High current treated-passivated graphene (CTPG) towards stable nanoelectronic and spintronic circuits.

Achieving enhanced and stable electrical quality of scalable graphene is crucial for practical graphene device applications. Accordingly, encapsulation has emerged as an approach for improving electrical transport in graphene. In this study, we demonstrate high-current treatment of graphene passivated by AlOx nanofilms as a new means to enhance the electrical quality of graphene for its scalable utilization. Our experiments and electrical measurements on large-scale chemical vapor-deposited (CVD) graphene devices reveal that high-current treatment causes persistent and irreversible de-trapping density in both bare graphene and graphene covered by AlOx. Strikingly, despite possible interfacial defects in graphene covered with AlOx, the high-current treatment enhances its carrier mobility by up to 200% in contrast to bare graphene samples, where mobility decreases. Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy mapping confirms that surface passivation by AlOx, followed by the current treatment, reduces the number of sp3 defects in graphene. These results suggest that for current treated-passivated graphene (CTPG), the high-current treatment considerably reduces charged impurity and trapped charge densities, thereby reducing Coulomb scattering while mitigating any electromigration of carbon atoms. Our study unveils CTPG as an innovative system for practical utilization in graphene nanoelectronic and spintronic integrated circuits.

Combined Bottom-Up and Top-Down Approach for Highly Ordered One-Dimensional Composite Nanostructures for Spin Insulatronics.

Engineering magnetic proximity effects-based devices requires developing efficient magnetic insulators. In particular, insulators, where magnetic phases show dramatic changes in texture on the nanometric level, could allow us to tune the proximity-induced exchange splitting at such distances. In this paper, we report the fabrication and characterization of highly ordered two-dimensional arrays of LaFeO3 (LFO)-CoFe2O4 (CFO) biphasic magnetic nanowires, grown on silicon substrates using a unique combination of bottom-up and top-down synthesis approaches. The regularity of the patterns was confirmed using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques, whereas magnetic force microscopy images established the magnetic homogeneity of the patterned nanowires and absence of any magnetic debris between the wires. Transmission electron microscopy shows a close spatial correlation between the LFO and CFO phases, indicating strong grain-to-grain interfacial coupling, intrinsically different from the usual core-shell structures. Magnetic hysteresis loops reveal the ferrimagnetic nature of the composites up to room temperature and the presence of a strong magnetic coupling between the two phases, and electrical transport measurements demonstrate the strong insulating behavior of the LFO-CFO composite, which is found to be governed by Mott-variable range hopping conduction mechanisms. A shift in the Raman modes in the composite sample compared to those of pure CFO suggests the existence of strain-mediated elastic coupling between the two phases in the composite sample. Our work offers ordered composite nanowires with strong interfacial coupling between the two phases that can be directly integrated for developing multiphase spin insulatronic devices and emergent magnetic interfaces.

Correlation between the magnetic-microstructure and microwave mitigation ability of MxCo(1-x)Fe2O4 based ferrite-carbon black/PVA composites.

A study of controlling the microwave mitigation properties of ferrite-carbon black/PVA composites by tuning the magnetic microstructure and spin arrangement of the ferrite particles is presented. MxCo(1-x)Fe2O4 (M: Ni2+, Mn2+ & Zn2+) nano-ferrites (NFs) were synthesized by a solvothermal method and these NFs were used to fabricate NF-CB hybrids and flexible NF-CB/PVA composite films. The magnetic force microscopy studies of the NFs reveal a unique single axis oriented domain structure for Zn-NFs and multi-domain magnetic microstructures for Mn-NFs and Ni-NFs. Mössbauer analysis of the NFs reveals highly distorted co-ordination of Fe3+ cations in Zn-NFs, whereas sub-lattice spins are canted in Mn-NFs and Ni-NFs. Despite the distorted magnetic lattice and broken coordination, the largest microwave shielding effectiveness (SE) of 32 dB is observed, over a bandwidth of 8 to 18 GHz, for Zn-NF-CB/PVA with a major contribution from absorption (SEA∼ 25 dB). The dielectric properties and Cole-Cole plots indicate enhanced interfacial polarization in Zn-NF-CB/PVA, which is attributed to the motion of polarons across multiple heterogeneous interfaces. These polarons are thought to be generated by distorted co-ordination of Fe3+, and d-d electron transition between Co2+⇋ Fe3+ cations at the B-site of Zn-NF. Distorted co-ordination of Fe3+ in Zn-NF along with unique single axis oriented magnetic domains play a crucial role in magnetic losses, as µ'' is almost double in Zn-NF based composites as compared to other composites. Due to their excellent and tunable microwave absorption properties, NF-CB/PVA composites could be employed for next generation stealth applications.

Ferromagnetic resonance of NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles and microwave absorption properties of flexible NiCoFe2O4-carbon black/poly(vinyl alcohol) composites.

The effect of cationic disorder and particle morphology on the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of flexible composites (wherein the nanoparticles are used as fillers) has been presented. Upon annealing at 1000 °C, spherical, ∼25 nm, single crystalline (as-prepared) NPs are transformed into octahedral, ∼200 nm, polycrystalline (annealed) NPs and change the cationic distribution significantly. The effect of shape, size and cationic distribution on the resonance properties has been discussed using the randomly-oriented anisotropic-axis model. The temperature dependent evolution of FMR spectra has been found to be consistent with a Bloch spin-relaxation model. Analysis of the FMR spectra reveals that NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles have a large internal magnetic field along with broad FMR linewidths of ∼2-3 kOe, signifying high magnetic losses that are essential for the absorption of electromagnetic (EM) waves. Next, NiCoFe2O4-carbon black (NCF-CB) hybrids grafted in a PVA matrix, as flexible composite films with a thickness of ∼1.5 mm, are assessed for EM wave absorption properties in the range of 8-18 GHz. As compared to annealed-NCF-CB/PVA (21 dB, ∼99.5%), the as-prepared-NCF-CB/PVA composite film exhibits significantly large SE of 27 dB (∼99.9% attenuation of the EM wave), with a dominant contribution from absorption (SEA ∼ 21 dB). The electrical conductivity, the electric modulus, and Cole-Cole plots reveal that the dielectric losses in the as-prepared-NCF-CB/PVA have significant contributions from cationic disorder and particle size, as compared to the annealed-NCF-CB/PVA composites. Cationic disorder increases the d-d electron transition probability between adjacent ionic pairs such as Co2+/Fe3+ and a reduced particle size creates large interfacial polarization in the as-prepared NCF/CB hybrids. Considerably large values of the Landes g-factor, magnetic anisotropy and better impedance matching indicate a dominant magnetic loss contribution in ap-NCF (g = 4.5) as compared to an-NCF (g = 2.5) at 300 K.

Observation of magnetic anomalies in one-step solvothermally synthesized nickel-cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

Magnetic anomalies corresponding to the Verwey transition and reorientation of anisotropic vacancies are observed at 151 K and 306 K, respectively, in NiCoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by a modified-solvothermal method followed by annealing. Cationic disorder and spherical shape induced non-stoichiometry suppress the Verwey transition in the as-synthesized NPs. On the other hand, reorientation of anisotropic vacancies is quite robust. XRD and electron microscopy investigations confirm a single phase spinel structure and the surface morphology of the as-synthesized NPs changes from spherical to octahedral upon annealing. Rietveld analysis reveals that the Ni(2+) ions migrate from tetrahedral (A) to octahedral (B) sites upon annealing. The Mössbauer results show canted spins in both the NPs and the strength of superexchange is stronger in Co-O-Fe than Ni-O-Fe. Magnetic force images show that the as-synthesised NPs are single-domain whereas the annealed NPs are multi-domain octahedral particles. The FMR study reveals that both the NPs have a broad FMR line-width; and resonance properties are consistent with the random anisotropy model. The broad inhomogeneous FMR line-width, observation of the Verwey transition, tuning of the magnetic domain structure as well as the magnetic properties suggest that the NiCoFe2O4 ferrite NPs may be promising for future generation spintronics, magneto-electronics, and ultra-high-density recording media as well as for radar absorbing applications.

Ordered mesoporous ferrosilicate materials with highly dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles and investigation of their unique magnetic properties.

Ordered mesoporous ferrosilicate materials with highly dispersed iron oxide nanoparticles are directly synthesized through a hydrothermal approach under acidic conditions. The obtained samples possess a high surface area (up to 1236 m(2) g(-1)) and a large pore volume (up to 1.1 cm(3) g(-1)). By changing the amount of iron content, the magnetic properties can be tuned.