On the crystallization kinetics of multicomponent nano-chalcogenide Se79-x Te15In6Pbx (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) alloys

Nanotechnology continuously rises due to its potential applications. To control nano-materials design and microstructure, it is very essential to understand nucleation and crystalline growth in these materials. In this research contribution, crystallization kinetics and thermal behaviour of nano-crystalline Se79-x Te15In6Pb x (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 at. wt%) chalcogenide alloys is analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) process under non-isothermal conditions at four different heating rates; 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min−1. The examined Se-Te-In-Pb nano-chalcogenide system is prepared through melt-quenching process. Characteristic temperatures namely glass transition temperature (T g), onset crystallization temperature (To), peak temperature of crystallization (T p) and melting temperature (T m) show dependence on heating rate and composition. The various kinetic parameters such as activation energy of glass transition (E g), activation energy of crystallization (E c), reduced glass transition temperature (T rg), Hruby number (K gl), thermal stability parameters (S and H’) and fragility index (F i) are analyzed for investigated Se-Te-In-Pb nano-crystalline system. Different empirical approaches are applied to determine the apparent glass transition activation energy (E g) and crystallization activation energy (E c).

Magneto-thermally activated spin-state transition in La0.95Ca0.05CoO3: magnetically-tunable dipolar glass and giant magneto-electricity

The magneto-dielectric spectroscopy of La0.95Ca0.05CoO3 covering the crossover of spin states reveals the strong coupling of its spin and dipolar degrees of freedom. The signature of the spin-state transition at 30 K clearly manifests in the magnetization data at a 1 Tesla optimal field. Our Co L3,2-edge X-ray absorption spectrum on the doped specimen is consistent with its suppressed low-to-intermediate spin-state transition temperature at ∼30 K compared to ∼150 K, documented for pure LaCoO3. The dispersive activation step in the dielectric constant with the associated relaxation peak in imaginary permittivity characterize the allied influence of coexistent spin-states on the dielectric character. Dipolar relaxation in the low-spin regime below the transition temperature is partly segmental (Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (VFT) kinetics) and features magnetic-field tunability, whereas in the low/intermediate-spin disordered state above ∼30 K, it is uncorrelated (Arrhenic kinetics) and almost impervious to the magnetic field H. Kinetics-switchover defines the dipolar-glass transition temperature Tg(H) (=27 K|0T), below which their magneto-thermally-activated cooperative relaxations freeze out by the VFT temperature T0(H) (=15 K|0T). An applied magnetic field facilitates thermal activation in toggling the low spins up into the intermediate states. Consequently, the downsized dipolar-glass segments in the low-spin state and the independent dipoles in the intermediate state exhibit accelerated dynamics. A critical 5 Tesla field collapses the entire relaxation kinetics into a single Arrhenic behaviour, signaling that the dipolar glass is completely devitrified under all higher fields. The magneto-electricity (ME) spanning sizeable thermo-spectral range registers diverse signatures here in kinetic, spectral, and field behaviors, in contrast to the static/perturbative ME observed close to the spin-ordering in typical multiferroics. Intrinsic magneto-dielectricity (50%) along with vanishing magneto-loss is obtained at (27 K/50 kHz)9T. The sub-linear deviant and field-hysteretic split seen in above 4 Tesla suggests the emergence of robust dipoles organized into nano-clusters, induced by the internally-generated high magneto-electric field. An elaborate ω-T multi-dispersions diagram maps the rich variety of phase/response patterns, revealing highly-interacting magnetic and electric moments in the system.

Structural, magnetic, and dielectric studies on Gd0.7Y0.3MnO3

Structural, magnetic, specific heat, and dielectric studies were carried out on Y substituted (30 at. %) GdMnO(3) compound as a function of temperature. Anomalies occur at ~41 and 18 K, in the specific heat measurements and are ascribed to paramagnetic, to sinusoidal incommensurate antiferromagnetic transition (ICAFM) and ICAFM to commensurate antiferromagnetic transitions, respectively. Changes in the lattice parameters across these temperatures indicate magneto-elastic coupling present in the compound. However, in the dielectric measurements, an anomaly at 18 K alone is observed and is ascribed to a ferroelectric transition, giving rise to spontaneous ferroelectric ordering at low temperatures. This observation is supported by an anomaly in lattice parameters, across the transition temperature. From the frequency dependent dielectric studies, a strong coupling between Gd(3+) and Mn(3+) magnetic sublattices is inferred and Y substitution results in substantial changes in the relaxation process compared to that of GdMnO(3).

Magnetic and 57Fe Mössbauer study of magneto-electric GaFeO3 prepared by the sol-gel route

This work reports the preparation of magneto-electric GaFeO(3) by the sol-gel route and its characterization by x-ray diffraction, dc-magnetization, ac-susceptibility, low temperature and high field (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and dielectric constant measurements. The prepared samples are found to be single phase from x-ray diffraction studies. The crystallite sizes are found to be in the nano-regime for the samples sintered at low temperatures. From the temperature dependent dc-magnetization (M-T) measurements, bifurcation of the zero-field cooled (ZFC)-field cooled data and a cusp in the ZFC data are observed. With the help of low-field ac-susceptibility, (57)Fe Mössbauer and detailed dc-magnetic measurements these features are explained in terms of the magnetic anisotropy of the sample ruling out phenomena like spin-glass and super-paramagnetism as quoted in the literature for this compound. Apart from this, very interesting and different M-H behavior mimicking composite two-phase magnets is observed for the samples sintered at different temperatures. A symmetric M-H loop is observed for samples sintered at low temperatures and a pinched M-H loop is observed for samples sintered at high temperatures. The observed magnetic properties are explained by estimating the Fe cation distribution using high field (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. An anomaly in the dielectric constant data at the Curie temperature indicates the ME coupling of the samples.

Spin-valve-like magnetoresistance in Mn2NiGa at room temperature

Spin valves have revolutionized the field of magnetic recording and memory devices. Spin valves are generally realized in thin film heterostructures, where two ferromagnetic (FM) layers are separated by a nonmagnetic conducting layer. Here, we demonstrate spin-valve-like magnetoresistance at room temperature in a bulk ferrimagnetic material that exhibits a magnetic shape memory effect. The origin of this unexpected behavior in Mn(2)NiGa has been investigated by neutron diffraction, magnetization, and ab initio theoretical calculations. The refinement of the neutron diffraction pattern shows the presence of antisite disorder where about 13% of the Ga sites are occupied by Mn atoms. On the basis of the magnetic structure obtained from neutron diffraction and theoretical calculations, we establish that these antisite defects cause the formation of FM nanoclusters with parallel alignment of Mn spin moments in a Mn(2)NiGa bulk lattice that has antiparallel Mn spin moments. The direction of the Mn moments in the soft FM cluster reverses with the external magnetic field. This causes a rotation or tilt in the antiparallel Mn moments at the cluster-lattice interface resulting in the observed asymmetry in magnetoresistance.

Calcium silicate based microspheres of repaglinide for gastroretentive floating drug delivery: Preparation and in vitro characterization

Gastroretentive dosage forms have potential for use as controlled-release drug delivery systems. Multiple unit systems avoid the 'all-or-none' gastric emptying nature of single-unit systems. A controlled release system designed to increase its residence time in the stomach without contact with the mucosa was achieved through the preparation of floating microspheres by the emulsion solvent diffusion technique consisting of (i) calcium silicate (FLR) as porous carrier; (ii) repaglinide, an oral hypoglycemic agent; and (iii) Eudragit S as polymer. The effect of various formulation and process variables on the internal and external particle morphology, micromeritic properties, in vitro floating behavior, physical state of the incorporated drug, drug loading and in vitro drug release were studied. The microparticles were found to be regular in shape and highly porous. The release rate was determined in simulated gastro-intestinal fluids at 37 degrees C. The formulation demonstrated favorable in vitro floating and release characteristics. The drug encapsulation efficiency was high. Incorporation of FLR in the microspheres proved to be an effective method to achieve the desired release behavior and buoyancy. The designed system, combining excellent buoyant ability and suitable drug release pattern, could possibly be advantageous in terms of increased bioavailability of repaglinide.