UNUSUAL MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE GdFeO_3 PREPARED BY SOLID STATE REACTION ROUTE AT LOWER TEMPERATURE

摘要

Unusual magnetic properties of nanocrystalline orthoferrite, GdFeO_3, synthesize by conventional solid state reaction (SSR) route based on stoichiometric mixing of Fe_2O_3 and Gd_2O_3 is reported here. The structural characterization of these nanoparticles was carried out by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) techniques. We observe that the GdFeO_3 phase start to precipitate at 1173 K which is rather lower for a SSR route. XRD and HRTEM studies confirm the growth of highly crystalline single phase GdFeO_3 nanoparticles. Magnetic behavior shows the coexistence of weak ferromagnetism along with antiferromagnetic interaction. The field dependence magnetization delineates hysteresis loop at room temperature which is better at lower temperature.