Size effect on multiferroicity of GdMn₂O₅ nanorods

Four GdMn₂O₅ nanorod samples of various axial lengths (〈L_C〉) along the c axis were synthesized. The antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric ordering disappeared as 〈L_C〉 decreased to 66 and 55 nm. Various ferroic critical sizes were observed for the two types of domain sizes. Between T = 18 and 26 K, a charge ordering X-ray diffraction peak appeared at 〈L_C〉 = 79 nm. This peak was associated with structural distortion and axial length. The broken multiferroicity of the GdMn₂O₅ nanorods limits their practical application. For applications in memory devices, the estimated maximal capacity is approximately 650 Gbits/in².