Research tendencies

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Laboratory for Nanomagnetism and High-Tc superconductors

Research tendencies

Written by Long VIC

Monday, 16 January 2017 13:58

Education:

- Education majors: Training at MSc and PhD levels on Materials Science
- Training program (courses undertaken by researchers of the Laboratory)

For Master degree:

Materials Science
Electronic structure of Molecules and Solids
Solid State Physics
Microanalysis of Materials
Magnetism and superconductivity
Spintronics
Magnetooptics

For PhD degree:

Advanced Electronic Materials
Optional courses related to magnetic and superconducting materials

Main research tendencies:

The research of this group is focused on electronic, magnetic and electrochemical properties of metals, oxides and related compounds. On one hand, the research projects deal with technological challenges in order to apply these materials for electronic and electric industries, energy storage, environment protection and health care. On the other hand, potential materials for application with related fundamental aspects are also of particular interest.

Research groups

1. Magnetic nanoparticles

Magnetic nanoparticales with average diameter down to 10 nm for spinel ferrite MxFe3-xO4 (M: other 3d metals) and 100 nm for hexagonal ferrite Ba1-xSrxFe12O19 are prepared by means of chemical methods and characterized for applications in industry as ferrofluids (lubricant, ink, paint, level sensors), magnets and in biomedicine.

Characterization of Fe3O4 nanoparticles: (a) TEM pattern, (b) Superparamagnetism behavior and application of the particles for ferrofluid: (c) Ferrofluid toolkit made at ITIMS.

2. Materials for spintronic devices

Magnetic multilayere thin films with giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance effects have been studied extensively for applications in read head, MRAM or high-efficiency magnetic sensors (spin-valve structures). A part of the research is conducted on antiferromagnetic MnM (M = Pd, Pt, Cr, etc) thin films which are served as pinning layers in spin-valve structures incorporating exchange bias effect. In addition, reduction of size and enhancement of performance in spintronic devices require materials with superior spin-polarization. In this area, we focus on preparation and characterization of Heusler Mn based alloys which are theoretically predicted to be 100% spin-polarized at room temperature.

Exchange bias effect observed in an as-deposited sample MnPd(24 nm)/Co(18 nm)

SEM pattern of a MnPd thin film surface exhibiting preferential 2D growth mechanism (enlarged 50.000)

3. Nanosize materials for rechargeable batteries

This project covers problems in manufacturing and characterizing novel anode materials in advanced generation of rechargeable batteries. This search for materials is directed at Ni based alloys and their hydride derivatives, lithium compounds which are at nanoscale, high charge-discharge performance, large capacity, long cycle life, inexpensive and environment-friendly.

Ni-MH batteries fabricated at ITIMS

Battery Tester BS 9300R

Charge-discharge curve of LiCoO2 prepared by sol-gel method

TEM pattern of LiCoO2 powder prepared by sol-gel method

4. High-Tc superconductors

High-Tc Bi-based compounds (Bi-2212, Bi-2223) have been prepared by solid-state reaction and sol-gel methods. The superconducting and magnetic characteristics, crystal structure and electronic structure were investigated extensively in order to find out the suitable preparation condition, doping effect, and especially the higher critical current density (Jc) for application. The thin and thick films (Bi-2212, Bi-2223, Y(R)-123) also have been fabricated in different substrates by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) and sputtering with high quality.


Close-cycled refrigeration system for ac-susceptibility and resistivity measurements (20-300K)	Relative resistivity of high-Tc superconducting Bi-2223 sample by sol-gel citrate method
	Ac-susceptibilities of high-Tc superconducting Bi-2223 sample by sol-gel citrate method in different magnetic fields (0-600A/m)

SEM picture of Bi-2212 thin film on STO by Pulsed-Laser Deposition (PLD)	Magnetic hysteresis loop of Bi-2212 thin film on STO by PLD (with critical current density of 10⁶A/cm²)