Electrical and magnetic properties of GdCrxMn1−xO3 (x = 0.0, 0.1) multiferroic nanoparticles

Abstract

Gadolinium manganate (GdMnO3) and chromium doped gadolinium manganate (GdCr0.1Mn0.9O3) nanoparticles have been prepared using co-precipitation method. The effects of chromium (10% Cr+3) doping on structural, vibrational, optical, electrical and room temperature magnetic properties of GdMnO3 have been carried out. The structural characterization analysed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the formation of orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. The morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been employed for the vibrational investigations of GdMnO3 and doped GdMnO3. The Jahn–Teller modes observed at ~482 cm−1 (Ag) and 610 cm−1 (B1g) in Raman spectrum of GdMnO3 have not shifted with Cr3+ ions doping, which shows that the Cr3+ ions are not active to Jahn–Teller distortions. The UV–Vis absorption peak at 461 nm attributed to Mn (d-d) transition has shifted ~10 nm in GdCr0.1Mn0.9O3. The weaker absorption band at 725 nm (1.7 eV) is attributed to the dipole forbidden 5Eg–5T2g transition of the Mn3+ ion. The detailed investigation on the dielectric properties like dielectric constant, dissipation factor, ac conductivity has been carried out in the temperature range of 20–400 °C and in the frequency range of 1 kHz–1 MHz. The temperature dependent dielectric constant shows two dielectric anomalies which get shifted towards high temperature side with increase in frequency, thereby indicating relaxor type behaviour of the material. The dissipation curves also show the similar trend, suggesting the temperature dependent dielectric relaxation. The Cr doping enhances the dielectric properties of GdMnO3. The room temperature magnetic behaviour analyzed from the magnetic field dependent magnetization curves suggests paramagnetic behavior for both the composition; however Cr doping does enhance the magnetization.