Study of exchange bias in NiCr2O4 nanoparticles

We investigated exchange bias as a function of temperature in nanoparticles of ferrimagnetic normal spinet NiCr2O4. The studied bulk compound exhibits ferrimagnetic and canted antiferromagnetic ordering at 68 K and 30 K respectively. Sample characterization was carried out using X-Ray, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) measurements. Magnetization measurements as a function of temperature has revealed interesting features. Magnetic isotherms of bulk and nanoparticle sample were also investigated at different temperatures It was found that in nanoparticles, with decrease in temperature, exchange bias first increases, attains maximum value and then subsequently decreases. We argue that in nanoparticles, the higher exchange bias at 68 K is because of coexistence of ferrimagnetic and surface spin effect. However, the presence of glassy spin state may be the reason for decreasing exchange bias effect below T-c down to 5 K. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,