Yfeo3-Gdfeo3 Solid Solutions: Sol-Gel Synthesis, Structural And Magnetic Properties

In the present work, a series of powdered Y1-xGdxFeO3 solid solutions (x from 0 to 1) was prepared by an aqueous sol-gel method. Structural properties of the synthesized species were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman and Mossbauer spectroscopies. It was demonstrated that single-phase compounds can be obtained in the whole compositional range between the end members of the series. Raman study revealed a gradual change of the Raman spectra depending on the chemical composition of samples. Room-temperature magnetic properties were shown to be strongly dependent on the ratio of Y3+ and Gd3+ ions in analyzed species. Consistent transition from hysteresis characteristic of YFeO3 to almost linear dependence of magnetization of GdFeO3 was observed with an increase of Gd content in prepared powders. On the other hand, this transition was accompanied by a significant increase of magnetization values.