Low temperature ferromagnetism in Bi2MnMoO6 double perovskite material

Bi2MnMoO6, a double perovskite, was synthesized through combustion method. The crystal structure was determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement using FULLPROF. Bi2MnMo06 crystallized with the R3 space group (#146) with a distorted cubic structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed irregular spherical grains with varying sizes of 80 120 nm. Energy dispersive spectra (EDS) confirmed stoichiometric formations without any impurities. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a double perovskite structure. A magnetic study showed a paramagnetic (PM) nature at room temperature and a ferromagnetic nature below 44 K. These results can be explained based on an exchange mechanism and anti-site disorder. Bi2MnMoO6 low Curie temperature with broad hysteresis makes it an ideal candidate for spintronic applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.