Colossal dielectric, relaxor ferroelectric, diamagnetic and weak ferromagnetic properties of NdCrO3 perovskite nanoparticles

The NdCrO3 perovskite nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using sol–gel auto-combustion process. Structural and morphological characterizations of the material have been performed at room temperature using XRD and SEM, respectively. Frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric measurements have been performed in the range of 1 Hz–10 MHz and RT − 300 °C, respectively. The dielectric constant is found to be in the order of e′ > 103 at room temperature, indicating the colossal dielectric constant behaviour. Ferroelectric phase transition temperature has increased with an increase in frequency, suggesting that the material is a relaxor ferroelectric nature. Temperature- and field-dependent magnetization measurements have been carried out in the temperature range (5–400 K) and field up to 5 T. M–T curve exhibited a diamagnetic-like behaviour in low temperature and low fields. Two magnetic transitions were found at TN1 (223 K) and TN2 (33 K) which correspond to para to weak ferromagnetic transition and Nd3+ spin ordering, respectively. Hysteresis loop noticed weak ferromagnetism.