Magnetic dilution on LaCrO$_3$

Abstract

In this work, we study the effect of the magnetic dilution of Cr$^{3+}$ on the LaCrO$_3$ half doped with Al. Pure and half-doped samples were prepared by combustion method using urea as fuel. The crystal structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction. Rietveld analysis reveal a structural phase transition caused by the increase of the chemical pressure due difference of Al$^{3+}$ and Cr$^{3+}$ ionic radii. SEM images shows that the samples exhibit a spherical formation and irregular morphologies. Magnetization measurements as a function of temperature reveal an antiferromagnetic order in both samples with a large decrease of T$_N$ (N\'eel temperature) with Al doping. The reduction of frustration factor and the increase of the magnetic moment of the doped sample could be attributed to the breaking of the long-range antiferromagnetic order. The magnetic hysteresis loops show a typical antiferromagnetic behavior with a slightly spin canting for the doped sample.