Antiferromagnetism of perovskite EuZrO3

Polycrystalline EuZrO3 has been synthesized by the solid-state reaction between EuO and ZrO2, and its structural and magnetic properties have been investigated. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that EuZrO3 crystallizes in an orthorhombic perovskite structure. 151Eu Mössbauer effect measurement reveals that almost all the europium ions are present as the divalent state and occupy distorted sites with non-axial electric field gradients, in agreement with the orthorhombic structure. In contrast to previous reports, an antiferromagnetic transition was observed around 4.1 K. The magnetic structure below the Néel temperature has been discussed.