Colossal dielectric, relaxor ferroelectric, diamagnetic and weak ferromagnetic properties of NdCrO₃ perovskite nanoparticles

The NdCrO₃ perovskite nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using sol–gel auto-combustion process. Structural and morphological characterizations of the material have been performed at room temperature using XRD and SEM, respectively. Frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric measurements have been performed in the range of 1 Hz–10 MHz and RT − 300 °C, respectively. The dielectric constant is found to be in the order of ε′ > 10³ at room temperature, indicating the colossal dielectric constant behaviour. Ferroelectric phase transition temperature has increased with an increase in frequency, suggesting that the material is a relaxor ferroelectric nature. Temperature- and field-dependent magnetization measurements have been carried out in the temperature range (5–400 K) and field up to 5 T. M–T curve exhibited a diamagnetic-like behaviour in low temperature and low fields. Two magnetic transitions were found at T_N1 (223 K) and T_N2 (33 K) which correspond to para to weak ferromagnetic transition and Nd³⁺ spin ordering, respectively. Hysteresis loop noticed weak ferromagnetism.