Structure and magnetic behavior of Zn doped NdMnO3 manganite: Neutron diffraction study

Effect of Zn doping on the structural and magnetic properties of NdMnO3 has been investigated by neutron diffraction and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements. The partial replacement of Mn3+ by Zn2+ results in the decrease in TN. In the temperature dependent magnetization measurements, a broad hump and a sharp peak has been observed around ~ 50K and 10K respectively for both the samples. Thermal hysteresis in magnetization between cooling and heating runs indicate first-order phase transition. Magnetization measurements on NdMn0.95Zn0.05O3 sample clearly show that, 5% Zn-doping in NdMnO3 results in the suppression in magnetism which is evident from the weakening of Nd–Mn interaction below TN, and resulting in antiferromagnetic coupling of Mn3+ ions along x-axis with Mn3+ moments oriented parallel or antiparallel to the x-component of Nd3+ moments.