Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and magnetic properties of ErFeO3 ceramics

ErFeO3 ceramics had been synthesized by the solid-state reaction method at a variety of sintering temperatures (1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, and 1500 degrees C). The microstructure, surface morphology, and elemental valence state of ErFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The study discovered that Fe3+ ions keep their valence, and all samples at temperatures ranging from 1300 to 1450 degrees C are in a pure phase. Within this range, increasing temperature widens the Fe-O-Fe bond angle, lengthens the Er-O bond, suppresses the super-exchange contact between the two ions via O2- , and diminishes the electromagnetic coupling effect. A Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS) was utilized to assess the magnetic properties of ErFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics. Ceramic samples sintered at 1300 degrees C showed spontaneous spin reorientation and a shift from ionic magnetic disorder to magnetic order. The magnetic hysteresis loops at temperatures before and after spin reorientation were examined. It was noted that the polycrystalline ceramic ErFeO3 underwent a transition in its magnetic configuration from Gamma 4 (Gx, Ay, Fz) to Gamma 2 (Fx, Cy, and Gz). As the sintering temperature increases, ErFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics lose their temperature adjustment point. This disrupts the spin reorientation of Er3+ and Fe3+ magnetic moments in the 89-102 K region. The secondary phase transition of ErFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics causes disorder, and the Ne<acute accent>el temperature of Er3+ rises. This suggests that the sublattice field and magnetic ordering of Er3+ and Fe3+ are disturbed when the sintering temperature is raised. Consequently, 1300 degrees C is the optimal sintering temperature for ErFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics.