Room Temperature Synthesis of Colossal Magneto-Resistance of La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃: Ag_0.10 Composite

Abstract

Rare-earth manganite-based perovskite has great potential as a promising material for spintronics and ferroelectromagnets. Herein, we have synthesized La 2/3 Ca 1/3 MnO 3 :Silver x (LCMO-Ag x ; where x = 0.00 and 0.10) composite using a standard solid-state reaction route. Their structural and physical properties have been investigated. Pristine LCMO and LCMO-Ag composite are crystallized in an orthorhombic structure, which is in a single-phase and has a space group of Pbnm. Pristine LCMO and LCMO-Ag composite’s structural analysis showed better grain connectivity in ferromagnetic domains of LCMO-Ag composite compared to pristine LCMO. Ag doping enhances the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition T c (Curie temperature) to 277 K, which is 8 K higher than that of pristine LCMO (T c = 269 K). Additionally, the magneto-resistance (MR) of LCMO-Ag composite was improved by ∼10% with Ag doping even at room temperature (RT), which is due to improved connectivity and grain size with Ag doping. Thus, the enhanced value of MR at RT may efficiently open up the possible use of LCMO-Ag composite as ferroelectromagnets and spintronics applications. Additionally, LCMO thin films can be useful in artificial planar junctions, vertical tunnel junctions, and sensing applications.