Influence of a-site gadolinium substitution in modulating the structural and magnetic properties of LaFeO₃

This study investigates the structural and magnetic properties of Gd-doped LaFeO₃ nanoferrites synthesized using the solution combustion method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the formation of orthorhombic perovskite structure, with lattice parameters decreases as Gd concentration increases up to 10%, indicating successful Gd substitution. The determined crystallite size reduces from 55 to 32 nm, and FESEM images reveal a more porous and finer-grained surface with increasing the Gd doping level. Magnetic measurements indicate that undoped LaFeO3 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic behavior with negligible magnetization and no hysteresis. However, Gd doping significantly enhances magnetic performance. At 5 K, the saturation magnetization increases from 0 to 70 emu/g and coercivity from 0 to 18 Oe as Gd content reaches 10%. Notably, doped samples also maintain measurable magnetization and coercivity at 300 K, confirming improved room-temperature magnetic ordering. These enhancements are attributed to Gd-induced lattice distortions and the magnetic contribution of Gd3+ ions, shifting the system toward weak ferromagnetism. The results demonstrate that Gd-doped LaFeO₃ is a promising material for spintronics and magnetic data storage applications.