Synthesis and properties of La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(3) and La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2)

Superconductivity has been realized in films of La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2). Here we report synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline samples of La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(3) and La_(1-x) Sr_(x)NiO_(2)(0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2). Magnetization and resistivity measurements reveal that La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(3) are paramagnetic metal and La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2) exhibit an insulating behavior. Superconductivity is not detected in bulk samples of La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2). The absence of superconductivity in bulk La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2) may be due to the generation of hydroxide during reduction, a small amount of nickel impurity, or incomplete reduction of apical oxygen.The effect of interface in films of La_(1-x)Sr_(x)NiO_(2) may also play a role for superconductivity.

Effects of Different Alkaloids in Coptis chinensis on Inhibiting TGEV Proliferation

[Objectives]To study the effects of different alkaloids in Coptis chinensis on inhibiting the proliferation of Transmissible gastroenteritis virus(TGEV).[Methods]The components and content of the main alkaloids in the extract of C.chinensis were analyzed.The main alkaloids were selected as drugs to inhibit the proliferation of TGEV.The maximum non-toxic concentration of Columbamine,Jatrorrhizine,Epiberberine,Coptisine,Palmatine,and Berberine was screened.The protective rate of each drug on TGEV-infected ST cells was determined,and the transcriptional inhibitory effect of the drug on TGEV N gene was detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.[Results]The extract of C.chinensis mainly contains 6 alkaloids:Columbamine,Jatrorrhizine,Epiberberine,Coptisine,Palmatine,and Berberine,accounting for 2.03%,8.88%,9.21%,15.07%,14.63%,and 50.18%,respectively.In the range of the safe concentration,Jatrorrhizine,Palmatine,and Coptisine had better protective effects on ST cells infected with TGEV;compared with the Columbamine group,the cell protection rate was significantly different(P<0.05);compared with the Berberine group,the difference was extremely significant(P<0.01).The Coptisine and Palmatine groups had significant inhibitory effects on the transcription of TGEV N gene,and the difference was extremely significant compared with the virus group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jatrorrhizine and Palmatine in C.chinensis are the main components to inhibit the proliferation of TGEV.

Evidence for charge and spin density waves in single crystals of La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7) and La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(6)

Charge and spin orders are intimately related to superconductivity in copper oxide superconductors.Elucidation of the competing orders in various nickel oxide compounds is crucial,given the fact that superconductivity has been discovered in Nd_(0.8)Sr_(0.2)NiO_(2)films.Herein,we report structural,electronic transport,magnetic,and thermodynamic characterizations of single crystals of La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)and La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(6).La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)is metallic with mixed Ni^(2+)and Ni^(3+)valent states.Resistivity measurements yield two transition-like kinks at~110 and 153 K.The kink at 153 K is further revealed from magnetization and specific heat measurements,indicative of the formation of charge and spin density waves.La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(6)single crystals obtained from the topochemical reduction of La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)are insulating and show an anomaly at~176 K on magnetic susceptibility.The transition-like behaviors of La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7)and La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(6)are analogous to those observed in La_(4)Ni_(3)O_(10) and La_(4)Ni_(3)O_(8),suggesting that charge and spin density waves are a common feature in the ternary La-Ni-O system with mixed-valent states of nickel.

Structure and magnetic properties of the S=3/2 zigzag spin chain antiferromagnet BaCoTe_(2)O_(7)

We report a study of the structure and magnetic properties of the S=3/2 zigzag spin chain compound BaCoTe_(2)O_(7).Neutron diffraction measurements show that it crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group Ama2 with a canted↑↑↓↓spin structure along the quasi-one-dimensional zigzag chain and a moment size of 1.89(2)μBat 2 K.Both magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements yield an antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN=6.2 K.A negative Curie-Weiss temperature,ΘCW=-74.7(2) K,and an empirical frustration parameter,f=|ΘCW|/TN≈12,are obtained by fitting the magnetic susceptibility,indicating antiferromagnetic interactions and strong magnetic frustration.From ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and first-principles calculations,an indirect band gap of 2.68(2) eV is determined.We propose that the canted zigzag spin chain of BaCoTe_(2)O_(7) may produce a change in the polarization via the exchange-striction mechanism.