Synthesis, X-ray, magnetic and electrical studies of substituted (Pr, Sr)MnO3 perovskites

A systematic study of the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of the manganites Pr1-xSrxMnO3 (0≤x≤0.5) has been carried out. X-ray diffraction investigation shows a structural change with composition, from orthorhombic (0≤x≤0.2) to rhombohedral (0.25≤x≤0.5). The magnetic properties of Pr1-xSrxMnO3 samples could be explained on the basis of a double exchange mechanism between pairs of Mn3+ and Mn4+ ions. These properties are strongly dependent on the ratio of Mn3+/Mn4+. The maximum of the ferromagnetic transition temperature Tc is reached at x≈0.35 corresponding to a value 1.85 of this ratio. The investigation of the electrical properties shows a semiconductor to metal transition as a function of temperature (0.25≤x≤0.4) with a metallic-like behaviour above a critical temperature Tρ. A semiconducting-like one is observed for all the range of temperature (50-300 K) for (0≤x≤0.2 and x = 0.5). The evolution of activated energies with the carrier concentration has been investigated.