An analysis on structural and magnetic properties of La1−xRExFeO3 (x = 0.0 and 0.5, RE = Nd, Sm and Gd) nanoparticles

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Materials science & processing, 2017, Vol.123 (1)
• Main Authors: Paul Blessington Selvadurai, A., Pazhanivelu, V., Jagadeeshwaran, C., Murugaraj, R., Mohammed Gazzali, P. M., Chandrasekaran, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Machines; Manufacturing; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-016-0651-1

La 1− x RE x FeO 3 ( x  = 0.0 and 0.5, RE = Nd, Sm and Gd) is synthesised by sol–gel citrate combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra show orthorhombic phase with Pbnm symmetry, confirmed by profile fitting and Raman modes analysis for La 1− x R x FeO 3 samples. The estimated crystallite size and the orthorhombic strain of La 1− x RE x FeO 3 ( x  = 0.0 and 0.5, RE = Nd, Sm and Gd) from XRD data illustrate the role of ionic size substitution. The temperature- and field-dependent magnetisation M ( T ) and M ( H ) were measured using vibrating sample magnetometer. The M ( H ) curve parameters of La 1− x RE x FeO 3 ( x  = 0.5, RE = Nd and Gd) exhibit a relation of M r ∝ 1 H c and H ex ∝ H C at 20, 150 and 300 K. The M ( T ) curve of La 0.5 Nd 0.5 FeO 3 and La 0.5 Gd 0.5 FeO 3 indicates the paramagnetic-like behaviour, whereas the M ( H ) curve reveals the antiferromagnetic signature in them. The M ( H ) curve of La 0.5 Sm 0.5 FeO 3 shows a strong AFM pinned ferromagnetism and ferromagnetism (FM) at 150 and 20 K, respectively. Further, field-cooled (FC) and zero-field-cooled (ZFC) measurement of La 0.5 Sm 0.5 FeO 3 indicates a competitive interaction of AFM–FM, which is emphasised by a broad blocking temperature at ~117 K in ZFC curve. The FM-like ordering of Sm 3+ ions are observed below at ~150 K in FC curve of La 0.5 Sm 0.5 FeO 3 . In addition, the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra at room temperature show a high g value and a strong non-homogenous broadening for La 0.5 Sm 0.5 FeO 3 .