Spin flop type metamagnetic transition in polycrystalline GdFeO3

We report the results of detailed investigations on structural and magnetic properties of polycrystalline GdFeO3 compound. Temperature-dependent magnetization studies support an antiferromagnetic transition at TN(Gd3+) ∼ 2.8 K associated with Gd3+ spins. A clear spin-flop type metamagnetic transition associated with Gd3+ sub-lattice is observed in field-dependent magnetization measurements made across TN(Gd3+). The compound also shows a weak hysteresis behaviour linked to canted Fe3+ moments near-zero field region, with a remnant magnetization of ∼0.022 μB. •Low-temperature magnetization measurements of polycrystalline GdFeO3.•Metamagnetic Transition in GdFeO3.•Plausible ground state spin structure of GdFeO3.•Weak ferromagnetic behaviour due to Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in GdFeO3.