Synthesis and crystal structure studies of NdCrTiO5

Abstract

NdCrTiO₅ is a magnetic oxide which exhibits a wide variety of properties, including magnetoelectric coupling and multiferroic behavior, which have potential use in magnetoresistive random-access memory and other energy-based applications. Below its magnetic ordering temperature, the orthorhombic crystal structure changes from non-polar space group Pbam (No. 55) to polar Pba2₁ (No. 32). The goal of this work is to first synthesize the parent compound NdCrTiO₅ and then attempt to introduce other 4d/5d magnetic ions in the crystal structure to achieve polar crystal structure and magnetic ordering at a higher temperature. NdCrTiO₅ was synthesized by grinding stoichiometric quantities of Nd₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, and TiO₂, pressing them into a pellet, and heating at a high temperature. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that the prepared sample contains the main phase NdCrTiO₅ (> 90%). Energy dispersive X-ray confirmed the chemical composition.