Exchange bias effect and glassy-like behavior of EuCrO3 and CeCrO3 nano-powders

Abstract

The magnetic properties of nano-sized EuCrO3 and CeCrO3 powders, synthesized by a solution combustion method, were investigated using DC/AC magnetization measurements. An exchange bias effect, magnetization irreversibility and AC susceptibility dispersion in these samples provided evidence for the presence of the spin disorder magnetic phase. The exchange bias phenomenon, which is assigned to the exchange coupling between the glassy-like shell and canted antiferromagnetic core, showed the opposite sign in EuCrO3 and CeCrO3 at low temperatures, suggesting different exchange interactions at the interfaces in these compounds. We also observed a sign reversal of exchange bias in CeCrO3 at different temperatures.