Structural correlation to ferroelectric order, non-Griffiths like phase and magnetocaloric effect in YbCrO₄

We report a ferroelectric order around ∼99 K (T_FE), which is considerably above the long range ferrimagnetic order at 25 K (T). The value of saturation electric polarization is considerable as ∼570μC m^-2for a poling field of 5 kV cm^-1. The ferroelectric order is associated with a significant magnetoelectric coupling below ∼90 K. A weak signature ofT_FEis observed in the dielectric constant, which is associated with a linear magnetodielectric response at 18 K(-1 K^-1is noted atTfor a change in field of 50 kOe, which involves a strong magnetoelastic coupling. The results indicate considerable structural instabilities, which is linked with the observed multifunctional properties of YbCrO₄.