X-ray fluorescence analysis of geological samples: exploring the effect of sample thickness on the accuracy of results

Synthesis and Physical Properties of Antiperovskite CuNFe3 Thin Films via Solution Processing for Room Temperature Soft-Magnets

Antiperovskite CuNFe3 (CNF) thin films have been successfully prepared by chemical solution deposition (CSD) for the first time. They are versatile in many applications as an iron-based nitride. The preparation of pure CNF thin films is a challenging work for the complexity of the phase diagram. Herein, the CNF thin films are phase-pure and polycrystalline. Annealing temperature effects on the microstructures and physical properties were investigated, showing that the CNF thin films are metallic and can be considered as a candidate for room temperature soft-magnets with a large saturated magnetization (Ms) and a low coercive field (Hc). At high temperatures, the electrical transport behavior of CNF thin films presents a low temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) value, while the electron–electron interaction is prominent at low temperatures. The reported solution methods of CNF thin films will enable extensive fundamental investigation of the microstructures and properties as well as provide an effective route to prepare other antiperovskite transition-metal nitride thin films.

Solution Processable CrN Thin Films: Thickness-Dependent Electrical Transport Properties

Thickness is a very important parameter with which to control the microstructures, along with physical properties in transition-metal nitride thin films. In work presented here, CrN films with different thicknesses (from 26 to 130 nm) were grown by chemical solution deposition. The films are pure phase and polycrystalline. Thickness dependence of microstructures and electrical transport behavior were studied. With the increase of films thickness, grain size and nitrogen content are increased, while resistivity, zero-field sensitivity and magnetoresistance are decreased. In the temperature range of 5-350 K, all samples exhibited semiconductor-like properties with dρ/dT < 0. For the range above and below the Néel temperature, the resistivity can be fitted by the thermal activation model and the two-dimensional weak localization (2D-WL) model, respectively. The ultra-low magnetoresistance at a low temperature under high magnetic fields with a large zero-field sensitivity was observed in the CrN thin films. The zero-field sensitivity can be effectively tuned to 10^-2 K^-1 at 5 K with a magnetoresistance of less than 1% at 2 K under 14 T by reasonably controlling the thickness.

Epitaxial antiperovskite superconducting CuNNi3 thin films synthesized by chemical solution deposition

Epitaxial antiperovskite superconducting CuNNi3 thin films have been grown by chemical solution deposition. The film is a type II superconductor and shows a Tc of 3.2 K with a transition of 0.13 K. The Hc2(0) and ξ0 are estimated to be 8.1 kOe and 201 Å, respectively.

Multi-element analysis of pyrite ores using polarized energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is used worldwide in geological material analysis. This study, applies polarized energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PEDXRF) Spectrometer and compares in the samples of Rize-Cayeli and Mardin pyrite ores. The samples of pyrite ore were collected from the Rize and Mardin in Turkey. The prepared samples were analyzed using a PEDXRF spectrometer. The result of the analysis shows the presence of many elements including rare-earth elements (from Na to Th). The accuracy and precision of the technique for chemical analysis is demonstrated by analyzing USGS standards, GEOL, GBW 7109 and GBW-7309 sediment.