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We report a new route to synthesize nanosized (La0.67-XGdX)Sr0.33MnO3 (X=0.1,0.15) perovskite crystalline complex oxides at calcination temperatures of 600-900 °C using amorphous molecular alloy as precursor. The precursor could completely decompose into oxide at temperatures below 500 °C according to thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis results. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the decomposed species was composed of perovskite structure at a calcination temperature of 600 °C for 2 h. The size and topography of the oxides are dependent on the calcination temperature of the precursor. The resulting particle size is in the range of 40-120 nm as determined by a transmission electron microscope. This method is effective and can be easily quantitatively controlled to synthesize nanosized perovskite complex oxides. The Curie temperature TC and the magnetocaloric effect of (La0.67-XGdX)Sr0.33MnO3 (X=0.1,0.15) nanoparticles are discussed based on the measurement of the low-field magnetization curve and the isothermal magnetization curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional chains consisting of crystalline Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a polyacrylic acid template method. The characterizations of composition, structure, and magnetic property of the chains are performed. The formation mechanism of Fe3O4 nanocrystal chains is proposed to be a polymer template and magnetostatic interaction. In a weak magnetic field, the synthesized nanochains can be reorganized. The as-synthesized nanochains are ferromagnetic at room temperature with lower saturation magnetization and higher coercivity value than those of bulk Fe3O4, which could have potential applications in nanosensors for rapid and sensitive detection of biologic or chemical molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-encapsulated ZnSe nanoparticles with diameters about 50 nm were synthesized by noncatalytic one-step thermal evaporation method. The ZnSe cores have a wurtzite crystal structure. The as-synthesized products are uniform and composed of single-crystalline ZnSe nanoparticles enwrapped with polycrystalline graphite layers. The photoluminescence measurement of the carbon-encapsulated nanoparticles shows that the blue emission enhances dramatically compared with the naked ZnSe nanoparticles. This synthetic strategy might exploit a favorable route to synthesize carbon-encapsulated semiconductor nanostructures, which are potentially important for optoelectronic nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite films consisting of nanosized Ag particles embedded in partially oxidized amorphous Si matrices were prepared by radio frequency cosputtering deposition. Subsequent heat treatment at different temperatures ranging from 200 to 500 °C and its effects on the optical absorption of the films were investigated by spectrometry in the wavelength ranging from 200 to 1200 nm. "Surface resonance state" is introduced to discuss the broadening, blue-shift, and intensity decrease of the plasmon resonance absorption peak with decreasing Ag particle size. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]