Structural studies and exchange bias interaction in Sr+2 doped LaFeO3 synthesised via PVA based sol-gel method

Abstract

Modification in the crystal structure often exhibits different functionalities and characteristics. In the present study it is demonstrated that Sr2+ modified lanthanum ferrite La(1-x)SrxFeO3 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) prepared using PVA based sol gel method shows unique structure and magnetic properties. Structural analysis and phase formation study was performed using X-ray diffraction data and various structural parameters were calculated using Rietveld refinement. It is observed that with the increase in Sr2+ content the structural parameters of LaFeO3 unit cell change. The FESEM and TEM studies were used to study the size and morphology of La(1-x)SrxFeO3 nanoparticles. Magnetic hysteresis measurement reveals the appearance of zero field cooled exchange bias in La(1-x)SrxFeO3, originating due to the interfacial exchange coupling between AFM/FM. In addition, the magnetization increases while exchange bias vanishes at higher strontium concentration. These results help in understanding the in-depth interfacial coupling interaction mechanism.