Influence of Fe doping on electrical properties of LCMO

The polycrystalline samples La_0.67Ca_0.33Mn_(1?x)Fe _x O₃ (x?=?0.00,?0.01,?0.03, and 0.1) have been grown in single phase by solid state route. The analysis of the reaction has been done by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis measurements. DC electrical resistivity measurements have been carried out down to 15?K. The samples with x?=?0.00, 0.01, and 0.03 exhibit metal–insulator (MI) transition at temperatures 221.5?K, 217?K, and 215?K respectively, whereas the sample with x?=?0.1 is insulating in nature for entire temperature range. Interestingly, the electric transport properties of these samples are not consistent with their magnetic phase transitions and the samples show MI transition at a temperature, T _MI, which is significantly lower than the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition temperature (T _c). The resistivity data below T _MI has been analyzed using the empirical relation ρ?=?ρ₀?+?ρ₁ T ⁿ and the data above this temperature has been analyzed using two existing models, Mott's variable range hopping model and spin polaronic conduction model.