doped carbon layer was obtained through the pyrolysis of glycine. The elemental composition and content of the nitrogen-doped carbon in composites were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling was used to test the electrochemical performance of ZnFe_2O_4@NC and pure ZnFe_2O_4. The sub-micro size ZnFe_2O_4@NC with unique porous structure showed an excellent electrochemical performance as an anode material, which was higher than that of pure ZnFe_2O_4. ZnFe_2O_4@NC could maintain the specific discharge capacity of 1477 mAh g"−"1 at 0.1 A g"−"1 after 100 cycles and 705 mAh g"−"1 at 1 A g"−"1 after 1000 cycles, respectively.

Orthorhombic polar Nd-doped BiFeO{sub 3} thin film on MgO substrate

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leontyev, I N; Janolin, P-E; Dkhil, B [Laboratoire Structures, Proprietes et Modelisation des Solides, UMR CNRS-Ecole Centrale Paris, 92295 Chatenay-Malabry Cedex (France); Yuzyuk, Yu I [Faculty of Physics, Southern Federal University, Zorge 5, Rostov-on-Don 344090 (Russian Federation); El-Marssi, M [Laboratoire de Physique de la Matiere Condensee, Universite de Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu, 80039 Amiens (France); Chernyshov, D; Dmitriev, V [Swiss-Norwegian Beam Lines at ESRF, Boite Postale 220, F-38043 Grenoble (France); Golovko, Yu I; Mukhortov, V M, E-mail: i.leontiev@rambler.ru [Southern Scientific Center RAS, Rostov-on-Don, 344006 (Russian Federation)

2011-08-24

A Nd-doped BiFeO{sub 3} thin film deposited on MgO substrate was studied by synchrotron diffraction. The ferroelectric nature of the film is proven by in-plane remanent polarization measurement. The highest possible symmetry of the film is determined to be orthorhombic, within the Fm2m space group. Such a structure is rotated by 45{sup 0} with respect to the substrate and is consistent with tilts of oxygen octahedra doubling the unit cell. This polar structure presents a rather unusual strain-accommodation mechanism. (fast track communication)

Third generation biosensing matrix based on Fe-implanted ZnO thin film

Science.gov (United States)

Saha, Shibu; Gupta, Vinay; Sreenivas, K.; Tan, H. H.; Jagadish, C.

2010-09-01

Third generation biosensor based on Fe-implanted ZnO (Fe-ZnO) thin film has been demonstrated. Implantation of Fe in rf-sputtered ZnO thin film introduces redox center along with shallow donor level and thereby enhance its electron transfer property. Glucose oxidase (GOx), chosen as model enzyme, has been immobilized on the surface of the matrix. Cyclic voltammetry and photometric assay show that the prepared bioelectrode, GOx/Fe-ZnO/ITO/Glass is sensitive to the glucose concentration with enhanced response of 0.326 μA mM-1 cm-2 and low Km of 2.76 mM. The results show promising application of Fe-implanted ZnO thin film as an attractive matrix for third generation biosensing.

Third generation biosensing matrix based on Fe-implanted ZnO thin film

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saha, Shibu; Gupta, Vinay; Sreenivas, K.; Tan, H. H.; Jagadish, C.

2010-01-01

Third generation biosensor based on Fe-implanted ZnO (Fe-ZnO) thin film has been demonstrated. Implantation of Fe in rf-sputtered ZnO thin film introduces redox center along with shallow donor level and thereby enhance its electron transfer property. Glucose oxidase (GOx), chosen as model enzyme, has been immobilized on the surface of the matrix. Cyclic voltammetry and photometric assay show that the prepared bioelectrode, GOx/Fe-ZnO/ITO/Glass is sensitive to the glucose concentration with enhanced response of 0.326 μA mM -1 cm -2 and low Km of 2.76 mM. The results show promising application of Fe-implanted ZnO thin film as an attractive matrix for third generation biosensing.

Fe2 PO5 -Encapsulated Reverse Energetic ZnO/Fe2 O3 Heterojunction Nanowire for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Water.

Science.gov (United States)

Qin, Dong-Dong; He, Cai-Hua; Li, Yang; Trammel, Antonio C; Gu, Jing; Chen, Jing; Yan, Yong; Shan, Duo-Liang; Wang, Qiu-Hong; Quan, Jing-Jing; Tao, Chun-Lan; Lu, Xiao-Quan

2017-07-10

Zinc oxide is regarded as a promising candidate for application in photoelectrochemical water oxidation due to its higher electron mobility. However, its instability under alkaline conditions limits its application in a practical setting. Herein, we demonstrate an easily achieved wet-chemical route to chemically stabilize ZnO nanowires (NWs) by protecting them with a thin layer Fe 2 O 3 shell. This shell, in which the thickness can be tuned by varying reaction times, forms an intact interface with ZnO NWs, thus protecting ZnO from corrosion in a basic solution. The reverse energetic heterojunction nanowires are subsequently activated by introducing an amorphous iron phosphate, which substantially suppressed surface recombination as a passivation layer and improved photoelectrochemical performance as a potential catalyst. Compared with pure ZnO NWs (0.4 mA cm -2 ), a maximal photocurrent of 1.0 mA cm -2 is achieved with ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 core-shell NWs and 2.3 mA cm -2 was achieved for the PH 3 -treated NWs at 1.23 V versus RHE. The PH 3 low-temperature treatment creates a dual function, passivation and catalyst layer (Fe 2 PO 5 ), examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TEM, photoelectrochemical characterization, and impedance measurements. Such a nano-composition design offers great promise to improve the overall performance of the photoanode material. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

NaCl leached sustainable porous flexible Fe3O4 decorated RGO-polyaniline/PVDF composite for durable application against electromagnetic pollution

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

R. Bera

2017-05-01

Full Text Available To avoid the interference of electromagnetic radiation from other devices, an electronic device needs to be fabricated with flexible and light weight electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding materials with high efficiency. According, highly flexible porous poly(vinylidene fluoride (PVDF/PFR (Fe3O4 decorated polyaniline/RGO composite composite was prepared through solution blending of PVDF with pre-synthesized PFR conductive composite that involves in-situ oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of reduced graphene oxide (RGO using FeCl3 as oxidant. The porous morphology of the composite was created by leaching out of mixed NaCl from the composite. Polyaniline and RGO were mutually decorated by chemically in-situ synthesized ferrosoferric oxide (Fe3O4 using the Fe source of FeCl3. A homogeneous dispersion of PFR in insulated PVDF matrix resulted in a highly electrical conductive composite (PVDF-PFR material through formation of three dimensional continuous conductive networks of polyaniline-RGO in the matrix phase. The composite shows an outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE property due to the porous structure and the presence of conductive network and ferromagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The PVDF-PFR composite (0.5 mm thickness depicts a great permittivity and permeability value and achieve high EMI SE value (≈–28.18 dB and conductivity value of ≈1.10·10–1 S·cm–1 at very low loading (5 wt% of RGO.

Epitaxial integration of CoFe2O4 thin films on Si (001) surfaces using TiN buffer layers

Science.gov (United States)

Prieto, Pilar; Marco, José F.; Prieto, José E.; Ruiz-Gomez, Sandra; Perez, Lucas; del Real, Rafael P.; Vázquez, Manuel; de la Figuera, Juan

2018-04-01

Epitaxial cobalt ferrite thin films with strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy have been grown on Si (001) substrates using a TiN buffer layer. The epitaxial films have been grown by ion beam sputtering using either metallic, CoFe2, or ceramic, CoFe2O4, targets. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rutherford spectrometry (RBS) in random and channeling configuration have been used to determine the epitaxial relationship CoFe2O4 [100]/TiN [100]/Si [100]. Mössbauer spectroscopy, in combination with XRD and RBS, has been used to determine the composition and structure of the cobalt ferrite thin films. The TiN buffer layer induces a compressive strain in the cobalt ferrite thin films giving rise to an in-plane magnetic anisotropy. The degree of in-plane anisotropy depends on the lattice mismatch between CoFe2O4 and TiN, which is larger for CoFe2O4 thin films grown on the reactive sputtering process with ceramic targets.

Nano-sized Fe2O3/Fe3O4 facilitate anaerobic transformation of hexavalent chromium in soil-water systems.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Yaxian; Li, Hua; Gong, Libo; Dong, Guowen; Shen, Liang; Wang, Yuanpeng; Li, Qingbiao

2017-07-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of nano-sized or submicro Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 on the bioreduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and to evaluate the effects of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 on the microbial communities from the anaerobic flooding soil. The results indicated that the net decreases upon Cr(VI) concentration from biotic soil samples amended with nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 (317.1±2.1mg/L) and Fe 3 O 4 (324.0±22.2mg/L) within 21days, which were approximately 2-fold of Cr(VI) concentration released from blank control assays (117.1±5.6mg/L). Furthermore, the results of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and high-throughput sequencing indicated a greater variety of microbes within the microbial community in amendments with nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 than the control assays. Especially, Proteobacteria occupied a predominant status on the phylum level within the indigenous microbial communities from chromium-contaminated soils. Besides, some partial decrease of soluble Cr(VI) in abiotic nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 amendments was responsible for the adsorption of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 to soluble Cr(VI). Hence, the presence of nano-sized Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 could largely facilitate the mobilization and biotransformation of Cr(VI) from flooding soils by adsorption and bio-mediated processes. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Hierarchical porous TiO{sub 2} thin films by soft and dual templating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Henrist, Catherine, E-mail: catherine.henrist@ulg.ac.be [University of Liege, Department of Chemistry, GREENMAT-LCIS, B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium); University of Liege, Center for Applied Technology in Microscopy (CATmu), B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium); Dewalque, Jennifer [University of Liege, Department of Chemistry, GREENMAT-LCIS, B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium); Cloots, Rudi [University of Liege, Department of Chemistry, GREENMAT-LCIS, B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium); University of Liege, Center for Applied Technology in Microscopy (CATmu), B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium); Vertruyen, Bénédicte; Jonlet, Jonathan; Colson, Pierre [University of Liege, Department of Chemistry, GREENMAT-LCIS, B6 Sart Tilman, Liege 4000 (Belgium)

2013-07-31

Hierarchical porous structures, with different pore sizes, including pores larger than 10 nm, constitute an important field of research for many applications such as selective molecule detection, catalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells, nanobiotechnology and nanomedecine. However, increasing the pore size logically results in the decrease of specific surface. There is a need to quantify and predict the resulting porosity and specific surface. We have prepared hierarchical porous TiO{sub 2} thin films either by surfactant templating (soft) or dual surfactant/nanospheres templating (soft/hard). They all show narrow, bimodal distribution of pores. Soft templating route uses a modified sol–gel procedure by adding a swelling agent (polypropylene glycol) to a precursor solution containing Ti alkoxide and block-copolymer surfactant. This scheme leads to very thin films showing high specific surface and bimodal porosity with diameters of 10 nm and 54 nm. Dual templating route combines a precursor solution made of Ti alkoxide and block-copolymer surfactant with polystyrene (PS) nanospheres (diam. 250 nm) in a one-pot simple process. This gives thicker films with a bimodal distribution of pores (8 nm and 165-200 nm). The introduction of PS nanospheres in the surfactant–Ti system does not interfere with the soft templating process and results in a macroporosity with a pore diameter 20–30% smaller than the original beads diameter. The dye loading of hierarchical films is compared to pure surfactant-templated TiO{sub 2} films and shows a relative decrease of 29% for soft templating and 43% for dual templating. The microstructure of bimodal porous films is characterized by several techniques such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, profilometry and ellipsometry. Finally, a geometrical model is proposed and validated for each system, based on the agreement between calculated specific surfaces and experimental dye loading with N719 dye

Facile preparation of large-scale α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorod/SnO{sub 2} nanorod composites and their LPG-sensing properties

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vuong, Dang Duc [School of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Dai Co Viet Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Trung, Khuc Quang [University of Fire Fighting and Protection, No. 243, Khuat Duy Tien Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hung, Nguyen Hoang [School of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Dai Co Viet Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hieu, Nguyen Van [International Training Institute for Materials Science, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Viet Nam); Chien, Nguyen Duc, E-mail: chien.nguyenduc@hust.edu.vn [School of Engineering Physics, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Dai Co Viet Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi (Viet Nam)

2014-06-25

Highlights: • A simple method was used for synthesis of α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorod/SnO{sub 2} nanorod composites. • LPG-sensing properties of the composites were studied and explained consistently. • The results demonstrate a potential method for the mass production of gas sensors. - Abstract: α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanorods (NRs) with length and diameter of 300 and 50 nm, and SnO{sub 2} NRs with length and diameter of 30 and 10 nm, respectively, were prepared through hydrothermal treatment method. Morphologies of α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SnO{sub 2} NRs and their composites with different weight ratios were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM images showed SnO{sub 2} NRs attached on (branch onto) the surface of the α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NRs. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-sensing properties of films with bare α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, SnO{sub 2} NRs, and their composite NRs were investigated. The composite of 75 wt% α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}/25 wt% SnO{sub 2} exhibits the highest response to LPG at optimum operating temperature of 370 °C. The improvement in the gas-sensing characteristics of the composite NRs compared with bare NRs is attributed to the formation of hetero-junctions in α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} NRs/SnO{sub 2} NRs and to their porous structure.

Raman scattering in La1-xSrxFeO3-δ thin films: annealing-induced reduction and phase transformation

Science.gov (United States)

Islam, Mohammad A.; Xie, Yujun; Scafetta, Mark D.; May, Steven J.; Spanier, Jonathan E.

2015-04-01

Raman scattering in thin film La0.2Sr0.8FeO3-δ on MgO(0 0 1) collected at 300 K after different stages of annealing at selected temperatures T (300 K topotactic transformation of the crystal structure from that of the rhombohedral ABO3 perovskites to that of Brownmillerite-like structure consisting of octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Fe atoms.

Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle multilayers deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique for gas sensors application.

Science.gov (United States)

Capone, S; Manera, M G; Taurino, A; Siciliano, P; Rella, R; Luby, S; Benkovicova, M; Siffalovic, P; Majkova, E

2014-02-04

Fe3O4/γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) based thin films were used as active layers in solid state resistive chemical sensors. NPs were synthesized by high temperature solution phase reaction. Sensing NP monolayers (ML) were deposited by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) techniques onto chemoresistive transduction platforms. The sensing ML were UV treated to remove NP insulating capping. Sensors surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Systematic gas sensing tests in controlled atmosphere were carried out toward NO2, CO, and acetone at different concentrations and working temperatures of the sensing layers. The best sensing performance results were obtained for sensors with higher NPs coverage (10 ML), mainly for NO2 gas showing interesting selectivity toward nitrogen oxides. Electrical properties and conduction mechanisms are discussed.

Chemical quenching of positronium in Fe2O3/Al2O3 catalysts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, C.; Zhang, H.J.; Chen, Z.Q.

2010-01-01

Fe 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 catalysts were prepared by solid state reaction method using α-Fe 2 O 3 and γ-Al 2 O 3 nano powders. The microstructure and surface properties of the catalyst were studied using positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening annihilation radiation measurements. The positron lifetime spectrum shows four components. The two long lifetimes τ 3 and τ 4 are attributed to positronium annihilation in two types of pores distributed inside Al 2 O 3 grain and between the grains, respectively. With increasing Fe 2 O 3 content from 3 wt% to 40 wt%, the lifetime τ 3 keeps nearly unchanged, while the longest lifetime τ 4 shows decrease from 96 ns to 64 ns. Its intensity decreases drastically from 24% to less than 8%. The Doppler broadening S parameter shows also a continuous decrease. Further analysis of the Doppler broadening spectra reveals a decrease in the p-Ps intensity with increasing Fe 2 O 3 content, which rules out the possibility of spin-conversion of positronium. Therefore the decrease of τ 4 is most probably due to the chemical quenching reaction of positronium with Fe ions on the surface of the large pores.

Chemical quenching of positronium in Fe 2O 3/Al 2O 3 catalysts

Science.gov (United States)

Li, C.; Zhang, H. J.; Chen, Z. Q.

2010-09-01

Fe 2O 3/Al 2O 3 catalysts were prepared by solid state reaction method using α-Fe 2O 3 and γ-Al 2O 3 nano powders. The microstructure and surface properties of the catalyst were studied using positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening annihilation radiation measurements. The positron lifetime spectrum shows four components. The two long lifetimes τ3 and τ4 are attributed to positronium annihilation in two types of pores distributed inside Al 2O 3 grain and between the grains, respectively. With increasing Fe 2O 3 content from 3 wt% to 40 wt%, the lifetime τ3 keeps nearly unchanged, while the longest lifetime τ4 shows decrease from 96 ns to 64 ns. Its intensity decreases drastically from 24% to less than 8%. The Doppler broadening S parameter shows also a continuous decrease. Further analysis of the Doppler broadening spectra reveals a decrease in the p-Ps intensity with increasing Fe 2O 3 content, which rules out the possibility of spin-conversion of positronium. Therefore the decrease of τ4 is most probably due to the chemical quenching reaction of positronium with Fe ions on the surface of the large pores.

Nanocrystalline Pd:NiFe2O4 thin films: A selective ethanol gas sensor

Science.gov (United States)

Rao, Pratibha; Godbole, R. V.; Bhagwat, Sunita

2016-10-01

In this work, Pd:NiFe2O4 thin films were investigated for the detection of reducing gases. These films were fabricated using spray pyrolysis technique and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm the crystal structure. The surface morphology was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetization measurements were carried out using SQUID VSM, which shows ferrimagnetic behavior of the samples. These thin film sensors were tested against methanol, ethanol, hydrogen sulfide and liquid petroleum gas, where they were found to be more selective to ethanol. The fabricated thin film sensors exhibited linear response signal for all the gases with concentrations up to 5 w/o Pd. Reduction in optimum operating temperature and enhancement in response was also observed. Pd:NiFe2O4 thin films exhibited faster response and recovery characteristic. These sensors have potential for industrial applications because of their long-term stability, low power requirement and low production cost.

Incorporation of Fe2O3, FeO and Al2O3 in silicate glasses and its effect on their structure and chemical stability

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Van Iseghem, P; De Grave, E; Peters, L; De Batist, R

1983-09-01

Large amounts of the glass intermediates Al2O3, Fe2O3 and FeO are present in the amorphous silicate slags developed at the S.C.K./C.E.N. for the conditioning of Pu contaminated radioactive waste. Strong ambiguity exists in literature about both the structural incorporation and the effect on the chemical stability of Fe2O3 and FeO. The chemical stability and its relationship to the glass structure therefore was investigated for a number of silicate base glasses, taking into consideration the following parameters (the amount of glass modifiers was kept constant at 16 mole %, equimolarly spread over Li2O, K2O, MgO and CaO): 1) Fe2Ox concentrations (x = 2 or 3) varying between 2.5 and 30 mole % (compensated by changes in SiO2 concentration); 2)Equimolar replacement of Fe2Ox by Al2O3 and Fe2Ox in all glasses listed in 1. The structural incorporation of Fe2Ox was investigated by 57 Fe Mossbauer Spectroscopy, the chemical stability by the Soxhlet corrosion test. The sample weight was measured after 14 days of corrosion, after drying and removal of the weakly bounded surface layer.

Effect of iron doping on structural and optical properties of TiO2 thin film by sol–gel routed spin coating technique

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stephen Lourduraj

2017-08-01

Full Text Available Thin films of iron (Fe-doped titanium dioxide (Fe:TiO2 were prepared by sol–gel spin coating technique and further calcined at 450∘C. The structural and optical properties of Fe-doped TiO2 thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis and atomic force microscopic (AFM techniques. The XRD results confirm the nanostructured TiO2 thin films having crystalline nature with anatase phase. The characterization results show that the calcined thin films having high crystallinity and the effect of iron substitution lead to decreased crystallinity. The SEM investigations of Fe-doped TiO2 films also gave evidence that the films were continuous spherical shaped particles with a nanometric range of grain size and film was porous in nature. AFM analysis establishes that the uniformity of the TiO2 thin film with average roughness values. The optical measurements show that the films having high transparency in the visible region and the optical band gap energy of Fe-doped TiO2 film with iron (Fe decrease with increase in iron content. These important requirements for the Fe:TiO2 films are to be used as window layers in solar cells.

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructured Ba-doped BiFeO3 porous ceramics

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mostafavi E.

2016-03-01

Full Text Available Nanostructured barium doped bismuth ferrite, Bi₀.₈Ba₀.₂FeO₃ porous ceramics with a relatively high magnetic coercivity was fabricated via sacrificial pore former method. X-ray diffraction results showed that 20 wt.% Ba doping induces a structural phase transition from rhombohedral to distorted pseudo-cubic structure in the final porous samples. Moreover, utilizing Bi₀.₈Ba₀.₂FeO₃ as the starting powder reduces the destructive interactions between the matrix phase and pore former, leading to an increase in stability of bismuth ferrite phase in the final porous ceramics. Urea-derived Bi₀.₈Ba₀.₂FeO₃ porous ceramic exhibits density of 4.74 g/cm³ and porosity of 45 % owing the uniform distribution of interconnected pores with a mean pore size of 7.5 μm. Well defined nanostructured cell walls with a mean grain size of 90 nm were observed in the above sample, which is in a good accordance with the grain size obtained from BET measurements. Saturation magnetization decreased from 2.31 in the Bi₀.₈Ba₀.₂FeO₃ compact sample to 1.85 A m²/kg in urea-derived Bi₀.₈Ba₀.₂FeO₃ porous sample; moreover, coercivity increased from 284 to 380 kA/m.

Influence of film thickness and Fe doping on LPG sensing properties of Mn3O4 thin film grown by SILAR method

Science.gov (United States)

Belkhedkar, M. R.; Ubale, A. U.

2018-05-01

Nanocrystalline Fe doped and undoped Mn3O4 thin films have been deposited by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method onto glass substrates using MnCl2 and NaOH as cationic and anionic precursors. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)) have been carried out to analyze structural and surface morphological properties of the films. The LPG sensing performance of Mn3O4thin films have been studied by varying temperature, concentration of LPG, thickness of the film and doping percentage of Fe. The LPG response of the Mn3O4thin films were found to be enhances with film thickness and decreases with increased Fe doping (0 to 8 wt. %) at 573 K temperature.

Core-Shell Nano structure of a-Fe2O3/Fe3O4: Synthesis and Photo catalysis for Methyl Orange

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tian, Y.; Wu, D.; Yu, B.; Jia, X.; Zhan, S.

2011-01-01

Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle was synthesized in the solution involving water and ethanol. Then, a-Fe 2 O 3 shell was produced in situ on the surface of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle by surface oxidation in molten salts, forming α-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 core-shell nano structure. It was showed that the magnetic properties transformed from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism after the primary Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were oxidized. Furthermore, the obtained a-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 core-shell nanoparticles were used to photo catalyse solution of methyl orange, and the results revealed that a-Fe 2 O 3 /Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were more efficient than the self-prepared α-Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. At the same time, the photo catalyzer was recyclable by applying an appropriate magnetic field.

Profound Interfacial Effects in CoFe2O4/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/CoFe2O4 Core/Shell Nanoparticles

Science.gov (United States)

Polishchuk, Dmytro; Nedelko, Natalia; Solopan, Sergii; Ślawska-Waniewska, Anna; Zamorskyi, Vladyslav; Tovstolytkin, Alexandr; Belous, Anatolii

2018-03-01

Two sets of core/shell magnetic nanoparticles, CoFe2O4/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/CoFe2O4, with a fixed diameter of the core ( 4.1 and 6.3 nm for the former and latter sets, respectively) and thickness of shells up to 2.5 nm were synthesized from metal chlorides in a diethylene glycol solution. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The analysis of the results of magnetic measurements shows that coating of magnetic nanoparticles with the shells results in two simultaneous effects: first, it modifies the parameters of the core-shell interface, and second, it makes the particles acquire combined features of the core and the shell. The first effect becomes especially prominent when the parameters of core and shell strongly differ from each other. The results obtained are useful for optimizing and tailoring the parameters of core/shell spinel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles for their use in various technological and biomedical applications.

Direct growth of superconducting NdFeAs(O,F) thin films by MBE

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chihara, Masashi, E-mail: chihara@iku.xtal.nagoya-u.ac.jp [Department of Crystalline Materials Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603 (Japan); Sumiya, Naoki; Arai, Kenta [Department of Crystalline Materials Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603 (Japan); Ichinose, Ataru; Tsukada, Ichiro [Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa 240-0101 (Japan); Hatano, Takafumi; Iida, Kazumasa; Ikuta, Hiroshi [Department of Crystalline Materials Science, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603 (Japan)

2015-11-15

Highlights: • Highly textured NdFeAs(O,F) thin films were obtained by a direct growth method. • Enhancing the migration was crucial to realize the direct growth. • The critical current density exceeded 3 MA/cm{sup 2} at self-field and 1 MA/cm{sup 2} at 9 T. • A two-dimensional growth was confirmed by the observation of surface morphology. - Abstract: We report on the growth of NdFeAs(O,F) superconducting thin films by molecular beam epitaxy without having a NdOF secondary layer that was necessary for fluorine doping in our previous studies. The key to realizing the direct growth of a superconducting film was the enhancement of migration of the raw materials on the substrate, which was accomplished by two steps. Firstly, we increased the growth temperature that improved the crystalline quality of parent NdFeAsO thin films. Secondly, the atmosphere in the chamber during the growth was improved by changing the crucible material of the Fe source cell. Highly textured NdFeAs(O,F) thin films with critical temperatures up to 50 K were obtained, and terraces were observed by atomic force microscope, indicating a two-dimensional growth. However, precipitates were also found on the surface, which suggests that enhancing further the migration is necessary for obtaining a NdFeAs(O,F) thin film with a better quality.

Synthesis of ZnFe2O4/SiO2 composites derived from a diatomite template.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Zhaoting; Fan, Tongxiang; Zhou, Han; Zhang, Di; Gong, Xiaolu; Guo, Qixin; Ogawa, Hiroshi

2007-03-01

A novel porous ZnFe2O4/SiO2 composite product has been generated with a template-directed assembly method from porous diatomite under different synthesis conditions, such as precursor concentrations (metallic nitrates), calcination temperature and diatomite type. The phase composition and morphology of all the materials were examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that an inherited hierarchical porous structure from the diatomite template can be obtained, and the synthesis conditions were found to have clear effects on the formation of the ZnFe2O4/SiO2 composite. The ideal composite of ZnFe2O4/SiO2 can be obtained through optimization of diatomite template type, precursor solution and calcination temperature. Furthermore, the adsorption abilities of two types of diatomites were analyzed in detail using FTIR spectra and nitrogen adsorption measurements etc, which proved that A-diatomite (Shengzhou-diatomite) is better than B-diatomite (Changbai-diatomite) on the aspect of adsorbing Zn and Fe ions, and of forming the ZnFe2O4.

In situ QXAFS observation of the reduction of Fe2O3 and CaFe2O4

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kimura, Masao; Takayama, Toru; Murao, Reiko; Nomura, Masaharu; Uemura, Yohei; Asakura, Kiyotaka

2013-01-01

In situ QXAFS studies of the reduction of α-Fe 2 O 3 and CaFe 2 O 4 were conducted to determine their reduction kinetics and mechanisms. The reduction of α-Fe 2 O 3 involved two steps, the first being a very fast process in which Fe 3+ was reduced to Fe 2+ and the second being the reduction of Fe 2+ to Fe metal over a longer period. In contrast, the reduction of Fe in CaFe 2 O 4 was a single first-order reaction, although an induction period was clearly observed at the beginning of the reduction process. The reduction processes were successfully studied using a combination of in situ QXAFS spectra at the Ca and Fe K-edges.

Unexpected large room-temperature ferromagnetism in porous Cu{sub 2}O thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hou, Xue [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Sun, Huiyuan, E-mail: huiyuansun@126.com [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Liu, Lihu; Jia, Xiaoxuan; Liu, Huiyuan [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China)

2015-05-15

Porous Cu{sub 2}O films have been fabricated on porous anodic alumina substrates using DC-reactive magnetron sputtering with pure Cu targets, and unexpectedly large room temperature ferromagnetism has been observed in the films. The maximum saturation magnetic moment along the out-of-plane direction was as high as 94 emu/cm{sup 3}. Photoluminescence spectra show that the ferromagnetism originates with oxygen vacancies. The ferromagnetism could be adjusted by changing the concentration of oxygen vacancies through annealing in an oxygen atmosphere. These observations suggest that the origin of the ferromagnetism is due to coupling between oxygen vacancies with local magnetic moments in the porous Cu{sub 2}O films, which can occur either directly through exchange interactions between oxygen vacancies, or through the mediation of conduction electrons. Such a ferromagnet without the presence of any ferromagnetic dopant may find applications in spintronic devices. - Highlights: • Porous Cu{sub 2}O films were deposited on porous anodic alumina (PAA) substrates. • Significant room-temperature ferromagnetism has been observed in porous Cu{sub 2}O films. • Ferromagnetism of Cu{sub 2}O films exhibited different magnetic signals with the field. • The saturation magnetization is 94 emu/cm{sup 3} with an out-of-plane.

Double-shell Fe2O3 hollow box-like structure for enhanced photo-Fenton degradation of malachite green dye

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, De Bin; Liu, Xiaoying; Xu, Xuan; Zhang, Yu Xin

2018-01-01

In this work we demonstrate the synthesis of novel Fe2O3 nanosheets with double-shell hollow morphology by replica molding from diatomite framework. The nanostructures of Fe2O3 nanosheets were examined by focused-ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measurements and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results reveal that (1) Pure Fe2O3 nanosheets were successfully obtained; (2) The double-shell Fe2O3 hollow structure achieved via the NaOH etching silica method was observed; (3) Fe2O3 nanosheets possessed uniformly distributed porous nanosheets. Such structural features enlarged the specific surface area of Fe2O3 nanosheets and led to more catalytic active sites. In the heterogeneous photo-Fenton reaction, the double-shell Fe2O3 hollow morphology exhibited excellent catalytic capability for the degradation of malachite green (MG) at circumneutral pH condition. Under optimum condition, MG solution was almost completely decolorized in 60 min (99.9%). The Fe2O3 nanosheets also showed good stability and recyclability, demonstrating great potential as a promising photo-Fenton catalyst for the effective degradation of MG dye in wastewater.

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.

Preparation and Oxygen Permeability of BaCo0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3-δ Membrane Modified by Ce0.8Y0.2O2-δ Porous Layer on the Air Side

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yuan Qiang

2013-01-01

Full Text Available BaCo0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3−δ (BCFN dense ceramic membrane with submicron-Ce0.8Y0.2O2−δ (YDC porous layer was investigated by the partial oxidation of coke oven gas (COG in hydrogen production. XRD analysis showed this composite had good stability and no chemical reaction at high temperature. SEM and TEM characterization further showed BCFN membrane was uniformly modified by YDC porous layer (about 5~6 μm thickness formed by the accumulation of relative nanoparticles. At the respective COG flux and air flux of 108 mL/min and 173 mL/min, the oxygen permeation flux of BCFN modified by submicron-YDC porous layer reached 16.62 mL·min−1·cm−2, which was about 23.5% higher than that of pure BCFN membrane. Therefore, submicron-YDC porous layer obviously improved the oxygen permeation flux of BCFN membrane and its stability at 875°C.

Magnetically separable Cu{sub 2}O/chitosan–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposites: Preparation, characterization and visible-light photocatalytic performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cao, Chunhua [School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056 (China); Xiao, Ling, E-mail: xiaoling9119@whu.edu.cn [School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China); Chen, Chunhua [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056 (China); Cao, Qihua [School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China)

2015-04-01

Highlights: • A novel magnetically-separable Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} photocatalyst was in situ prepared. • Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs had rough and porous chitosan surface layer embedded with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NPs. • Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs showed large surface areas and special dimodal pore structure. • Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs showed superparamagnetism and could be easily magnetic separated. • Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs exhibited good visible-light photocatalytic activity and stability. - Abstract: A novel magnetically-separable visible-light-induced photocatalyst, Cu{sub 2}O/chitosan–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanocomposite (Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NC), was prepared via a facile one-step precipitation–reduction process by using magnetic chitosan chelating copper ions as precursor. The structure and properties of Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, HRTEM, SAED, EDS, BET, VSM, XPS and UV–vis/DRS. The photocatalytic activity of Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs was evaluated by decolorization of reactive brilliant red X-3B (X-3B) under visible light irradiation. The characterization results indicated that Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs exhibited relatively large specific surface areas and special dimodal pore structure because Cu{sub 2}O was wrapped in chitosan matrix embedded with Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. The tight combination of magnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and semiconductor Cu{sub 2}O through chitosan made the nanocomposites show good superparamagnetism and photocatalytic activity. It was found that X-3B could be decolorized more efficiently in acidic media than in neutral or alkaline media. The decolorization of X-3B was ascribed to the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and adsorption. Cu{sub 2}O/CS–Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} NCs could be easily separated from the solution by an external magnet, and the decolorization rates of X-3B

Synthesis, characterization, and comparative gas-sensing properties of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-chitosan

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cuong, Nguyen Duc [Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Hue University, 22 Lam Hoang, Vy Da Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); College of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hoa, Tran Thai; Khieu, Dinh Quang [College of Sciences, Hue University, 77 Nguyen Hue, Phu Nhuan Ward, Hue City (Viet Nam); Lam, Tran Dai [Institute of Materials Science, Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi (Viet Nam); Hoa, Nguyen Duc [International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam); Van Hieu, Nguyen, E-mail: hieu@itims.edu.vn [International Training Institute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi (Viet Nam)

2012-05-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We have demonstrated a facile method to prepare Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles and chitosan-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} sensors prepared from those Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} materials have been investigated and compared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The results show potential application of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} for CO sensors in environmental monitoring. - Abstract: In this paper, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and chitosan (CS)-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method and subsequent covalent binding of CS onto the surface for functionalization, respectively. Characterization of the crystal structures and morphologies of as-synthesized nanoparticles by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} had a cubic spinal structure with irregular shapes and average diameters of 10-20 nm. The surface states and magnetic properties of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and vibrating sample magnetometry. Results showed that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles possessed super-paramagnetic properties, with saturated magnetization up to 60 emu/g. In addition, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and CS-coated Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were used in the fabrication of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} based gas sensors. Gas sensing measurements revealed that the {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} gas sensor prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS had a better response to H{sub 2}, CO, C{sub 2}H{sub 5}OH, and NH{sub 3} compared with the device prepared from pristine Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Furthermore, the {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} sensor prepared from Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CS nanoparticles exhibited the highest response to CO among the test gases, suggesting that it has great potential for practical applications in environmental monitoring.

Magnetically tunable dielectric, impedance and magnetoelectric response in MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/(Pb{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x})TiO{sub 3} composites thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bala, Kanchan, E-mail: bala.kanchan1987@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005 (India); Kotnala, R.K. [CSIR, National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi 110012 (India); Negi, N.S., E-mail: nsn_phy_hpu@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005 (India)

2017-02-15

We have synthesized piezomagnetic–piezoelectric composites thin films MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/(Pb{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x})TiO{sub 3}, where x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3, using the metalorganic deposition (MOD) reaction method. The structural and microstructural analysis using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), AFM, and SEM reveals the presence of homogenous growth of both pervoskite and spinel phases in the composite films. Our results show that all the composites films exhibit good multiferroic as well as considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The impedance (Z′ and Z″) and electrical modulus (M′ and M″) Nyquist plots show distinct electrical responses with the magnetic field. Our analyses suggest that this electrical response arises due to the coexistence of the high resistive phase and the comparatively conductive phase in the MFO/PST composite films. The maximum magnetoelectric coefficient (α) is found to be 4.29 V Oe{sup −1} cm{sup −1} and 2.82 V Oe{sup −1} cm{sup −1} for compositions x=0.1 and 0.2. These values are substantially larger than those reported for bilayer composites thin films in literature and make them interesting for room temperature device applications. - Highlights: • Influence of Sr doping on multiferroic and magnetoelectric properties composites thin films of MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and (Pb, Sr)TiO{sub 3}. • Dielectric constant and dielectric loss with application of magnetic field. • Magnetically tunable AC electrical properties. • Magnetoelectric coupling in MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/(Pb, Sr)TiO{sub 3} composite films by passive method.

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.

Characteristics and optical properties of iron ion (Fe{sup 3+})-doped titanium oxide thin films prepared by a sol-gel spin coating

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, M.C. [Faculty of Fragrance and Cosmetics, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan (China); Lin, H.J. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National United University, 1 Lein-Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miao-Li 36003, Taiwan (China)], E-mail: hjlin@nuu.edu.tw; Yang, T.S. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National United University, 1 Lein-Da, Kung-Ching Li, Miao-Li 36003, Taiwan (China)

2009-04-03

Titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) thin films doping of various iron ion (Fe{sup 3+}) concentrations have been prepared on a glass substrate by the sol-gel spin coating process. Characteristics and optical properties of TiO{sub 2} thin films doping of various Fe content were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The crystalline phase of TiO{sub 2} thin films comprised only the anatase TiO{sub 2}, but the crystallinity decreased when the Fe{sup 3+} content increased from 0 to 25.0 wt%. During the Fe{sup 3+} addition to 25.0 wt%, the phase of TiO{sub 2} thin film still maintained the amorphous state. The absorption edge of TiO{sub 2} thin films shifted towards longer wavelengths (i.e. red shifted) from 355 to 415 nm when the Fe{sup 3+}-doped concentration increased from 0 to 25.0 wt%. The values of the refractive index (n), and extinction coefficient (k), decreased with an increasing Fe{sup 3+} content. Moreover, the band-gap energy of TiO{sub 2} thin films also decreased from 3.29 to 2.83 eV with an increase in the Fe{sup 3+} content from 0 to 25.0 wt%.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) thin films by chemical bath deposition method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pawar, D.K. [Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004 (M.S.) (India); Pawar, S.M. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, 500 757 (Korea, Republic of); Patil, P.S. [Department of Physics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004 (M.S.) (India); Kolekar, S.S., E-mail: kolekarss2003@yahoo.co.in [Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004 (M.S.) (India)

2011-02-24

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Research highlights: > We have successfully synthesized nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) thin films on stainless steel substrates using a low temperature chemical bath deposition method. > The surface morphological study showed the compact flakes like morphology. > The as-deposited thin films are hydrophilic (10{sup o} < {theta} < 90{sup o}) whereas the annealed thin films are super hydrophilic ({theta} < 10{sup o}) in nature. > Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films could be used in supercapacitor. - Abstract: The nickel-zinc ferrite (Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) thin films have been successfully deposited on stainless steel substrates using a chemical bath deposition method from alkaline bath. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), static water contact angle and cyclic voltammetry measurements. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that deposited Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films were oriented along (3 1 1) plane. The FTIR spectra showed strong absorption peaks around 600 cm{sup -1} which are typical for cubic spinel crystal structure. SEM study revealed compact flakes like morphology having thickness {approx}1.8 {mu}m after air annealing. The annealed films were super hydrophilic in nature having a static water contact angle ({theta}) of 5{sup o}.The electrochemical supercapacitor study of Ni{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films has been carried out in 6 M KOH electrolyte. The values of interfacial and specific capacitances obtained were 0.0285 F cm{sup -2} and 19 F g{sup -1}, respectively.