Magnetization reversal and exchange bias study in bulk Gd1−xYxCrO3 (x = 0.0–1.0)

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 461; pp. 91 - 99
• Main Authors: Dash, Bibhuti B., Ravi, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Magnetization reversal; Orthochromites; Tunable exchange bias; Weak ferromagnetism; Orthochromites; Magnetization reversal; Weak ferromagnetism; Tunable exchange bias
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2018.04.052

•Sign reversal of magnetization is observed in Gd1−xYxCrO3 (x = 0–0.70).•Bipolar switching of magnetization is demonstrated.•Tunable positive and negative exchange bias behavior is observed. Single phase samples of Gd1−xYxCrO3 (x = 0.0–1.0) were prepared by sol-gel method. Lattice parameters obtained from the Rietveld refinement are found to decrease from a = 5.3129 Å, b = 5.5210 Å, and c = 7.6040 Å for x = 0 to a = 5.2428 Å, b = 5.5208 Å and c = 7.5340 Å for x = 1.0. The temperature variation of magnetization measurements show that all samples exhibit antiferromagnetic transitions and the Neel temperature (TN) decreases from TN = 174 K for x = 0.0 to 142 K for x = 1.0. Interesting magnetization reversal behavior is observed as the temperature is lowered from TN under field cooled condition and the magnetic compensation temperature, Tcomp is found to decrease from 136 K for x = 0 to 42 K for x = 0.70. These samples exhibit tunable positive and negative exchange bias fields with a maximum negative value of −1.17 kOe for x = 0.50. The origin of magnetization reversal and exchange bias field is explained by considering the competition between the paramagnetic moment of Gd3+ ions under the influence of negative internal field and the weak ferromagnetic component of Cr3+ ions due to canted antiferromagnetic ordering.