Synthesis and magnetic properties of Mg0.2Cr1.8-xFexO3 nanoparticles

Abstract

We report the magnetic properties of Mg0.2Cr1.8-xFexO3 (for x=0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9) nanoparticle compounds. The oxides were produced by hydrothermal process and sintered at 600 degrees C for 12 h. The X-ray diffraction data indicate single phase corundum structure in all the samples. The Mossbauer spectra recorded at about 300 K show transition from paramagnetic to ordered magnetic spin state at x=0.5. The magnetization data reveal cluster-glass-like behavior of weakly ferromagnetic clusters in a dominant antiferromagnetic core. The shift in hysteresis loops observed along the magnetic field axis is associated with exchange bias effect. The exchange bias field measured at 10 K is also observed to correlate strongly with particle sizes. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.