Multiferroicity in La1/2Nd1/2FeO3 nanoparticles

• Sol–gel citrate method is used to prepare nano-sized La1/2Nd1/2FeO3.
• Structural and transport properties of sample is studied.
• Canted antiferromagnetic structure with a weak ferromagnetic moment is observed.
• The relaxation mechanism of the sample is modelled by modified Cole–Cole equation.
• It is a single phase multiferroic material.

Nano-sized La1/2Nd1/2FeO3 (LNF) powder is synthesized by the sol–gel citrate method. The Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction profile of the sample at room temperature (303 K) shows the orthorhombic phase with Pbnm symmetry. The particle size is obtained by transmission electron microscope. The antiferromagnetic nature of the sample is explained using zero field cooled and field cooled magnetisation and the corresponding hysteresis loop. A signature of weak ferromagnetic phase is observed in LNF at low temperature which is explained on the basis of spin glass like behaviour of surface spins. The dielectric relaxation of the sample has been investigated using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 1 MHz and in the temperature range from 303 K to 513 K. The Cole–Cole model is used to analyse the dielectric relaxation of LNF. The frequency dependent conductivity spectra follow the power law. The magneto capacitance measurement of the sample confirms its multiferroic behaviour.

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