Synthesis and magnetic properties of the double layer perovskite CeBaFe2O5+w

The synthesis, crystallographic structure, and magnetic properties of polycrystalline single-phase samples of CeBaFe2O5+w are reported. An orthorhombic structure belonging to the Pmmm space group was identified through Rietveld analysis of x-ray diffraction data. The room temperature lattice parameters were found to be a=3.9666(1) angstrom, b=3.9314(1) angstrom, and c=7.8291(1) angstrom. A sudden change in magnetization at the temperature of 130 K was attributed to a Verwey-type transition, and a broader change at 220 K was attributed to a Verwey premonitory transition, as expected in the RBaFe2O5+w compounds (R=rare earth). At a much higher temperature, a paramagnetic to ferromagneticlike transition was observed around 600 K. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3359436]