Mechanisms of transfer film formation on data recording heads

The increasing demand for high capacity data storage requires decreasing the head-to-tape gap and reducing the track width. A problem very often encountered is the development of adhesive debris on the heads at low humidity and high temperatures that can lead to an increase of space between the head and media, and thus a decrease in the playback signal. The influence of stains on the playback signal of reading heads is studied using RAW (Read After Write) tests and their influence on the wear of the heads by using indentation technique. The playback signal has been found to vary and the errors to increase as stains form a patchy pattern and grow in size to form a continuous layer. The indentation technique shows that stains reduce the wear rate of the heads. In addition, the wear tends to be more pronounced at the leading edge of the head compared to the trailing one. Chemical analysis of the stains using ferrite samples in conjunction with MP (metal particulate) tapes shows that stains contain iron particles and polymeric binder transferred from the MP tape. The chemical anchors in the binder used to grip the iron particles now react with the ferrite surface to create strong chemical bonds. At high humidity, a thin layer of iron oxyhydroxide forms on the surface of the ferrite. This soft material increases the wear rate and so reduces the amount of stain present on the heads. The stability of the binder under high humidity and under high temperature as well as the chemical reactions that might occur on the ferrite poles of the heads influences the dynamic behaviour of stains. A model of stain formation taking into account the channels of binder degradation and evolution upon different environmental conditions is proposed.

Iron oxide particles for atheroma imaging

The selection of patients for vascular interventions has been solely based on luminal stenosis and symptomatology. However, histological data from both the coronary and carotid vasculature suggest that other plaque features such as inflammation may be more important in predicting future thromboembolic events. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agents have been used for noninvasive MRI assessment of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in humans. It has reached the stage of development to have been recently used in an interventional drug study to not only assess inflammatory progression but also select patients at high risk. This article reviews the basic science behind the use of USPIO contrast agents in atheroma MR imaging, experimental work in animals, and how this has led to the emergence of this promising targeted imaging platform for assessment of high risk carotid atherosclerosis in humans.

Magnetic control of bioelectrocatalytic processes based on assembled iron oxide particles

A facile magnetic control system was designed in bioelectrocatalytic process based on functionalized iron oxide particles. The iron oxide particles were modified with glucose oxidase, and ferrocene dicarboxylic acid was used as electron transfer mediator. Functionalized iron oxide particles can assemble along the direction of applied magnetic field, and the directional dependence of the assembled iron oxide particles can be utilized for device purposes. We report here how such functionalized magnetic particles are used to modulate the bioelectrocatalytic signal by changing the orientation of the applied magnetic field. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical process to separate iron oxides particles in pottery sample for EPR dating

Ancient potteries usually are made of the local clay material, which contains relatively high concentration of iron. The powdered samples are usually quite black, due to magnetite, and, although they can be used for thermoluminescene (TL) dating, it is easiest to obtain better TL reading when clearest natural or pre-treated sample is used. For electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements, the huge signal due to iron spin-spin interaction, promotes an intense interference overlapping any other signal in this range. Sample dating is obtained by dividing the radiation dose, determined by the concentration of paramagnetic species generated by irradiation, by the natural dose so as a consequence, EPR dating cannot be used, since iron signal do not depend on radiation dose. In some cases, the density separation method using hydrated solution of sodium polytungstate [Na(G)(H(2)W(12)O(40))center dot H(2)O] becomes useful. However, the sodium polytungstate is very expensive in Brazil: hence an alternative method for eliminating this interference is proposed. A chemical process to eliminate about 90% of magnetite was developed. A sample of powdered ancient pottery was treated in a mixture (3:1:1) of HCI, HNO(3) and H(2)O(2) for 4 h. After that, it was washed several times in distilled water to remove all acid matrixes. The original black sample becomes somewhat clearer. The resulting material was analyzed by plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with the result that the iron content is reduced by a factor of about 9. In EPR measurements a non-treated natural ceramic sample shows a broad spin-spin interaction signal, the chemically treated sample presents a narrow signal in g= 2.00 region, possibly due to a radical of (SiO(3))(3-), mixed with signal of remaining iron [M. lkeya, New Applications of Electron Spin Resonance, World Scientific, Singapore, 1993, p. 285]. This signal increases in intensity under -gamma-irradiation. However, still due to iron influence, the additive method yielded too old age-value. Since annealing at 300 degrees C, Toyoda and Ikeya IS. Toyoda, M. Ikeya, Geochem. J. 25 (1991) 427-445] states that E `(1)-signal with maximum intensity is obtained, while annealing at 400 degrees C E`(1)-signal is completely eliminated, the subtraction of the second one from 300 degrees C heat-treated sample isolate E`(1)-like signal. Since this is radiation dose-dependent, we show that now EPR dating becomes possible. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tracing source and evolution of suspended particles in the Rio Negro Basin (Brazil) using chemical species of iron

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Colloidal particles: Spherical yttrium iron garnet

The purpose of this work is to obtain spherical particles YIG from micrometric to nanometric scales. The spherical particles were obtained from cation hydrolysis in acid medium by adding urea or ammonia in order to carry out a homogeneous nucleation process up to 90 degrees C. Different composition and morphology were achieved by changing reactant concentrations, precipitation agent and stabilizing agent. X-ray diffractometry, electrophoretic mobility, transmission and scanning electron microscopies were carried out on these particles to investigate the phase identification, mobility, morphology and particle size. Crystalline YIG, with spherical characteristics, was obtained. The surface potential presented different characteristics for different dispersion media.

Structural and magnetic transformation of monodispersed iron oxide particles in a reducing atmosphere

Uniform metal iron ellipsoidal particles of around 200 nm in length were obtained by reduction and passivation of alumina-coated alpha-Fe2O3 (hematite) particles under different conditions of temperature and hydrogen flow rate. The monodispersed hematite particles were prepared by the controlled hydrolysis of ferric sulfate and further coated with a homogeneous thin layer of Al2O3 by careful selection of the experimental conditions, mainly pH and aluminum salt concentration. The reduction mechanism of alpha-Fe2O3 into alpha-Fe was followed by x-ray and electron diffraction, and also by the measurements of the irreversible magnetic susceptibility. The transformation was found to be topotactic with the [001] direction of hematite particles, which lies along the long axis of the particles, becoming the [111] direction of magnetite and finally the [111] direction of metal iron. Temperature and hydrogen flow rate during the reduction have been found to be important parameters, which determine not only the degree of reduction but also the crystallite size of the final particles. Magnetic characterization of the samples shows that the only parameters affected by the crystallite size are the saturation magnetization and magnetic time-dependence effect, i.e., activation volume. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Preparation and properties of colloidal particles. Silica on yttrium iron garnet

Various properties of particles can be altered by coating them with a layer of different chemical composition. Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) particles has been coated with silica for control of their sintering, corrosion resistance, and stabilization of magnetic properties. This silica cover was obtained by hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in 2-propanol. This material was characterized by transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, (XEDS) X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry, (XPS) X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and (VSM) vibrating sample magnetometry. YIG was heterocoagulated by silica as indicated by TEM micrographies. XPS measurements indicated that only binding energy for silicon and oxygen was found on the silica shell, which confirms that the YIG was covered. The values of the saturation magnetization differ from the heterocoagulated system to well-crystallized YIG.

Spherical particles of phenolic resin treated with iron oxide

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of phenolic resins' thermospheres covered by a magnetic phase of iron oxide. The thermospheres were prepared by allowing phenol and formaldehyde to react under dispersion polymerization conditions and the iron oxide phase was incorporated in situ onto the phenolic resin particles by adding concentrated NH3 to FeCl2 in DMSO. This reaction was conducted at 70 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere in a controlled temperature vessel, and the modified resin was isolated and dried in vacuo. Both pure and modified resins were characterized by DRX, TG- DTA, and MEV/ EDX. The modified particles were attracted by a magnetic field, indicating the fixation of magnetic iron oxide. No diffraction peaks were observed in DRX analysis; thermal analysis ( DTA) of both pure and modified resins presented exothermic events between 300 and 680 degrees C, and 300 and 570 degrees C, respectively, indicating the microstructure of the resin was modified after the treatment. Thermogravimetric analysis ( TGA) of the pure resin registered a 2.0% residue, compared to 8.0% for the modified resin. These residues correspond to about 7.0% of fixed iron oxide. MEV/ EDX analyses confirm the modification of the resins by the process of fixing iron oxide.

Chemical process to separate iron oxides particles in pottery sample for EPR dating

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Mössbauer spectroscopic study of the early crystallization stage of iron(III) hydroxide particles

Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to investigate the early aging stage of iron(III) hydroxide sols prepared by oxidation of Fe(CO)5 in ethanolic solution, followed by vacuum drying at room temperature. One sample was composed of amorphous particles, while two other samples were partially crystallized, either as a result of solvent change or of spontaneous aging. The main results of Mössbauer measurements in the 80-320 K temperature range are: (a) partially crystallized particles exhibit a strong, S-shaped temperature dependence of the quadrupole splitting, in contrast to a weak and linear variation for amorphous particles; (b) the recoilless fraction temperature dependence is affected by vibration of the particles as a whole, with an effective force constant which is smaller for crystallized particles than for amorphous ones. Furthermore, the former exhibit anf-factor discontinuity near 0°C, which is attributed to melting of a surface layer built up during the crystallization process. © 1986.

Formation of colloidal particles of hydrous iron oxide by forced hydrolysis

The mechanism of formation and growth of hydrous iron oxide (FeOOH) during the initial stages of forced hydrolyses of ferric chloride aqueous solution was studied by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The effect of the hydrolysis temperature (60°C, 70°C and 80°C) and of the addition of urea on the formation of colloidal particles under isothermal conditions were investigated. Based on the experimental scattering functions in the Guinier range, we suggest the presence of elongated colloidal particles. The particle diameter and length, and their variation with time, were determined by fitting the form factor of prolate ellipsoids to the experimental scattering functions. We have assumed that our solutions are in a dilute state and that all colloidal particles are approximately of the same size. The colloidal particles have geometrical shapes similar to those of the subcrystals that build up the superstructure of β-FeOOH crystals, indicating that the formation of this hydrous iron oxide is governed by an aggregation process. Otherwise, the addition of urea hinders the growth and yields smaller particles, with a reduction in size greater than 50%. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Protected magnetic particles: Silica on yttrium iron garnet

The formation of silica on core yttrium iron garnet presents a variety of different applications as corrosion resistance and stabilization of magnetic properties. Well-defined magnetic particles were prepared by heterocoagulating silica on yttrium iron garnet to protect the core. Yttrium iron garnet was obtained using a homogeneous nucleation process by controlling the chemical routes from cation hydrolysis in acid medium. The heterocoagulation was induced by tetraethyl orthosilicate hydrolysis in appropriate yttrium iron garnet dispersion medium. The presence of silica on yttrium iron garnet was characterized by vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, small area electron diffraction and differential thermal analysis. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide allow for the detection of metastases in normal sized pelvic lymph nodes of patients with bladder and/or prostate cancer

Lymph node metastases influence prognosis and outcome in patients with bladder and prostate cancer. Cross sectional imaging criteria are limited in detecting metastases in normal sized lymph nodes. This prospective study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of metastases in normal sized lymph nodes using extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) and histopathology as the reference standard.