Synthesis by molten salt method of the AFeO3 system (A=La, Gd) and its structural, vibrational and internal hyperfine magnetic field characterization

Polycrystalline samples of LaFeO3 and GdFeO3 were synthesized by the molten salt method. Some properties and the quality of the resulting compounds were investigated. The crystal structure and purity of the samples were determined through X-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis. The vibrational properties were characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopy. Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to determine the ionic state of the Fe ions and the internal hyperfine magnetic fields. Considerable reduction of the heat treatment (temperature and time) for the reaction to take place was achieved without detriment of the quality of the compounds.