Enhanced 4f-3d interaction by Ti-doping on the magnetic properties of perovskite SmFe1−xTixO3

We report the Ti-doping effects on the total magnetization of perovskite SmFe1−xTixO3 samples with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies indicate that with the increase of Ti doping concentration, the lattice parameter b decreases and the oxygen octahedron is compressed along b axis. Such lattice distortion is also reflected by the changes of antisymmetric stretching mode and symmetric stretching mode of the oxygen octahedron through Raman spectra measurement. An enhancement of the interaction between Sm-4f and Fe-3d electrons is observed due to Ti-doping. This strong interplay between Sm-4f and Fe-3d electrons weakens the total magnetization and considerably suppresses the weak ferromagnetism of Fe sublattice starting from 260 K.