Eu doping effects on structural and magnetic properties of (Sr2−xEux)FeMoO6 compounds

Double perovskite compounds (Sr2−xEux)FeMoO6 (0≤x≤0.3) were prepared by solid-state reaction at high temperature. Crystal structure, magnetic and transport properties of the compounds were investigated. The crystal structure of the compounds changes from an I4/m lattice to an Fm3¯m lattice around x=0.1. The unit-cell volume decreases with the doping level in both the I4/m lattice and the Fm3¯m lattice. The resistivity of the compounds shows a metal–semiconductor transition, and the transition temperature TM–S increases with the doping level. However, Curie temperature (TC) of the compounds exhibits a weak dependence on the doping level. The saturation magnetization (MS) at 100 K varies almost linearly with the anti-site defect concentration and agrees well with the simple FIM model. In contrast to the Ce-, Pr-, Nd- and Sm-doped Sr2FeMoO6, the difference of MS of (Sr2−xEux)FeMoO6 between 5 and 100 K indicates that the moment of Eu3+ is antiparellel to that of Fe3+ at low temperature.

Graphical abstractTemperature dependence of saturation magnetization of (Sr1.8Eu0.2)FeMoO6 (filled circle) and (Sr1.8Nd0.2)FeMoO6 (open circle).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide