Effect of chromium substitution on the electrical and magnetic properties of multiferroic yttrium manganite

Yttrium Manganite is a multiferroic material and has potential applications in Ferroelectric Random Access Memories. Chromium is substituted with a view to enhancing the electrical conductivity. Compositions belonging to the series Y1-xCrxMnO3, (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.3) were synthesized by employing a citrate gel method. Pre characterized samples using X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy were then subjected to impedance spectroscopy to understand the conduction mechanism vis-a-vis small polaron hopping or variable range hopping. Cole-Cole and Nyquist plots were utilized to arrive at the equivalent circuit. Ferroelectric measurements were carried out to understand the polarization mechanisms. Magnetic measurements were also conducted to observe the change in magnetic properties with Chromium substitution. Field Cooled (FC) and Zero Field Cooled (ZFC) magnetization measurements revealed the presence of ferromagnetic clusters in an antiferromagnetic matrix. It has been found that Chromium substitution enhances the electrical conductivity while it diminishes the ferroelectric properties.

Automated summary

Yttrium Manganite, a multiferroic material, has potential applications in Ferroelectric Random Access Memories. By substituting Chromium, the electrical conductivity can be enhanced. The synthesized samples of different compositions were characterized and analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, impedance spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The results showed that Chromium substitution increased the electrical conductivity but diminished the ferroelectric properties.