Reversal magnetization dependence with the Cr and Fe oxidation states in YFe1−xCrxO3 (0≤x≤1) perovskites

• YFe1−xCrxO3 (0≤x≤1) samples were synthesized by co-precipitation method.
• XRD dates showed a reduction of unit cell volume with addition of Cr.
• XANES dates showed difference in the oxidation states to Cr and Fe.
• MZFC-MFC indicate a decreasing of the TN as function of chromium doping.
• MFC curve for x=0.5 concentration was observed the reverse magnetization effect.

In this work, we have carried out a detailed study of the magnetic and structural properties of YFe1−xCrxO3 (0≤x≤1) samples with orthorhombic structure obtained by co-precipitation method. Analysis of X-ray diffraction data using Rietveld refinement show that all samples present an orthorhombic crystal system with space group Pnma. Besides, we have observed a reduction of unit cell volume with increasing of the Cr concentration. SEM images show the formation of grains of micrometer order. X-ray Absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) measurements show a shift of absorption edge which can be indicate there is (i) different oxidation states to Fe and Cr ions and/or (ii) a changing in the point symmetry of Fe and Cr ions to the compounds. The magnetization measurements indicate a continuous decreasing of the magnetic transition temperature as function of chromium doping. The reversal magnetization effect was observed to concentrations around x=0.5. Besides, the deviation of the Curie–Weiss law and a weak ferromagnetic behavior observed at room temperature in the M vs H curves can be attributed to the strong magnetic interactions between the transition metals with different oxidation states.