Developing of AC magnetometer and investigation of magnetic properties of LSMO

In this work AC magnetometer was developed and primary test measurements were performed for temperature range from 77 K up to 350 K in frequency range from 1 kHz up to 20 kHz. In the course of the present work dependencies of magnetization on temperature for Lao7Sr03Mni _yFeyO3 with y = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 were obtained in DC magnetic field using SQUID magnetometer and in AC magnetic field using the developed AC magnetometer. Lai.XSrXMnO3 (LSMO) compounds belong to the class of Mn perovskites, which demonstrate very high degree of spin polarization. These materials are of great importance for nowadays applications in spintronics, where spin polarized electron transport is used. Spin glass like behavior was found as a characteristic feature of these solid solutions with the freezing temperature in the range 65 — 210 K.

Magnetic properties of ZnGeP2:Mn

In this work magnetic properties of ZnGeP2:Mn were investigated in DC magnetic field with SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range from 3 K up to 400 K and in AC magnetic field with AC magnetometer in the temperature range from 77 K up to 350 K in frequency range from 500 Hz up to 18 KHz. Three ZnGeP2:Mn samples were studied with Mn concentration c = 1.5 % mass, 3 % mass and 3.5 % mass.

Ontogenetic dietary changes in male South American fur seals Arctocephalus australis in northern and central Patagonia, Argentina.

This study assessed ontogenetic dietary changes in male South American fur seals Arctocephalus australis in northern and central Patagonia (Argentina) using stable isotope ratios (δ15 N and δ13 C) in vibrissae and bones. Sucking pups were characterised by higher δ15 N values and lower δ13 C values than older specimens. Weaning was associated with a marked drop of δ15 N values, both in bone and vibrissae. Such a drop was inconsistent with the consumption of local prey and may reveal movement to distant foraging grounds or physiological changes associated with either fasting or rapid growth. Stable isotope ratios indicated that juveniles fed more pelagically than subadults and adults, but that there were no major differences between the 2 latter age categories. As subadults and adults are rather similar in body mass and are much larger than juveniles, body mass may play a role in the ontogenetic dietary changes reported. Nevertheless, demersal benthic prey were always scarce in the diet of male fur seals, which relied primarily on Argentine shortfin squid and small pelagic fish throughout life, though adults also consumed large amounts of decapod crustaceans available at shallow depths. Vibrissae did not reveal regular oscillations of δ15 N or δ13 C, except in 1 individual. Thus, male fur seals from northern and central Patagonia do not appear to migrate regularly between isotopically distinct areas, although nomadic displacements cannot be ruled out.

Morphological and Magnetic Properties of Superparamagnetic Carbon-Coated Fe Nanoparticles Produced by Arc Discharge.

Spherical carbon coated iron particles of nanometric diameter in the 5-10 nm range have been produced by arc discharge at near-atmospheric pressure conditions (using 5-8·10 4 Pa of He). The particles exhibit a crystalline dense iron core with an average diameter 7.4 ± 2.0 nm surrounded by a sealed carbon shell, shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area diffrac- tion (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (STEM-EDX) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The SAED, EDX and EELS results indicate a lack of traces of core oxidized phases showing an efficient protection role of the carbon shell. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles have been investigated in the 5-300 K temperature range using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results reveal a superparamagnetic behaviour with an average monodomain diameter of 7.6 nm of the nanoparticles. The zero field cooled and field cooled (ZFC-FC)magnetization curves show a blocking temperature (TB)at room temperature very suitable for biomedical applications (drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging-MRI-, hyperthermia).

Transferência trófica de mercúrio e selênio na costa norte do Rio de Janeiro

Trophic transfer of trace elements along marine food chains has been recognized as an important process influencing metal and metalloid bioaccumulation. The trophic transfer of mercury was observed between trophic levels from prey (considering fish with different feeding habits and squid) to top predator (dolphin) in a Northern coastal food chain of Rio de Janeiro. Selenium showed some evidence of trophic transfer between lower trophic levels. Dolphin presented the highest mercury concentrations whereas the benthic carnivorous fish showed the highest selenium concentrations. Mercury is biomagnified through the food chain while selenium does not present the same behavior.

Ferromagnetic properties of pyrolytic nanocarbon

The work reported in this thesis is dedicated to irreversible magnetic properties in pyrolytic nanocarbon samples. Based on atomic force microscope images, the samples consist of carbon clusters with radius 30..120 nm. These are treated as single-domain nanoparticles. Magnetic hysteresis, field cooled, zero field cooled and thermoremanent magnetization measurements were performed using an RF SQUID magnetometer and ferromagnetic behaviour was observed. Analysis suggests that the ferromagnetic ordering is associated with defects in a thin surface layer, whose thickness is independent of particle size. Critical radius for single-domain particles, critical radius for coherent rotation, magnetic layer thickness, distance between elementary magnetic moments, saturation magnetization, exchange stiffness constant and anisotropy energy density are also presented.

Magnetic properties of multi-walled nanotubes on polysterene substrate

Nanotubes are one of the most perspective materials in modern nanotechologies. It makes present investigation very actual. In this work magnetic properties of multi-walled nanotubes on polystyrene substrate are investigated by using quantum magnetometer SQUID. Main purpose was to obtain magnetic field and temperature dependences of magnetization and to compare them to existing theoretical models of magnetism in carbon-bases structures. During data analysis a mathematical algorithm for obtained data filtration was developed because measurement with quantum magnetometer assume big missives of number data, which contain accidental errors. Nature of errors is drift of SQUID signal, errors of different parts of measurement station. Nanotube samples on polystyrene substrate were studied with help of atomic force microscope. On the surface traces of nanotube were found contours, which were oriented in horizontal plane. This feature was caused by rolling method for samples. Detailed comparison of obtained dependences with information of other researches on this topic allows to obtain some conclusions about nature of magnetism in the samples. It emphasizes importance and actuality of this scientific work.

Hyperfine interactions in the new Fe-based superconducting structures and related magnetic phases

This thesis is devoted to the study of the hyperfine properties in iron-based superconductors and the synthesis of these compounds and related phases. During this work polycrystalline chalcogenide samples with stoichiometry 1:1 (FeTe1-χSχ, FeSe1-x) and pnictide samples with stoichiometry 1:2:2 (BaFe2(As1-χPχ)2, EuFe2(As1-x Px)2) were synthesized by solid-state reaction methods in vacuum and in a protecting Ar atmosphere. In several cases post-annealing in oxygen atmosphere was employed. The purity and superconducting properties of the obtained samples were checked with X-ray diffraction, SQUID and resistivity measurements. For studies of the magnetic properties of the investigated samples Mössbauer spectroscopy was used. Using low-temperature measurements around Tc and various values of the source velocity the hyperfine interactions were obtained and the magnetic and structural properties in the normal and superconducting states could be studied. Mössbauer measurements together with XRD characterization were also used for the detection of impurity phases. DFT calculations were used for the theoretical study of Mössbauer parameters for pnictide-based ᴻsamples BaFe2(As1-xPx)2 and EuFe2(As1-xPx)2.

Magnetization studies of polystyrene/multiwall carbon nanotube composite films

Lappeenranta University of Technology School of Technology Technical Physics Evgenii Zhukov MAGNETIZATION STUDIES OF POLYSTYRENE/MULTIWALL CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOSITE FILMS Master’s thesis 2015 55 pages, 41 pictures, 9 Tables. Examiners: Professor Erkki Lähderanta D.Sc. Ivan Zakharchuk Keywords: polystyrene, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, MWCNT, composite, magnetization, SQUID. In this thesis magnetic properties of polystyrene/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites are investigated with Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer (MPMS XL). The surface of the composite films is studied via BRUKER Multimode 8 Atomic Force Microscope, as well. The polystyrene/MWCNT composites have been prepared by the group of professor Okotrub (Physics Chemistry of Nanomaterials laboratory, Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Russia). The composite films have been prepared by solution processing and stretching method. The approximate length and inner diameter of the MWCNTs used in fabrication are 260 μm and 10 nm, respectively. The content of MWCNTs is 1 and 2.5 contents percent (wt%) for studied samples. The stretching of the samples is 30% for samples with 1 and 2.5 wt% content, and one sample with 1 wt% loading of MWCNTs is 100% stretched. MWCNTs aligned perpendicular to a silicon substrate are used as a reference sample. The magnetization field dependencies of the samples exhibit hysteresis behavior. The values of saturation magnetization of composite films are much less compared to that of the reference sample. The saturation magnetization coercitivity field value drops with decrease of MWCNT content. At high magnetic fields strong presence of diamagnetism is observed. Measurements in magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the composite plate display anisotropy with respect to the direction of stretching. Temperature dependences of magnetization for all samples display difference between zero-field cooled and field-cooled curves of magnetization. This divergence confirms the presence of magnetic interactions in the material. The atomic force microscopy study of the composites’ surfaces revealed that they are relatively smooth and the nanotubes are aligned with the axis of stretching to some extent. 

Magnetic properties of defective graphene

In this thesis, the influence of the functionalization of graphene and graphite on their magnetic properties was investigated. The functionalization was performed by covalent attaching of a phenyl groups with three different radicals (4-bromoaniline, 4-chloroaniline and 4-nitroaniline). Magnetic properties were measured by SQUID magnetometer. Both pristine graphite and graphene showed strong diamagnetic behavior. For good quality graphite, diamagnetism was found to be temperature-dependent. All samples demonstrated noticeable paramagnetic contribution below 50 K. According to fitting experimental results with Brillouin function and Curie law, it was shown that paramagnetism is provided by small clusters of spins (superparamagnetic behavior). Moreover, the clusters size and spin concentrations were calculated. For the samples functionalized with nitroaniline the antiferromagnetic transition around 120 K was observed. To explain this behavior, a simple model was proposed. Additional analysis of the graphene quality, structure and composition of the samples was carried out by HRTEM, EDS mapping, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques.

The Role of Structural Imperfections in Sr2FeMoO6 Thin Films

In this work, Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) thin films were studied with the main focus on their magnetic and magneto-transport properties. The fabrication process of pulsed laser deposited SFMO films was first optimized. Then the effects of strain, film thickness and substrate were thoroughly investigated. In addition to these external factors, the effect of intrinsic defects on the magnetic properties of SFMO were also clarified. Secondly, the magnetoresistivity mechanims of SFMO films were studied and a semiempirical model of the temperature dependence of resistivity was introduced. The films were grown on single crystal substrates using a ceramic target made with sol-gel method. The structural characterization of the films were carried out with X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and high kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy. The magnetic properties were measured with SQUID magnetometer and the magneto-transport properties by magnetometer with a resistivity option. SFMO films with the best combination of structural and magnetic properties were grown in Ar atmosphere at 1050 °C . Their magnetic properties could not be improved by the ex situ post-annealing treatments aside from the treatments in ultra-high vacuum conditions. The optimal film thickness was found to be around 150 nm and only small improvement in the magnetic properties with decreasing strain was observed. Instead, the magnetic properties were observed to be highly dependent on the choice of the substrate due to the lattice mismatch induced defects, which are best avoided by using the SrTiO3 substrate. The large difference in the Curie temperature and the saturation magnetization between the SFMO thin film and polycrystalline bulk samples was connected to the antisite disorder and oxygen vacancies. Thus, the Curie temperature of SFMO thin films could be improved by increasing the amount of oxygen vacancies for example with ultra-high vacuum treatments or improving the B-site ordering by further optimization of the deposition parameters. The magneto-transport properties of SFMO thin films do not follow any conventional models, but the temperature dependence of resistivity was succesfully described with a model of two spin channel system. Also, evidences that the resistivity-temperature behaviour of SFMO thin films is dominated by the structural defects, which reduce the band gap in the majority spin band were found. Moreover, the magnetic field response of the resistivity in SFMO thin films were found to be superposition of different mechanisms that seems to be related to the structural changes in the film.

STANDARDIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR READY TO EAT FISH PRODUCTS IN INDIGENOUS POLYMER COATED TIN FREE STEEL CANS

In the present work, Indigenous polymer coated Tin Free Steel cans were analyzed fortheir suitability for thermal processing and storage of fish and fish products following standard methods. The raw materials used for the development of ready to eat thermally processed fish products were found to be of fresh condition. The values for various biochemical and microbiological parameters of the raw materials were well within the limits. Based on the analysis of commercial sterility, instrumental colour, texture, WB-shear force and sensory parameters, squid masala processed to F0 value of 8 min with a total process time of 38.5 min and cook value of 92 min was chosen as the optimum for squid masala in tin free steel cans while shrimp curry processed to F0 7 min with total process time of 44.0 min and cook value of 91.1 min was found to be ideal and was selected for storage study. Squid masala and shrimp curry thermally processed in indigenous polymer coated TFS cans were found to be acceptable even after one year of storage at room temperaturebased on the analysis of various sensory and biochemical parameters. Analysis of the Commission Internationale d’ Eclirage L*, a* and b* color values showed that the duration of exposure to heat treatment influenced the color parameters: the lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*)decreased, and the redness (a*) significantly increased with the increase in processing time or reduction in processing temperature.Instrumental analysis of texture showed that hardness-1 & 2 decreased with reduction in retort temperature while cohesiveness value did not show any appreciable change with decrease in temperature of processing. Other texture profile parameters like gumminess, springiness and chewiness decreased significantly with increase of processing time. W-B shear force values of mackerel meat processed at 130 °C were significantly higher than those processed at 121.1 and 115 °C. HTST processing of mackerel in brine helped in reducing the process time and improving the quality.The study also indicated that indigenous polymer coated TFS cans with easy openends can be a viable alternative to the conventional tin and aluminium cans. The industry can utilize these cans for processing ready to eat fish and shell fish products for both domestic and export markets. This will help in reviving the canning industry in India.

The digestive system in the cephalopode

Three species of cephalopod molluacs collected from the waters in and around cochin area of the Arabian Sea, of south India formed the subject of the present study. The Species are loligo duvauceli, _Sepia_ aculeata and sepiella inermis, their food and feeding habits, morphology and histology of the gut as well as the physiology of digestion have been described

Synthesis of High Coercivity Cobalt Nanotubes with Acetate Precursors and Elucidation of the Mechanism of Growth

Cobalt nanotubes (CoNTs) with very high longitudinal coercivity were prepared by electrodeposition of cobalt acetate for the first time by using anodized alumina (AAO) template. They were then characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Formation of a highly ordered hexagonal cobalt phase is observed. Room temperature SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) magnetometer measurements indicate that the easy axis of magnetization is parallel to the nanotube axis. These CoNTs exhibit very high longitudinal coercivity of ∼820 Oe. A very high intertubular interaction resulting from magnetostatic dipolar interaction between nanotubes is observed. Thick-walled nanotubes were also fabricated by using cobalt acetate tetrahydrate precursors. A plausible mechanism for the formation of CoNTs based on mobility assisted growth is proposed. The role of the hydration layer and the mobility of metal ions are elucidated in the case of the growth mechanism of one-dimensional geometry

Mn2þ-induced room-temperature ferromagnetism and spin-glass behavior in hydrothermally grown Mn-doped ZnO nanorods

The magnetic properties of Mn-doped ZnO (ZnO:Mn) nanorods grown by hydrothermal process at a temperature of 200 8C and a growth time of 3 h have been studied. The samples were characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and SQUID magnetometry. Mn (3 wt%) and (5 wt%)-doped ZnO samples exhibit paramagnetic and ferromagnetic behavior, respectively, at room temperature. The spin-glass behavior is observed from the samples with respect to the decrease of temperature. At 10 K, both samples exhibit a hysteresis loop with relatively low coercivity. The room-temperature ferromagnetism in 5 wt% Mn-doped ZnO nanorods is attributed to the increase in the specific area of grain boundaries, interaction between dopant Mn2þ ions substituted at Zn2þ site and the interaction between Mn2þ ions and Zn2þ ions from the ZnO host lattice