Search Results (885)

A diatomaceous earth (DE)-based adsorbent DE-Ce was prepared and optimized to remove phosphorus from wastewater. DE was modified through purification–cerium loading, improving its phosphorus adsorption capacity and recycling ability. The preparation conditions were optimized using the Box–Behnken design, and the response surface method was employed to analyze the effects of roasting temperature, cerium concentration, and HCl concentration on the preparation of DE-Ce. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used for characterization, with results indicating that HCl washing can effectively remove impurities. Cerium was mainly loaded onto DE in the form of Ce(OH)₃, and pore size and capacity increased following cerium loading, with the formation of a macroporous structure. The obtained DE-Ce adsorbent removed 98.30% phosphorous, with the removal process following the secondary kinetic and Langmuir models. According to material characterization and model analysis results, the phosphorus removal mechanism primarily involves electrostatic adsorption, ligand exchange, and precipitation. Overall, the findings indicate that cerium modification can effectively improve the adsorption capacity of DE. Full article

The magnetic permeability (μ), dielectric permittivity (ε) and electrical conductivity (σ) of six elastomer samples obtained by mixing silicone rubber (RTV-530) with a kerosene-based ferrofluid in different volume fractions (φ), 1.31%, 2.59% and 3.84%, were determined using complex impedance measurements over a frequency range of 500 Hz–2 MHz. Three samples (A₀, B₀ and C₀) were manufactured in the absence of a magnetic field, and the other three samples (A_h, B_h and C_h) were manufactured in the presence of a magnetic field, H = 43 kA/m. The component μ″ of the complex effective magnetic permeability of all samples presents a maximum at a frequency, f_max, that moves to higher values by increasing φ, with this maximum being attributed to Brownian relaxation processes. The conductivity spectrum, σ (f), of all samples follows the Jonscher universal law, which allows for both the determination of the static conductivity, σ_DC, and the barrier energy of the electrical conduction process, W_m. For the same φ, W_m is lower, and σ_DC is higher in the samples A_h, B_h and C_h than in the samples A₀, B₀ and C₀. The performed study is useful in manufacturing elastomers with predetermined properties and for possible applications such as magneto-dielectric flexible electronic devices, which can be controlled by the volume fraction of particles or by an external magnetic field. Full article

High-frequency components such as microprocessors, transistors, antennas, voltage-controlled oscillators, and many others generate a large amount of heat. In the absence of satisfactory cooling, these components may suffer damage or even destruction. Therefore, it is important to find effective ways to cool these components. A possible solution is to use oil-based magnetic fluids. Magnetic fluids contain magnetic particles dispersed in oil, and their properties, including viscosity, affect their cooling capabilities. Viscosity can be changed by adding various additives or by adjusting the concentration of magnetic particles. The advantage of using oil-based magnetic fluids for cooling is that they allow for precise dosing and control of the amount of fluid applied to the component, reducing thermal losses and increasing cooling efficiency. In addition, oil-based magnetic fluids can also act as a dielectric, reducing electrical noise and increasing electromagnetic compatibility with the components. Analyzing the heating rate of magnetic fluids consisting of mineral oils in an alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 500 kHz, we have shown the capability of controlling thermal losses by adjusting the viscosity of the carrier liquid. Full article

In the commemorative Special Issue titled “Insights into Functional Molecular Materials—A Themed Collection Honoring Professor Manuel Almeida on His 70th Birthday”, eminent researchers from around the globe in the field of molecular materials science come together to acknowledge and celebrate the notable scientific contributions of Professor Almeida [...] Full article

In comparison to alternative methods for hydrogen production, water electrolysis stands out as the optimal means for obtaining ultra-pure hydrogen. However, its widespread adoption is significantly hampered by its low energy efficiency. It has been established that the introduction of an external magnetic field can mitigate energy consumption, consequently enhancing electrolysis efficiency. While much of the research has revealed that an electrode–parallel magnetic field plays a crucial role in enhancing the bubble detachment process, there has been limited exploration of the effect of electrode–normal magnetic fields. In this work, we compare the water electrolysis efficiency of a circular electrode subjected to electrode–normal magnetic field resulting in a magnet edge effect and electrode edge effect by varying the sizes of the magnet and electrode. The findings indicate that a rotational flow caused by the Lorentz force facilitates the detachment of the hydrogen from the electrode surface. However, the rotation direction of hydrogen gas bubbles generated by the magnet edge effect is opposite to that of electrode edge effect. Furthermore, the magnet edge effect has more significant influence on the hydrogen bubbles’ locomotion than the electrode edge effect. With an electrode gap of 30 mm, employing the magnet edge effect generated by a single magnet leads to an average of 4.9% increase in current density. On the other hand, the multiple magnet effects created by multiple small magnets under the electrode can further result in an average 6.6% increase in current density. Nevertheless, at an electrode spacing of 50 mm, neither the magnet edge effect nor the electrode edge effect demonstrates a notable enhancement in conductivity. In reality, the electrode edge effect even leads to a reduction in conductivity. Full article

This work aims to characterize 3D-printed structures composed of a thermoplastic material (polylactic acid (PLA)) containing a combination of magnetic particles composed of iron(III) oxide (hematite) and iron(II)–iron (III) oxide (magnetite) with various infill densities and print orientations in regard to their possible processing by Fused Filament Fabrication additive technology. The correct processing temperatures have been determined using thermal analysis, and the paramagnetic and mechanical properties of the samples have been tested. The relative permeability has been identified to be strongly dependent on the topology parameters of the tested samples. The results of the inductance values for the samples without magnetic additives (infill densities 50% and 100%) have been detected to be comparable; nonetheless, the magnetic samples with 100% infill density has been found to be about 50% higher. A similar trend has been observed in the case of the values of the relative permeability, where the magnetic samples with 100% infill density have been measured as having an about 40% increased relative permeability in the comparison with the samples without magnetic additives (infill densities 20–100%). Finite Element Modelling (FEM) simulations have been applied to determine the magnetic field distributions and, moreover, to calculate the holding forces of all the printed samples. The maximum value of the holding force for the minimum distance of the plastic plate has been found to reach a value of almost 300 N (magnetic sample with 100% infill density). The obtained comprehensive characterization of the printed samples may be utilized for designing and tuning the desired properties of the samples needed in various industrial applications. Full article

Among the 5d transition metal iridates, Sr₂IrO₄, which has a layered chalcogenide structure, has received much attention due to its strong spin–orbit coupling (SOC), which produces Mott insulating states and anomalous physical behaviors. In this paper, the microscopic magnetism of Sr₂IrO₄ is studied with electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The Lande factor g of the ferromagnetic resonance signal of Sr₂IrO₄ shows anomalous behavior compared to typical ferromagnets. It gradually decreases, and the corresponding resonance field H_r increases, with decreasing temperature. The various physical parameters. including the saturated magnetic field H_s derived from M-H, H_r, ΔH_pp, the g factor and the intensity I extracted from ESR spectra, are analyzed in detail. Eventually, it is revealed that the anomalous behavior of the g-factor is induced by in-plane Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya interaction (DMI) rather than the SOC effect. Full article

In this study, we give a thorough evaluation of the structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties in iron-rich PrFe${}_{11}$Ti intermetallic alloy with ThMn${}_{12}$-type structure using a combination of experimental and theoretical analysis. X-ray diffraction coupled with Rietveld refinement was used to characterize the structure, which revealed a unique tetragonal crystal structure with $I4/mmm$ space group. The $8i$ site was identified as the preferred site for the Ti atom. This finding was confirmed by various techniques, including XRD, DFT, and Mössbauer spectrometry. Magnetic properties were studied through intrinsic magnetic measurements and magnetocaloric effect analysis. Mössbauer spectroscopy was employed to probe the local magnetic environment and for further characterization of the material’s magnetic properties. The experimental results were complemented by theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). A promising magnetocaloric effect is observed, with a significant maximum magnetic entropy ($-\Delta S_M^{\max }$ = 2.5 J·kg${}^{-1}$·K${}^{-1}$) and a relative cooling power about 70 J·kg${}^{-1}$ under low magnetic field change ${\mu }_0\Delta H$ = 1.5 T. Overall, our results provide a deeper understanding of the structural and magnetic properties of the material under study and demonstrate the effectiveness of the combined experimental and theoretical approach in the investigation of complex materials. The insights gained from this study could have implications for the development of advanced magnetic materials with enhanced properties for potential magnetic applications. Full article

The hexacoordinate Co(II) complex [Co(neo)₂(cin)][BPh₄]·½Me₂CO (1·½Me₂CO) containing trans-cinnamic acid (Hcin) and neocuproine (neo) was prepared. The compound 1·½Me₂CO was characterized via single-crystal X-ray analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The coordination polyhedron of the complex cation adopts a deformed octahedron shape, and cinnamate exhibits a bidentate mode of coordination, which is unusual for mononuclear Co(II) cinnamate complexes. The analysis of DC magnetic measurements with zero-field splitting (ZFS) spin Hamiltonian revealed large magnetic anisotropy defined by the axial ZFS parameter D = +53.2 cm⁻¹. AC susceptibility measurements revealed the slow relaxation of magnetization under the applied field; thus, 1·½Me₂CO behaves as a field-induced single-molecule magnet. The analysis of magnetic properties was also supported by CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations. Full article

A new method for obtaining nanosized particles of iron oxides using porous silica gel is proposed. In situ magnetometry was used to study the reduction of hematite deposited on silica gel during the thermolysis of glucose. The formed magnetite and maghemite obtained by subsequent oxidation of the magnetite were studied using X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy. It was shown that both the size of the oxide particles and the phase composition significantly depended on the porous structure of the silica gel. In particular, the formation of superparamagnetic maghemite particles on silica gels with pore sizes of 30, 15 and 10 nm was demonstrated. Full article

In this work, the possibility of fabricating composite magneto-optical ceramics by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of nanopowders and high-temperature vacuum sintering of the compacts was investigated. Holmium oxide was chosen as a magneto-optical material for the study because of its transparency in the mid-IR range. Nanopowders of magneto-optical (Ho_0.95La_0.05)₂O₃ (HoLa) material were made by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. Nanopowders of (Y_0.9La_0.1)₂O₃ (YLa) were made by laser synthesis for an inactive matrix. The process of formation of one- and two-layer compacts by EPD of the nanopowders from alcohol suspensions was studied in detail. Acetylacetone was shown to be a good dispersant to obtain alcohol suspensions of the nanopowders, characterized by high zeta potential values (+29–+80 mV), and to carry out a stable EPD process. One-layer compacts were made from the HoLa and YLa nanopowders with a density of 30–43%. It was found out that the introduction of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) into the suspension leads to a decrease in the mass and thickness of the green bodies deposited, but does not significantly affect their density. The possibility of making two-layer (YLa/HoLa) compacts with a thickness of up to 2.6 mm and a density of up to 46% was demonstrated. Sintering such compacts in a vacuum at a temperature of 1750 °C for 10 h leads to the formation of ceramics with a homogeneous boundary between the YLa/HoLa layers and a thickness of the interdiffused ion layer of about 30 μm. Full article

The involvement of spin symmetry in the evaluation of zero-field energy levels in polynuclear transition metal and lanthanide complexes facilitates the division of the large-scale Hamiltonian matrix referring to isotropic exchange. This method is based on the use of an irreducible tensor approach. This allows for the fitting of the experimental data of magnetic susceptibility and magnetization in a reasonable time for relatively large clusters for any coupling path. Several examples represented by catena-[A_N} and cyclo-[A_N] systems were modeled. Magnetic data for 20 actually existing endohedral clusters were analyzed and interpreted. Full article

A mononuclear Ni(II) complex, [Ni(HL1)₂], (1) and a novel tetranuclear heterometal Mn-Ni complex, [Mn₃Ni(L1)₄Cl₂(EtOH)₂], (2) [H₂L1 = N-(2-hydroxymethylphenyl)salicylideneimine], have been synthesized and characterized via X-ray crystal structure analyses, infrared spectra, and elemental analyses. The structure analyses revealed that the tridentate ligand, H₂L1, coordinates in a facial mode for Ni and a mer mode for Mn, respectively. Complex 2 includes Mn(II)Mn(III)₂Ni(II) tetranuclear metal core bridged by μ-phenoxo and μ-alkoxo oxygens. Magnetic measurements for 2 indicate that weak ferromagnetic interactions (J_{Mn(III)Ni(II)} = 2.23, J_{Mn(III)Mn(II)} = 0.46, J_Mn(II)Ni(II) = 1.78, and J_{Mn(III)Mn(III)} = 0.58 cm⁻¹) dominate in the tetranuclear core. Additionally, in alternating current (AC) magnetic measurements, frequency-dependent out-of-phase responses were observed. Full article

A wide class of materials with different crystal and electronic structures including quasi-2D unconventional superconductors, such as cuprates, nickelates, ferropnictides/chalcogenides, ruthenate Sr${}_2$RuO${}_4$, and 3D systems, such as manganites RMnO${}_3$, ferrates (CaSr)FeO${}_3$, nickelates RNiO${}_3$, silver oxide AgO, are based on Jahn–Teller $3d$ and $4d$ ions. These unusual materials, called Jahn–Teller (JT) magnets, are characterized by an extremely rich variety of phase states, spanning from non-magnetic and magnetic insulators to unusual metallic and superconducting states. The unconventional properties of JT magnets can be attributed to the instability of their highly symmetric Jahn–Teller “progenitors” with the ground orbital E-state with repect to charge transfer, anti-Jahn–Teller d-d disproportionation, and the formation of a system of effective local composite spin–singlet or spin–triplet, electronic, or hole S-type bosons moving in a non-magnetic or magnetic lattice. We consider specific features of the anti-JT-disproportionation reaction, properties of the electron–hole dimers, possible phase states and effective Hamiltonians for single- and two-band JT magnets, concluding with a short overview of physical properties for actual JT magnets. Full article