Preparation and magnetic properties of RFeO₃ nanocrystalline powders

The rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO₃ (R, rare-earth element) crystallize in an orthorhombic distorted perovskite structure. RFeO₃ compounds exhibit interesting physical and chemical properties because of their ionic and electronic defects. Polycrystalline nano-sized RFeO₃ powders were synthesized by the sol–gel combustion method. X-ray powder diffraction indicated that nanocrystalline powders were single ReFeO3 phase, which are agglomerated with average crystallite size of 60–90 nm estimated with the Scherrer’s equation. Magnetic measurements were carried out using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The influence on hysteresis curve of electronic structure of rare-earth element was investigated for R = Y, La and Nd. Varied magnetic behaviors were observed in these compounds, which are believed to be associated with the different interactions of Fe and rare earths.