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

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 angstrom, b = 5.5210 angstrom, and c = 7.6040 angstrom for x = 0 to a = 5.2428 angstrom, b = 5.5208 angstrom and c = 7.5340 angstrom for x = 1.0. The temperature variation of magnetization measurements show that all samples exhibit antiferromagnetic transitions and the Neel temperature (T-N) decreases from T-N = 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 T-N under field cooled condition and the magnetic compensation temperature, T-comp 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. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.