Competing short-range magnetic correlations, metamagnetic behavior and spin-phonon coupling in Nd2CoMnO6 double perovskite

We report the presence of ferromagnetic short-range interactions, metamagnetic transitions and spinphonon coupling on monoclinic polycrystalline Nd2CoMnO6 double perovskite. DC thermomagnetic characterization shows a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at T-C1 similar to 168 K and further to a cluster glass like magnetic transition at T-C2 similar to 135 K. Griffiths phase like features are also observed, attributed to the presence of competing magnetic interactions. Step like nature observed in the virgin curves of magnetic isotherms implies the presence of metamagnetic features. Additionally, temperature evolution of Raman spectra signatures spin-phonon coupling extending up to Griffiths like phase region indicating the possibility of magnetoelectric coupling in Nd2CoMnO6. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.