Influence of V substitution for Fe on the transport and magnetic properties of Sr2FeMoO6

We have investigated the crystal structure, magnetization and magnetoresistance of the double perovskite compounds Sr₂(Fe_1−xV_x)MoO₆ (0≤x≤0.1). The lattice constants and the cation ordering decrease monotonously with the V content. The Curie temperature, saturation magnetization and low field magnetoresistance of the compounds decrease with increasing x due to the reduced degree of ordering. The resistivity of Sr₂FeMoO₆ and lightly doped samples shows semiconductive behavior, while the samples with higher doping levels exhibit a semiconductor-metal transition around 80 K.     

Nanocrystalline Sr2FeMoO6 prepared by citrate-gel method

Double perovskite Sr₂FeMoO₆ powders with small crystallite size have been synthesised with citrate-gel method. The starting solution pH was varied between 1.5 and 9.0 resulting in large differences in the phase composition and ordering of B^′/B^″ sites. The samples prepared at 975 °C had crystallite sizes under 40 nm whereas crystallite sizes of the samples prepared at 1050 °C were between 78 and 239 nm. The XRD patterns were refined with spacegroup I 4/m, which gave good results for both batches, although clearly better results were obtained with monoclinic P 2₁/n spacegroup for the 975 °C batch. The ordering and the saturation magnetization agreed well with each other after treatment at 1050 °C, but the samples prepared at 975 °C had a strongly reduced saturation magnetization from that given by the ordering.     

Ferromagnetic spin ordering in disordered Sr2FeMoO6 films

Epitaxial films of Sr₂FeMoO₆ were grown on SrTiO₃ (100) substrates by pulsed laser deposition; optimised growth conditions give a saturation magnetization of 4.0μ_B implying a high degree of B-site ordering. The films show very high crystallinity and smooth surfaces. We have compared the B-site disorder in the films with saturation magnetization and show that the rate of suppression with disorder is lower than that suggested by Monte Carlo simulations, suggesting the ferromagnetic coupling in the Fe/Mo sublattices.     

Synthesis,magnetic and electrical transport properties of magnetoresistance material Sr2FeMoO6 by microwave sintering

Magnetoresistance material Sr₂FeMoO₆ with double perovskite structure was synthesized by microwave sintering method using SrCO₃, Fe₂O₃ and MoO₃ as raw materials, with MnO₂ for microwave absorber. The phase structure, magnetic and electrical transport properties were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and vibrating-sample magnetometer. XRD analysis shows that the as-synthesized sample is Sr₂FeMoO₆ with tetragonal crystal structure and I4/mmm space group. The unit cell parameters are a=0.5587 nm, c=0.7894 nm, volume=0.2464 nm³. The calculated grain size of the sample is 31.62 nm, which is obtained by the Scherrer formula using the diffraction data. Magnetism testing results show that the sample Sr₂FeMoO₆ is ferromagnetic with the magnetic transition temperature of about 380 K. Under 1.0 T magnetic field, the saturation and spontaneous magnetization of Sr₂FeMoO₆ is 1.25 μ_B/f.u. and 1.00 μ_B/f.u. at room temperature. The magnetoresistance ratio of the sample is 28%. Electrical transport properties testing results indicate that the sample exhibits typical semiconductor behavior. The conductive mechanism of Sr₂FeMoO₆ is highly dependent on temperature: within the temperature range of 100–300 K, the mechanism is attributed to the small polaron variable-range hopping model; while it is ascribed to the adiabatic small polaron model within the temperature range of 80–100 K.     

Magnetic and magneto-transport properties of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)2−xNdxFeMoO6

The variation in structural, magnetic and magneto-transport properties of the double perovskite system (Ba_0.8Sr_0.2)_2?xNd_xFeMoO₆ {0.0<X<0.5} induced by Nd³⁺ doping (electron doping) has been studied and compared. The samples were prepared by standard solid state reaction method in a reducing atmosphere. The parent compound showed a saturation magnetic moment value of 3.75 μ_B/f.u. at an applied field of 0.5 T and a change in magnetoresistance value up to 26% (77 K, 0.8 T). The Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data showed a continuous decrease in lattice parameters and Fe–Mo ordering with increasing Nd³⁺ doping. The Curie temperature was found to increase with Nd³⁺ doping (3 K per % of Nd) while the saturation magnetic moment values and magnetoresistance values were found to decrease. The observed variations in magnetic and magneto-transport properties of the system are explained on the basis of increasing antisite disorder defects and band filling effects induced by electron doping. We have observed the dominant role of band filling in determining the low field magnetoresistance of these systems.     

Enhancement of Curie temperature and room-temperature magnetoresistance in double perovskite (Sr1.6Ba0.4)FeMoO6

The effects of A-site average cation size 〈r_A〉 and anti-site defects on Curie temperature (T_C) and room-temperature magnetoresistance (MR) in (Sr_2−xBa_x)FeMoO₆ (x=0, 0.4 and 1.6) have been investigated. By Ba doping, not only the room-temperature MR but also the T_C have been enhanced. The larger MR in the Ba-doped samples compared with the prototype Sr₂FeMoO₆ is associated with the lower saturation field. The optimization of T_C and MR in (Sr_1.6Ba_0.4)FeMoO₆ other than in the reported (Sr_0.4Ba_1.6)FeMoO₆ can be understood according to the two competing effects: anti-site defects and chemical pressure.     

Roles of the band filling and the d orbitals hybridization on the conduction and magnetism of some Sr-based double perovskites: An LSDA+U study

We have systematically investigated the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the double perovskite oxides Sr₂CrZrO₆, Sr₂MnNbO₆, Sr₂FeMoO₆ and Sr₂NiRuO₆ in terms of band filling of different t_2g and e_g orbitals. Calculations of density of the states (DOS) were performed within the frame of the local spin density approximation and Hubbard potential (LSDA+U) employed in the Linear Muffin Tin Orbitals with Atomic Sphere Approximation (LMTO-ASA) method. The DOS of Sr₂FeMoO₆ was obtained and found to agree very well with published reports. Half-metallic character through the spin-down channel and the ferrimagnetic ordering was observed with notable hybridization among the 3d, p and 4d orbitals within Fermi level. A difference between the theoretically expected values and the calculated ones for the magnetic moment (Δm) of the 3d orbitals is determined and had been found to increase on going from Sr₂CrZrO₆ to Sr₂NiRuO₆. This increment in Δm indicates increment in the hybridization strength, which leads to long range ordering in Sr₂FeMoO₆ and Sr₂NiRuO₆ compounds. In comparison with reported experiments, the frustrated magnetism and weak ferrimagnetism states are the most possible ones in Sr₂CrZrO₆ in Sr₂MnNbO₆, respectively. The half-metallic character was also seen in Sr₂MnNbO₆ and Sr₂CrZrO₆ compounds while Sr₂NiRuO₆ shows normal metallic conduction and ferromagnetism in accordance with the superexchange interaction e_g²-o-e_g⁰ of Goodenough-Kanamori-Anderson (GKA).     

Magnetic and magneto-transport properties of double perovskite Ba2−xSrxFeMoO6 system

The structural magnetic and magneto-transport properties of double perovskite system Ba_2−xSr_xFeMoO₆ (0?x?1.0) prepared in bulk polycrystalline form are reported in this paper. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that samples are single phase and the lattice constants decreases with increase in the Sr content. The degree of Fe-Mo ordering has been found decreasing in the series with an increase in the Sr content. Parent compound Ba₂FeMoO₆ exhibits saturation magnetic moment value of 3.54 μ_B/f.u. at 85 K in a magnetic field of 6000 Oe. Temperature dependence of resistivity shows metallic behavior for all the samples. The magneto-resistance (MR) of the compound with x=0.4 is higher than that of the other samples. At room temperature this system shows a saturation magnetization value of 1.73 μ_B/f.u. and MR value of 7.08% (1 T). The observed variations in the structural and magnetic properties are attributed to the change of chemical pressure due to the substitution of Sr in place of Ba. The effect of antisite disorder (ASD) defects on magneto-transport properties is studied in more detail.     

Structural, magnetic and transport properties of double perovskite compounds (Sr2−3xLa2xBax)FeMoO6

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of a series of ordered double perovskite oxides (Sr_2−3xLa_2xBa_x)FeMoO₆ (0x0.3) have been investigated. X-ray powder diffraction reveals that the crystal structure of the compounds changes from a tetragonal I4/m lattice to a cubic lattice around x=0.2. Though the nominal average size of the A site cation of (Sr_2−3xLa_2xBa_x)FeMoO₆ is designed to be almost independent of x, the refinements of the crystal structure show that the lattice constants increase with x in both the tetragonal and the cubic phase regions due to electron doping. As the x increases, the degree of cationic ordering on the B site is decreased pronouncedly, while the Curie temperature of the compounds is nearly unchanged. The saturation magnetization of the compounds decreases with x and shows a linear dependence on the degree of cation ordering. The resistivity of the parent compound shows a semiconducting behavior below room temperature, but those of the doped samples exhibit a metal–semiconductor transition. A correlation between the resistivity and metal-semiconducting transition temperature (T_M−S) is observed. The resistivity and T_M−S of the compounds decrease with x for x0.2 and increase for x0.2. Magnetoresistance of the compounds is reduced by the La/Ba doping. All these observations can be understood based on the interplay of the electron doping, change in bandwidth and the anti-site defect concentration.     

Influence of preparation method on SrMoO4 impurity content and magnetotransport properties of double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 polycrystals

The magnetic and electric properties of the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound produced under different preparation conditions were studied. Depending on the preparation condition, a strong variation in the nonmagnetic SrMoO₄ impurity content was found, which in turn determined the metallic or semiconducting behavior of the resistivity of the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound. There was also evidence that SrMoO₄ played a crucial role in modifying the low magnetic field intergrain tunneling magnetoresistance in Sr₂FeMoO₆. In addition, we have established a simple method to prepare the single phase Sr₂FeMoO₆ polycrystals.     

Effects of B′-site transition metal on the properties of double perovskites Sr2FeMO6 (M=Mo, W): B′ 4d-5d system

The crystal structure, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the variation of B′-site transition metal in Sr₂FeMO₆ (M=Mo, W) with double perovskites structure have been investigated systematically. Measurements of magnetization vs. temperature at H=5 T show that Sr₂FeMoO₆ is a ferromagnet and Sr₂FeWO₆ is an antiferromagnet with T_N∼35 K. Additionally, the large magnetoresistance ratio (MR) of ∼22% (H=3 T) at room temperature (RT) was observed in the Sr₂FeWO₆ compound. However, the Sr₂FeMoO₆ compound did not show any significant MR even at high fields and RT (MR∼1%; H=3 T and 300 K). The implications of these findings are supported by band structure calculations to explain the interaction between the 4d(Mo) and 5d(W) orbitals of transition metal ions and oxygen ions.     

Thermal diffusivity of double perovskite Sr2MMoO6 (M=Fe, Mn and Co) and La doping effects studied by mirage effect

The thermal diffusivity has been investigated in double perovskite Sr₂MMoO₆ (M=Fe, Mn and Co) by means of the mirage effect. We have found that the thermal diffusivity of metallic Sr₂FeMoO₆ is 0.39 cm²/s, which is larger than that (0.33 cm²/s) of insulating Sr₂MnMoO₆ and Sr₂CoMoO₆. We further investigate the substitution effects of the La³⁺ ions for the Sr²⁺ ions in Sr₂FeMoO₆ and Sr₂MnMoO₆, and have found that the thermal diffusivities of both samples significantly increase with the La concentration. Such an enhancement of the thermal diffusivities has been ascribed to occupation of the extra itinerant electrons on the conduction Mo4d band.     

Pulsed laser deposition of Sr2FeMoO6 thin films

The effect of various deposition conditions and after-growth protocols on the magnetic and transport properties of Sr₂FeMoO₆ films has been explored. It is found that the saturation magnetization and the magnetoresistance (MR) are dominated by the degree of cationic order, and the strain effects are clearly evidenced in a lower T_C. The after-growth annealing of the films and the deposition of a buffer layer has been found to relax the film strains. This translates into a clear increase of the measured low-field magnetoresistance ratios.     

Influence of Bi underlayer on the magnetic properties of Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>100-x</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">x</Emphasis> =<Emphasis Type="Bold">40</Emphasis>∼<Emphasis Type="Bold">58</Emphasis>) films

We have studied the effect of a Bi underlayer on ordering and coercivity H_c of Fe_xPt_100-x thin films (atomic content of Fe x=40∼58). We found that the Bi underlayer enhances H_c remarkably. After annealing at 400 °C for 20 min, a Bi/Fe₄₉Pt₅₁ film can realize an H_c as high as 1.07×10³ kA/m and a ratio of the remnant M_r to the saturated magnetization M_s as high as 0.93. The ordering process of FePt film was promoted by the diffusion of Bi atoms. Moreover, the Bi underlayer broadens the range of x for high H_c from 49∼55 to 43∼55. Interestingly, with Bi underlayer, the high H_c is affected by x to a less extent. PACS 75.50.Ss; 75.50.Vv; 75.60.Ej     

Determination of antisite defects in double perovskite Sr2FeMoO6 by diffraction method: Simulation studies

The crystal structure of double perovskite Sr₂FeMoO₆ synthesized via solid-state reaction at 1280 °C under a reduction atmosphere is refined by Rietveld technique based on X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data in 2θ range of 15-140°. An antisite content (AS), i.e. Fe on the Mo sites (=Mo on the Fe sites), of 12.1(1)% is derived. In reference to the refinement results, a series of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data with different antisite contents, ranging from 0 (completely ordered) to 50% (completely disordered), are generated with a Poisonian noise added and subjected to Rietveld refinements with the same initial values for the refinable parameters. The AS is reproduced satisfactorily from the refinement of XRD data and the combined refinement of XRD and NPD data with a relative deviation smaller than 4%, whereas the relative deviation of AS derived from the refinement of NPD data can be as large as 50%. However, the atomic occupancies and isotropic temperature factors of all the atoms can be reasonably reproduced from the refinement of NPD data and the combined refinement of XRD and NPD data, whereas these data can be reproduced only for cations (Sr, Fe, Mo) from the refinement of XRD data. The present simulation studies shed light on understanding the controversial statements derived from XRD and NPD work regarding the antisite defects in Sr₂FeMoO₆, which in turn is indispensable for understanding the mechanism of large room temperature low-field magnetoresistance of the compound.     

Structure,transport and magnetic properties of the double perovskite (Ca<Subscript>2-2x</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>2x</Subscript>)FeMoO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

In this paper we report the results of a detailed investigation of the double perovskite (Ca_2-2xSr_2x)FeMoO₆ system. Chemical size effects on structural, electrical, and magnetic properties caused by the substitution of isovalent, larger Sr ions into the smaller Ca sites, resulting in (Ca_2-2xSr_2x)FeMoO₆, have been examined. The compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n for 0.0x<0.2, the orthorhombic space group Pbnm for 0.2x<0.4, and the tetragonal space group I4/m and I4/mmm for x0.4. Examination of the resistivity of all compounds reveals a metallic behavior which is well described by a Tⁿ dependence except for x=1.0. These n values change from 1 to 2 as T decreases lower than T_c. This is indicative of a variation in the transport mechanism at T_c. The ferrimagnetic transition temperature T_c increases with increasing x from 318 (x=0.0) to 393 K (x=1.0). For all samples, the saturation magnetization at 82 K obeys M_s3.5_B/(formula unit), compared to a theoretical spin-only moment of 4_B/(formula unit) for a perfectly ordered compound. PACS 74.25.Fy; 74.25.Ha     

Ferromagnetic transition in ordered double perovskites and related alloys

We study the electronic and magnetic properties of ordered perovskites Sr ₂FeMO₆ (where M is a transition metal), among which some compounds, like Sr₂FeMoO₆ are half-metallic with high Curie temperature while Sr₂FeWO₆ is an antiferromagnetic insulator. Using a double exchange type model with an interaction between localized spins and conduction electrons together with a tight-binding Hamiltonian and the renormalized perturbation expansion method, we study the behavior of T_c as a function of the number of conduction electrons and also as a function of the Fe-M energy difference. We also consider the Sr₂FeMo_xW_1-xO₆ compounds which present a magnetic and metal-insulator transition as a function of doping.     

THE STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF La2-2xSr1Ca2xMn2O7 (x=0.25－1.00)

In this paper, the effect of divalent cation substitution on the structure and magnetic properties in La_2-2xSr₁Ca_2xMn₂O₇ have been investigated systematically using bulk samples with a wide doping concentration range 0.25≤x≤1.00. Replacing trivalent La ions by divalent Ca ions results in the weakening and then disappearance of the long-range ferromagnetic (FM) ordering, the formation of spin canting, antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering and low-temperature spin-glass. These results show that increasing the hole-doping concentration significantly suppresses the FM state. We suggest that this variation of magnetic properties is related to the competition of the FM and AFM interactions resulting from the change of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio and Jahn-Teller-type lattice distortion of MnO₆ octahedra due to the introduction of Ca²⁺ ions.     

Magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effect of Y1-xGdxMn6Sn6 (x=0－1) compounds

The magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effect of Y_1-xGd_xMn₆Sn₆ (x=0－1) compounds have been investigated by magnetization and resistivity measurements in the applied field range (0－5 T). Compounds with x=0.4－1 display ferrimagnetic behaviours in the whole magnetic ordering temperature range, while compounds with x=0－0.2 display a field-induced metamagnetic transition, and the threshold fields decrease with increasing Gd content. The compounds with x=0.1－0.2 undergo an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition with increasing temperature. The cell-parameter a and c and cell-volume V of compounds (x=0－1) increase with increasing Gd content. It was found that the saturation magnetization M_s of the compounds (x=0.4－1) decreases, while the ordering points of the compounds (x=0－1)increase with increasing Gd content. A large MR effect was observed in the compound with x=0.2, and the maximum absolute value of MR at 5 K under 3 T is close to 19.3%.     

Magnetic properties of co-doped SnO2 diluted magnetic semiconductors

Polycrystalline samples of Sn_1−xCo_xO₂ are prepared for x=0.02, 0.05 and 0.10. They all exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism with decrease in saturation magnetization with increase in doping. The magnetization data recorded at 85 K, 295 K and 400 K for x ≥ 0.05 could be analyzed in terms of bound magnetic polaron model and the typical polaron concentration at room temperature is found to be in the order of 10²¹ per m⁻³.