Magnetodielectric effect in EuZrO3

Following recent report on antiferromagnetic ordering in EuZrO3 we performed dielectric measurements of this material as a function of temperature and magnetic field. Dielectric constant of dense EuZrO3 ceramics is 30.1 at 300 K. It gradually decreases upon cooling without any quantum paraelectric behavior; however, below TN=4.1 K it shows a pronounced drop that qualitatively resembles that observed in EuTiO3. We report that dielectric constant of EuZrO3 is magnetic field dependent. The magnitude of the magnetodielectric effect in both EuTiO3 and EuZrO3 is discussed in the light of the recently proposed coupling of the Eu–O–Eu superexchange interactions with electrons involved in partially covalent Ti(Zr)–O bond.