Exchange bias effect in CoCr2O4/NiO system prepared by two-step method

CoCr2O4/NiO has been successfully synthesized through two-step method. X-ray diffraction results present the coexistence of CoCr2O4 and NiO with pure formation. Micrographs measured with scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope display the homogeneous and dense morphology with two kinds of nanoparticles. Exchange bias effect is observed in the sample. The exchange bias field is about 872 Oe at 10 K. As measuring temperature increases, exchange bias effect is weakened with decreasing coercive field. In addition, exchange bias field and the shift of magnetization show the linear relationship with increasing cooling field. The exchange bias behavior can be attributed to the exchange coupling at the disordered interfaces in the sample.