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Abstract: This paper reports the paramagnetic behavior of Mn doped ZnO co-doped with rare earth (Gd and Sm) atoms. The formation of secondary rare earth oxides (Gd2O3 and Sm2O3) is confirmed from the X-ray diffraction patterns. The rare earth oxides in the system forbids the grain growth and interconnection between the grains. The weak link between the grains suppresses the long range exchange interaction between the Mn ions and hence, reduces the ferromagnetic ordering. Owing to the large mismatch between ionic radii of rare earth and transition metal atoms inside the matrix, the rare earth element cannot contribute to promote ferromagnetic behavior in Mn doped ZnO, irrespective of their high individual magnetic moments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A clean signature of room temperature multiferroicity in Bi1.2Gd0.1Fe0.8O3 ceramics is observed. Samples were prepared by slow step sintering technique at 850°C. Impurity peaks normally present in original BiFeO3 are completely suppressed with the increase of Bi concentration. Apart from this, structural transformation took place from R3 C to Pn21 a space group and a clear orthorhombic grain growth habit is seen by SEM microstructure. Suppression of impurity phases favors the reduction of mobile oxygen vacancies and hence reduces leakage current for which ferroelectric properties of Bi1.2Gd0.1Fe0.8O3 are enhanced. We argue that the addition of Gd is likely to suppress the spiral spin modulation and at the same time increase the canting angle which favors the enhanced ferromagnetism. Excess Bi is expected to act as point defects and occupy interstitial positions which in turn surrounded by oxygen vacancies and is likely to promote defect driven ferromagnetism with enhanced spin and electric polarization. This finding encourages further revaluation of long-discounted BiFeO3 for multiferroics research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report our novel result regarding the observation of unusual but clean ferromagnetic (FM) signature at room temperature (RT) in high pure (99.999%) ZnO bulk ceramics processed by slow step sintering schedule (SSSS). All the sintered samples showed ferromagnetic signature at room temperature. However, sample sintered at 850°C showed more prominent M–H loop and saturation magnetization with respect to samples sintered at 500°C and 1300°C. Observation of FM behavior in sintered ceramics may be attributed to the presence of defects like cation (Zn)/anion (O) vacancies and interstitials created during the processing of sample. It is anticipated that SSSS promotes enhanced physical bulk as well as surface densification and at the same time confined the outgassing of free oxygen and Zn from the bulk which are acting as suitable defect sites inside the sintered grains and grain boundary junctions. Our micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron studies revealed the existence of these defects which are believed to be the origin of the unconventional ferromagnetism (FM) of ZnO bulk ceramic at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports that defect driven magnetism can be obtained at room temperature by optimizing metal ion concentration in bismuth ferrite (BFO) following our novel slow step solid state sintering route. We observed a clean signature of enhanced multiferroic behavior in Gd doped bismuth ferrite (Gd-BFO) bulk ceramics at room temperature (RT). Bismuth rich iron deficient Gd-BFO ceramics were prepared by solid state route through slow step sintering schedule at 850°C. At particular composition, (Bi1.2Gd0.1Fe0.8O3), this materials completely transform from rhombohedral R3c to orthorhombic Pn21a space group. We emphasized that excess bismuth is expected to act as point defects and occupy interstitials positions, which in turn interact by oxygen vacancies. These defects are likely to promote defect driven ferromagnetism in BFO system. Incorporation of Gd in presence of excess bismuth in BFO enhanced both spin and electric polarization at room temperature. We also infer that Gd substitution in BFO is likely to suppress spiral spin modulation, which also favors ferromagnetism in Gd-BFO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]