Magnetization reversal and exchange bias study in bulk Gd1−xYxCrO3 (x = 0.0-1.0)

Single phase samples of Gd1−xYxCrO3 (x = 0.0-1.0) were prepared by sol-gel method. Lattice parameters obtained from the Rietveld refinement are found to decrease from a = 5.3129 Å, b = 5.5210 Å, and c = 7.6040 Å for x = 0 to a = 5.2428 Å, b = 5.5208 Å and c = 7.5340 Å for x = 1.0. The temperature variation of magnetization measurements show that all samples exhibit antiferromagnetic transitions and the Neel temperature (TN) decreases from TN = 174 K for x = 0.0 to 142 K for x = 1.0. Interesting magnetization reversal behavior is observed as the temperature is lowered from TN under field cooled condition and the magnetic compensation temperature, Tcomp is found to decrease from 136 K for x = 0 to 42 K for x = 0.70. These samples exhibit tunable positive and negative exchange bias fields with a maximum negative value of −1.17 kOe for x = 0.50. The origin of magnetization reversal and exchange bias field is explained by considering the competition between the paramagnetic moment of Gd3+ ions under the influence of negative internal field and the weak ferromagnetic component of Cr3+ ions due to canted antiferromagnetic ordering.