Investigation on magnetic and electric properties of morphologically different perovskite LaFeO3 nanostructures

Abstract: In the present study, investigation on magnetic and electric properties of LaFeO3 nanostructures like nanopetals, dendrites, nanorods and nanospheres prepared by surfactant-assistant hydrothermal process were performed. X-ray powder diffraction pattern of all the prepared samples exposed the formation of the single phase orthorhombic crystals. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed the shape and size of the synthesized LaFeO3 nanostructures and were found to be in the range similar to 50-90 nm. The weak ferromagnetic behaviour of the as prepared nanostructures was exhibited using vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature. The activation energy for electrical conduction has been calculated from the Arrhenius plot using impedance measurement. The activation energy for the grain conduction was found to be in the range 0.110-0.142 eV for different LaFeO3 nanostructures. Temperature and frequency dependent dielectric properties were investigated and found to be two orders of magnitude higher than the other reported perovskite oxide materials. The excellent combination of magnetic and electric properties of LaFeO3 nanostructure materials is found to be suitable for use in high-frequency applications.

Author(s): Thirumalairajan, S; Girija, K; Mastelaro, VR; Ponpandian, N

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS

DOI: 10.1007/s10854-015-3540-z