Magnetoelectric and converse magnetoelectric res ponses in TbxDy1-xFe2-y alloy ＆ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3 crystal laminated composites

Measured results of magnetoelectric （ME） and converse magnetoelectric （CME） effects of TbxDy1-xFe2-y/ Pb（Mg1/3Nb2/3）（1-x）TixO3/TbxDy1-xFe2-y （TD/PMNT/TD） and PMNT/TD/PMNT laminated composites are presented. ME effect was determined by measuring laminate voltage output under a Helmholtz-generated AC field biased by a DC field （0-1 kOe） （1Oe = 79.58 A/m）. The CME effect was measured by recording the voltage induced in a solenoid encompassing the ME sample while exposed to a DC bias field and PMNT layer driven by a 10 V AC source. The ME and CME responses in the two laminated structure are linear. The highest values of ME coefficients in TD/PMNT/TD and PMNT/TD/PMNT composites are 384 mV/Oe and 158 mV/Oe, respectively, while the highest values of CME coefficients in the two composites are 118 mG/V and 162 mG/V （1 G=10^-4 T）, respectively.     

Dielectric properties of low dielectric constant Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-Mg2TiO4 composite thin films for tunable applications

Ba0.60Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3-xmol%Mg2TiO4 （x = 0-40 mol%） （BSTM-MT） composite thin films were fabricated by sol-gel method. The precursor solution of these composite thin films was prepared through mixing the Ba0.80Sr0.40Mg0.15Ti0.85O3 and Mg2TiO4 solution. The microstructures and dielectric tunability of composite thin films were investigated. The dielectric constant of composite thin films can be tailored from 155 to 55 by changing the concentration of Mg2TiO4. The dielectric loss of these composite thin films were still kept below 0.01 and the tunability was above 20% at a dc-applied electric field of 500 kV/cm. Suitable dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high tunability of this kind of composite thin films can be useful for potential microwave tunable applications.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of near monodisperse Fe3O4 sub-microspheres

Near monodisperse Fe3O4 sub-microspheres with an average diameter of 170 nm have been synthesized by a solvothermal reduction method, using K3[Fe（CN）6] as the raw material in the absence of any surfactants at 200~C℃ for 24 h. The products were detected by XRD, FESEM, TEM, and XPS. The investigation of the reaction parameters indicates that ethylene glycol plays a key role both as reducing agent and solvent. In addition, the reaction time and temperature also have important influences on the final product. The hysteresis loop of the near monodisperse Fe3O4 sub-microspheres shows a ferromagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 60.8 emu/g and coercivity of 124.7Oe.     

State of water and its implications for supersaturated structures in Mg(NO3)2 aerosols

One technique based on the difference spectra was developed to study the state of water in supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols. The technique could be derived from the observation that the Raman scattering and infrared absorbance cross sections of molecular vibrations of interest remain practically constant from diluted solutions to supersaturated aerosols. The spectra of solvated water were obtained and primarily related to the first hydration layers of solute molecules in supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols. Based on this investigation, a chain structure was proposed to occur in the supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosols at low relative humidities (RHs). Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20673010 and 20640420450), “111” Project (Grant No. B07012), and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 20070410466)     

Fine mapping of the red plant gene R1 in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)

Sub 16 is a substitution line with G. hirsutum cv. TM-1 genetic background except that the 16th chromosome (Chr. 16) is replaced by the corresponding homozygous chromosome of G. barbadense cv. 3-79, and T586 is a G. hirsutum multiple gene marker line with 8 dominant mutation genes. The R ₁ gene for anthocyanin pigmentation was tagged in Chr. 16 in T586. The objective of this research was to screen SSR markers tightly linked with R ₁ by using the F₂ segregating population containing 1259 plants derived from the cross of Sub 16 and T586 and the backbone genetic linkage map from G. hirsutum×G. barbadense BC₁ newly updated by our laboratory. Genetic analysis suggested that the segregation ratio of red plants in the F₂ population fit Mendelian 1:2:1 inheritance, confirming that the red plant trait was controlled by an incomplete dominance gene. Preliminary mapping of R ₁ was conducted using 237 randomLy selected F₂ individuals and JoinMap v3.0 software. Then, a fine map of R1 was constructed using the F₂ segregating population containing 1259 plants, and R ₁ was located between NAU4956 and NAU6752, with only 0.49 cM to the nearest maker loci (NAU6752). These results provided a foundation for map-based cloning of R ₁ and further development of cotton cultivars with red fibers by transgenic technology. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30730067) and Programme of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (Grant No. B08025)     

Preparation of Fe3O4@Au nano-composites by self-assembly technique for immobilization of glucose oxidase

Superparamagnetism amination nanocrystals Fe₃O₄ with 3-aminopropyltriethyloxy silane (APTES) were prepared by modified co-precipitation method. Next, 4-5 nm gold nanoparticles, prepared by classical Frens procedure, were coated on the surface of the amination Fe₃O₄ by self-assembly technology. The prepared Fe₃O₄@Au nanocomposite particles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis, infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) in order to elucidate the morphology, optics and magnetic properties of the nanocomposites. Their uniform distribution of particle size, which is about 15 nm, and good magnetic responsiveness were observed. In view of the fact that Fe₃O₄ owns superparamagnetism and that nano-gold can readily combine with biological molecules, glucose oxidase (GO _x ) was chosen as a model to penetrate the condition of immobilizing enzyme, and enzymatic properties of resultant immobilized enzyme were studied as well. By systematic optimization, we established that at 28°C, and pH (5.5) and when mole ratio of Fe₃O₄:HAuCl₄ was 0.5:1, the immobilization provided the best results. Finally, we are glad to find that the immobilized enzyme exhibits excellent thermostability in addition to its better stability than free enzyme. Thus, herein described immobilized enzyme could be used repeatedly with the assistance of an external magnetic field. Supported by the Science Foundation of Sichuan Province, China (Grant No. 2005A033) and Science Foundation of Sichuan Agricultural University for Distinguished Young Teachers (Grant No. 007202)     

Research on effects of hydrostatic pressure on the dielectric property of Pb(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3−</Subscript>BaTiO<Subscript>3−</Subscript> PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> relaxor ferroelectric ceramics

The dielectric properties of Pb(Zn1_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃₋ BaTiO₃₋PbTiO₃ relaxor ferroelectric ceramics near the rhombohedral and tetragonal phase boundary were investigated under hydrostatic pressure. It was found that hydrostatic pressure made their phase transition temperature T _c and the peak temperature T _m decreased, and the frequency dispersion and relaxor behavior enhanced. In these disorder systems of composite pervoskite structures, there appeared polar clusters or nanodomains. The unique physical characteristics, which made the relaxor behavior enhanced, is that the correlation length among these nanodomains decreases greatly with the pressure increasing.     

Synthesis and characterization of BiFeO3 nanotube arrays and Y-junction BiFeO3 nanotubes

Multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanotube arrays (∼100 nm in diameter and ∼50 μm in length) were synthesized by the sol-gel method utilizing the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane technique. The microstructure and chemical components of the BFO nanotubes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The BFO nanotubes exhibited polycrystalline microstructures. The novel Y-junction BFO nanotubes were simultaneously fabricated. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 90306010), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-04-0653) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB616911)     

二维Ti3C2Tx MXene材料的制备与工艺优化

二维（2D）过渡金属碳/氮化物（MXene）材料是当前最受关注的二维材料之一,其中二维碳化钛（Ti₃C₂T_x MXene）材料的研究最为广泛。该材料目前主要通过刻蚀三元碳化物或氮化物（MAX相）后进一步插层得到,因此MAX相材料的纯度和制备工艺条件直接决定了Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料的物化性质。主要完成了不同Ti₃AlC₂ MAX相材料的筛选,选择氢氟酸（HF）刻蚀,并优化了不同的插层方法,制备了一系列Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料。通过X射线衍射（XRD）、场发射扫描电镜（FESEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、原子力显微镜（AFM）和X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等表征,确定使用原位锂离子（Li⁺）插层法可有效获得单层Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料。制备的单层Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料的表面平整,片径约为150 nm,厚度约为2 nm。同时,创新性地采用涡旋震荡辅助材料分层,极大地缩短了超声时间,提高了单层Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料的产率（可达70%）,并且可以避免材料氧化,为Ti₃C₂T_x MXene材料未来应用提供了新方法。     

Dead lithium phase investigation of Sn-Zn alloy as anode materials for lithium ion battery

In this work, based on First-principle plane wave pseudo-potential method, we have carried out an in-depth study on the possible dead lithium phase of Sn-Zn alloy as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. Through investigation, we found that the phases Li_xSn₄Zn₄(x = 2, 4, 6, 8) contributed to reversible capacity, while the phases Li_xSn₄Zn_8−(x−4)(x = 4.74, 7.72) led to capacity loss due to high formation energy, namely, they were the dead lithium phases during the charge/discharge process. And we come up with a new idea that stable lithium alloy phase with high lithiation formation energy (dead lithium phase) can also result in high loss of active lithium ion, besides the traditional expression that the formation of solid electrolyte interface film leads to high capacity loss. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50771046), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 05200534), Key Projects of Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City (Grant Nos. 2006A10704003 and 2006Z3-D2031) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Project No. 20080440764)     

Effects of Sr2+ substitution on the structural,dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of PZT-PMN ceramics

This study described the structural, dielectric, and piezoelectric behavior of Pb_1?x Sr _x [(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)_0.95(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.05]O₃ ceramics (PSZT-PMN, x = 0, 0.025, 0.050, and 0.075), prepared by a semi-wet route. X-ray diffraction, dielectric, and piezoelectric investigations were carried out to analyze the crystal structure. The relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss were both calculated as the functions of temperature. The room-temperature dielectric constant reaches a maximum for a Sr²⁺-modified PZT-PMN ceramic with an x value of 0.050, which corresponds to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Raman spectroscopy studies also confirm the existence of this MPB for x = 0.050. The piezoelectric strain coefficients (d ₃₃) value shows a maximum response for this composition. In addition, the phase transition temperature decreases significantly when the Sr²⁺ concentration increases in the PZT-PMN ceramics.     

Decoration of C60 nanorods with nickel and their magnetic properties

We studied the coating of C60 nanorods with nickel by electroless plating method and investigated their magnetic properties. The morphology and structure of the nickel layer coated on C60 nanorods were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDX）, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and Raman spectroscopy. The coated nickel is in the form of nano-sized crystals and becomes a continuous layer as reaction time increases. The hysteresis loop shows a super paramagnetic characteristic similar to that of nanometer-sized nickel particle. These results suggest that the average size of nickel particles on C60 rods is below 10 nm. Our study has shown that electroless plating is an efficient and simple method for coating C60 nanorods with nickel.     

Superconductivity in Ba1−xSmxFFeAs and Eu1−xSmxFFeAs systems

We synthesized the samples Ba1-xSmxFFeAs and Eu1-xSmxFFeAs with ZrCuSiAs-type structure. These samples were characterized by resistivity and susceptibility. It is found that the substitution of rare earth metal for alkaline earth metal in the two systems suppresses the anomaly in resistivity and induces superconductivity. Superconductivity at 54 K in nominal composition Ba0.5Sm0.5FFeAs and at 51 K for Eu0.5Sm0.5FFeAs is realized, indicating that the superconducting transition temperatures in the iron arsenide fluorides is the same as that in oxypnictides with the same structure.     

PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3的高压合成

研究使用2种原料进行PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃的高压合成. 实验结果表明, 以PbO,ZrO₂和TiO₂(1:0.52∶0.48)为原料, 在1.5 GPa和3.6 GPa压力, 880~1 061 ℃条件下主要形成PbTiO₃, ZrO₂和Pb三相混合物, 仅在880 ℃附近有少量锆钛酸铅(PZT)相生成. 以Zr_0.52Ti_0.48O₂为B位先驱体, 与PbO混合后进行高压高温合成, 在1.5 GPa, 710~812 ℃条件下形成PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃相, 未发现PbTiO3相. 对高压高温（1.5 GPa, 812 ℃）合成的PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃样品进行变温拉曼测量, 在245 ℃时, 未发生结构相变; 在420 ℃时, 拉曼谱只有177.5,257.7,517 cm^-13个峰, 其结构由铁电相转变为立方顺电相, 因此高压合成的PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃居里温度在420 ℃以下.      

Synthesis and electrochemical characteristics of xLi2MnO3·(1−x)Li-(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 compounds

xLi₂MnO₃·(1−x)Li(Ni_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3)O₂ (x=0.25, 0.40, 0.55) compounds were prepared by low-heating solid state reaction. In the voltage range of 2.70-4.35 V, the discharge capacity of the electrode decreased with the increase of x, with a better cyclability. However, when cycled between 2.7 and 4.6 V, the cathodes delivered much larger capacities and their capacities increased with the introduction of Li₂MnO₃. Moreover, it was found that the discharge capacity gradually increased with the cycle number. The reason for this phenomenon was discussed. It was found that the relatively low cut-off potential made the activation of the Li₂MnO₃ component in the compound a gradual process, which caused the increasing capacity.     

Structure, magnetic properties and giant magnetostriction studies in [Tb/Fe/Dy] n nano-multilayer film

[Tb/Fe/Dy]_n nano-multilayer films, with precise composition of Tb_0.27Dy_0.73Fe₂, were prepared by the multi-targets magnetron sputtering technique at room temperature (sample A) and 300℃ substrate temperature (sample B). Both of the nano-multilayer films show columnar structures perpendicular to the film plane according to the scanning electron microscopy results. The magnetic hysteresis loops and the giant magnetostriction (GMS) property of the two samples indicate the perpendicular anisotropy in them. In spite of the perpendicular anisotropy, both of the samples present GMS effect. In a very low applied field of 0.18 T, the GMS value in sample B is 89.3 ppm, which is about four times of that in sample A, 23.5 ppm. The good low-field GMS effect in sample B might attribute to the Laves phase of R-Fe₂ segregated from the amorphous matrix under the thermal annealing of the substrate. The relation between the magnetization process and GMS property of the perpendicular anisotropy nano-multilayer films is further investigated.     

Characterization of PM2.5/PM2.5-10 and source tracking in the juncture belt between urban and rural areas of Beijing

Coarse （PM2.5-10） and fine （PM2.5） atmospheric particulate samples were collected in summer and winter during 2005-2007 in the juncture belt between urban and rural areas of Beijing. Elements, ions, organic/elemental carbon （OC/EC） and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） were determined to obtain some latest information about the particulate pollution in the juncture belt of Beijing. Particulate matter levels at this site were high as compared with the levels at other sampling sites in Beijing. Pollution elements, secondary ions and PAHs were enriched in fine particles rather than in coarse particles. An obvious seasonal variation of the chemical composition of PM was observed. Source apportionment results showed that secondary components were the largest mass contributor of PM2.5, accounting for 28%; whereas soil-related sources were the largest contributor of PM2.5-10, explaining about 49% of the total mass. The abnormal levels of soil heavy metals at the electronic waste disassembly site in the upwind villages suggested the potential impact of such activities to the environment.     

Enhancement of magnetic properties and thermal stability of nanocrystalline (NdDyTb)12.3(FeZrNbCu)81.7B6.0 alloy with Co substitution

The major drawbacks of Nd-Fe-B magnets are relatively low Curie temperature and poor thermal stability. Ribbons with the near stoichiometric 2:14:1 composition of Nd_10.8Dy_0.75Tb_0.75Fe_79.7-xCo_xZr_0.8Nb_0.8Cu_0.4B_6.0 (x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15) were prepared by rapid quenching and subsequent heat treatment. The effect of Co element on the magnetic properties, thermal stability, and microstructure of the ribbons was systematically studied by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermal magnetic analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that Co substitution was significantly effective in improving the magnetic properties and the thermal stability of nanocrystalline ribbons. Although the intrinsic coercivity decreased from 1308.7 kA/m for x=0 to 817.4 kA/m for x=15, the remanence polarization and maximum energy product increased from 0.839 T and 116.5 kJ/m3 for the Co-free samples to 1.041 T and 155.1 kJ/m3 for the 12at% Co-substituted samples, respectively. About 10 K increase in Curie temperature was observed for the 2:14:1 phase with 1at% Co substitution. The absolute values of temperature coefficients of induction and coercivity were significantly decreased with Co substitution, which may be attractive for high operational temperature applications. The microstructure of nanocrystalline ribbons was slightly refined with Co substitution.     

Harmonic hexagonal superlattice pattern in a dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure

We report a harmonic hexagonal superlattice pattern in a dielectric barrier discharge in air/argon mixture at atmospheric pressure. The bifurcation scenario of harmonic hexagonal superlattice pattern with the applied voltage increasing is given. The phase diagram of the pattern types as a function of the applied voltage and the air-concentration is obtained. The hysteresis of pattern transitions at the upward and downward stage of the applied voltage is observed. The correlation measurements indicate that harmonic hexagonal superlattice pattern is an interleaving of two different transient sublattices. The spatial power spectrum demonstrates that harmonic hexagonal superlattice pattern has two separate wave vectors. Both small wave vector qh and big wave vector Kh, belong to the harmonic mode, and they obey a triad resonant interaction qh^1 ＋ qh^2 = Kh.     

Microstructure, crystalline phase and electrical properties of Li0.06(Na0.5K0.5)0.94Nb(1−2x/5)Mg x O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

MgO-modified Li_0.06(Na_0.5K_0.5)_0.94NbO₃ (L₆NKN) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized by normal sintering at a relatively low temperature of 1000°C. The crystalline phase, microstructure, and electrical properties of the ceramics were investigated with a special emphasis on the influence of MgO content. The addition of MgO effectively improves the sinterability of the L₆NKN ceramics. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) separating orthorhombic and tetragonal phases for the ceramics lies in the range of Mg doping content (x) from 0.3at% to 0.7at%. High electrical properties of the piezoelectric constant (d ₃₃=238 pC/N), planar electromechanical coupling coefficient (k _p=41.5%), relative dielectric constant (? _r=905), and remanent polarization (P _r=38.3 μC/cm²) are obtained from the specimen with x=0.5at%, which suggests that the Li_0.06(Na_0.5K_0.5)_0.94Nb_(1?2x/5)Mg _x O₃ (x=0.5at%) ceramic is a promising lead-free piezoelectric material.