Phase evolution and magnetic properties of Nd_(9.5)Fe_(81)Zr_3B_(6.5) nanocomposite magnets

Melt-spun Nd9.5Fe81Zr3B6.5 ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique. The phase evolution and magnetic properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy observations, and magnetization measurements. It is indicated that melt spinning at different wheel velocities caused the as-quenched ribbons to have distinctive structure. The phase transformation of the ribbons during annealing takes place in two steps： α-Fe transforms from the amorphous phase firstly, followed by formation of Nd2Fe14B phase. With increasing the initial quenching rate, the microstructure of optimally heat treated ribbons becomes coarser, which results in the weakening of the exchange coupling effect between the hard and soft phase. This leads to drastic deterioration of magnetic properties of annealed ribbons with increasing the initial quenching rate.

Effect of Gallium Addition on Magnetic Properties of Nd_2Fe_(14)B-Based/α-Fe Nanocomposite Magnets

The influence of Ga addition on the crystallization behavior and the magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd2Fe14B-based/α-Fe magnets was investigated. It was found that the addition of 0.2% did not change the crystallization temperature of amorphous alloy, but the magnetic properties were improved significantly because of the strong exchange coupling interaction between the hard and soft magnetic phases. The optimum magnetic properties with iHc = 600. 3 kA· m^-1, B r = 0.75 T, and （BH）max = 88.03 kJ· m^-3 were obtained in bonded Nd9.5（FeCoZr）83.8 Ga0.3 B6.5 magnet with 15 m·s^- 1 wheel speed and 670 ℃ annealing treatment. The apparent improvement of magnetic properties originates from the grain refinement calculated using the Scherrer formula from corresponding XRD patterns and the excellent rectangularity of the demagnetization curve.

Influence of Zr Additions on Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Nanocomposite Nd_(10.5)Fe_(78-x)Co_5Zr_xB_(6.5) (x=0～5) Alloys

The influence of Zr addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd_(10.5)Fe_(78-x)Co_5Zr_xB_(6.5) (x=0～5) alloys was investigated. It was found that the intrinsic coercivity could be significantly improved by the addition of 2% (atom fraction) Zr. The presence of small amount of amorphous phase is responsible for the low intrinsic coercivity for Zr-free alloy. The small amount addition of Zr may suppress the growth of grains of α-Fe and Nd_2Fe_(14)B phases. The more homogeneous microstructure with an average grain size of 20 nm can be obtained for Nd_(10.5)Fe_(76)Co_5Zr_2B_(6.5) alloy.

Magnetic properties of Nd_2Fe_(14)B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets with yttrium addition

The phase evolution and magnetic properties of Nd9？xYxFe72Ti2Zr2B15 （x = 0,0.5,1,and 2） melt-spun nanocomposite ribbons were studied.It is found that Y addition not only enhances the formability of amorphous phase in the alloy,but also stabilizes the amorphous phase during the annealing treatment.The appropriate content of Y addition effectively enhances the remanence （Jr） of the annealed sample.The residual amorphous intergranular phase in the annealed sample optimizes the squareness of the loop,resulting in an larger maximum energy product （BH）max.The best magnetic properties,Jr = 0.78 T,Hci （coercivity） = 923.4 kA/m,and （BH）max = 98.5 kJ/m3,were obtained from the Nd8YFe72Ti2Zr2B15 ribbon spun at Vs = 4 m/s and annealed at 700°C for 10 min,which is composed of Nd2Fe14B,α-Fe,and amorphous phase.

Synthesis and measurement of structural and magnetic properties of K-doped LaCoO_3 perovskite materials

Polycrystalline La1-xKxCoO3 （0≤ x ≤ 0.2） rare earth cobaltates have been synthesized by a solution combustion method using glycine as a fuel. The synthesized ceramic materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）, and magnetic measurements and studied for physical properties, such as photoeatalytic activity. FTIR measurements in conjunction with XRD showed that phases beyond 10% K doping are accompanied by small amounts of impurities. Chemical titrations show the presence of Co^4＋ and account for the Co^3＋-Co^4＋ mixed-valency of the system. The parent LaCoO3 shows spin-glass transition at low temperatures, whereas doped samples show transition from spin-glass behavior to paramagnetic ordering on progressive doping of K. ＂Mixed-conductor＂ nature of these ceramics positions them as viable candidates for solid oxide fuel cell （SOFC） applications.

Structure and Properties of Self-reinforced Material Made from Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene-montmorillonite Nanocomposite

High-strength and high-modulus ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE), named self-reinforced material, was obtained by the elongation of UHMWPE-montmorillonite nanocomposite at melting temperature. According to the scanning electron microscope(SEM) analysis, a great deal of fibrillar texture formed in the direction of elongation, and the tensile fractured surface was similar to that of highly oriented fiber. The transmission electron microscope(TEM) and selective area electron diffraction(SAED) analyses reveal that the reinforced phase of the self-reinforced material is an extended chain crystal and its size is about 50_200 nm wide and several microns long, and the montmorillonite layers are broken up to pieces in the size from 100 to 10 nm. The broken layers which have a huge surface area interacting strongly with macromolecules reduces the entanglement density of UHMWPE and induces the chain orientation in flow field. It is supposed that the astriction of montmorillonite layers to polyethylene chains is not only end-tethered but also side-tethered. The differential scan calorimetry(DSC) analysis shows that there are two endothermal peaks for the self-reinforced material, of which the peak at a higher temperature(136.4 ℃) is ascribed to the melting of the reinforced phase.

Influence of zirconium addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd_(10.1)Fe_(78.2-x)Co_5Zr_xB_(6.7) permanent magnets

Nanocomposite Nd10.1Fe78.2-xCo5ZrxB6.7 （x= 0, 1.5, 2.5, 2.7, 3, 4） permanent magnets were prepared by melt-spun and annealing. The microstructure and magnetic properties of the permanent magnets were investigated. The resuits reveal that the addition of Zr element significantly reduces the grain size and improves the thermal stability of the amorphous phase. A fme nanocomposite microstructure with an average grain size of about 35 nm can be developed at a wheel speed of 16 m·s^-1 with the content of Zr up to 2.7 at.%. After optimal annealing （710℃ x 4 min）, the magnetic properties of the Ndl0.1Fe75.5Co5Zr2.TB6.7 bonded magnets were achieved as follows： Br= 0.72 T, jHc = 769 kA·m^-1, and （BH）max = 85.0 kJ·m^-3.

Preparation, Characterization and Optical Properties of Host-guest Nanocomposite Material Mordenite-silver Iodide

Silver iodide nanoclusters were successfully prepared in the channels of mordenite by a heat diffusion method. Powder X ray diffraction, adsorption technique and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the prepared materials, which showed that the guest silver iodide had been encapsulated in the channels of mordenite. The optical properties of the solid phase diffuse reflectance absorption of nanocomposite material NaM AgI were studied, showing that the absorption bands of the diffuse reflectance absorption of the prepared material moved to the region of high energy. The absorption peak of the material prepared shifted to the region of high energy. Namely, blue shift was caused. This has demonstrated the incorporation of silver iodide into the channels of the zeolite. We observed the luminescence and surface photovoltage spectra of NaM AgI sample, proposing the mechanisms of the photoluminescence and photovoltaic responses.

Effect of Zirconium Content on Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Nanocomposite Bonded Magnets

Five kinds of bonded magnets with compositions of Nd(10.5)Fe(78.4-x)Co(5)Zr(x)B(6.1) (atom percentage x = 0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5) were prepared by rapid quenching, post heat treatment and mould-pressing. The microstructure and crystallization behavior were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results suggest that high content of Zr can increase the glass formation ability (GFA) of alloys. When the content of Zr is controlled at a certain level, Fe,Zr with high melting point is formed in the alloys, and grain size is reduced consequently. At the same time, because of Zr addition, the coercivity and squareness of demagnetization loop are obviously improved, and the energy product is accordingly increased. As a result, optimal magnetic properties of Nd(10.5)Fe(78.4-x)Co(5)Zr(x)B(6.1) (B(t) = 0. 659 T, H(cj) = 628 kA center dot m(-1), H(cb) = 419 kA center dot m(-1) (BH)(m) 73 kJ center dot m(-3)) are obtained when x = 2.

Structures and magnetic properties of nanocomposite CoFe_2O_4-BaTiO_3 fibers by organic gel-thermal decomposition process

The nanocomposite xCoFe2O4-(1-x)BaTiO3(x=0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,molar fraction) fibers with fine diameters and high aspect ratios(length to diameter ratios) were prepared by the organic gel-thermal decomposition process from citric acid and metal salts.The structures and morphologies of gel precursors and fibers derived from thermal decomposition of the gel precursors were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy.The magnetic properties of the nanocomposite fibers were measured by vibrating sample magnetometer.The nanocomposite fibers consisting of ferrite(CoFe2O4) and perovskite(BaTiO3) are formed at the calcination temperature of 900 ℃ for 2 h.The average grain sizes of CoFe2O4 and BaTiO3 in the nanocomposite fibers increase from 25 to 65 nm with the calcination temperature from 900 to 1 180 ℃.The single fiber constructed from these nanograins of CoFe2O4 and BaTiO3 has a necklace-like morphology.The saturation magnetization of the nanocomposite 0.4CoFe2O4-0.6BaTiO3 fibers increases with the increase of CoFe2O4 grain size,while the coercivity reaches a maximum value when the average grain size of CoFe2O4 is around the critical single-domain size of 45 nm obtained at 1 000 ℃.The saturation magnetization and remanence of the nanocomposite xCoFe2O4-(1-x)BaTiO3(x=0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5) fibers almost exhibit a linear relationship with the molar fraction of CoFe2O4 in the nanocomposites.

Electrochromic & magnetic properties of electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

Progress in electrochromic lithium ion batteries （LIBs） is reviewed, highlighting advances and possible research di- rections. Methods for using the LIB electrode materials＇ magnetic properties are also described, using several examples. Li4Ti5Ol2 （LTO） film is discussed as an electrochromic material and insertion compound. The opto-electrical proper- ties of the LTO film have been characterized by electrical measurements and UV-Vis spectra. A prototype bi-functional electrochromic LIB, incorporating LTO as both electrochromic layer and anode, has also been characterized by charge- discharge measurements and UV-Vis transmittance. The results show that the bi-functional electrochromic LIB prototype works well. Magnetic measurement has proven to be a powerful tool to evaluate the quality of electrode materials. We introduce briefly the magnetism of solids in general, and then discuss the magnetic characteristics of layered oxides, spinel oxides, olivine phosphate LiFePO4, and Nasicon-type Li3Fez（PO4）3. We also discuss what kind of impurities can be detected, which will guide us to fabricate high quality films and high performance devices.

Study on Vector Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Materials Using Hybrid Hysteresis Model

This paper presents a method to study the vector magnetic properties of magnetic materials under alternating and rotational magnetic field using 2-D vector hybrid hysteresis model.Combining Preisach model and Stoner-Wohlfarth(S-W)model,the vector hybrid hysteresis model is established for magnetic materials.The alternating and rotational hysteresis properties are calculated under different excitation frequency,respectively.And the computed results are compared with the experimental measurement ones.It is shown that the vector model can simulate the alternating and rotational magnetic properties effectively under low magnetization fields and low excitation frequency.

Preparation and Thermoelectric Properties of SiO_2/β-Zn_4Sb_3 Nanocomposite Materials

A series of SiO2/β-Zn4Sb3 core-shell composite particles with 3, 6, 9, and 12 nm of SiO2 shell in thickness were prepared by coatingβ-Zn4Sb3 microparticles with SiO2 nanoparticles formed by hydrolyzing the tetraethoxysilane in alcohol-alkali-water solution. SiO2/β-Zn4Sb3 nanocomposite thermoelectric materials were fabricated with these core-shell composite particles by spark plasma sintering （SPS） method. Microstructure, phase composition, and thermoelectric properties of SiO2/β-Zn4Sb3 nanocomposite thermoelectric materials were systemically investigated. The results show thatβ-Zn4Sb3 microparticles are uniformly coated by SiO2 nanoparticles, and no any phase transformation reaction takes place during SPS process. The electrical and thermal conductivity gradually decreases, and the Seebeck coefficient increases compared to that ofβ-Zn4Sb3 bulk material, but the increment of Seebeck coefficient in high temperature range remarkably increases. The thermal conductivity of SiO2/β-Zn4Sb3 nanocomposite material with 12 nm of SiO2 shell is the lowest and only 0.56 W·m^-1·K^-1 at 460 K. As a result, the ZT value of the SiO2/β-Zn4Sb3 nanocomposite material reaches 0.87 at 700 K and increases by 30%.

Computer Simulation of Effect of Intergrain Exchange Interaction on Magnetic Properties of Nanocomposite Magnets

Effects of the intergrain exchange interaction on magnetic properties of nanocomposite magnets were investigated by using the computer simulation based on the micromagnetic theory. The simulation was carried out under the assumptions that the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction is weaker than that of the intragrain exchange interaction, that inhomogeneous nanostructures result in the distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction, and that there exists nonmagnetic intergranular phase (NMIP) between grain boundaries. The distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction was simulated by the lognormal distribution with the standard deviation of σ.The calculations for Nd 2Fe 14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets reveal that a suitably weak intergrain exchange interaction and small grain size enable us to improve magnetic properties. It is also found that a Nd 2Fe 14B/α-Fe nanocomposite magnet has a potential of a (BH) max value exceeding 300 kJ·m -3. On the other hand, the calculations for Nd 2Fe 14B/Fe 3B nanocomposite magnets reveal that the distribution of the strength of the intergrain exchange interaction deteriorates magnetic properties significantly. Particularly, this tendency is remarkable, when the grain size L is larger than its optimum value, 11 nm. The existence of nonmagnetic boundary layers accelerats this tendency. At σ=0.2, the calculated demagnetization curve for the model magnet composed of Nd 2Fe 14B(36%)/Fe 3B(54%)/NMIP(10%) (Valume fraction) grains (L=15 nm) agrees with that obtained experimentally for a Nd 2Fe 14B/Fe 3B nanocomposite magnet. These results suggest importance of refinement of grain size, suppression of a nonmagnetic intergranular phase, and preparation of homogeneous nanostructure for superior magnetic properties.

Crystallization Behavior and Magnetic Properties of Nanocomposite NdFeB Alloys

The influence of Cr substitution on the crystallization behavior and magnetic properties of melt-spun Nd_ 11Fe_ 72-xCo_8V_ 1.5Cr_xB_ 7.5 (x=0, 1) nanocomposite alloys was studied. The annealed samples consist of a mixture of Nd_2Fe_ 14B and α-Fe phases. Presence of grains of the metastable Nd_2Fe_ 23B_3 phase was revealed in the Cr-containing Nd_ 11Fe_ 71Co_8V_ 1.5Cr_1B_ 7.5 sample. The magnetic properties of the bonded magnets are obviously improved by the Cr substitution. The intrinsic coercivity (_JH_c) and maximum magnetic energy product ((BH)_ max) are increased from 780 kA·m -1 and 68 kJ·m -3 for x=0 to 903.5 kA·m -1 and 71 kJ·m -3 for x=1, respectively. The addition of Cr element shows significant advantage in reducing grain size and increasing intrinsic coercivity.

Influence of Zirconium Addition on Magnetic Properties and Temperature Coefficient for Nanocomposite Nd_(10)Fe_(78.5-x)Co_5Zr_xB_(6.5) Magnets

The influence of Zr addition on magnetic properties and temperature coefficient for nanocomposite Nd10Fe78.5-xCo5ZrxB6.5 (x=0～4) bonded magnets was investigated. It was found that the room-temperature magnetic properties were remarkably improved with Zr addition due to the grain refinement and increasing volume fraction of the hard magnetic phase. The optimal magnetic properties of Jr=0.689 T, iHc=769.4 kA·m-1 and (BH)max=84 kJ·m-3 were obtained for 2.5% Zr addition. The temperature coefficient of remanence (α) increases slightly and the temperature coefficient of coercivity (β) decreases obviously with increasing Zr content for nanocomposite Nd10Fe78.5-xCo5ZrxB6.5 (x=0～4) bonded magnets.

Structure and Magnetic Properties of FeCo/Al_2O_3 Nanocomposites

The soft magnetic nanocomposites with equiatomic FeCo particles dispersed in Al2O3 matrix were synthesized via a sol-gel technique combined with H2 reduction method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The FeCo nanoparticles in all the samples have the typical bcc structure. With the decreasing of Al2O3 content, the mean grain size of FeCo in the nanocomposites and the saturation magnetization of the samples increase, while the coercivity of samples increases firstly and then decreases due to different magnetic mechanisms.

Phase Formation and Magnetic Properties of Nanocomposite Nd-Fe-B Adjusted by Small Amount of Dy and Co

In order to improve and stabilize the magnetic properties of nanocomposite Nd2Fe14B/α-Fe magnetic alloys by a compositional adjustment, small amount of Dy and/or Co was added to Nd9Fe84B7 alloys. DTA analysis on the amorphous of the alloys took place as the soft magnetic phases were crystallized, and then the hard magnetic Nd2Fe14B was precipitated from them. While α-Fe and a metastable 1:7 (TbCu7-type) phase were formed simultaneously in Dy and Co-free alloys, they were crystallized separately at different temperatures after Dy or Co was added. This phase separation occurred more clearly in the Dy-treated alloys and the other soft magnetic phase Fe3B was also stabilized by Dy and/or Co. The 1: 7 phase that was stabilized by Dy and/or Co was not eliminated at 700 ℃, decreasing magnetic properties of the alloys. It was eventually disappeared above 725 ℃, but Fe3B was not eliminated even at 750 ℃ when Dy was added more than 0.5 at% or Co was added more than 2.0 at%. Amount of Nd2Fe14B in the alloys tended to increase as Dy addition increased,whereas Co addition did not lead to any appreciable change in the ratio of α-Fe and Nd2Fe14B. Moreover, Dy addition apparently increased coercivity of an alloy while Co addition had a beneficial effect on remanence. The grains in the Dytreated alloys were usually finer than those in the Co-treated alloys. The grain size of both α-Fe and Nd2Fe14B in the alloys exhibiting mr ≥ 0.72 was in the range of 20 ～ 40 nm or even larger 50 nm, which is larger than the theoretical optimum size ( ～ 10 nm). Typical magnetic properties obtained from a Nd7.5Dy1.5Fe82.5Co1.5B7 alloy annealed for 12 min at 725 ℃were iHc=4.85 kOe, Br= 11.32 kG, (BH)max = 15.73 MGOe, and mr=0.73.

Structure and Magnetic Properties of Nd-Fe-B/α-Fe Nanocomposite Magnets by Co, Nb, Dy Substitutions

Structure and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets prepared by mechanical al loying procedure with composition 55 wt pct Nd (Fe0.92B0.08)5.5+45 wt pct α-Fe,55 wt pct Nd(Fe0.8-.Co0.12Nbx B0.08)5.5+45 wt pct α-Fe (x=0.00, 0.01- 0.03) and 55 wt pct (Nd0.9Dy0.1) (Fe0.77Co0.12Nb0.03B0.08)5.5+45 wt pct α-Fe were studied. It was found that substitution of Co for Fe could significantly improve the permanent magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets and typically, the maximum magnetic energy product was increased from 104.8 kJ/m3 (13.1 MGOe) to 141.6 kJ/m3 (17.7 MGOe). In contrast to the case of conventional nominally single-phase magnets, the addition of Nb results in promoting the growth of α-Fe grain and is thus unfavorable for the improvement of permanent magnetic properties of the nanocomposites. Although the addition of Dy can increase the coercivity of the magnets, the increase of magnetic anisotropy of hard phase leads to decrease of the critical grain size of soft phase. Additionally it causes the difficulty of preparing the nanocomposites because it is more difficult to control the grain size of soft phase to meet the requirement of appropriate exchange coupling between hard and soft grains

Structural,magnetic,and dielectric properties of Ni-Zn ferrite and Bi_(2)O_(3)nanocomposites prepared by the sol-gel method

Ni-Zn ferrite and Bi_(2)O_(3)composites were developed by the sol-gel method.The structural,magnetic,and dielectric properties were studied for all the prepared samples.X-ray diffraction(XRD)was performed to study the crystal structure.The results of field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM)showed that the addition of Bi_(2)O_(3)can increase the grain size of the Ni-Zn ferrite.Magnetic properties were analyzed by a hysteresis loop test and it was found that the saturation magnetization and coercivity decreased with the increase of Bi_(2)O_(3)ratio.In addition,the dielectric properties of the Ni-Zn ferrite were also improved with the addition of Bi_(2)O_(3).