Metamagnetism emergence and spectroscopic elucidation of SmFeO3 nanoceramics

Temperature- and field-dependence of magnetization measurements on SmFeO3 nanoceramics have been carried out, and a first order type metamagnetic phase transition has been observed below 280 K. The Arrott plot on M(H) measurements confirms the emergence of such a first order transition, this could be argued by the creation of a ferromagnetic cluster between the antiferromagnetic Sm3+-O-Fe3+ and Fe3+-O-Fe3+ chains by Sm3+ ions around the respective transition. Additionally, a quasi-paramagnetic ordering of Sm3+ spins is observed below 20 K due to canted moment from Sm3+-O-Sm3+. Electron paramagnetic resonance and Raman measurements at various temperatures exhibit an analogue to the instantaneous first order metamagnetic transition, confirming the predominance of Sm3+-O-Fe3+ and Fe3+-O-Fe3+ interactions above and below 273 K, respectively. The present study brings an important aspect of the presence of the magnetic property in SmFeO3 pertaining to active and non-active interaction of Sm-O-Fe at the nanoscale regime.