Nanomagnetism & Oxides Laboratory
Synthesis and physico-chemical characterization
Contacts: A. Forget, D. Colson
Part of the group's activity is focused on the synthesis and the physicochemical study of solid state materials as single crystals or ceramics, mostly oxides.  
 
Different routes of preparation are used depending on the type of desired sample: 
The solid state reaction technique of finely ground oxides or carbonates at high temperature (800 ° C-1500 ° C) allows the synthesis of polycrystalline samples. Sintering involves annealing these samples previously compacted, below their melting point, thereby improving their density as a function of their degree of compaction. 
The synthesis of single crystals is performed using a flux growth technique. It allows crystallization of such oxides from a liquid phase, the temperature is chosen below the melting point or below of the decomposition temperature of the material. 
The syntheses are performed in air, in a controlled atmosphere or in sealed quartz ampoules under vacuum (for example for mercury cuprates or iron pnictides). 
 
The study by powder X-rays diffraction of synthesized materials will then allow to verify the crystalline organization, the possible impurity phases and optimizing of the synthesis parameters as temperature, duration, cooling rate... 
 
The physical properties (magnetism and transport) of samples are measured by physicists in the group. We also collaborate with many external laboratories. 
This strong interaction between chemists and physicists is an asset for samples optimization, it enables us to develop homogeneous materials with a high purity degree. 
Our main epquipments:
Basic tools for samples synthesis, 2 precision weighing balances, 2 presses, 2 temperature chambers, 1 ultrasonic tank, two glove boxes, dessicator cabinets, several conventional tube furnaces (Tmax = 1200 ° C), 4 furnaces under controlled atmosphere (Tmax = 1200 ° and 1500 ° C ), 3 muffle furnaces (Tmax = 1200 and 1600 ° C), one autoclave under molecular oxygen (Tmax = 400 ° C, High Pressure max = 200 bars), 1 saw with horizontal wire, one circular diamond saw, 2 binoculars, one X-rays diffractometer for powders analysis, one thermal analyzer (DSC-TGA), magnetometry (Squid, VSM) and one transport measurement system (PPMS).