Sol–gel combustion synthesis and antiferromagnetic properties of orthorhombic perovskite-type MFeO3:R3+ (M=La, Gd; R=Eu, Er, Ho) nanocrystalline powders

The MFeO 3 : R 3+ (M ​= ​La, Gd; R ​= ​Eu, Er, Ho) nanocrystalline powders were successfully synthesized by the sol–gel combustion method using glycine-based gel at a low ignition temperature. The as-burnt products present honeycomb-like structure with many irregular continuous pores due to the releasing of a large amount of gas during the combustion reaction process. The lattice parameters and cell volumes of MFeO 3 :R 3+ (M ​= ​La, Gd; R ​= ​Eu, Er, Ho) nanocrystalline powders are compared in detail. The magnetic properties of all the samples were studied systematically. The results show that the doping of rare-earth ions enhanced greatly the coercivity of GdFeO 3 and LaFeO 3 as a result of the enhancement of magnetic anisotropy . The influence of doped rare-earth ions on the magnetic properties was summarized. The distinction of magnetism of MFeO 3 :R 3+ (M ​= ​La, Gd; R ​= ​Eu, Er, Ho) were explained in detail by the intrinsic magnetism of doped rare-earth ions. This work is significant for the application of rare-earth elements in other magnetic materials.