Effect of Cr doping on the magnetic and electrical transport properties of charge-ordered Bi0.5Ca0.5MnO3

An experimental study on the magnetic and electrical transport properties of the manganites Bi_0.5Ca_0.5Mn_1−xCr_xO₃ (BCMCO) (0≤x≤0.12) is carried out. The results show that Cr doping can suppress the charge-ordering transition, favoring the ferromagnetic clusters. For x=0.12, the charge-ordering transition disappears but a very broad paramagnetic-ferromagnetic-like transition is detected at the Curie temperature T_C=72.6 K. It is caused by phase separation or coexistence of the charge-ordering and ferromagnetic phase. Moreover, the critical Cr content to destroy charge ordering phase in BCMCO does not match the general monotonous tendencies shown by Cr-doped Re_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ (Re-rare-earth). These differences are ascribed to the fact that the ground state in BCMCO differs markedly from the ferromagnetic metallic phase in Cr-doped Re_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ compounds.