Novel perovskite-spinel composite approach to enhance the magnetization of LaFeO3

In the present work, the perovkite-spinel interface effect on the bulk magnetic behavior of lanthanum ferrite (LaFeO3) based composite systems is under investigation in view of the enhancement of the magnetization of LaFeO3. By using LaFeO3 as the perovskite phase and NiFe2O4 as the spinel phase with the compositions x = 0, 20, 30, 40 and 100 wt%, a composite system is developed by mechanical mixing. The structures are confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Physical interaction at the interface of the LaFeO3 and NiFe2O4 phases is realized by XRD peak broadening and shifting. The M-T and M-H curves are closely monitored to investigate the perovskite-spinel interface effect on the bulk magnetic behavior of the composites. Significant enhancement in the magnetization of the perovskite-spinel composite phase with a 60% LaFeO3-40% NiFe2O4 composition over individual phases is detected. The composition effect up to 60 : 40 of LaFeO3-NiFe2O4 is considered to preserve the dominance of the LaFeO3 phase. The spin coupling mechanism across the interface is speculated for the enhancement of the magnetization in the composite. Mossbauer spectroscopic investigation confirms the co-existence of magnetization in the composites.